Several visitors and staff members have asked for the names and sources of some of the plants growing in the children’s vegetable garden. I have copied the inventory below along with a very informal rating and source code. The rating scale is from “-” (no germination/poor performer) to “++” (star performer). If there is neither a plus nor minus next to the plant then it performed adequately. This was an unusual growing season. Cool temperatures were followed by scorching heat. A little cool weather and now we are back to heat again. The roller coaster ride made it hard on some plants that are typically top performers – like sunflowers! So take the rating with a grain of salt. I have also listed the sources for the seeds; the key is at the bottom of the list.
One thing stands out, when I cast my eye down this list – the children planted an awful lot! This year we kept them moving pretty much non-stop and they didn’t get disheartened by the weather. It is amazing what a group of 6 to 11 year olds can accomplish in just one day a week. I’d like to thank the parents, interns, and staff who helped the children accomplish this. Most of all, I’d like to thank the kids for doing such a great job with their gardens. It takes more than just hard work to make a garden – a really good garden needs to be fun and creative. That is what all of you brought to the garden this year THANK YOU.
Younger Gardeners
Carson Bush Wax Bean (++J)
Simpson Elite Lettuce (++P)
Cherry Belle Radish (+P)
Mokum Carrot (-P)
Tomato mixed varieties (plants)
Eggplant (plants)
Marigolds (plants)
Older Gardeners
Carson Bush Wax Bean (++J)
Italian Large Leaf Basil (++P)
Dukat Strain Dill (+P)
New Red Fire Lettuce (+P)
Helios Radish (+P)
Mokum Carrot (-P)
Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos (+P)
Lilliput Mix Zinnia (++P)
Tomato mixed varieties (plants)
Eggplant (plants)
Marigolds (plants)
Mint (plants)
Parsley (plants)
Projects
Mammoth Russian Sunflower (-B)
Boothbys Blonde Cucumber (++P)
Cosmos Pied Piper Red (++B)
Birdhouse Bottle Gourds (+ FM, J)
Moon and Stars Watermelon (+FM)
Zebulon Dwarf Sunflower (-J)
Sebring Zucchini (++J)
Purity Cosmos (+P)
Miss Willmott Zinnia (+P)
Serena Purple Angelonia (++ plants)
Strawberry mixed varieties (+ plants)
Hyacinth Bean (+J)
Cosmos Sonata Mixed (+B)
Teddy Bear Sunflower (-J)
Red Burgundy Okra (++P)
Minnesota Midget Melon (+P)
B Burpee
FM Ferry Morse
J Johnny’s Selected Seeds
P Pinetree Garden Seeds
TM Thompson & Morgan
