Master Gardeners 2024 Seed Trial Winners Announced: Discover the Top Picks for a Successful Garden Growth
Minnesota gardeners get ready for the seed-buying season! Wanna know what seeds are perfect for thriving in the state? Thankfully, the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Volunteer Program has your back. They've compiled a list of top-performing plant varieties for 2024, so you don’t end up with duds.
Let’s check out some of the fabulous finds: interference, 'Calypso' cilantro! If you've ever had trouble with your cilantro bolting prematurely, this variety is a game-changer. Bred for extended life, 'Calypso' delivers a useful harvest even if planted late in May. Last year, one trial gardener enjoyed a cilantro harvest right up until October!
Another standout is the 'Happy Rich' broccoli. This guy steals the show with excellent flavor, high yield, and reliable performance. That's nothing compared to the low stem diameter. It leaves mouthwatering winners like 'ButterStem,' 'Apollo,' 'Artwork,' 'DiCicco,' and 'Melody' eating broccoli dust. Yada yada!
If you're into Asian long beans, prepare to meet the 'Yu Long Noodle Kin' yard-long bean. This edible superstar will amaze you, if you haven’t grown Asian long beans yet. One quirk? Place the seeds in water overnight before planting outside in mid-May.
And that's just a teeny portion of the recommended plants from the Master Gardeners' seed trial spreadsheet. This baby packs more than 1,000 varieties, with the lesser performers ranked in order. Hop on over to the spreadsheet to see the rest and prepare for spring planting!
Some of the other 2024 seed winners include 'Davidor' shallot, 'Bright Lights' Swiss chard, 'Cupid' snacking pepper, 'Scarlet Choice Double' strawflowers, and 'Blue Boy' bachelor buttons.
The Master Gardeners worked tirelessly to test these seeds, using anonymous codes for each variety to root out any bias. The differences in results were astounding, proving that the seeds you choose matter. So, do your research peeps, it'd make a difference!
Want more deets? Check out the 2024 report results or head to the University Digital Conservancy for past years' reports.
So, gather your seed packets or get ready for some indoor sowing—spring is right around the corner! Happy planting!
Column by Sarah Jackson
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[Spring 2025 Issue] [Garden News] [Featured Article]
[1]: University of Minnesota Extension | Master Gardener Volunteer Program https://www.extension.umn.edu/master-gardener-volunteer-program/[2]: University of Minnesota Extension | Seed Trial Spreadsheet https://www.extension.umn.edu/resource/seed-trial-spreadsheet
In the list of top-performing plants for the 2024 season, 'Calypso' cilantro and 'Happy Rich' broccoli stand out as game-changers in the home-and-garden lifestyle, while the 'Yu Long Noodle Kin' yard-long bean is an edible superstar for Asian long bean enthusiasts. Don't miss the 'Davidor' shallot, 'Bright Lights' Swiss chard, 'Cupid' snacking pepper, 'Scarlet Choice Double' strawflowers, and 'Blue Boy' bachelor buttons from the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Volunteer Program's seed trial spreadsheet containing over 1,000 varieties.
