11 Less Common Specialty Crops You'll Want to Check Out

Posted by Carol Miller|December 17, 2018

Breeders share their top picks for a variety of less common crops, from asparagus to tomatillos.

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Annina F1 Organic from Vitalis Organic Seeds and Harris Seeds Organic

Type: Eggplant
Days to Maturity: 67 from transplant
Other: A beautiful hybrid graffiti type. Vigorous plants produce exceptional yields of uniform shaped fruits on spineless plants. Large fruits measure 6- to 8-inches long and 2.5 to 3 inches at the widest point. Ideal for both open field and high tunnel production.

USA.VitalisOrganic.com; HarrisSeeds.com
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Brock Imperial F1 from Golden Valley Seed

Type: Asparagus
Disease package: Tolerant to fusarium rust
Region(s): Warmer climates where asparagus is grown.
Other: ‘Brock Imperial F1’ forms a very attractive pack. It has a long shelf life and is a good shipper. This variety produces spears five to seven days earlier than ‘UC 157.’ When grown from seed, first cutting can start in the third year. It is extremely heat tolerant during fern growth. It’s dark green with large, tight, and smooth tips.

GoldenValleySeed.com
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Imperial Star PVP from Golden Valley Seed

Type: Artichoke
Days to Maturity: 7 months
Market: Fresh and home garden
Other: Plants can grow up to 5 feet in the first year. Although heads can be harvested the first year, it is advised that the plants be cut back to allow for much greater yields during following years. Mature heads are spineless and deep green in color. The heads are globe in shape achieving large size and wonderful quality.

GoldenValleySeed.com
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Indian Art Red Fire from Rupp Seeds

Type: Ornamental corn
Length: 8 to 10 inches
Days to Maturity: 105
Region(s): Eastern U.S.
Other: ‘Indian Art Red Fire’ is the newest release in the Indian Art series. It has a comprehensive hybrid red stalk and red husk package. Kernels are a deeper red when compared to ‘Bloody Butcher.’

RuppSeeds.com
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Obsession DMR from Rutgers/VDF Specialty Seeds and Rispens Seeds, Inc.

Type: Sweet basil
Length: 3-inch leaves
Disease: Downy mildew and Fusarium resistant
Days to maturity: 70
Region(s): Midwest, Northeast U.S.
Other: For field and potted plant production, ‘Obsession DMR’ has vigorous growth, high leaf-to-stem ratio, and dark green color. Patent pending.

VDFSpecialtySeeds.com; RispensSeeds.com
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Purple Passion from Seeds by Design

Type: Asparagus
Length: 6 to 7 inches
Days to maturity: 80 from mature cromes
Region(s): All U.S.

SeedsByDesign.com
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Romanesco Orbit F1 from HM.Clause and Harris Seeds

Type: Cauliflower
Days to Maturity: 75
Other: An early Romanesco type offering, 'Romanesco Orbit F1' has medium-domed heads with dense curds, turreted peaks, and no leaves in the head. Upright plants provide exceptional wrap to uniform 1-pound heads that are bright green with a creamy green interior. Excellent flavor and earliness.

HMClause.com; HarrisSeeds.com
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Speckled Swan from Terra Organics

Type: Decorative gourd
Length: 16 to 18 inches long, up to 6 to 8 inches wide
Disease Package: PM tolerance
Days to Maturity: 105 from seed
Region(s): All U.S.

TerraOrganics.com
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Stargazer from Sakata Seed America

Type: Watermelon radish
Days to Maturity: 55 to 60 from direct seed
Region(s): Summer plantings and fall harvest preferred
Other: Mild radish flavor with crisp, juicy texture. Upright bright green tops with strong attachment. Can be used as a delicious addition to salads, or for slaw or pickling.

SakataVegetables.com
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Super Verde from Sakata Seed America

Type: Tomatillo
Size: 1.77 inches in height; 2.36 inches in diameter
Weight: 2.4 to 2.8 ounces
Days to Maturity: Mid maturity
Other: Attractive green color. Strong, healthy husks. Above average shelflife.

SakataVegetables.com
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Top Bunch 2.0 from Sakata Seed America and Stokes Seeds

Type: Collard
Market: Fresh
Days to Maturity: 70
Region(s): Northeast; Mid-Atlantic; Midwest
Other: 'Top Bunch 2.0' is a new generation of collard with earlier maturity. It's uniform, has vigorous, rapid growth, and wavy, lightly savoyed leaves. 'Top Bunch 2.0' is suitable for fresh market bunching and machine harvest.

SakataVegetables.com; StokeSeeds.com