Last year, as part of the Proven Winners trial program, I was
able to sample three new edibles that the company was releasing in 2019 under
the Proven Harvest banner. The plants were Amazel Basil, Berried Treasure
Strawberries and Garden Gem Tomatoes, and overall, I was very impressed.
Amazel Basil
First off, what a beautiful plant! I grew this in a large
(10” diameter) ceramic floral-decorated planter, and it looked great – it would
make a great filler plant in a larger container recipe.
Second, Amazel Basil is a sterile plant, so it will continue
to produce new growth even if it flowers, and a little bit of flowering
shouldn’t affect the taste. It is also Downy Mildew resistant.
Finally, I’m going to have to try it again, because I didn’t
get to use it as much as I would’ve liked to. It was my first time growing
basil, so I felt like I spent too much time looking for recipes and not enough
time making them!
Berried Treasure
Strawberries
I was most excited about this, because I LOOOOOVE
strawberries! These were great to eat picked right off the plant, which leads
to my only complaint: the berries were on the small side. They were tasty,
however, and as an ever-bearing plant, quite prolific.
This plant still looks good: in September, I transplanted
this from a container into a section of my veggie garden that I had pulled some
old strawberry plants from (June-bearers) – then I ordered another one, and
after that I ordered a Berried Treasure Flower Pillow from PW (I believe that
will be 4-5 more plants for the garden next fall).
Garden Gem
Tomatoes
Garden Gem is a smaller, Roma-shaped tomato (a larger, round
tomato – Garden Treasure – will also be available in 2019) that, even I will
admit, had good flavor. In general, I’m not a fan of tomatoes – I’ll eat them
sliced thin on pizza, diced in pasta or salad, or as a sauce, but I’m not a fan
of their usual pulpy texture. These weren’t pulpy – they were meaty. I was
impressed, so I ordered another one for this year, as well as a Garden Treasure
to try out.
I planted this – as well as the basil and strawberry plants
– in containers so I could keep a better eye on them, and was impressed with
the haul (about two pounds).
If you are in the Buffalo area and are interested in the
Proven Harvest collection, Badding Brothers Farm Market, located at 10820 Transit Rd. in East Amherst, will be
hosting a Launch Party on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. each day, featuring demonstrations, taste tests, raffles and more.
all photos: PaulaThompsonFreelance
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