MINNESOTA MASTER GARDENER SEED TRIALS

Welcome to the Minnesota Master Gardener Seed Trials page

Each year master gardeners participate in the annual seed trails - testing out how well seeds grow, taste, texture, bloom times, and more! Selection of annual trials are made with consideration to try new varieties, vegetables that are currently considered “hot” for the year, harvest times, health interests, and general interesting choices. Participants also provide recommendations at the end of each year. Education and outreach programs are developed using seed trial results. Each trial includes six varieties and usually includes five vegetables, one herb, and two flowers.

In 2024, 298 Master Gardeners from 55 counties tested Centaurea, Cilantro, Helichrysum, Long Beans, Peppers, Shallots, Stem Broccoli and Swiss Chard. Additionally, gardens were represented mostly in home gardens, but also twenty community gardens, four school gardens and six Learning/Teaching/Giving gardens.