Gardening with Allen Wilson: Public invited to see new flowers, veggies

New award-winning flowers and vegetables for 2018 can be viewed in Vancouver. These new varieties are planted at a community garden plot behind the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building off Northeast 50th Avenue near Northeast 99th Street.

I received sample seeds of these 2018 All-America award winning flowers and vegetable varieties. I planted most inside in early spring. I transplanted them outside in the community garden in May and early June. I direct seeded others. Plants are far enough along now to invite my readers to see their progress.

My plot is the first one next to the parking lot and a small utility building behind the church. I have labeled each variety. There are parking spaces near the garden during daylight hours every day except Sunday when church is in session.

I will write in this column about varieties as they mature. On the last Saturday in August, I plan to have an open day to answer questions and give out free samples.

Two early bush-type tomatoes began bearing ripe fruit early this month.

Tomato Red Racer is a hybrid plum-sized tomato with firm tasty fruit. Tomato Patio Choice Yellow is a hybrid cherry tomato that is extremely sweet. It is prolific with over 100 fruits on each plant right now. Both compact varieties can easily be grown without cages.

I have already harvested the Pak Choi hybrid Asian Delight and made a second planting. Asian Delight is a compact variety excellent for stir frying and Chinese dishes.

Fennel Antares is a vigorous fennel with uniform white bulbs and licorice flavored fronds.

Three peppers have set fruit early. Two hybrid Hungarian or wax varieties, Mexican Sunrise and Mexican Sunset produce long, pointed fruit excellent for flavoring dishes. Mexican Sunrise is medium heat and Mexican Sunset high heat. Cayenne pepper hybrid Red Ember has spicy medium heat.

Three new flower varieties are in bloom. Marigold Super Hero Spry is crimson and yellow. Gypsophila Gypsy White Improved is a uniform ground hugger. Zinnia hybrid Queeny Lime Orange has 3-inch flowers starting green and turning to orange. Plants grow about a foot high. South Pacific Orange is a new canna lily hybrid with bright orange flowers. It will reach about 2 feet in height.

You can read more about these new varieties at all-americaselections.org.

Allen Wilson is a Vancouver gardening specialist. Email Allen Wilson at allenw98663@yahoo.com.

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