Allen Wilson: Seven new vegetables selected for award

Tomato Chef’s Choice Black is a large beefsteak-type tomato. The deep mahogany, brown-black, globe-shaped fruit grows up to 5 inches (8 ounces). Support is required for the 5-foot plants. They have full sweet flavor. Rated 75 days from transplanted plants, or 90 in our climate.

Tomato Fire Fly produces small cherry- size fruit (smaller than an inch), with very sweet mild acid flavor. Disease resistant 5-foot plants require support. Rated 80 days from transplanting (95 in our climate).

Tomato Red Torch is an early, disease resistant variety with excellent flavor and texture. Oblong red fruit grows 1½ inches and has light green stripes. Five-foot plants require support. Rated 60 to 70 days from transplanting (75 to 85 in our climate).

Tomato Sparky XSL produces 1 ounce, sweet cherry-size red fruit on 5-foot plants. XSL stands for extended shelf life. Rated 60 to 70 days from transplanting (75 to 85 in our climate).

Days to maturity for vegetables

Variety descriptions for vegetables almost always include “days to maturity” ratings. This rating for fruiting vegetables is the number of days from transplanting to first harvest. These ratings are determined in the Midwest where day and night temperatures are higher than here. I have found that it is necessary to add about two weeks to the ratings for fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, corn, melons and squash to make them appropriate for our area.