Choose the Right Vegetable Varieties
Selecting the right variety is often an overlooked tool in successful vegetable gardening. Varieties selected for pest and disease resistance, heat and drought tolerance, and days to maturity are important considerations for any successful vegetable garden in the Austin area.
Since microclimates and soils vary widely in Travis County, selecting varieties for your specific site may seem like a daunting task. We’re here to help. The varieties included here are recommendations from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Travis County Master Gardener Vegetable Specialists based on research and personal experience. Check the Vegetable Seed Sources list for availability.
Direct Seed or Transplants?
It’s more economical to grow plants from seed. Since most vegetables sprout easily enough, it’s often the preferred way to grow them because they never have to experience transplanting shock.
The term “direct seed” means that you can plant the seeds directly into the soil without having to transplant.
The term “transplant” means that the seeds are grown indoors until they have true leaves and roots to withstand transplanting (sometimes 3 to 4 weeks.) Many plants are transplanted more than once, and this term is called “bumping up.”
Our recommendations for “transplants” are for those vegetables that require special handling at germination, mostly because of the germination temperature requirements. Broccoli is an example of a plant that requires cooler temperatures to germinate. Tomatoes, on the other hand, require warm temperatures to germinate, and do better when started indoors during early spring here in Central Texas. The other reason to recommend transplants is the number of days it takes to harvest. Central Texas has two very short growing seasons. A crop like Brussels Sprouts just doesn’t have enough time in their ideal growing temperatures to amount to anything unless started as a transplant.
The term “crowns” are used for asparagus because they are usually planted as dormant crowns in the garden.
Sweet Potatoes are planted as “slips”, which are vine cuttings from sprouted tubers. They may or may not have rootlets attached.
Heirloom or Hybrid?
You’ll see a lot of emphasis placed on “heirloom” varieties, but what does that actually mean?
Heirloom varieties are those whose seeds have been saved and passed along over time. Some definitions stipulate that the variety must be at least 50 years old. Other definitions include any seed produced by a parent that breeds “true-to-type”, meaning that pollination occurs between the same or genetically similar parents. These are also called “Open Pollinated.” All heirloom varieties are open-pollinated, but depending on the definition, not all open-pollinated plants are considered heirlooms.
Hybrids are created from the pollen of two different plant varieties. The first generation seeds are called “F1” and in seed catalogs it should include that following it’s name or in the description. Plant breeders cross plants to create more desirable characteristics such a nematode resistance, faster growth, or seedless varieties. Subsequent generations of seed however, if saved, will not all grow “true-to-type” when replanted the following season. It takes a while to develop new varieties that start out as hybrids because it requires multiple generations of seed saving to breed out the variability.
