04/18/2026
🥒Grower's Picks, Part Two🥒
Last week, we checked in with grower John Long to highlight several herbs on tap for Spring Organic Market and Plant Sale on Saturday, May 9. And now, he's back to shine a light on several vegetable varieties you may want to feature in your garden this season.
"Bearing crops are the backbone of the summer vegetable garden," he says. "At the sale, we will have all the favorites—beefsteak tomatoes, Italian teardrop eggplant, and standard pickling cucumbers. But in addition to those, why not try something a little different?"
🍅Tomato: "For your summer tomato crop, try something off the beaten path, like my personal favorite, Tasmanian Chocolate. It gives a different look—a luxurious mahogany—with great heirloom flavor and ease of cultivation. You might also try the sweet tidbits that are Pink Champagne grape tomato."
🍆Eggplant: "A relative of the tomato, eggplant is used in many different cuisines," John notes. "Most of us are familiar with the Italian varieties, but why not try one of the Asian varieties, which offers a delicate alternative in taste and texture."
🥒Cucumber: "Beyond the slicers and picklers, the Asian varieties offer different looks and flavors. We have Suyo Long, which produces a long, winding fruit, perfect for pickling and eating fresh," he says.
Please stay tuned for Part Three, the final installment in our annual Grower's Picks series, when John will showcase ornamental and perennial plants!
