Backyard to Table

Our long, hot summers make the Valley a prime veggie-growing region. Cat Gantz of Cat’s Culinary Garden (catsculinarygarden.com) shares some of her favorite heirlooms tomatoes as well as some other stand-out plants.

MENTHA SPICATA MINT (spearmint)

My favorite herb! I grow it everywhere in my garden. For teas, salads, chutneys and sauces … delicious with tomatoes.

FRENCH BREAKFAST RADISH

This classic variety is white-tipped, mild and crispy, and they grow well all year round. In France we eat them with butter!

SUYO LONG CUCUMBER

Extra long with light and dark green stripes. Delicious taste, almost seedless. Must have strong trellis support if grown vertically.

PURPLE OPAL BASIL

Beautiful color, mild taste with a hint of licorice. It’s easy to grow in the summer and into fall. Adds a splash of color to salads.

GIANT BELGIUM  TOMATO

Gargantuan, dark pink fruit. It takes two hands to hold just one! Great for salads.

BLACK KRIM TOMATO

Dark black, green, reddish fruit. Matures quickly and has a unique taste that tomato connoisseurs will appreciate.

COSTOLUTO FIORENTINO TOMATO

Ugly with uneven shapes but super tasty. Great for slicing fresh off the vine or cooking down into a rich sauce.