So which is better? The answer really depends on whether you want to save seed and what plant characteristics you are looking for.
Vegetable Variety Selector
Choose the vegetable for the recommended varieties:
- All vegetables and varieties
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Asian Greens
- Beans
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard, Swiss
- Collards
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Greens, Specialty
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Melons
- Mustard
- Okra
- Onion
- Peas, Garden
- Peas, Southern
- Pepper
- Potatoes
- Potatoes, Sweet
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Spinach
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTICHOKE (transplants) | Green Globe | Y | >150 |
| Imperial Star | >100 | ||
| ASPARAGUS (crowns) | Jersey’ Series | 3 years | |
| Mary Washington | Y | 3 years | |
| UC 157 | 3 years | ||
| ASIAN GREENS | Joi Choi | 50 | |
| Komatsuna | 50 | ||
| Mei Qing Choi | 45 | ||
| Mizuna | 49 | ||
| Tatsoi | 45 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEANS, GREEN, Bush | Contender | Y | 55 |
| Derby | 57 | ||
| Dwarf Horticultural (pinto) | 68 | ||
| Maxibel | 55 | ||
| Provider | 50 | ||
| Roma II | 53 | ||
| BEANS, GREEN, Pole | Blue Lake | 75 | |
| Kentucky Wonder | Y | 65 | |
| Louisiana Purple Pod | Y | 75 | |
| McCaslan | Y | 61 | |
| Rattlesnake | Y | 65 | |
| BEANS, FAVA | Broad Windsor | Y | 85 |
| BEANS, LIMA, Bush | Dixie Butterpea | Y | 76 |
| Fordhook 242 | 72 | ||
| Henderson Bush | Y | 65 | |
| Jackson Wonder | Y | 65 | |
| BEANS, LIMA, Pole | Christmas | Y | 88 |
| King of the Garden | Y | 85-90 | |
| Sieva or Carolina | Y | 75-80 | |
| BEETS | Bull’s Blood | Y | 60 |
| Chioggia | Y | 55 | |
| Cylindra | Y | 56 | |
| Detroit Dark Red | Y | 60 | |
| Golden | 55 | ||
| Red Ace | 54 | ||
| Ruby Queen | 55 | ||
| BROCCOLI (transplants) | Arcadia | 70 | |
| Belstar | 75 | ||
| Calabrese | Y | 57 | |
| Green Magic | 60 | ||
| Gypsy | 58 | ||
| BRUSSELS SPROUTS (transplants) | Churchill | 90 | |
| Long Island Improved | Y | 90 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| CABBAGE (transplants) | Bilko (Chinese) | 54 | |
| Early Jersey Wakefield | Y | 62 | |
| Famosa (savoy) | 75 | ||
| Farao | 65 | ||
| Katarina | 50 | ||
| Michihili (Chinese) | 78 | ||
| Red Express | 63 | ||
| Tendersweet | 71 | ||
| CARROTS | Chantenay Red Core | Y | 65 |
| Danvers 126 | 75 | ||
| Little Finger | Y | 60 | |
| Mokum | 54 | ||
| Napoli | 55 | ||
| Scarlet Nantes | 70 | ||
| CAULIFLOWER (transplants) | Amazing | 68 | |
| Flame Star (orange) | 62 | ||
| Purple Moon (purple) | 62 | ||
| Snow Crown | 50 | ||
| Snowball Y | 68 | ||
| Veronica (green) | 78 | ||
| CELERY (transplants) | Tango | 80-85 | |
| Utah 52-70 | 90-100 | ||
| CHARD, SWISS | Bright Lights | 60 | |
| Fordhook | Y | 55 | |
| Rhubarb Red | Y | 55 | |
| COLLARDS | Champion | 75 | |
| Flash | 55 | ||
| Georgia Southern | Y | 75 | |
| CORN su=Normal Sugar se=Sugar Enhanced |
Ambrosia (se) | 75 | |
| Country Gentleman (Shoepeg) | Y | 90 | |
| Kandy Korn (se) | 89 | ||
| Luscious (se) | 75 | ||
| Silver Queen (su) | 90 | ||
| Sugar Buns (se) | 70 | ||
