Varietal Selection
Since adequate testing of all the varieties in all the conditions present in Utah is impossible, the following information is meant as a guideline for identifying varieties that will grow well on your farm.
Eggplant and Pepper
Eggplant and pepper fruits are frequently categorized by shape, size, color, and flavor. Fruits vary greatly within these categories and varieties should be selected to meet production goals and market demands. Some factors to consider when choosing varieties are: growing environment, available space, market requirements, and desired use. Consult seed providers or other reputable sources to help identify eggplant and pepper varieties that meet your production criteria.
If you have had issues with certain diseases, many of the hybrid varieties have unique disease resistance/ tolerance characteristics. To identify varieties with disease resistance, look for abbreviations of disease names listed with the variety name on seed packets. Verticillium (V) and Fusarium (F) wilt, and root-knot nematode (N) are common (for example, ‘Better Boy’ VFN). Some seed suppliers provide more specific disease abbreviations. Reference the specific seed catalog for a full list.
Eggplant Variety Selection
| Fruit Types | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Eggplants | Cappi, Epic, Megal, Millionaire, Nadia, White Star |
| Heirloom | Black Beauty, Long Purple, Rosa Bianca |
Pepper Varieties
| Fruit Types | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Bell Peppers | Ace, Aristotle, Bell Boy, California, King Arthur, Revolution, Socrates, Wonder, |
| Banana Types | Ethem, Key West, Sweet Savannah |
| Sweet (non-bells) | Aruba, Cubanelle, Giant Marconi, Pimento, Sweet Cherry, Sweet Hungarian |
| Hot Peppers | Cayenne, Chili, Habanero, Hungarian, Jalapeno, Serrano |
| Heirloom | Chocolate Beauty, Emerald Giant, Golden Calwonder, Orange King Bell, Yolo Wonder |
Tomato
Selection of tomato varieties can be daunting since factors such as length of growing season, soil types, climate conditions, and production practices are unique to a farm's location. To further complicate matters, there are in excess of 700 different tomato varieties available for purchase. When selecting a new variety, evaluate it based on fruit size, color, earliness, soluble solids (sweetness), growth habit (determinate or indeterminate), and disease resistance. In determinate varieties, vine growth is limited, making it easier to stake plants or grow without trellising. Trellising or caging is recommended for indeterminate varieties since they continue to grow, flower, and fruit throughout the season. Heirloom varieties offer a wide range of fruit flavors and colors, and are popular at farmers markets, but generally lack disease resistance and are more prone to cosmetic defects. We recommend trying new varieties and compare them to what you already grow. On-farm testing is the best way to identify varieties that are most suited to your farm's local and unique conditions. Keep in mind that although you can grow all the different varieties, not all may be suited to your location.
Tomato Variety Selection
| Fruit Types | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Large Fruited | Celebrity, Empire, Heatmast, Jet Star Majesty, Mountain Fresh, Mountain Glory, Sunbrite, Sunshine |
| Cherry- Saladette | Juliet, Sweet Gold, Sweet Hearts, Sweet Million, Verona |
| Heirloom | Beafsteak, Black Prince, Black Zebra, Brandywine, Branscomb, Cherokee Purple, Chocolate Stripes, Coldset, Golden Swedish, Red Heart, San Marzano |