Interview with Garden To Be

Gardener Steve Laubach inspects some of Garden To Be's cold-weather seedlings.
Photo courtesy of Matt Goupell

As announced in this month's garden column, Garden To Be sold cold-weather seedlings in the Eagle Heights Gardens this past Sunday, April 17th from 10am - 1pm. If you missed the opportunity to stock up on some of this Mt. Horeb vendor's great plants, be sure to check them out at the Dane County Farmer's Market and mark your calendars for the warm-weather sale. Garden To Be will be back selling warm-weather plants Sunday, May 22nd. More details will be posted in the May garden column.

Eagle Heights Garden staff recently asked Garden To Be co-owners Scott Williams and April Yancer a few questions about their favorite vegetables. Read on for their insider knowledge on some of the plants Garden To Be offers.

1. What is your favorite kind of tomato?
We can't pick just one.  Sun Golds for cherry; Pruden's Purple, Golden Sunray for fresh (salads, sandwich); San Marzano for sauce and salsa.

2. Why do you prefer the Diva Cucumber over other varieties?
It is quite simply the best cucumber on the planet.  It has very thin skin, incredible flavor, and is highly productive.

3. What do you recommend growing for greens?

We like the rainbow chard for fun and attractiveness.  You only need to plant it once, early in the season. Pick and eat greens June through October.  It's really hard to beat.

4. What's your favorite variety of pepper?
Italia frying peppers. They are thick-walled, early peppers and have a really amazing sweet flavor when ripe red.  They're also excellent for roasting whole on the grill.

5. What recipes highlight some of your cold-weather crops?
We love cooking with our red cabbage. Early planting gets you fresh red cabbage slaw for the summer. Does anyone remember the Taqueria Gila Monster on King St.?  We loved their cilantro, citrus, red cabbage slaw - I think there is a recipe in From Asparagus to Zucchini.