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Eggplants, Tomatillos, and Other Plants

This year we have more varieties of eggplants than ever before. The rich purple colors and bitter flavors of eggplants are due to phenolic and other antioxidants that may be important in maintaining good health. They are also beautiful plants with large white to lavendar flowers that enhance any garden.

Tomatillos are in the same family as tomatoes, but are in a different genus Physalis. Tomatillos have been grown and used in Mexico since Pre-Columbian times, but are still a relative newcomer to American gardens. They are easy to grow and are a great addition to green salsas and moles.

Plants are $1.50 each.

 

Eggplants

Variety
Number for Sale
 Description
Black beauty
88
 Rich, deep purplish black fruits can grow to enormous size. Tender and tasty at all stages. At maturity, they are broad and blunt at blossom end. Ready to pick about 73 days after setting plants in the garden.
Fairy Tale (hybrid)
37
 All-America Winner. Tender, plump and sweet, these luscious-looking mini marvels are little jewels of delicious creamy flavor.  The short, slender fruits make tasty conversation pieces, with their beautifully marbled purple and white tones.  In clusters of six fruits, the mini eggplants 4-5" x 1" grow on prolifically branching compact plants.  Perfect for growing in containers. 50 days.
Long Purple
39
 Oriental type with gorgeous dark purple coloring. 70-80 days. Oriental-type, slender, dark purple fruits are best used before 8-10" long. Each 24-30" plant produces 8 or more eggplants.
Ping Tung
37
 Extremely beautiful eggplant that originated in Pingtung, Taiwan. Dark lavender fruits have an incredible shine that radiates off the skin. Slender fruits up to 12" long and just slightly more than 1" in diameter. Hardy, vigorous plants are disease resistant. 65-75 days from transplant.
Red Ruffles
45
 Originally introduced as an ornamental in the 19th century. Referred to as miniature pumpkins by florists. An abundance of 2" fruits are borne in clusters on 20" plants. Fruits are bitter, but used extensively in Asian cuisine.
Round Mauve
44
 Nicely colored variety from China. Best for eating when fruits are the size of tennis balls, at which point the seeds are almost absent. Compact plants do well in pots. 80-90 days from transplant.
Thai Green
44
 Used extensively in Thai cuisines. Beautiful long slender 12" fruits have tender light-green skin that does not require peeling. Tender, fine quality white flesh with mild pleasant flavor. Prolific and drought resistant. 70-80 days from transplant.

Tomatillos

Variety
#plug flats
 description
purple milpa 
30.0
 This is the smaller purple variety that grows in cornfields. Fruits are 1-1 1/2" and have a sharper flavor than most other varieties. Typically does not burst through husk when ripe. 70-90 days from transplant.
gigante
84.0
 The Salsa star! It's the biggest, sweetest tomatillo ever-50% larger. Introducing the 'Big Mama' of tomatillos, with earlier, bigger and tastier fruit than any other.'Gigante' rocks with flavor, with close to 50% more sugar. Just right for chili, salsa, soups, and your favorite Latin American dishes.  Size: 4" across. 100 days.

 

Dark Opal Basil (100 plants): Most likely the same basil Vilmorin referred to in 1885 as "Large Purple Sweet Basil." Beautiful lilac flowers with dark red stems and purple leaves. Excellent contrast with green basil, spectacular as a garnish, in salads, or for adding to basil vinegars. Extremely uniform, all purple Italian strain. Annual.

Hot Biscuits Amaranthus (100 plants): Amaranthus cruentus Impressive upright ginger-colored spikes, excellent as a cut flower, unusual. Provides both habitat and food for birds. Tender annual, 4' tall.

 

 

 

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Last updated on May 14, 2008