Dozens of seeds companies held summer vegetable trials across the U.S. this year, from the Midwest to New York to California. It was joyous time since few held live trials in 2020 due to COVID-19.
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Rijk Zwaan is developing lines of both smooth and semi-savoy baby-leaf spinach and Swiss chard. Different markets and regions prefer one or the other, so the breeder is pushing them to endure hotter, wetter conditions as well as the more traditional cool growing environments.
Photo by Carol Miller
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A fun aspect of attending trials is being allowed to see behind the curtain at how breeders test and develop their new introductions. At PanAmerican Seed, workers size harvested tomatoes to judge how consistent fruit size is
at harvest.
Photo by Carol Miller
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It’s a good idea to bring an appetite to trials. You will get to taste test as you walk through the fields. Sakata Seed America is one of the most generous in this regard.
Photo by Carol Miller
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Smaller breeders like Pure Line Seeds bring some of the more innovative new varieties. This year, it introduced a personal-sized eggplant, ‘Thanos’.
Photo by Carol Miller
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Seed companies bring their breeders to the trials, allowing you to meet the originator of the introductions you’re viewing. They bring not only vast knowledge but an enthusiasm to show off years of work. Shown here: Emily Kwok, Product Manager for Cucumbers and Pumpkin, HM.CLAUSE.
Photo by Carol Miller
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US Agriseeds/ VoloAgri had a large number of new introductions, including ‘Techno’, a new honeydew with unusual markings. The company also allowed visitors to taste an experimental cantaloupe that has a strong lemon flavor.
Photo by Carol Miller
Most summer vegetable trials took place under a mantle of smoke, even though hundreds of miles from the extensive wildfires in the West and Canada. Despite the haze, you could feel the excitement of holding trials in person.
Years go into developing new varieties, then testing them in a variety of growing conditions. All seed companies were excited to host visitors again and show off their hard work.
November 3, 2021 
