Gardeners are looking for new plants every year. Here are new vegetables that will be featured in 2005 mail order seed catalogs and seed packets at garden centers. The varieties are listed alphabetically by class, with the seed source listed in parentheses after the description. The designation "R" means a retail seed company from which gardeners may purchase seed directly by mail order or also in stores that carry the variety in seed packets. A "W" designation indicates a wholesale seed company which does not sell directly to home gardeners, but these varieties should be available in catalogs or as seed packets or plants at garden centers next spring.

Carrot ‘Cosmic Purple’  (Daucus carota var. sativus)
Purple exterior with an orange interior and a yellow core. This colored carrot has a very sweet flavor raw or cooked. Danver shaped carrot 6-8 inches long. A great addition to any garden. Harvest in 65-70 days. (Seeds by Design) W


Corn, Sweet F1 ‘Avalon’  (Zea mays rugosa)
White triplesweet corn designed for home gardens. An excellent variety where eating quality is crucial. Harvest delicious 8-inch ears of creamy tender corn 82 days from sowing. (Syngenta Seeds, Inc.) W


Cucumber F1 ‘Eureka’  (Cucumis sativus)
Eureka’s dark green color and crisp texture make it great for salads and perfect for pickles when 1.5 to 4.5 inches long. Grow this white spined variety on a fence or trellis. Multiple disease resistances. Harvest in 57 days. (Seminis) W


All-America Selections 2005 Vegetable Award Winner:
Eggplant F1 ‘Fairy Tale’ (Solanum melongena)
Dwarf 18- to 24-inch plants yield abundantly in containers, ornamental landscapes, or in vegetable gardens. Light green plants produce purple fruit with white stripes. Harvest when 4 inches long, about 49-51 days from transplanting. (Seminis) W


Lettuce ‘Fireball’  (Lactuca sativa)
Large, full, brilliant red lettuce with a creamy, yellow interior. Good heat tolerance. Flavor is mild and stays bitter-free longer. Excellent tenderness and taste. Harvest in 51 days. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R


Lettuce ‘Marveille de Quatre Saisons’  (Lactuca sativa)
Centuries-old French heirloom bibb lettuce has big, heavy flavorful heads of radiant ruby-red leaves surrounding tightly folded, crispy green hearts. Wonderfully ornamental with lovely color. Harvest in 60 days. (Renee’s Garden) R


Mache ‘Gala’  (Valerianella locusta)
Mild, nutty-flavored greens form fist-sized rosettes with tender, melt-in-your mouth texture. Cold-hardy European treat sown in summer for a fall or early spring harvest. Mildew resistant. Harvest in 90 days. (Renee’s Garden) R


Perilla ‘Shiso, Britton  (Perilla frutescens)
Eye-catching green leaves with red undersides. Mild mint/basil aroma. Lovely in containers for ornamental use. Young leaves are wonderful in salads, larger leaves as sushi wraps. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R


Pumpkin F1 ‘Schooltime’  (Cucurbita pepo)
Compact vines, classic shape that kids love, beautiful bright orange skin, slight ribbing and strong handles, 8-10 pound weight and early maturity (87-95 days) make it a perfect choice for fall decorating and cooking. (Seminis) W


Spinach F1 ‘Choho Mustard’ (Brassica campestris narinosa)
Very easy to grow. Heat and cold tolerant. This mild flavored garden green matures quickly and can be cut several times for repeat harvests. Use for stirfrys or salads. Harvest in 30 days. (Nichols Garden Nursery) R


All-America Selections 2005 Vegetable Award Winner:
Squash, Winter F1 ‘Bonbon’  (Curcurbita maxima)
Delicious new buttercup-type squash with improved taste, uniformity and yield. ‘Bonbon’ has smooth textured, deep green skin and orange flesh. Harvest 4- to 5-pound fruit 95 days from sowing seed. (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) R


Squash, Winter F1 ‘Festival’  (Cucurbita pepo)
A new carnival type squash is the ideal size for 2 servings. Flesh is delightfully sweet. Its pale yellow background with green and orange mottled splashes make it excellent for ornamental use. Harvest in 100 days. (Seeds by Design) W


Tomato F1 ‘Marcellino’  (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
Upright determinate cherry tomato that sets an enormous harvest all at once. Dozens upon dozens of clusters of 20-25 tomatoes each. Incredible holding power – fruit stays fresh and tasty up to a month after ripening. (Geo. W. Park Seed Co.) R


Tomato F1 ‘MiRoma’  (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Large fruited blocky, saladette tomato has firm, thick walls and a deep red color. Vigorous determinate plant. Early to mid-season and high yielding. Great for home gardens. Nematode resistant. Harvest 76-80 days from sowing seed. (Syngenta Seeds, Inc.) W


Tomato F1 ‘Momotaro’  (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Japan’s most popular tomato. Outstanding flavor. The 6- to 8-ounce fruits are pink, juicy and hold their quality after picking. Indeterminate vines are highly productive and should be staked. (Nichols Garden Nursery) R


All-America Selections 2005 Vegetable Award Winner:
Tomato F1 ‘Sugary’  (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Very sweet cherry-size tomato is oval shaped with a pointed blossom end. The reddish-pink fruit is produced in clusters like grapes on high yielding semi-indeterminate vines. Harvest 60 days from transplant. (Known-You) W


Tomato F1 ‘Tomande’  (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Outstanding flavor, somewhat oblate fruit, and semi-ribbed dark green shoulders make it a stand out. Sweet, great textured fruit reach 6.5 inches. Small indeterminate plants yield like crazy, just 68 days after transplant. (Seminis) W


Watermelon F1 ‘Quetzali’ (Citrullus lanatus)
Globe shaped, Mickeylee-type watermelon with a Crimson Sweet rind pattern, bright red flesh and high sugars. The convenient 9- to12-pound size fits in the refrigerator. Harvest 83 days from sowing. (Syngenta Seeds, Inc.) W