Heirlooms: The Best New Introductions of 2012

It always strikes me as ironic when I open an heirloom seed catalog and find seeds marked "New." The very nature of heirlooms is defined by a plant's historical appearance in someone's garden. Yes, yes, I know. The term "new" indicates that the seed is an offering that had not previously been available from the company. But I still find it funny.

These are not your standard grocery store offerings. It's a cucumber, but it's not green. It's a pepper, but it looks like a gourd. It's a head of lettuce, but it's pink. The possibilities are endless.

Here are my top 5 picks for 2012 re-introductions:

1) Round Tomato Shaped Pimento Pepper, by Seed Savers Exchange

How can you not love a sweet red pepper in the shape of a pumpkin-gourd? Besides the intriguing and unusual shape, I'm all for trying any pepper labeled as having a fruity-tasting flesh. Plus, this heirloom is a native of Indiana -- my home state. Definitely my top pick.
http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1551(OG)

2) Riddle Melon, by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Besides loving the name, I love the egg-shape, smaller size, and variety of exterior colors. Sweet white flesh sounds amazing. From the former Soviet Union.
http://rareseeds.com/riddle-melon.html

3) Tat Soi Asian Green, by Seed Savers Exchange

I love the shape and color of this lettuce -- a dark emerald green with spoon-shaped leaves that gives the overall appearance of a rose. This would look lovely in a vegetable garden or flower bed. Mild flavor, good raw or cooked.
http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1558(OG)

4) Purple Pear Tomato, by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Cherry tomatoes are one of my favorite summer snacks, and this pear-shaped bite size tomato would be a unique addition my current mix of red and sungold varieties. I love its purple-pink skin and cute shape. From Ukraine.
http://rareseeds.com/purple-pear.html

5) Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify

Salsify has always ignited my curiosity, but I have never grown it because its usual spindly roots seem too delicate for my midwestern clay soil. However, this salsify looks stockier than most, almost the thickness of a carrot. Classic oyster flavor, from the Mediterranean.
http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1554

Non-Heirloom New Varieties

I absolutely love Renee's Garden miniature-sized garden vegetables.  This year, I've found 2 new must-try's.

1) Little Jade Baby Baby Cabbage

Since I don't have a lot of room in my garden, I love to find varieties of vegetables that can work well in pots or smaller beds. This baby napa cabbage, with sweet crispy flesh, is a must-try.
http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/seeds-hm/vegB.htm#cab

2) Astia Container Zucchini

Most gardeners I know complain that they have so many zucchini to give away. I have never had this trouble in my zucchini patch and tend to hoard every fruit I get. But, I always feel guilty when I don't share with my brother's family, who also love to garden but don't have room for a squash plant. This compact variety would work well in a pot on his deck, and thus alleviate my need to share.
http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/seeds-hm/vegR.htm#astia