What Veggies Do You Grow?

[LeslieH]

I actually just got my second seed catalog of the next growing season (only 5 months early) and it has me wondering what folks plant with success.
I'm wanting to grow hot peppers, a GOOD pie pumpkin, good Brussels sprouts and am considering a different winter squash.
I already do a bunch of basics, but these are all things I've not tried in earnest, which this coming season is something I really want to.
The hot pepper, I'd like it to be something with some good flavor, not just hot.
The other things - just ones that are successful. Heritage types are preferred, but I'll take anything that is a natural hybrid.
Leslie

[bull]

I plant just about everything, I think buttercup is the best tasting winter squash, I wouldn't go too crazy with hot peppers., not very marketable I sell some but few. There are only a few people who dare to purchase them.
I have stayed away from cole crops *( cabbage,brusells etc., for the past couple years, but they will be making a comeback in 2010..... I will be moving away from pumpkins so I will have more area to experiment with new crops !!

[LeslieH]

Sounds like a plan!
I'm growing for myself and my family - not to sell.
And other stuff, I'm growing for jam and jelly making. The hot peppers are only for hot pepper jelly, which seems to be a popular item around here. This is why I'd rather have a unique, but GOOD hot pepper to put in.
The pumpkin, I need a good flavor and a smooth texture - basically what you need for a pie since I'm making pumpkin butter (people call it jam, but it isn't). That too, seems to be popular.
I can actually make more from selling as jams than I can as the actual crop. It also is far less work for me since I don't need it to look perfect to sell. And, with my vertigo, 3 batches of jam only takes about 90 minutes, so it can fit in with my health issues. I only get about 3-4 hours a day of good functioning ability.

L

[mommagoose]

Leslie, and Bull, I am expanding my hot pepper offerings in 2010. I have always had good luck selling hot peppers. This past year I had jalapenos, hot cherries and Super chilis. I plan on growing Anaheims Plobanos and Mole peppers next year.
For sweet peppers I grow Jupiter and Giant Marconi but I plan on adding a mix of colored peppers next year.
Bull, Jalapenos are a great pepper to offer your customer. Fruit is ready to sell in about 60 days from transplant and they yield heavily all summer. I had 50 plants and sold an average of 5 gallons a week for 10 for $2.00 right up until hard frost.August 1st until October. I chose a variety that was only half as hot as a regular jalapeno along with my tomatillos , garlic and onions . I had printed out a simple salsa recipe to increase sales. I planted a large mild variety of Jalepeno from Tomato Growers Supply. You might want to check them out.
I also have had wonderful sales of Super Chili's. They are very hot but make a good pickled hot pepper. I sold them pickled to a local grocery one year.
Linda

[mommagoose]

I grow cole crops but now that I have discovered Spinosad for worm and flea beetle control , I am adding more varieties to my offerings. I never could grow chinese cabbage but I will try them in my greenhouse and treat with Spinosad and I am pretty sure I will have a marketable crop. I had 100 brussel sprout plants this year as an after thought. MY customers just raved about them and were sad when they were gone. I may plant a whole row in 2010. The only bad result I had was broccoli raab. At least my chickens and goat love it.
Linda

[mommagoose]

Leslie, most pumpkin pies are made from squash. I have unlimited free long distance. Maybe we can arrange to chat on the phone after Thanksgiving? You are only 60 miles from me. I get about 12 catalogs and there are new varieties available for "pumpkin" this year you might be interested in.
Linda

[LeslieH]

Hey Linda,
I have unlimited phone too, so that's not a problem. Just switched over this past month in case we needed it with Mom's surgery.
My main reason for pumpkin is for pumpkin butter. Hence, the need for the stronger flavor and a less grainy texture.
I just got Pinetree Seeds catalog, which I've not gotten before. Have also gotten The tomato one. Ordered a selection of heirloom seeds from Heirloom Tomatoes. If you want the list of stuff I got that I've not planted yet, let me know.
I got it because my brother was in an armageddon mood. LOL Dont' laugh too loud.
Have you ever grown sweet potatoes? If so, any success? I am not a standard potato girl, but would grow the sweets if they grew this far north. Would a cloche help or gorw them in dark bags that I can cover with a lighter material in super hot weather? I don't mind playing with them to see.
I'm surprised your chickens don't help keep your cole crops clean of bugs. LOL
L

[Murray in ME]

I've grown sweet potatoes a couple of times here in western Maine. I got an acceptable crop from them. Yield was ok. Size was quite a bit smaller than what you find in the store. The flavor was much better. I don't really like supermarket sweet potatoes. I liked these a lot. I grew them in hills (ridges actually) without black plastic or row cover. Next year, I'm going to plant quite a few more in black plastic with row covers. Using them should give a substantial improvement in both quantity of tubers and size. That is, providing we actually get some sun and heat next summer instead of constant rain.

[LeslieH]

Hey Murry,
Thanks for the experience!
Did you try different kinds, and if so, was 1 better than another? I'd actually prefer smaller tubers. The ones in the stores are more than a meal with just 1. So that's good to know.
Leslie

[mommagoose]

I did a blind sweet potato test for Cornell about 15 years ago. They gave me 5 sweet potatoes all different varieties and I grew my own slips and transplanted them. I had mixed results. I planted them in raised beds covered with plastic. I did not have drip irrigation at the time but some varieties produced huge potatoes and others took too long and did not. I will see if I can find my results sheet. It may take a while The really dark potatoes did the best. They are easy to grow if you add some plastic for heat.
Linda