Everywhere there are signs of spring, but for me the real sign it is spring is when we start to plant the seeds for the field trials.  Yesterday, one of the students and I planted 52 flats in the afternoon.  We planted tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, brussels sprouts, etc.  Now I just can't wait to see the seedlings pop up through the dirt.  Then I will actually know spring is here and summer is on it's way. 
 
We have a wide range of varieties we are growing both for trialing here at WVSU AERS but also for some trials I have farmers doing for the Organic Seed Partnership.  Obviously we have tomatoes and I am very excited about some new varieties I found at Johnny's:  New Girl and Valley Girl.  In the area of peppers, we will be trialing some selections we made last year on Early Dwarf Cayenne lines from the Long Island Seed Project and some new varieties including Ladybug and Prairie Fire.  My staff is very excited about a personal size melon we are going to grow called Serenade and a couple of the little pumpkin lines out on the market:  Jack Be Little and Wee-B-Little. 
 
So, how about for anyone out there reading this blog, when do you know it is spring?  Also has anyone else started their seeds for their garden?  What are you growing?  Any of the new varieties or the old standards?  Drop me a line and let me know. 
 
Barbara E. Liedl, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor
liedlbe@wvstateu.edu