Optimistic gardener shopping for dwarf, miniature cultivars?

The last season isn't over yet but I am already planning for the coming season.

I have a few raised bed areas and also grow some things in large containers.
I prefer to grow small vegetables as I get more produce in the small space.

I have grown some small vegetables and find there are many cultivar suggestions on the internet searches.

I would like to hear from anyone that has had experience with growing and eating miniature vegetables.

Please tell me the what cultivars you have sampled and how you would rate the vegetable for growth and taste...

One thing I will definitely grow next year is New Big Dwarf tomato- It has huge delicious tomatoes on a sturdy 3 foot tall plant.

Hi Jo ~ I'm curious ~ does the short plant sprawl much?
Can you tell me how large the tomato is?

Check out this thread- http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1205579/?hl=new+big+dwarf+tomato

Extreme Bush tomato, less than 2 feet tall, tomatoes 3-4 ounces (not large, but very good), can take the heat, doesn't need staking, determinate. This one seems to set fruit all at once, so time your plantings accordingly.

Thanks for the Extreme Bush suggestion. I will look into it. The plant size sounds excellent.

And a New Big Dwarf ~ I will have to see how it holds up to heat. I take it you love it Jo?

Love it-yes! Carolyn says that although it is a dwarf, it is also an indeterminate- so it doesn't ripen all at once. My 2 plants are loaded with nearly 1 pound tomatos, that are very tasty and meaty. It doesn't sprawl at all- One stake and it stands sturdy against our winds.

Very interesting. I may have to make more beds to accomodate the selection of tomatoes I want to try. Thanks!

Does anyone have suggestions for miniature/dwarf squash, melons, eggplant or pumpkins? Or anything other vegetables?

This year I've grown two compact dills and intend to try them both again next year. They did well.

I grew Silvery Fir Tree tomatoes this year, and a pepper variety called Fruit Basket. The tomato only got to be about 2 feet tall, and had beautiful foliage. It's a determinate variety; the tomatoes are red and get to be about 2 - 2 1/2" in diameter. The taste was good and it was a good producer; I will grow them again.

The peppers are just now ripening, but the plant was small and compact, and I got great production on these, as well.

I'm also growing a bush-type Delicata squash this year. The vine is only about 2 1/2 feet tall, and is staying nicely trellised.

Here's what the container with the tomato/pepper looked like



This message was edited Aug 13, 2011 7:12 AM

I grew Silvery Fir Tree, I didn't get any tomatoes from it and I really wanted it to do well because of the good reports. It didn't like the heat. I have a Japanese type(purple, long and skinny) eggplant that is a compact plant, about 18 inches tall with nice size fruit. I will have to look up the name when I get home. It has a great flavor, non bitter and thin skin.
I also grew a bush type scallop squash from either Territorial or High Mowing called Sunburst. It was much smaller plant than Bennings Green Tint and had a good flavor. In extreme heat it developed more green coloring than in cool weather. I have some bush accorn squash seeds but haven't planted those yet so can't say how large the plants are.

Thanks for those suggestions and also for the "hands on" experience with the Silvery Fir Tree tomato in hot conditions. That is why I am searching for next year, starting now. I suspect I will have to research tolerance to heat as well as wilt.

Good looking plant though, Mom2 goldens.

Vining plants are o.k. as they will grow upward on trellises but I do prefer smaller vegetables.

I did try a small bush patty pan squash called peter pan, also ravvaya eggplant (I believe). Both were average in production and taste. I am willing to try other suggestions, so thanks for the ideas. Yes, when you get home Calalily ~ I'd like to know the name of the eggplant if possible.

And I will welcome more suggestions from all.

Podster--we had temps over 90 degrees (with heat/humidity over 100) for 23 days in a row during the past month--that is way above our normal temps. The Silvery Fir Tree and Fruit Basket held up through these conditions....I was really impressed with how well they did.

No, I am not discounting them... I added them to my list to research further. OTOH, we have had over 50 days in excess of 100° with some days bumping 110°. I do know tomatoes will not deliver when nighttime temps are in the mid 80°s either.

One of the things I do look for when researching will be the DTM as we have a fairly short window in springtime. Actually longer in fall so may consider them for next fall. Thanks, pod

I am finally getting around to posting about the name of the eggplant. Little Fingers from Abundant Life Seeds. Plants are about 16-18 inches high, about 18-24 inches wide, produce constantly, no mite or flea beetle problems.

Excellent! Thank you ~ I had ordered two different ones ~ White fingers and Ophelia. I need to research yours as I like to hear someone has had hands on experience with a vegetable.

I know you are glad to be home but am sure the catching up is a pain. Thanks for taking the time. Kristi

White Acorn Squash from Baker Creek is a really small squash, plant and fruit. I direct sow it. Ive never been able to get it to transplant well

Lisa ~ can you give me an idea of how large it is?

Yes, I'll post a picture tomorrow that has a plant tag in it it's pretty small.

Golf ball size? Tennis ball? I got a lab, I know tennis ball sizes... lol

Baseball size. But you can pick them smaller, I just ate them raw. Sliced them in 1/2 took out the seeds and ate them.

Sounds good and I'd bet good in stirfry too. Thanks...

Podster (so funny, till I saw your name I always thought you were a guy) it has been so much work getting caught up. The weeds were horrible, purslane and amaranth took over the entire garden along with spurge and they just keep reseeding. Add to that the beginning of planting like crazy for fall and the winter Texan's arrival, more restaurants want to buy from us (I have learned to say: I don't deliver, I don't cut prices and I don't special pack for anyone........still interested?) and taxes are due. I should be doing taxes right now, but I needed a break. Oh yeah, forgot to mention the rabbits and raccons and the mouse that keeps digging up my squash seeds.

It sounds like your work will be cut out for you for a while. Hopefully the heat has broke by now.

Actually ~ you are the second one to say that so I started adding my name when I think about it.
But the real Podster is ( or was ) a guy. 8 )

Nice looking dog!
Cooler this week, nights are getting down into the 60's which is great for the garden.