Tennessee Home Garden Variety Trials HGVT... · We decided to approach this dilemma from a...

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Tennessee Home Garden Variety Trials

2018 Results

Natalie Bumgarner, Assistant Professor, Residential and Consumer Horticulture

Virginia Sykes, Assistant Professor, Variety Testing & Agroecology

Brooke Keadle, Student Assistant, Plant Sciences Department

Introduction

The Tennessee Home Garden Variety Trials program was initiated in 2017 with the goal of helping home gardeners answer the question, “which variety will do best in my Tennessee home garden?” This is an important question. Growing a well-adapted variety can result in higher yields, more flavorful produce, and reduced chemical applications to control pests and diseases. Unfortunately, it is also a tough question to answer. Because of the high cost of trialing vegetable varieties, there is very little information on variety performance specific to the many different regions within Tennessee. We decided to approach this dilemma from a different angle. By involving our Tennessee home gardeners in a citizen science approach to variety evaluation, we are able to see how varieties perform across many different locations and gather important data on attributes that make varieties valuable in a home garden, such as germination, plant health, yield, attractiveness, and flavor. We are excited about the opportunity to work side by side with our Tennessee citizens and we hope that you will find these results useful in answering the question, which variety will grow best in my

Tennessee home garden. Goals

1. Gardeners will collect data on variety performance which will be compiled to identify varieties with superior performance in Tennessee

2. Gardeners will be introduced to new varieties which will lead to more productive gardens and healthier diets

3. Gardeners will be introduced to and become active participants in the scientific process

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Methods

Varieties were selected from sources available to home gardeners, including Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Territorial, Harris, High Mowing, Holmes, and Baker Creek Heirloom. Selections included both tried and true varieties as well as promising new varieties. These were grouped into paired comparisons within more specific sub-categories (e.g. bean – green pole, green compact bush, bush lima, bush roma). Participants were allowed to sign up for a maximum of seven trials. A trial fee of $1 per trial and $3 for shipping were collected. Children under 18 were allowed one free trial. Enough seed for a 10 ft row were packaged in coin envelopes and distributed to participants, along with information specific to their selected trial. Participants were responsible for managing their garden trials, evaluating characteristics identified in the evaluation sheet, and returning data upon completion of the trial. More information on how to participate can be found at: extension.tennessee.edu/MasterGardener/Pages/Vegetable Garden Trials.aspx When evaluating trials, participants were asked to mark which of the two varieties performed better in terms of germination, plant health, first fruit, yield, attractiveness, and flavor. They were also asked to give a performance rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 indicating poor performance and 10 indicating excellent performance. Participants were asked to select which variety they preferred and to indicate whether they would recommend either variety to other home gardeners. The results below indicate the percentage of participants who preferred or recommended each variety, along with the mean rating that variety received across all evaluations. Also indicated are traits that were identified as significantly superior in one variety compared with the either variety. Significance was determined using Fisher’s exact test with an alpha level of 0.1.

Participation

In 2018, 131 participants representing 40 Tennessee counties and 1 county in North Carolina planted 689 trials. The number of sites for which useable data was returned is indicated for each trial.

https://extension.tennessee.edu/MasterGardener/Pages/Vegetable%20Garden%20Trials.aspx

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Summary of Results

Bean, Green Bush Cultivar Jade II Crockett

Positive comments on yield and taste were returned for both cultivars. ‘Jade II’ was reported to have slightly larger, fuller, lighter green beans and had higher yields in our trial. One trialer noted “My family LOVED the Jade II and we will certainly grow them again”.

Rating (1-10) 6.8 6.5 Recommend (%) 60 52

(25 sites)

Bean, Green Pole Cultivar Seychelles Kentucky Wonder

For the 2nd year in a row, ‘Kentucky Wonder’ was more recommended by TN trial participants with good comments on their yield and flavor. Both varieties received good ratings. AAS winner ‘Seychelles’ was noted to also have good taste and a longer harvest season.


(9 sites)

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Bean, Half Runner Cultivar Volunteer State

Fewer trial sites were available for half-runner beans than bush and pole types. Comments on ‘Volunteer Half Runner’ were that yield and taste were good and ‘State Half Runner’ was also noted to be hardy and productive. (USDA image)


(4 sites)

Bean, Bush Romano Cultivar Roma II Jumbo

These two Romano type bush beans were similar in terms of ratings and percentage recommended. ‘Jumbo’ had comments about the large bean size, and both were noted to have good taste.


(9 sites)

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Bean, Bush Lima Cultivar Speckled Dixie Fordhook 242

The two cultivars had similar ratings and recommendation percentages. ‘Fordhook 242’ was healthier, according to TN trials. Comments on ‘Speckled Dixie’ were positive about bean size, texture, and appearance. Some issues were seen with germination and plant stand.


