We got a release from the National Garden Bureau today that listed some enticing new plant varieties for next year. Even though I'm still picking tomatoes from the garden (and hoping the peppers will finish ripening, against all odds), this is exciting!

To view the full list, go here. In the meantime, here are some that I like:

1. 'Blue Wind' broccoli. "Bold, much improved Packman type. Heads are medium-sized, blue-green with small, attractive beads. Easier to harvest and more uniform. Harvest 49 days from sowing."

2. 'Tanya' bean. "Long, slender'green beans' with pink pods mature to a glowing, phosphorescent pink. Harvest large, flat, pink beans in 60 days. Excellent flavor and texture. Beans turn green when steamed." (Craig, this one's for you!)

3. 'Portofino' summer squash. "Beautiful romanesco-type zucchini. Firm, nutty flavored, dark green cylindrical fruit with light-green lengthwise ridges. Cut cross-wise, the pieces are star-shaped. Matures at 7-9 inches in 48 days on bushy 24-inch tall plants." Yum.

In other news, I've given up hope for my winter broccoli plants: Turns out, the barrel it was planted in was too great a digging temptation for Harriet the Pug. I couldn't bear to get mad at her: She probably thought it was the best birthday present ever.