New and Noteworthy Vegetables to Grow in 2011

Posted on 27. Jan, 2011 by Tracey in Sow Seeds

Throughout the winter months, we all spend most of our time (well I know I do!) sifting through the seed catalogues or browsing the online vegetable seed stores, trying to finalise our vegetable growing lists for this year. I have a self confessed addiction for meticulously looking through every vegetable category on the veg seed supplier websites trying to make sure I haven’t missed any ‘hidden gems’ that I’d really like to try growing (I think it comes from my accounts background).

Due to that fact it puts me in good standing to write this post on new and noteworthy vegetables as I know I have almost seen it all.

So in my opinion here are some absolutely great vegetables that should not be hidden away and should be proud to show themselves off to the world and hopefully one or two may be added to your list for this year.

PUMPKIN Padana

PUMPKIN Padana

Reason to Buy: This beautiful ornamental pumpkin has vertical raised grey/green and orange ribs and originally from the North West of Italy. It has a great taste and visual appealing in the veg plot.

Sow: Mar-end Jun.

From: Seeds of Italy – Pumpkin Padana

FRENCH BEAN Merveille De Piemonte

Reason to Buy: An unusual motled yellow with purple flecked french bean. It is from the alpine region of northern Italy and is a stringless type.
Sow: April to June
From: Seeds of Italy – French Bean Merveille De Piemonte
Grow With: Rocquencourt (yellow stringless) and/or Purple King (purple) French Beans

AUBERGINE Tondo Bianca White

AUBERGINE Tondo Bianca White

Reason to Buy: A unique large white with soft pink toned variety of aubergine. It is very popular and would be a great talking point in your garden this summer.
Sow: February to May
From: Seeds of Italy – Aubergine Tondo Bianca White

RADISH Zlata

Reason to Buy: A golden yellow skinned radish with mild spicy flavour. Grow with rosy red or pink radishes to add colour to your salad bowl.
Sow: March to September
From: Marshalls Seeds – Radish Zlata
Grow With: Pink Beauty or Scarlet Globe Radishes for a more colourful harvest.

CARDOON Gobbo Di Nizza Monferrato

CARDOON Gobbo Di Nizza Monferrato

Reason To Buy: A Cardoon is related to the artichoke and the stalks are eaten. These are popular in spain, italy and france but not so much in the UK. Cardoons have a strong celery flavour and this variety is from Piemonte in Italy. Grow for the grand name and unique vegetable status.

Sow: March to June
From: Seeds of Italy – Cardoon Gibbi Di Bizza Monferrato

BROAD BEANS Karmazyn

Reason to Buy: A small compact variety which will suit raised bed gardening and the beans are pink in colour. This is a high cropping variety.
Sow: February to April
Grow With: The Sutton (another compact variety with great taste)
From: Karmazyn from Sutton Seeds

CHILLI Ciliegia Piccante 'Satans Kiss'

CHILLI Ciliegia Piccante

Reason To Buy: Its called Satan’s Kiss which might give an indication of this medium hot chilli’s taste. It is a small round chilli which gets up to 60% milder when it is cooked.

Sow: February to June
From: Seeds of Italy – Chilli Ciliegia Picaante

Grow With: Chilli Etna (voted 9th hottest by Gardeners World 2006)

BROKALI F1 Apollo

Reason To Buy: This is the next new crossover vegetable crossing european broccoli and chinese broccoli. Similar to other sprouting broccoli with long green shoots.
Sow: April to July
From: Brokali Apollo F1 from Sutton Seeds

Pumpkin Windsor F1

PUMPKIN F1 Windsor

Reason To Buy: This is a baby pumpkin compact plant that grows in large planters that grows fruits up to 6 inches in diameter. This is the ideal variety for people with limited space.

Sow: April to June

From: Windsor F1 from Sutton Seeds

MUSTARD Red Dragon

Reason To Buy: This mustard baby leaf variety has wide leaves with red frills. This will definitely brighten and add spice to your salad this summer.
Sow: March to July
From: CNSeeds.co.uk and
CN Seeds – PDF Catalogue Link – Online store coming soon
Grow With: Mustard ‘Red Lion’ (dark red mild leaves), Komatsuna (mild mustard spinach) Conred F1.

Other Posts you may be interested in:

• Planning Your Vegetable Garden – Choosing Your Seeds
• Planning Your Vegetable Garden – What Can I Grow?
• Worldwide Vegetable Seed Suppliers List
• Vegetable Seeds to Sow Now and Next

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Tags: choosing from vegetable seed catalogues, growing Aubergine seeds, growing broad beans seeds, growing brokali seeds, growing cardoon, growing chilli seeds, growing french beans seeds, growing mustard seeds, growing pumpkin seeds, growing radish seeds, growing vegetables in 2011, growing vegetables new varieties, new vegetables to grow