(9 sites)

Okra Cultivar Clemson Spineless Candle Fire

The familiar ‘Clemson Spineless’ received good comments in our trials and had a high recommendation percentage. However, the novel ‘Candle Fire’ was rated higher in yield and flavor with quite positive comments on appearance, production season length, texture, and taste. One gardener noted “Candle Fire was an unexpected surprise”. That 8.3 rating for ‘Candle Fire’ was the highest in our trial this year.


(26 sites)

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Corn, Supersweet Cultivar Honey ‘n Pearl American Dream

Sweet corn trial participants rated and recommended these supersweet corn cultivars similarly. ‘American Dream’ was noted to have bigger and fuller ears by some, but ‘Honey n Pearl’ also received good notes about flavor. Four-legged issues again for trial participants this year. (AAS image)


(12 sites)

Corn, Ornamental Cultivar Miniature Colored Popcorn

Glass Gem

This was the first ornamental corn in TN trials. Gardeners commented on the beautiful colors in Glass Gem, but also noted the fuller ears and the ornamental and edible uses of the popcorn. “Gorgeous and a lot of fun” and reports of multiple county fair ribbons sum up this trial. (Ethan Hitchcock image)


(11 sites)

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Cucumber, Bush Slicer Cultivar Saladmore Patio Snacker

These two compact slicers were recommended similarly in our trials. Some preferred the milder flavor and longer, smoother fruit of the ‘Saladmore’. Others commented on the production, compact plant and the fact that ‘Patio Snacker’ “tasted like a cucumber”. Our trials indicate that both of these cultivars have nice qualities for the TN gardener.


(23 sites)

Cucumber, Garden Slicer Cultivar Olympian General Lee

Both cucumbers received high ratings. ‘General Lee’ was rated as higher yielding in this trial and had positive comments on taste, yield, and plant hardiness. ‘Olympian’ also had positive feedback from gardeners on the taste, cucumber flavor and vigorous plants.


(11 sites)

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Cucumber, Thin-Skinned Cultivar Diva Amiga

For the 2nd year in a row, ‘Diva’ was rated highly. This year it was also reported to have higher germination and flavor versus ‘Amiga’. Sweeter, smoother, less bitter, and crisp were also used to describe ‘Diva’ fruit.


(14 sites)

Muskmelon Cultivar Sugar Cube MN Midget

‘Sugar Cube’ was the overwhelming favorite in this trial and was reported to have better yield, appearance, flavor, preference and overall rating. The flavorful small melons were reported to be easy to pick because the vine slipped easily. (Marsha Lehman image)


(17 sites)

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Watermelon, Compact Cultivar Sugar Pot Mini Love

These compact watermelon trials were popular, but gardeners had mixed reviews due to some issues with poor germination and/or low production. Overall ‘Mini Love’ was rated as higher yielding, but ‘Sugar Pot’ did have some good comments on taste and size.


(20 sites)

Watermelon, Standard Cultivar Starlight New Orchid

This watermelon trial required more space and this did reduce trial participation. For these vining watermelons, our trialers reported higher germination with ‘Starlight’ (pictured above) and better flavor with the yellow-fleshed ‘New Orchid’.


(4 sites)

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Pumpkin, Small Cultivar Spark Baby Bear

‘Spark’ was rated higher overall versus the 2017 high performer ‘Baby Bear’. Gardeners reported beautiful, small, and plentiful pumpkins that were great for decorations. In one site, 20 fruit per vine were reported from ‘Spark’.


(11 sites)

Pumpkin, Medium Cultivar Pepitas Cinnamon Girl

Ratings were mediocre for both cultivars. Comments on ‘Cinnamon Girl’ were that they had a nice color that held up well through the fall. Some issues with germination were seen with ‘Pepitas’, but fruit was noted to be larger and seeds were good for roasting and eating.


(10 sites)

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Pumpkin, Novelty Cultivar Knucklehead Gumdrop

These pumpkins were quite different with ‘Knucklehead’ preferred for large and unique knobby fruit. ‘Gumdrop’ was noted to produce more fruit that were small. (Johnny’s Select Seeds Image)


(11 sites)

Summer Squash, Green Cultivar Tigress Raven

Both green zucchini were rated highly and usually recommended for others by those in the trial. Comments on ‘Raven’ were often about yield and taste as well as a preference for the darker colored fruit. ‘Tigress’ was also reported to yield well and be tender. Several said that both cultivars produced and sold well and tasted good.


(21 sites)

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Summer Squash, Yellow Cultivar Tempest Slik Pik YS 26

The new ‘Tempest’ cultivar performed quite well and was rated higher overall and in terms of yield, flavor, and attractive fruit with almost 90% of gardeners recommending it. Long harvest season was also a common comment for ‘Tempest’. ‘Slik Pik 26’ received positive comments for straight uniform shape and few seeds.


