2026 REGISTRATION

Review requirements below for participating in the Seed Trials and use the link at the end of the invitation to register

Registration closes February 16, 2026

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

We’re pleased to announce and invite all Master Gardeners to participate in this, the 44th year of our Annual Seed Trials!
Please review all the information below before registering.

PURPOSE:

Advise home gardeners on optimal selection of plants for Minnesota gardens.

Just because a plant grows well near the Maine seacoast or North Carolina (let alone California!) doesn’t mean it will do well here in USDA Zones 3-5. It’s hard to advise home gardeners if all we have to go on is what the seed catalogs say. This year we will test 8 different plants including six vegetables and two flowers. Each trial includes four to six varieties.

VOLUNTEERING WITH THE SEED TRIALS:

Participants grow 4-6 varieties in each of the 8 trials. Participants can choose to participate in as many trials as they like and can manage.

Participants must grow all the varieties in a trial so the main limiting factor is garden space. Refer to the minimum space and light requirements to grow each trial listed in the table below. Please do not sign up for a trial if you can’t commit at least this much space.

GARDEN REQUIREMENTS:

Trials can be grown in the home garden, community garden, school garden, etc. Except for collards and zinnias, all trials can be grown in containers – but each variety must have its own container with each filled with at least 5 gallons of clean potting mix. Required minimum container size is noted on table below. Consistent moisture must be carefully maintained if growing in containers. We do not recommend more than one plant variety in containers less than 8” in diameter.

Participants will log germination, taste, texture, bloom times, diseases, insects, and more. Data is submitted online, and paper forms must be returned. Monthly Zoom meetings are open for all where we review trial participation and take questions. Tips and ideas are shared too. Dates and how to join the Zoom calls are posted on the front page of the Seed Trials Google site.

Volunteer Hours – participants earn hours for all the activities listed above. Refer to the “Recording Volunteer Hours” for more information.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

Plant all seeds received – necessary to determine germination rates. For example, if a trial that has 6 varieties and 8 seeds per variety, participants will plant 48 seeds.
Confirm you have the necessary space for your selected trials (refer to table below).
Except for Zinnias, grow to maturity a minimum of 2 plants of each variety in a trial. If you can grow more than 2 – great! Since each zinnia variety is a mix, all 10 seeds must be grown to maturity.
Indoor starts – you must have heat mats and grow lights to participate in these trials. This year has one trial with indoor start and that is indicated below.
Submit data via google forms AND return paper forms via email or post by the October deadline.

USE OF DATA:

The Seed Trial team summarizes the submitted results across all participants, providing Minnesota-specific information on how these seeds do in our climate. Education and outreach programs are developed using seed trial results. The Seed Trials Google site has past reports, examples of data, etc.

THE 2026 ANNUAL SEED TRIALS INCLUDE:

Collards

Collards are a heat and cold-tolerant, leafy vegetable in the Brassica family. New leaves can be eaten raw when massaged with acid, like lemon juice and oil to soften them and reduce their bitter taste; mature leaves can be stewed, braised, or stir-fried.

Direct sow in the spring, as soon as the soil is workable.

Note: Trial must be conducted where no other brassica or cruciferous vegetables have been grown in the last 3-4 previous growing seasons. Not suitable for container gardening.

Cucumbers – 6-8” Slicer, Bush Habit

In this trial, we are trying to find the best slicer cucumber that grows in a compact bush habit.

Direct sow seeds after the last frost date. Suitable for in-ground or patio container. While these will be compact vines, a trellis is recommended to optimize garden space.

Note: only 4 varieties in this trial.

Dry Beans – Bush Habit

The six dried beans in this trial can be used in soups, dips or your favorite way to use pinto or cranberry-type beans.

Direct sow after the last frost and when the soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees.

Harvest when the pods are fully mature and have turned dry and brittle. (Do not harvest and use while they are still fresh/green.) The dry bean will be ready to harvest approximately 20 days after the bean has reached its fully developed green stage.

Lettuce – Mini-Head

Ideal for small households, community gardens and container gardening as each head is typically only about 6” tall for 1-2 servings/head.

Direct sow as soon as the soil is workable; germinates best below 70 degrees and grows best in cooler weather.

