Every year it's the same; in the summer I take my wealth of fresh garden produce for granted and in the winter I miss it sorely. By January, I am so weary of frozen vegetables and mediocre half-ripe grocery store fare I can hardly contain it.

The best remedy for my woes is shopping, seed shopping that is. When the snow is piled up and the cold winds blowing, I dig into the colorful, summery pages of Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker's Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Renee's Garden, Seed Savers and The Cooks Garden and start going to town.

When choosing vegetables, I go for plants that are vigorous, tasty and visually appealing. Disease resistance and high yields are also high on the list. I stick with a few tried and true cultivars but add a larger number of new ones to the repertoire. This keeps the experience edifying and exciting. Likewise, my vegetable garden plan is ever changing-to keep life interesting while ensuring I rotate my crops- and my design process is organic (for lack of a better term). So, it's anything goes in my 50' x 70' plot.

This year I have pulled together a few great new vegetable garden picks. I have high hopes that all will add new flavor and color to my table. I'd love to hear from others who have grown any of these cultivars. 

Minuet Chinese Cabbage (Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds): This sweet, dense, disease resistant Chinese cabbage is supposed to be ready to harvest in only 48 days. I'm starting this one as early as I can.

Musica Spanish Pole Bean (Renee's Garden): Tender, flavorful and huge broad beans can be found in European green markets starting in early summer. I have never found these delectable beans here. I am hoping that 'Musica' will come close.

Machiaw Eggplant (Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds): Granted, I hate to battle the flea beetles, but I love eggplant. This super long, lavender, Asian type is supposed to have thin skin, sweet flesh and high yields.

Kolibri Kohlrabi (Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds): My German husband loves kohlrabi and this small, crisp, purple selection is ready for harvest in only 45 days.

Giant Aconcagua Pepper (Source: Tomato Growers Supply Company): These giant peppers are supposed to be crunchy and sweet when green or fully matured to red. They claim these culinary gems grow to 12 inches. One pepper will feed a family eh?

Sweet Cayenne Pepper (Source: Tomato Growers Supply Company): The idea of a totally sweet cayenne pepper is alluring to say the least. Talk about a great way to trick your friends. The long fruits have a crinkled texture and turn deep crimson.

Baby Bear Pumpkin (Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds): These perfect little pie pumpkins are for my daughter. They are pretty, sweet, easy to grow and just her size.

Thai Large Pumpkin (Source: Baker's Creek Heirloom Seeds): These deeply ribbed, mottled, dark blue-gray pumpkins are very costly at markets because they are so pretty and unusual. They taste great too. The seeds are worth every penny if you have the garden space.

Dr. Wyche's Yellow Tomato (Source: Tomato Growers Supply Company): A really good tasting yellow tomato? That's what they claim. I've yet to find one that fully reaches my expectations, but I keep trying.

Gold Medal Tomato (Source: Baker's Creek Heirloom Seeds): This big yellow and red bicolored slicer is supposed to have outstanding flavor as well as beauty. We'll see if it yields good results in my Delaware soil. Soil type can have a huge impact on fruit flavor.

Paul Robeson Tomato (Source: Baker's Creek Heirloom Seeds): Interesting purple flesh and sweet, smoky flavor set this tomato apart. This coveted heirloom deserves a try.

Lemon Summer Squash (Source: Baker's Creek Heirloom Seeds): I love my summer squash and this pretty elongated pattypan boasts high yields, good insect resistance and super flavor. I can't wait! It will pair well with my beloved 'Tromba d'Albenga', which I must grow every year.

Little Baby Flower Watermelon (Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds): High yields of small, sweet icebox sized watermelons sold me on this red-fleshed melon. Our small family cannot eat the big melons fast enough.