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By NANCY SECRIST
VPI Extension Agent
For 1979, there are many new vegetable varieties listed in the new seed catalogs. Six of the new varieties have been awarded the All-America Selections (AAS) award, which means that these six vegetable were judged at 27 trials in all corners of "the United States and Southern Canada. They were grown, evaluated and found best in their class by surpassing the performance of previously top rated vegetables in side by side comparisons. New Varieties - The six new varieties include a hybrid cucumber, Saladin; a hybrid kohlrabi. Grand Duke; a new edible podded snap pea somewhat similar to snow peas called Sugar Snap; a sweet yellow pepper named Dutch Treat, and two new winter or storage squash - the first is named Early Butternut Hybrid and the second, a drumshaped, dark green fruit averaging 2 to 3 pounds, named Sweet Mama Hybrid.
Of these six, the two most unusual are probably kohlrabi and the edible podded snap pea according to Virginia Tech Extension Specialist, Charles R. O’Dell. While neither of these may find a large volume market potential at the outset, they may find ready acceptance in farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and in home gardens. Try The Taste - If nothing else, the consumer might be invited to try the taste of either of these to be convinced of their merits.
If you have never tried kohlrabi, don’t be put off by the name. It is an ancient and honored member of the cabbage family grown for its swollen stems which resemble above-ground turnips. The bulbs of Grand Duke can be peeled and sliced thin for dips; coarse grated for salads or diced for cooking like turnips. The flavor is reported to be mild, sweet and crunchy...no hint of toughness.
Ordinary kohlrabi, if stressed with dry soil will grow slowly and produce spindle-shaped bulbs. The hybrid vigor of Grand Duke helps carry it through spells of adverse weather to produce fat, perfectly round bulbs, 3-4 inches in diameter.
Grand Duke was bred for vquick maturity to be ready for eating only 45-50 days after seeding. Seeds can be planted while the soil is still cold and will sprout in about a week.
Two Crops Possible - Two crops are possible with Grand Duke kohlrabi in Virginia. Late summer plantings for fall harvest will mature in cooler weather when
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