Perkins 2008

It's a dark, January night... a good time to think about what will be growing in the People's Republic of Perkins this year. Here are my thoughts so far. Now to make sure there is a) the space in my 2,000 square feet, and b) enough time to plant all this and still have time to join some friends for a hike of the Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park over Memorial Day weekend.

Here's the list in alphabetical order with some comments. The plan is to grow for our family, and to have 3-5 households with which we also share produce for a small fee.

Arugula, Astro II - I've not done this one before. Reportedly it is mild. I also have some seed saved from last year's Arugula crop, which was from imported seed from another gardener's father's garden in Italy.

Basil, Genovese - Typical sweet basil. Does really well at Perkins.

Basil, Red Rubin - Purple basil, which I have not grown before. Similar to Genovese in leaf shape.

Beans, Butterbeans - Edamame soy beans like at the sushi bar. Just steam them and eat like peanuts... really...

Beans, Royal Burgundy - Purple green beans. They are purple on the vine, but turn green when you cook them. They taste just like normal green beans.

Broccoli Raab, Spring Raab - Mix between a green and a broccoli. Tiny broccoli, lots of leaves. Steam and eat it all. A little on the bitter side, but this variety is quite mellow, especially if I pick it early in the morning.

Broccoli, DeCicco - Heirloom variety. Good flavor, but smaller heads. Early (if rabbits and woodchucks don't get it first).

Broccoli, Gypsy - I have not grown this variety at Perkins yet. Pretty standard broccoli.

Cabbage, Lynx - Fairly standard green cabbage. Have not grown this variety at Perkins yet.

Cabbage, Regal Red - Fairly standard red cabbage. Have not grown this variety at Perkins yet.

Carrots, Mokum and Carrots, Sugarsnax 54 - two different varieties, as I have not tried growing carrots in the clay soil at Perkins. Other gardeners, however, have had some good success.

Cilantro, Santo - The standard stuff. Will plant throughout the season to try to have with some regularity (but probably in small doses).

Corn, Luscious, Seneca Dancer, and Spring Treat - Three varieties so that it is available throughout the summer (if the raccoons don't get it like last year). All sweet corn varieties.

Cucumbers, Olympian - Have not grown this variety at Perkins yet. Cucumbers do well out there, but so do the cucumber beetles. This variety is more disease resistant than those I have done in the past, so I am hopeful.

Eggplant - Variety to be determined, but it will be an elongated, Japanese variety.

Greens, Joi Choi - Like Bok Choi, a Chinese green. Great in stir fry or just steamed up. Have not grown this variety yet.

Greens, Tatsoi - Probably the most mild mustard green. Good in stir fry or salads. I have grown well at home, but have yet to try at Perkins.

Kale, Toscano - Have not grown this variety yet. This is the sweeter "dinosaur" type.

Lettuce, Allstar - A nice mix that regenerates very well for big harvest.

Lettuce, Claremont - A Romaine type I have not grown yet. Other gardeners have had good success with Romaine at Perkins.

Lettuce, Sylvesta - A nice, green butterhead type. A new variety of a type I had great success with last year.

Lettuce, Wildfire - Another nice mix, but with more reds. Another gardener did very well with this at Perkins.

Melon, Honey Orange - Honeydew with orange flesh. I am the first to admit that I am not very good at growing melons, and Michigan can be a little too cool and short of a season for melons, but I'm compelled to try again this year...

Onions, Evergreen - Bunching onions. Have not grown this variety yet.

Onions, Purplette - Cipolini onions. Pink. Have not grown this variety yet.

Peas, Caseload - Shell peas. These will only be shared if a large crop.

Peas, Snow Sweet - Snow peas. Should be a small amount for sharing. Good in salads.

Pepper, Apple - Sweet, red pimiento pepper. Does excellent at Perkins.

Pepper, Gypsy - One of the finest sweet peppers. Light green and orange. Does excellent at Perkins.

Pepper, Habanero - The infamous hot one. Good for making salsa. Does excellent at Perkins.

Pepper, Italian Relleno - Great roasting pepper. My personal favorite. Does excellent at Perkins.

Pepper, Tiburon - A rather mild chile. Prolific. Does excellent at Perkins.

Pepper, Yankee Bell - Thick-walled green/red pepper. Have not grown this variety at Perkins yet.

Pumpkins, Baby Pam - Excellent pie pumpkin. Does excellent at Perkins.

Radish, Nero Tondo - Spanish radish. Fall planting. Stores well. Big and black. Have not grown this variety yet.

Radish, Pink Beauty - Early spring radish. Have not grown this variety yet.

Shallots, Ambition - Have not grown this variety at Perkins yet. Shallots are good keeprs, so I'm hopeful these will extend the garden eating season.

Spinach, Space - Does excellent at Perkins (until the rabbits find it). Can be grown throughout the summer.

Squash, JWS 6823 PMR - Butternut. Lousy name, but great taste and super keeper. WAY better than acorn. Does excellent at Perkins.

Squash, Sebring - Golden zucchini. Does excellent at Perkins.

Squash, Sunshine - Bright orange, Japanese variety that looks like buttercup. Have not grown this variety yet.

Swiss Chard, Bright Lights - Multi-colored and grows throughout the season, especially early and late. Does excellent at Perkins.

Tomatoes, Black Cherry - People just rave about this cherry tomato. "Black" heirloom. Does excellent at Perkins.

Tomatoes, Amish Paste - Sweet, and just fine for fresh eating. I have not grown this variety yet.

Tomatoes, Piriform - Italian heirloom. Have not grown this variety yet.

Tomatoes, Olpaka - Paste tomato. I've had good success with these at home, but have not grown this variety at Perkins yet.

Tomatoes, Pruden’s Purple - Big and pink. Heirloom. Does good at Perkins.

Thoughts? Comments?