You will find organic garden seeds available this spring at a higher price. Are organic seeds better than regular seeds? My answer is no. The plants producing the seed, say lettuce, use nitrogen after the soil microorganisms break the chemical or organic fertilizers down to nitrate or ammonium which is taken up to the roots. As long as they get this nitrate or ammonium, they are happy. An organic seed will not grow better than a regular one.
Organic seed means the plant producing the seeds was grown organically with organic fertilizer and chemicals. If the grower uses chemical insecticide, does any of the residue go and stay in the dormant seed? No, it is diffused into the plant to gradually breakdown. So, whether a seed is grown organically or with chemicals, it has no meaning to the seed itself.
Heirloom seeds are referred to older varieties that are field pollinated. They are available as regular seeds and organic seeds. I am not saying that organic raising of eatable plants is bad. Anytime you put manure or other organic material in the soil, you increase the soil’s health.
As for chemical vs organic pesticides, some organic insecticides can be more dangerous than chemicals. Chemical insecticides have a tendency to break down rather quickly.
Now treated seed is different. This seed is treated with a fungicide to prevent rotting in cool, wet soil. This seed is safe if you wash your hands after planting. Seed treated with an insecticide is not available to gardeners.
As for GMO seeds (gene-modified seeds), they are not available as garden seeds.
Sweet corns of today have become complicated in which there are now five different kinds being offered. On most corn seed packets, there will be a su, se, sh2, shA, or syn. But why should we care, is there only one type of corn?
Honey & Cream Variety of Sweet Corn
1. Your parents’ or grandparents old fashioned sweet corn is now called normal standard sugary (su). These are the parents of today’s sweet corn. You can still buy this open-pollinated type from seed catalogs. Some people like the flavor and texture better than the newer varieties. Sugar levels are between 10 and 15 percent at harvest. These do not store well and lose most of their sugar after 1 or 2 days. They are open-pollinated meaning they can be planted along with other varieties without affecting their sugar content. More tolerant to wet, cool soil. Some of the varieties are Silver Queen and Honey and Cream.
2. The sugary enhanced (se) varieties were the next step in the sweet corn evolution. They still retain the old-fashioned taste and texture but have higher sugar content. The storage life lasts up to two weeks longer than the (su) type. No isolation required. Some varieties are Peaches and Cream and Kandy Korn.
3. The shrunken-2 or supersweet cultivars (sh2) having a remarkably high sugar content compared to the first 2 kinds. Their storage time is up to 7 days. The seed is wrinkled or shrunken giving the name to this variety. The kernels have thicker seed coats giving the corn a crunchy texture. Most sweet corn is planted when the soil is between 55 to 60 degrees. The supersweets should be plants at 60 degrees or above. This variety needs to be isolated from other non-supersweet so they do not cross-pollinate reducing their sugar content. Varieties include Early Xtra Sweet, Illini Xtra Sweet, and Honey ‘n Pearl.
4. Below the shrunken or supersweet varieties is an augmented supersweet (shA) containing a se gene. They are a little sweeter and more tender. Soil temperature should also be above 60 degrees.
5. Finally, synergistic sweet corn (syn) contains the su, se, and sh2 genes. They are sweet, creamy, and tender. Harvest can be extended in up to 2 weeks. Also, with an excellent storage life.
A subset called heirloom or open-pollinated sweet corn (usually a su variety) is self-sustaining and the kernels can be used year after year if planted in an isolated area. Most of these varieties have a historical significance. The most common variety is Golden Bantam.
Popcorn variety
Another corn to grow while not for fresh eating is popcorn. This corn has a moist central core that explodes when hot enough. These days there are many varieties of popcorn with different coloring. While popcorn is easy to grow, wait till the soil temperature is above 60 degrees. Also, leave the ears on the plant until the stalk dries down.
Flint Corn
Flint corn is the colorful dried ears often blue, red, and mix of colors used for fall decoration. Because of the hard outer kernel skin and lack of sugar, it is used for cornmeal in grits, tortillas, hominy, etc.
Flour Corn
Flour corn is sweeter than flint corn, so it can be eaten fresh. Usually, it is ground for corn flour.
There are some newer different vegetables that are notable for this year. If they have not made it into your seed selection yet, you may want to add them.
Equinox Spinach
Many have planted spinach to be disappointed when its bolts (sending seed stalks) in a short time. Most spinach is sensitive to daylight over 14 hours causing to want to send the flower stalk up. Therefore, spinach is better grown in the fall than in spring. If you want a variety to grow in spring, try “Equinox”, a slow bolting variety maturing in under a month. (Johnny’s Seed)
Abigail Tomato
In my opinion, heirloom tomatoes taste better than hybrids, however, are much more disease susceptible. “Abigail” tomato is an heirloom that has been around for several years but is resistant to late blight. The pink fruit maturing date is 75 days from planting. (Johnny’s Seed)
Sweet Slaw CabbageSweet Thang Cabbage
Two types of cabbages are new. “Sweet Slaw” has a cone-shaped head that will not crack. The cabbage has higher sugar content making it good for sauerkraut and coleslaw. “Sweet Thang” is a non-heading cabbage with sweet-tasting leaves. Use like kale or chard in cooked or salads. (Burpee)
Twister Cauliflower
“Twister” cauliflower produces large heads in hot weather. A self-blanch type, however, I would still tie the heads. (Harris)If you want a yellow straight-neck summer squash that is more productive, try “Supersonic” hybrid summer squash. Matures in under 40 days. Pick when 4 to 6 inches long. (Gurneys)
Orange Jazz Tomato
“Orange Jazz” tomato is a yellowish orange with fruits weighing up to 1 pound. The plants show tolerance for fungus diseases. (Gurneys)
Armageddon Hot Pepper
The pepper “Armageddon” is being called the world’s hottest chili pepper. At 1.2 million Scoville units, it is extremely hot. (Burpee)
These are a few of the new varieties that suck out for me. Many seed companies are getting out of stock quickly because of the pandemic in 2020.
