Which variety?

[OverWyreGrower]

How do you decide which variety of veg to grow? I never realised there were so many kinds of carrots, leeks etc. At least with tatties you know what you like!

I know that I'll need to grow both early and late carrots (they are a favourite of Mr OWG) but how do you make the choice of variety?

[nick the grief]

Try one & if you like it stick with that I guess. Personal reccomendations can be as dubious as the seed catalogue discription (they are hardly likely to tell you it's crap & what one person likes another may not) so have fun

[Birdie Wife]

I like to try something different each year (next year - porcelain garlic, squashes and kohl rabi), as well as tried and tested varieties. I'm still learning what works up here and many things recommended in seed catalogues just won't work. If I was starting from scratch I'd probably get mostly popular varieties one year then the next year I'd modify the scheme based on what worked (or didn't) in my garden.

[IanP]

My method for choosing seed:

1. Is any variety of veg X a funny shape. If so, order. If not, go to 2.
2. Is any variety of veg X a funny colour. If so, buy, if not, go to 3.
3. Has Mrs IanP been nagging me to grow some. Yes, buy. No goto 4.
4. Chuck a dart at the catalogue!

That way I mostly get stuff that's at least interesting to look at even if it I don't like the taste, and if I get to 3. often enough I'll (mostly) stay out of trouble

[Alison]

Always try to grow something different each year too and learn from what worked the previous week. Could be worth asking your neighbours what works well for them as you'll have similar soil and the same climate. Also, only grow stuff you like and if space is limited stick to things you can't buy cheaply locally. Based on this, squashes are good value (surprisingly expensive in the shops) and home grown beans are so much nicer - although I blow this by always crowing tommies as you can't beat your own.

[Waffler]

I like to grow basically the same things each year: beans, toms etc. but the varieties might change according to preference. E.g. the beans I've been growing for years are fab, so I shall continue to grow them. With The toms I like to have different sorts, so usually grow reg, cherry and beefsteak, but next year I'm going to try a plum. Carrots: this year I sowed one of the nante varieties, which are a 'normal' size and got none; I also sowed some finger carrots, which were fine, but I'm not sure I'd bother again as you have to grow so many for a decent crop.
There's also your individual conditions to think about, what grows well on one persons plot may not elsewhere, depending on the soil conditions, weather and susceptibility to pests.

Basically I like to try a couple of new things each year, but also have the favourites which I stick to like a comfy chair!

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

I like to grow the family favorites,but also like to try different verity's and keep a note book then you know what you liked and what you didn't,what grows well etc

[Alice]

I think it comes down to what did well for you, or grows well in your area OWG. If it grew well and you liked it, do it again. If you were disappointed, try something else. And if you have a bit of space to spare, call it your experimental space and try something new or a comparison variety of something. Whichever, keep notes so that you know what the results were, or your memory will let you down !

[martini]

As a beginner, it's going to be a bit hit and miss for me but I've taken a lot of advice from the forum - going to grow Marian swede instead of Best of All. I've ordered two or more of most things just to see which we like (and which grows) best. Six different types of tomatoes ! The OH has taken to reading GYO in bed and asked me to get some achocha seeds from the Real Seed Company!

[dexterdoglancashire]

As a beginner as well, and having just checked out my "seed store" realised that most of the plants Ive grown this year were from a "bargain B&Q" pack of veg seeds! All I can say is - well done B&Q for having such quality seeds in a "Bargain packet" - if you've been to a B&Q you'll know what I mean!
I'm just SO impressed!
Now I know a little more I've read and heard on the Vine about different types of seeds so am giving them a go.
Many thanks to Adam (as was seedsforsuccess) for his advice r@ potatoes and onions!
Basically, make of note of anything you've grown this year - and was a success then, do it again! (as the great HFW said on River Cottage - what type was it? "eating variety"!- thats me!!) LOL! DDL

[Snadger]

My method for choosing seed:

1. Is any variety of veg X a funny shape. If so, order. If not, go to 2.
2. Is any variety of veg X a funny colour. If so, buy, if not, go to 3.
3. Has Mrs IanP been nagging me to grow some. Yes, buy. No goto 4.
4. Chuck a dart at the catalogue!

That way I mostly get stuff that's at least interesting to look at even if it I don't like the taste, and if I get to 3. often enough I'll (mostly) stay out of trouble

1) So what distance do you throw the dart from?
2) Do you use a blindfold?
3) Have you got a doctor and vet on call in case you hit OH or the cat?
4) And last but not least, do you ever finish up growing anything you actually like?

[Earthbabe]

Dont' knock it Snadger, it sounds like my perfect way of choosing something different to grow, other than saying to Mr E ooohhh look another 10 varieties of lavender in this catalogue.

I've grown a number of different varieties and all the advice given is where I'd go. In other words try it if you don't like it or it doesn't work try something different next year. i've grown Autumn King carrots this year. They've done quite well but down here they can stay in the ground all winter - a good selling point for someone with limited storage space. We like a wide variety of stuff and I'm always up to try something different. I'll usually give something a couple of seasons (unless it is seriously crap) to take into account that I may not have got it right first time. Anything I don't have to find dry winter storage for is a bonus (except spuds). Anything Miss E will eat loads of scores extra brownie points. So next year I will be growing loads of peas and beans and cherry toms and cucumbers.

I will grow the usual spuds, greens, onions, garlic etc. and will probably make space for some achocha and definitely make space for some more squashes.

[Snadger]

I wasn't knocking it MOM honest!

My problem is I like trying new stuff all the time and grow a varied selection!

I am an 'experimenter' and enjoy a challenge! This year, among others, it was 'round carrots'(wasn't impressed) and Pink Fir Apple tatties (very impressed, but would make sure I staked them in future as they grew 5'0" high)

I think its a case of finding out, by experiment, what does well in your area and in your soil and if they taste nice!

Next year I will probably grow 50% of species I grew this year and 60% new stuff!
In case your'e wondering , I always give 110%

[Earthbabe]

I tried "golf ball" carrots last year. "Ideal for planting in tubs" - maybe but lousy in the ground!! Tasted foul and even Miss E wouldn't eat them and she likes baby carrots.

[Snadger]

Howabout this for oneupmanship then? I have just checked ebay and I am now the proud owner of 40 Maca seeds! Google it and see what you think?

Its a brassica, so with my luck it will probably fall foul to the clubroot which is rampant on my plot.....or will it be clubroot immune? I'll just have to do an experiment (there's THAT word again!)