Plant Trials

The 2025 plant trials included five different crops—three vegetables and two flowers. A total of 15 adult participants and the Youth Master Gardeners completed 48 trials using seeds generously donated by Fleet Farm. The goal of the trials is to compare varieties, observe performance, and gather feedback to help gardeners choose reliable plants for future seasons.

Vegetable Trials

Beets

Varieties tested: Bull’s Blood, Cylindra, Burpee’s Red Ball Participants: 7 Maturity: 40–60 days

  • Burpee’s Red Ball was the clear favorite for flavor, germination, and yield.

  • Cylindra was the least preferred variety.

  • Most participants said they would grow Burpee’s Red Ball again.

Cucumbers

Varieties tested: Garden Sweet, Green Dragon, Marketmore 70 Participants: 8 Maturity: 55–68 days

  • Garden Sweet was the top choice for flavor.

  • Garden Sweet and Green Dragon produced similar yields.

  • Marketmore 70 was noted by some as having too many seeds.

  • All varieties were vigorous growers with abundant vines.

  • Most participants would plant Garden Sweet again.

Bush Beans

Varieties tested: Bountiful Bush, Provider, Tendergreen Participants: 10 Maturity: 46–52 days

  • Provider and Tendergreen tied for best raw flavor.

  • Tendergreen had the highest overall yield and was the favorite when cooked.

  • Bountiful Bush performed poorly, with low germination, tough texture, and poor flavor.

  • Some participants experienced Japanese beetle issues with Bountiful Bush only.

  • Participants would grow Tendergreen and Provider again.

Flower Trials

Cosmos

Varieties tested: Dwarf Sensation, Sensation Mixture, Sensation Picotee Participants: 11 Height range: 24"–48"

  • Germination was fair to good across all varieties.

  • Many participants used cosmos as cut flowers.

  • No major pest or disease issues were reported.

  • Plants grew taller than expected, especially Sensation Picotee.

  • Many participants would grow Sensation Picotee again.

Zinnia

Varieties tested: Carousel Mix, Giant Cactus Mix, State Fair Mix Participants: 12 Height range: 20"–48"

  • Germination was excellent for all varieties.

  • Very few insect or disease problems were reported.

  • Flowers attracted bees and butterflies throughout the season.

  • All varieties were used successfully as cut flowers.

  • Participants said they would grow all varieties again.