Bringing the American Dream to life
The stock market has seen huge swings lately, causing the usual concerns about where the U.S. economy is headed, but the American Dream is alive and available to gardeners everywhere this year. It comes in the form of the new “American Dream” sweet corn variety, one of this year’s AllAmerica Selections winners in the edibles category.
Zea mays Sweet Corn “American Dream” — With its excellent germination, very tender, super sweet kernels, American Dream will make a great addition to the home garden. Plants grow 6-7 feet tall and mature in 77 days after planting the seed. Each stalk produces just one, eight-inch, very tender and sweet ear of bi-color kernels. Perfect fresh, roasted, grilled, canned or frozen. Judges noted “good tip fill.”
Here are the other “edibles” winners:
Brassica rapa Pak Choi “Asian Delight” — This Pak Choi did not bolt like the comparisons, even weeks after other varieties went to seed. Small to mid-size (5-7 inch) heads have a tasty, tender white rib and dark green, textured leaves. One judge noted that, “The pak choi was edible even at temperatures near 100 degrees.”
Capsicum annuum Cayenne Pepper “Red Ember” — This new pepper won over judges by being earlier to mature than the comparison varieties, important in climates with a shorter growing season. Red Ember produces a large number of fruits (10-15 at a time) on medium-sized plants. Judges described the thick-walled fruits as spicy, but tastier than the traditional cayenne, with “just enough pungency for interest.” Plants grow to two feet tall (no staking needed), producing fruits about 4.5 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Judges noted, “This would be lovely planted in a container.”
Capsicum chinense Habanero Pepper “Roulette” — A habanero pepper with no heat? Is this some kind of April Fool’s joke? No, it’s “Roulette,” a new variety that resembles a traditional habanero pepper in every way but without the heat. The one-ounce fruits are red with thick walls when they mature and with a nice citrusy habanero flavor. Each plant easily produces 10-11 fruits at one time and up to 100 per season. Bushy plants grow to 3.5 feet with a similar spread. Start seeds indoors. Judges noted, “Perfect for container growing.”
Capsicum annuum Pepper “Mexican Sunrise” — This new Hungarian pepper brings
similar spread. Start seeds indoors. Judges noted, “Perfect for container growing.”
Capsicum annuum Pepper “Mexican Sunrise” — This new Hungarian pepper brings a full spectrum of colors from lime green, to yellow, then orange, and red as the fruit matures. The semi-hot fruits may be eaten at any color stage, or used for ornamental purposes as well as for processing, pickling, and fresh preparations. Plants grow to just under two feet tall. Number of fruits per plant 40+ judges noted that, “the fruits just continue to taste better the riper they get!”
Solanum lycopersicum Tomato “Chef’s Choice Red” — This firm-fleshed delicacy has just the right balance of acid to sugar. Judges raved about the prolific yield of the 8-ounce fruits. The strong, 5-foot indeterminate vines require staking.
Solanum lycopersicum Tomato “Red Racer” — Red Racer is a cocktail size tomato that produces clusters of small, uniform fruits with great taste. Cocktail tomatoes are about about 1.5 inches in diameter and have a good sweet/acid balance. The compact (3-foot) determinate plants produce a huge yield (upwards of 70 fruits per plant) 7 to 10 days earlier than the comparisons and are ideal for small space and container gardens.
Solanum lycopersicum Grape Tomato “Valentine”— Hands down, the judges agreed this was the most appealing grape to- mato they trialed. It has a very sweet (Brix of 7-9) taste and will hold longer on the vine without cracking or losing the excellent eating quality. Valentine is prolific (produces 100 or more fruits per plant) and bears early. Indeterminate vines should be staked for best results. Judges noticed that Valentine, “takes the stress of late summer and keeps producing.”