What on earth is that?
You grew that in your garden?? What on earth is it???
Somehow, that question is simply music to the ears of the adventuresome gardener. We love to look through the avalanche of catalogs that arrive this time of year and look for the most unusual offerings we can find. Last year it was “Ketchup and Fries”, a grafted plant that produced cherry tomatoes on the top and underground potatoes. It was a modest success, producing considerably more tomatoes than potatoes.
This year’s choice is a “Reisetomate”. The Rare Seed Catalog from Bakers Creek, available at Barnes and Noble in Salisbury or on-line, describes Reisetomate as follows: “The most novel tomato we have seen, it is like a big bunch of cherry tomatoes all fused together. This amazing trait had everyone here asking questions about the alien-looking, bumpy tomatoes. Also called “Traveler Tomato” (“reise” is German for “travel or “journey”) for its ability to be torn apart a piece at a time with no need for a knife. This tomato traces its roots to Central America where the native people would carry traveler tomatoes on trips, to eat as they walked. Bright red tomatoes taste rather sour, strong and acidic. The perfect tomato for those who love raw lemons. Far out and groovy”. OK, then!
While the novelty of its appearance appeals to us, we’re not so sure about the “sour, strong and acidic” part. Nonetheless, we ordered a packet of 10 seeds for $2.50 and, when it fruits this summer, we’ll let you know. Perhaps the urge to have something impressive to show off to our friends, kids and grandkids overtook our good sense. I guess we’ll find out. If anyone has experience with this particular type of tomato, we’d love to hear about it.
The Gettle family, owners of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and the Rare Seed Catalog, personally travel the world seeking out unusual seeds. All in all, they offer over 1800 varieties of seeds from 75 countries. Theirs is by far the most inclusive catalog we have ever seen.
Their collection of heirloom seeds is extensive as is the number of veggies you have never heard of. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, beets, and carrots come in a rainbow of unbelievable colors. Why grow the routine colors found in your Farmers Markets when you can buy them there and supplement with normally unavailable colors from your own garden?
A couple gems from other catalogs include “White Lady” turnips and “Bintze” potatoes from John Sheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds. We first ran across “White Lady” turnips in Louisiana and found them delicious. Bintze potatoes are reportedly the kind used to make the famous pommes frites in Belgium.
Territorial Seed Company offers Egyptian Walking Onions and the Natural Gardening Company offers four quality types of garlic, a product largely ignored by other catalogs.
So what’s your favorite new veggie or flower for this year’s garden? Write and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
The Gardening Grannies are a mature group of avid and Master Gardeners who live, love and garden on the Delmarva Peninsula. We can be reached at gardeninggrannies@47abc.com.
