The 2006 All-America Selection Winners:
Part 2: Vegetable Winners

Here are the AAS vegetable winners for 2006:

Pepper F1 ‘Mariachi’
Vegetable Award Winner

'Mariachi' is a pepper of the chili type sporting cream green-white peppers that turn to a rose-red then full red at maturity. The fruits are about 4 to 4-1/2 inches long by about 2 inches wide and the plant is a bushy 19 to 20 inches in height, and disease tolerant to tobamovirus. It is great for those short on growing space or those who wish to try this as a container plant. It also would make a wonderful accent plant in the flower border. They have a moderate amount of heat, but the full heat of this chili pepper can become more pronounced and pungent if grown in dry conditions or under stress, such as prolonged heat spells. Uses include raw or grilled and can be added to sauces and salsas and the flavor will perk up any southwestern and Mexican dishes, including fajitas.

Pepper F1 ‘Carmen’
Vegetable Award Winner

'Carmen' is a sweet pepper with an Italian rather than a bell pepper shape. It is sweet at all stages of maturity, but its best flavor develops when its fruits are allowed to turn full deep red. It is early to fully ripen to red, a plus for those who garden in cooler regions. It is more tolerant of a wider range of soil and climate conditions. It is also a heavy producer, and is beautiful in appearance. The plant is upright and bushy with deep green foliage that contrasts nicely with the fully ripened peppers. Ideal for large patio pots in a full sun location or even as an accent plant in the flower garden, keep it watered and fertilized for the best production of fruits. The fruits themselves are about 5 to 6 inches long by 2 to 2/1/2 inches wide on plants that grow about 18 or so inches tall and wide.

Cilantro ‘Delfino’
Vegetable Award Winner

Now that we have the peppers, we have to make the salsa, and no salsa would be complete without cilantro! 'Delfino' is unique among the corianders/cilantros in that it has a very fine foliage, fern-like in appearance. This characteristic makes it easy to incorporate into dishes and sauces such as salsa. The flavor is parsley with citrus undertones. At higher temperatures, the plant will bolt, but much later than other cilantros. A dual-purpose herb, ‘Delfino’ can be allowed to go to seed and be used as coriander. This plant grows about 19 to 20 inches tall and about 18 inches wide, which makes it ideal for the potted herb garden or as an accent in garden containers with other plants. Planted close to the edge of its container, it will spill over the edge of the pot. Grow in full sun so it can reach its full potential.

Carrot F1 ‘Purple Haze’
Vegetable Award Winner

'Purple Haze' is a unique carrot with its deep purple exterior and deep orange interior. Sweet in flavor, it is a great addition raw in salads or cut for fresh eating. Cooking will fade its purple color unless quickly stir-fried or sauteed. The carrots are long and slender imperator types. They are about 12 inches long with shoulders about 1-1/2 inches to 2 inches across. Since they are a long carrot, they will require a loose soil. They are also adaptable as container plants for those who are interested in trying this carrot but have less-than-ideal general soil conditions. According to the AAS, gardeners can expect the best purple color to develop when plants are grown between 59 and 68°F.

As always, these current winners will be available in garden centers throughout the country in time for the 2006 growing season. Try out a few, and be sure to look for previous years' winners to add plants that will also offer good performance in your garden, too!