We’ve got the Transplant Sale on our minds as the second weekend of the three-weekend event quickly approaches. We have a vast spread of crop varieties available to you this year, a selection that we continue to diversify over the years.

Why do we offer and grow so many different varieties of crops here at JBG, you might wonder? Seed variety and seed preservation are important because of the trend to seed domesticate, or in other words, select seeds that are advantageous to humans, but simultaneously dwindle and simplify crop variety banks over the years. This practice has put us in danger for many reasons, but the main one being (in the words of J. Ray): “ Varietal decline threatens agrodiversity. We know this—the less biodiverse any system is, the greater the potential for its collapse. In shriveling the gene pool both through loss of varieties and through the industrial takeover of an evolutionary process, we strip our crops of the ability to adapt to change and we put the entire food supply at risk. The more food varieties we lose, the closer we slide to the tipping point of disaster.” Thus, seed variety/preservation is not only delicious on our plates but integral equally to our future and agricultural survival. So, get to farming, folks, and grab some of those Ark of Taste varieties to expand our horticultural horizons and ensure a future for those at-risk crops facing extinction!

We also spend ample time poring over seed catalogs in order to select the crops most suited for our Central Texas soil and climate. This is all in an attempt to set your backyard garden aspirations up for success in the coming months. We will additionally be offering a Gardening Workshop (in conjunction with this Saturday's (3/2) Transplant Sale) with farming master and our farm manager, Becky, just in case you want to brush up on some farming pro-tips. So, don't dally, grab your tickets here and expand your gardening know-how ASAP! Just in case you need some ideas for your garden, scroll down for some of our favorite varieties.

First weekend of the transplant sale. Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Here are the top four favorite varieties we’re growing this spring:

Holy Basil

Basil is always a crowd favorite, and this year we decided to cultivate 5 varieties of it. Holy Basil, otherwise known as Tulsi, hails from India and has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb. Vastly integral in Hindu worship and the Ayurvedic school of medicine, this herb has been thought to heal a gamut of ailments such as heart disease, upset stomach, asthma, and day-to-day anxiety. Dry the leaves and use it in tea, or throw the leaves into your next stir-fry for a peppery taste. This wonder herb has innate insect repellent qualities, and because of its anti-inflammatory properties, can also be used as a salve for snake and scorpion bites.

Holy Basil flowering. Photo courtesy of Eat Your Yard Jax.

Sungold Tomatoes

Tomatoes are essential to a bonafide summertime backyard garden, and this year we are offering around 18 different types. The Sungold is one of our more beloved nightshades. With its saccharine sweet taste and compact size, this is sure to be a family favorite. You don’t even need to cook these ‘maters, pop ‘em in your mouth as a snack or toss ‘em into your salad. These fruits thrive in the heat and will grow in clusters, so make sure to stake this crop. We'll be selling cages at the sale, so you don't have to worry about additional supplies!

Sungold tomatoes. Photo courtesy of Bonnie's Plants.

Winterbor Kale

This frilly, almost blue in hue, leafy green is not only delectable but an absolutely beautiful sight out in the fields. This kale’s dense leaves paired with a mildly sweet flavor is perfect for smoothies, salads, and wraps. Plus, it’s a rich source of vitamin K, A, C, and B6! Cold-tolerant and extremely hearty, this is sure to be the green to jumpstart your green-thumb tendencies.

Kale fields! Photo by Scott David Gordon.

Lunchbox Pepper

This pepper is exceptionally sweet and grows in a dazzling mixture of red, yellow, or orange. Its miniature size is irresistible, and might potentially be your kiddos gateway veggie to a world of healthy snacking. Not into snacking raw vegetables? Don’t fret, these nightshades shine as a sauteed side plate or thrown on a salad for that sweet pop.

Lunchbox peppers. Photo courtesy of Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Peruse our vast menu of transplants online! And perhaps visit our Greenhouse sale! We can’t wait.