Plant Variety Selection for the Home Vegetable Gardener
By Jacqueline Kowalski, UConn Extension
As snow and winter lose their charm, one thing that excites gardeners this time of year is the arrival and perusal of seed catalogs. The glossy pages filled with promises and beauty remind gardeners that spring is just around the corner, and soon, hands will be in the soil awaiting summer bounty. Browse through any seed catalog, and you will see vast numbers of varieties of vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, etc. The choices can sometimes seem overwhelming. So, how do you know which variety will work best for you and your gardening circumstances? There are several things that gardeners might consider.
Days to harvest
There are varietal differences in how quickly gardeners can harvest crops. For example, some types of tomatoes take 50 days to produce when planted, whereas others may take up to 90 days or more. Gardeners can find this information in the descriptions in the seed catalogs, seed packets, or plant labels. Sometimes, varieties are described as early, mid, or late season.
Other horticultural characteristics
Other things to consider are potential yield potential, taste, color, and plant size. There are types of vegetables bred specifically for containers and limited-space gardening. In some catalogs, container-friendly varieties are marked with a symbol such as a pot, or the description will note that they are good for container or patio gardening.
Pest and disease resistance/tolerance
Pests and diseases are a part of every gardener’s life. Some years are worse than others; no two years are the same. Pests and diseases can lower your yield, disfigure your plants and vegetables, and sometimes even kill your plants. Suppose your plants have experienced a particular disease in your garden. In that case, a variety that has tolerance or resistance to the problem may be available. For example, basil varieties often come infected with downy mildew mid-season, rendering the plant unusable. However, resistant varieties are now on the market that you may want to consider. Generally, the variety description in catalogs will mention what problems the variety is resistant to or abbreviations that will signify resistance. For example, downy mildew resistance in seed catalogs is sometimes denoted by the abbreviation of DM. There will usually be a chart or description of what the abbreviations mean.
Local Environmental Tolerance & Adaptability
Connecticut has experienced variable weather conditions in the last several summers, which will likely continue. Varieties that are more tolerant of the local environment are important to consider. For example, a variety of squash that grows very well in the dry climate of Arizona may not do as well in Connecticut. Unfortunately, we do not know what weather patterns or events we will experience in 2025. However, if you know your garden site is particularly prone to drought or humid conditions, use this information to plan variety selection. Information on environmental tolerance is sometimes found in the product description in seed catalogs, seed packets, or plant labels.
Hybrid and open pollinated varieties
Hybrid and open-pollinated vegetable varieties have a place in the home garden depending on the gardener’s needs. Hybrid varieties have been developed by vegetable breeders who cross two different varieties with specific desired characteristics such as disease resistance or heat tolerance. Open-pollinated, or OP, varieties breed “true to type” and the seeds will result in plants that are genetically the same as the parent. Hybrids are often designated in seed catalogs or on seed packets with an F1 and open pollinated varieties OP.
Experiment
Gardeners are lifelong learners. Experiment with something new! Consider one of the interesting varieties that catches your eye. Evaluate varieties over several seasons to see how well they perform under different weather patterns. One resource for new varieties on the market is the All-America Selections program. This non-profit was established to evaluate varieties throughout the United States. New varieties are evaluated each year through a network of trial gardens. Outstanding performers are selected both nationally and regionally.
Personal experience, but don’t forget to experiment
If you have a variety that has done well for you, and you like how it tasted and produced well, stick with it! Gardeners may have to trial new varieties over a couple of to find out what works for the site.
For more information, see:
Vegetable Garden: Basics and Plant Selections
Jacqueline Kowalski is an Associate Extension Educator for urban agriculture at UConn Extension; she supports increasing food production in Connecticut’s urban centers.
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