Tomatoes, turnips rule in big year for veggie gardening

CHARLESTON, W.VA. >> In the year of the new coronavirus, when new gardeners came out in droves to try growing their own vegetables, tomatoes were still king. And in a twist, the respect-seeking turnip actually turned some heads.

Seed companies taking stock of what went well and what came out of the woodwork proclaimed the tomato as their top seller this year.

Specif ic a lly, at Burpee, the Bodacious Tomato was the best- selling vegetable seed. The company calls the large, disease- resistant but pricey hybrid indeterminate tomato, which is good with sandwiches, burgers, salads and more, “our new superstar.”

The Park’s Whopper tomato has been an annual centerpiece for Park Seeds, “and 2020 was no different!” said Kelly Funk, president of parent J&P Park Acquisitions.

At Ferry Morse, the Large-Fruited Red Cherry Tomato that fills out on tall, indeterminate vines was crowned its No. 1 seller. “It’s an easy-to-grow variety that produces prolifically all summer long,” said Ferry Morse chief marketing officer Rebecca Sears.

Obv iously, t omat oes aren’t the only veggies that gardeners grow from seed. Cucumbers, peppers and beans also are near the top of consumer retail sales.

At Burpee, the biggest surprise was the Silky

Sweet Turnip, which chairman George Ball said was “kind of mind-blowing.”

Yes, a turnip. That easy to grow but hard-to-figureout-what- to- do-with root vegetable.

“It’s the butt of many jokes and the bane of many appetites,” Ball said.

Burpee’s website compares the the Silky Sweet Turnip to a reinvented apple, whose sweetness “ma kes it seductively snacky.”

Ball said Burpee bought the entire supply of the turnip variety from a breeder in Japan.

“If you think you’ve ever had a turnip before, this is going to change your mind,” he said. In retrospect, “this thing was everything we had hoped for.”

LYNNE SLADKY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE DiMare farm manager Jim Husk holds a ripe tomato, in Homestead, Fla., on March 28. Tomatoes and turnips are among the winners for US seed company sales. In the year of the coronavirus and new gardeners in droves trying to grow their own vegetables, tomatoes are still king. And in a twist, the respect-seeking turnip actually turned some heads.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE Hakurei turnips sit in a field after being harvested on Andrew Dunham’s 80-acre organic farm, in Grinnell, Iowa., on June 10, 2019. Tomatoes and turnips are among the winners for US seed company sales. In the year of the coronavirus and new gardeners in droves trying to grow their own vegetables, tomatoes are still king. And in a twist, the respectseeking turnip actually turned some heads.