| CUCUMBER, Pickling | Calypso | 53 | |
| Carolina | 49 | ||
| Eureka | 56 | ||
| Homemade Pickles | 55-60 | ||
| Parisian Pickling | 50 | ||
| CUCUMBER, Slicing | Diva | 58 | |
| Salad Bush | 57 | ||
| Spacemaster | 55 | ||
| Straight Eight | 63 | ||
| Suyo Long | Y | 61 | |
| Sweet Slice | 62 | ||
| Tasty Green | 60 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGGPLANT (transplants) | Black Beauty | Y | 90-100 |
| Nadia | 70 | ||
| Ping Tung Long | 70 | ||
| Rosa Bianca | 75-80 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARLIC | California Early | 8-9 months | |
| Creole Red | 8-9 months | ||
| Lorz Italian | 8-9 months | ||
| GREENS, SPECIALTY Cool Season | Arugula | 40 | |
| Corn Salad/Mache | 50 | ||
| Radicchio Perseo | 55 | ||
| GREENS, SPECIALTY Warm Season | Lambsquarter | 40 | |
| Malabar Spinach | 55 | ||
| Molokhia | 60 | ||
| New Zealand Spinach | 70 | ||
| Vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) | 50 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| KALE | Dwarf Blue Curled | Y | 55 |
| Red Russian | Y | 60 | |
| Scarlet | Y | 70 | |
| Toscano (Dinosaur Kale) | Y | 65 | |
| Winterbor | 60 | ||
| KOHLRABI | Early Purple Vienna | Y | 55-60 |
| Early White Vienna | Y | 55-60 | |
| Kolibri | 48-50 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEEKS (transplants) | Large American Flag | Y | 130 |
| King Richard | 75 | ||
| LETTUCE, Leaf & Bibb | Black Seeded Simpson | Y | 40 |
| Buttercrunch | 65 | ||
| Lollo Rossa | 53 | ||
| New Red Fire | 55 | ||
| Salad Bowl | Y | 48 | |
| LETTUCE, Romaine | Jericho | 57 | |
| Parris Island Cos | Y | 70 | |
| Rouge d’Hiver | Y | 60 | |
| Winter Density | 54 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELONS, Cantaloupe (muskmelon) | Ambrosia | 86 | |
| Hale’s Best | Y | 82 | |
| MELONS, Watermelon | Black Diamond | 90 | |
| Crimson Sweet | 85 | ||
| Jubilee | 95 | ||
| Charleston Gray | 85 | ||
| Moon and Stars | Y | 105 | |
| Sugar Baby | Y | 77 | |
| MELONS, Armenian Cucumbers | Armenian Yard-Long | 60-70 | |
| Striped Armenian | 63 | ||
| MUSTARD | Osaka Purple | Y | 40 |
| Red Giant | Y | 45 | |
| Southern Giant | Y | 60 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKRA | Burgundy | 60 | |
| Clemson Spineless | Y | 56 | |
| Emerald | 58 | ||
| Hill Country Red | Y | 65 | |
| Lee | 54 | ||
| ONION, Bulbing (transplants) | 1015Y TX Supersweet | 110 | |
| Candy | 125 | ||
| Southern Belle (Red) | 110 | ||
| White Bermuda | 95 | ||
| Yellow Granex | 100 | ||
| ONION, Green/Bunching | Evergreen White | 65 | |
| Multiplier | Perennial |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEAS, GARDEN, English | Little Marvel | Y | 62 |
| Wando | 68-70 | ||
| PEAS, GARDEN, Snap | Cascadia | 58 | |
| Sugar Ann | 55 | ||
| Sugar Magnolia (vining) | 70 | ||
| Super Sugar Snap (vining) | 60 | ||
| PEAS, GARDEN, Snow | Dwarf Grey Sugar | Y | 60 |
| Oregon Sugar Pod | 65 | ||
| PEAS, SOUTHERN (COWPEA) | California Blackeye #5 | 60 | |
| Mississippi Silver | 65 | ||
| Pinkeye Purple Hull | 65 | ||
| Zipper Cream | 65-70 | ||
| PEAS, SOUTHERN (COWPEA), Yard Long/Asparagus Bean |
Orient Wonder | 70 | |
| Red Noodle | Y | 85 | |
| PEPPER (transplants), Hot | Anaheim | 75-80 | |
| Cayenne, Long Red | Y | 75-80 | |
| Habanero | 75-90 | ||
