Well......the critter damage to the tomato crop has me picking them at least 3 days early. I have zero choice in the matter it seems. Plants are looking somewhat done now. Of the new things I tried this year
1) Black Prince tomatoes......these were good with th only issue being too much rain and splitting. But lots of fruit and the vines are atill looking OK
2) Sassy Pickling cuke.......Oh boy, what a producer. I tried out 2 plants in a 3 gallon pot and holy sheeeeit does that thing produce!!!
F-1 hybrid. Although rated mid-late season by its breeder, this cuke is sassy enough to produce like crazy in the early slot. Though some picklers tease you with a handful at first picking, a mere three Sassy plants yielded more than 25 flawless very dark green 4 fruits during their first week...
fedcoseeds.com
3) Tokyo Bekana....versatile fast growing green. Almost lettuce like, a plant in a 2 gallon pot has been cut 7 times already. It takes a bit to get to size then you cut weekly. Overall, it's really fast and very productive.
Open-pollinated. These pale green baby Chinese cabbages may be bunched for market or their ruffled curled lettucy leaves cut to add loft and weight to salad mixes. Bekana will regrow for multiple cuttings and branch out, giving lots of edible leaves with very little coarse stalk. Lacy, mild...
fedcoseeds.com
4) Blues chinese cabbage. 5-6 weeks and harvest. This has been a great plant. I'm on my 4th round of seedlings now. It's the easiest and fastest chinese cabbage I grow.
F-1 hybrid. Good bolt resistance, disease resistance and taste in this napa type. Flavor is relatively pungent, great in kimchi. Suitable for planting early spring through July. Moderate tolerance to virus, DM, ALTS, BSR. Tested negative for BR and BL.
fedcoseeds.com
5) Choko Pac Choi......Oh baby do I like the taste of this. It's a mini pack choi, has yellow stems instead of white and is incredibly buttery tasting and absolutely wonderful in a stir fry. Small plants that grow quickly. 45 days is fast!
F-1 hybrid. Baby pac choi with green stems, likes cool temperatures but resists bolting. Vase-shaped 11 plants have broad green petioles, lighter in color than Shuko with beautifully cupped dark leaves. Heavy weight and compact. Tender and creamy when steamed or stir-fried. Choko replaces Shuko...
fedcoseeds.com
Tomatoes have produced 14 quarts after being dried so far. Half sour pickles...we are sitting on 12 quarts and I am out of space and they still coming in........so cucumber door prizes here shortly.
Kimchi is probably 2 gallons in stock. My favorite kimchi is from what I grow and I only use about 1/3 cabbage. Also plenty of swiss chard and Dino kale mixed in.
Overall, a banner year for produce here. Those 5 items I listed really put the food on the table and I highly rec all five.