All-America Selections (AAS) is an independent non-profit trialing organization established in 1932 and still going strong 92 years later! AAS trial sites and display gardens are spread across the US and Canada, including nine gardens in Iowa. Reiman Gardens is proud to be both a trial site for multiple categories and a display garden highlighting recent winners. Check out the AAS website for trial and display sites, winners, blogs, and so much more!
Data has been collected, evaluations have been submitted, and hopefully by next month's Iowa Gardening Newsletter, I'll have some brand new AAS winners to announce! In the meantime, let's revisit a couple of previous winners perfect for the changing seasons.
With temperatures fluctuating wildly this fall, there are still plenty of AAS Winners to plant; some are frost-tolerant, some are great for containers and could be moved into a protected location when night temps dip below freezing.
Brassica oleracea 'Prizm': This kale is packed with flavor that only improves with frost! 'Prizm' grows well in beds, but would be ideal for a container that could get you fresh greens for Thanksgiving and beyond. The more you harvest, the more this kale will produce. If you are planning ahead, 'Prizm' is also a great spring veggie that will last well into summer without bolting.
Ocimum basilicum 'Dolce Fresca': 'Dolce Fresca' basil is a compact plant with oversized flavor. Growing just over 12", 'Dolce Fresca' would love to spend warm fall days outdoors and move inside as fall progresses. With such a small stature, this basil could easily fit in a countertop pot for fresh herbs all fall and winter long!
Lactuca sativa 'Sandy': 'Sandy' is a dark green, oakleaf type lettuce that can looks as nice in a fall container with annuals as it does on your plate! 'Sandy' is ready for harvest at 30 days for baby leaf and 50 days for full maturity. This lettuce would also do well in a container that could be protected as it grows. 'Sandy' is available as an organic seed from certain sources as well!
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