Tomatoes - Direct Sow (Cherry and Beefsteak)

Direct Sow Tomatoes, Can We Do That in Minnesota?!? Direct-sown tomato seeds are the newest offering in tomato varieties. This trial is a bit different from the others, because instead of testing for the best variety, we are testing how well tomato seeds grow and produce tomatoes in Minnesota when they are directly sown in the ground or a container.

Note: DO NOT START indoors. Direct sow one week before the average last frost date for your area.

Note: This trial includes 2 cherry and 2 beefsteak tomato varieties. We will let you know which are cherry and which are beefsteak.

Zucchini - Striped, Bush Habit

This zucchini trial features 4 striped zucchini varieties that grow in a bush habit. Zucchini can be eaten raw, baked (lasagna), sauteed or grilled. And there is always plenty to share.

Direct sow at least 2 weeks after the last frost in your area. Soil temperature should be 70’ for best germination.

Note: only 4 varieties in this trial.

Thunbergia alata

Also known as Black-eyed Susan vine. Can reach 5-8 feet and will require a trellis, arbor, or fence to climb or the ability to trail down from a hanging basket. Star-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, white, and cream, and peach that will attract pollinators.

Indoor Start: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Soak seeds for up to 48 hours before sowing. Use a heat mat to keep temperature between 65 and 75 degrees.

Zinnia - Dwarf Mix

Grow six different mixes of short, broad zinnias. Ideal for the edges of sunny gardens, these colorful flowers. We do not recommend containers for this trial, since we will not be thinning the plants.

Direct sow once the soil has reached a temperature of at least 70 degrees

*** Refer to the table below for trial needs (indoor start, seed spacing, sun, etc.) ***

DEFINITION OF TERMS

INDOOR Seed starts: One of the trials must be started indoors: Thunbergia alata. You must have grow lights (not natural light) and heat mats for indoor seed starting. By selecting these trials, you confirm that you have the time (~8 weeks before local frost-free date), light (grow lights, greenhouse), heat mats, and space to start the seeds indoors. The Seed Trial Google Site has more information about starting seeds indoors.

DIRECT Seed: Collard, Cucumber, Dry Bean, Lettuce, Tomato, Zucchini and Zinnia seeds must be sown directly into the garden – specific information about timing, soil temperature, etc., will be included in growing instructions.

SEED SPACING – You need to plant all the seeds you receive. The space noted here is for seedlings. You can grow all seeds per variety if you have the space; or you can donate seedlings.

MINIMUM SEED SPACING – This is the total space needed between seeds when sowing seeds.

MINIMUM SPACING LINEAR FEET (DIRECT SOW) - This is the total linear feet you need to GERMINATE all seeds received in a trial. A linear foot is equal to 12 inches or 1 foot – it refers to measuring something in a straight line; it is not area. For example, a trial with 4 varieties x 8 seeds x 6” minimum spacing will need 16 linear feet (4x8x6/12).

MINIMUM SPACING LINEAR FEET (INDOOR START) - This is the total linear feet you need to grow a minimum of 2 plants per variety. A linear foot is equal to 12 inches or 1 foot – it refers to measuring something in a straight line; it is not area. For example, a trial with 6 varieties x 2 minimum plants x 12” minimum spacing will need 12 linear feet (6x2x12/12).

GARDEN SUN: Most of the trials require full sun (at least 6 hours). Please make sure you have enough sunny space in your garden to grow the trials you select.

RABBITS/DEER: All of the trials require that you protect the seedlings and plants from critters with fencing or netting.

CONTAINER GROWING: All of the trials except collards can be grown in containers. Container size is indicated in the table. Containers should be at least 10” deep and filled with clean potting mix. Each Variety should have its own container; for some trials you will have only one plant per container while others like dwarf zinnias could have more if recommended spacing between plants is maintained. As containers dry out fast, consistent watering is a must to ensure plants thrive. Containers should be protected from critters as well.

NUMBER OF TRIALS SELECTED: If you ask for 3 trials, you most likely will receive 3 trials. At registration, please be sure you have the space for all trials requested and the time to complete the data sheets you will receive for each trial. Because we purchase seeds in advance of registration, we may not be able to fill every request. But we will do our best to honor all requests!

(If clicking on the link does not work, right-click on it and open the link in a new tab.)

FAQs and Seed Starting

Go to the FAQs page for common questions about the seed trials.
For tips on seed starting, check out the Seed Starting page