March 22, 2010 Staff Favorites from 2009

 Emmie Sherry

 Herb and Vegetable Specialist

       Some of our staff at Southwood enjoy growing vegetables at home, just like you, myself included. I have radish, lettuce and mesclun mix seedlings just poking up out of the ground that I planted on March 2nd. I am so excited to see things growing, and I can't wait until it's time to plant tomatoes and peppers! (Only four more weeks!)

       I love growing heirloom tomatoes and I try new varieties every year as well as some old favorites, like the Cherokee Purple. I also like to experiment with vegetables, trying new things every year and rotating my garden all at the same time. This year I think I will try growing some Sweet 100 tomatoes, some cucumbers, and some pole beans in hanging baskets. I will be sure and let you know how that works out.

I asked some fellow gardeners/employees about their gardening experience from last year, and if they had any favorites or best performers. Hands down, everyone loves to grow tomatoes and this is what else I learned.

       Chris Ferris and Susan Brammeier, both buyers for Southwood, agreed that their best produce performer was the 'Juliet' tomato, a grape-type. Chris said he was picking handfuls of Juliets every other day. Although her 'Juliets' produced the most, Susan admitted 'Cherokee Purple' is still her favorite tasting tomato.

       Pat Calnan, assistant manager, recalled the 'Arkansas Travler,' 'Celebrity,' and 'Brandywine' all did well. Sherry Calnan said they also did yellow and red pear tomatoes in containers with Southwood potting soil. She said those types went "nutzoid!"

       Roger Layman, salesman, said his 'Jet Star' and 'Sweet 100' tomatoes performed well for him, while Katrina Crites, in accounting said her best performers were 'Goliath' and 'Tumbling Tom.'

       Joel Erickson, bedding plant attendant and avid pepper lover, said the 'Santiago' Jalapeno pepper did well and he loved it.