| Hungarian Wax | 70 | ||
| Poblano | 75-80 | ||
| Serrano | 70 | ||
| Tabasco | Y | 80 | |
| PEPPER (transplants), Jalapeño | Garden Salsa | 73 | |
| Jalafuego | 70 | ||
| TAM Mild | 65-70 | ||
| PEPPER (transplants), Sweet | Big Bertha | 70 | |
| Corno di toro | 72 | ||
| California Wonder | 75 | ||
| Carmen | 75 | ||
| Cubanelle | 68 | ||
| Gypsy | 65 | ||
| Marconi | Y | 80 | |
| Pimento L | 78 | ||
| Sweet Banana | Y | 65 | |
| POTATOES | Kennebec (white) | 75-100 | |
| Red LaSoda | 75-100 | ||
| Red Pontiac | 70-100 | ||
| Russet Norkotah | 65-70 | ||
| Yukon Gold | 70-90 | ||
| POTATOES, Fingerling | Austrian Crescent | Y | 65-75 |
| Russian Banana | Y | 65-75 | |
| POTATOES, SWEET (slips) | Beauregard | 120-140 | |
| Centennial | 120-140 | ||
| Georgia Jet | 120-140 | ||
| PUMPKIN | Connecticut Field | Y | 105 |
| Jack-B-Little | 90 | ||
| Orange Smoothie | 90 | ||
| Small Sugar | Y | 110 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| RADISH | Champion | 28 | |
| Watermelon | Y | 60 | |
| Easter Egg | 30 | ||
| French Breakfast | Y | 25 | |
| White Icicle | Y | 30 | |
| RADISH, Daikon | Miyashige | Y | 50 |
| Summer Cross | 60 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPINACH | Bloomsdale (savoy) | Y | 45 |
| Regiment (savoy) | 37 | ||
| Space (smooth) | 40 | ||
| SQUASH, SUMMER, Patty Pan | Benning’s Green Tint | Y | 55 |
| Sunburst | 52 | ||
| White Bush Scallop | Y | 47 | |
| SQUASH, SUMMER, Yellow | Butterstick | 50 | |
| Dixie Crookneck | Y | 45-50 | |
| Multipik | 50 | ||
| Zephyr | 54 | ||
| SQUASH, SUMMER, Zucchini | Black Beauty | Y | 45 |
| Costata Romanesco | Y | 52 | |
| Eight Ball | 40 | ||
| Raven | 48-50 | ||
| Tatume | Y | 55-60 | |
| SQUASH, SUMMER, Green Vining | Luffa Culinary Gourd (Luffa aegyptica or L. acutangular) | 65 | |
| Tromboncino | Y | 60 | |
| SQUASH, WINTER | Bon Bon Buttercup | 95 | |
| Butterbaby | 100 | ||
| Carnival | 95 | ||
| Delicata | Y | 98 | |
| Small Wonder Spaghetti | 80 | ||
| Sunshine Kabocha | 95 | ||
| Table Queen Acorn | 80 | ||
| Sweet Dumpling | 100 | ||
| Waltham Butternut | 95-100 |
Vegetable |
Variety |
Heirloom? |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOMATOES (transplants), Standard D=Determinate I=Indeterminate |
Big Beef (I) | 73 | |
| Black Krim (I) | Y | 75 | |
| Celebrity (Semi-det.) | 70 | ||
| Cherokee Purple (I) | Y | 72 | |
| Early Girl (I) | 57 | ||
| Jaune Flammé (I) | Y | 70-85 | |
| Tycoon (D) | 65-70 | ||
| Stupice (I) | Y | 60-65 | |
| TOMATOES (transplants), Cherry D=Determinate I=Indeterminate |
Black Cherry (I) | 75 | |
| Juliet (I) | 62 | ||
| Sun Gold (I) | 65 | ||
| Sweet 100 (I) | 60 | ||
| Yellow Pear (I) | Y | 78 | |
| TOMATOES (transplants), Paste D=Determinate I=Indeterminate |
Plum Regal (D) | 72 | |
| Amish Paste (I) | 80-85 | ||
| Roma (D) | 78 | ||
| San Marzano (I) | Y | 78 | |
| TURNIPS | Hakurei | 38 | |
| Purple Top White Globe | Y | 55 | |
| Seven Top (greens only) | Y | 45 | |
| Tokyo Cross |
Additional Resources
Download PDF Vegetable Varieties for Central Texas. Please note that due to size constraints, not all varieties listed on this website page occur on the pdf.
Vegetable Variety Selector from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (entire state)
Texas A&M Easy Gardening Series in English and Español