(19 sites)

Summer Squash, Speciality Cultivar Flamino Bossa Nova

For the 2nd year in a row, ‘Bossa Nova’ performed very well in TN garden trials. This year it was rated higher for first fruit and yield and had many positive comments on flavor, appearance and productivity. This AAS winner has lived up to its billing in TN trials.


(21 sites)

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Squash, Compact Butternut Cultivar Butterscotch Butterbush

The two compact butternut squash had similar ratings overall. ‘Butterscotch’ was rated higher for attractive fruit. Comments though revealed that many thought ‘Butterscotch’ produced well, had more flesh, and had a good texture. One trailer said, “The variety produced a bumper crop of squash and I mean a TON!” (Marsha Lehman image)


(21 sites)

Winter Squash, Baking Cultivar Sunshine Bush Delicata

These two winter squash cultivars performed very similarly in our trials this year. ‘Bush Delicata’ was reported by some to be sweeter and a more compact plant. Others reported that ‘Sunshine’ was higher yielding. (AAS image)


(19 sites)

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Basil, Genovese Cultivar Eleonora Dolce Fresca

‘Dolce Fresca’, a recent AAS winner was rated higher for both plant health and yield in our trial. Comments also pointed out that it performed well in small spaces as a compact plant and had a nice flavor. (AAS image)


(24 sites)

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Tennessee Home Garden Variety Trials

Top-Performers

Tennessee top-performers are varieties that, when evaluated by our citizen scientists in Tennessee, received an average rating of 7 or greater on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 indicates poor performance and 10 indicates excellent performance. Next to each variety is additional information on the specific characteristics that made these top varieties stand out along with the year in which each variety received a high rating. Why we love it comments are listed in order of most frequently listed attributes.

Category Variety Why we love it Evaluation Year

Basil Genovese Dolce Fresca Plant health, yield, good for small spaces 2018

Bean Colored Bush Pauldor Flavor 2017

Bean Colored Bush Velour Texture (less stringy), appearance (beautiful purple color)

2017

Bean Green Bush Crockett Yield, flavor, plant health, appearance (love the dark green) 2017

Bean Green Bush Kentucky Wonder

Quick germ, vigorous growth, flavor, yield 2018

Bean Green Bush Provider Early maturity, flavor, germination, yield, texture 2017

Bean Green Bush Seychelles Yield, flavor, long production season 2018

Bean Half Runner State Hardy, long production season 2018

Bean Half Runner Volunteer Yield, flavor 2018

Corn Late-Season Bicolor Delectable Yield, flavor, shelf life 2017

Cucumber Compact Saladmore Flavor, yield, long production season, plant health 2018

Cucumber Garden Slicer General Lee Yield, plant hardiness, large fruit size, flavor 2018

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Cucumber Garden Slicer Straight 8 Germination, yield, appearance, flavor, pickling 2017

Cucumber Seedless Cool Breeze Germination, early maturity, yield, shelf life, flavor, pickling 2017

Cucumber Thin Skinned Diva Appearance (smooth fruit), flavor, yield, pickling 2017, 2018

Muskmelon Athena Flavor, yield, early maturity 2017

Muskmelon Small fruit Sugar Cube Flavor, yield 2018

Okra

Candle Fire Appearance, flavor, yield, plant health, pods stayed tender longer while on plant

2018

Okra Clemson Spineless Flavor, yield

Pumpkin Large Carving Cargo No comments 2017

Pumpkin Large Carving Howden Appearance, yield 2017

Pumpkin Novelty Knucklehead Unique 2018

Pumpkin Small Baby Bear Appearance, yield, plant growth habit (better ground cover) 2017

Pumpkin Blue Jarrahdale Appearance 2017 Pumpkin Blue Triamble Appearance, yield 2017 Pumpkin White Moonshine Appearance, yield 2017

Summer Squash Green Raven Early maturity, yield, flavor,

appearance, fruit size 2017, 2018

Summer Squash Green Tigress Appearance, flavor, yield, plant

health 2018

Summer Squash Small Green 8 Ball

Germination, plant health, early maturity, yield, flavor, fruit size, appearance, marketability

2017

Summer Squash Specialty Bossa Nova

Early maturity, yield, flavor, plant health (fewer squash bugs), plant vigor, appearance

2017, 2018

Summer Squash Yellow Multipik Early maturity, appearance,

yield, flavor, shelf life 2017

Summer Squash Yellow Tempest Flavor, yield, long production

season 2018

Summer Squash Yellow Zephyr

Flavor, appearance, shelf life, long production season, marketability

2017

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