
Erica Groneman

When True Leaf Market added Kitazawa Seed Co to our line of products, I knew I wanted to try my hand at some Asian produce this year. Have you had a chance to check out what Kitazawa has to offer? Like Yard Long Beans or the many varieties of radishes (like the giant Bora King)? Do you like Pak Choi? There are over 30 different varieties! Eggplant isn’t really my thing, but if it was, wow.
When I started selecting seeds for my garden I easily became consumed and distracted by all the options. Before I knew it my seed list was up to over 30 different varieties. Instead of my small backyard garden I suddenly was longing for a farm to grow them all. Because I love pickling and I have never tried pickling radish, I decided I want to give it a try this year. I went for the Watermelon Radish, not only because it looks cool, but also because it is known to be excellent for pickling.
After some work I whittled down my giant list to be much more manageable. Some other seeds that made my final list: Astro arugula, Wakayama White radish, Sungold tomato, Pointed Taiwan Sword Leaf lettuce, Tokiwa cucumber, Clemson Spineless okra, Song TJS-65 - Hybrid cauliflower, and a few different varieties of gourds.
I’m looking forward to seeing how these new (to me) crops do this year, and then figuring out new recipes to make. Head over to our Kitazawa Seed Co. product page to make a new discovery for your garden this year too!
About the Author

Hi, I’m Erica Groneman. I am a mom, volunteer, and a gardener. There’s something satisfying about getting my hands dirty and watching things grow. I believe gardening is universal and crosses all boundaries, bringing us all together. I hope we can share in the joy of growing together. Thanks for stopping by!
Our Recommended Picks
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 comments
Moore Lydia
Can I have your magazine so I can look and order oriental seeds
Further Reading
Garden Wisdom: 10 Life Lessons Plants Teach Us
Written By Lara Wadsworth Whether you’ve got a greenhouse full of rare orchids, a single stubborn pothos in your kitchen, or you just enjoy walking past a park on your way to work, plants have something to teach you. From sequoias standing tall for cen...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-08-2011 min read0How Microgreens Help Fight Nutrient Deficiencies Naturally
Written By Lara Wadsworth Microgreens vs Mature Veggies A study published in February 2025 examined the nutrition profiles of six popular microgreen varieties. The researchers discovered that all of these microgreens deliver significanly higher levels ...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-08-205 min read1Grass to Garden: Lasagna Gardening
Written By Lara Wadsworth Known by many names, including lasagna gardening, sheet mulching, sheet composting, and the cardboard method, this style of creating a new garden bed is taking the gardening world by the lapels and demanding its attention. Her...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-08-128 min read0August Planting Guide By Zone
Written By Lara Wadsworth August is that time of year when everyone is getting a little sick of the heat. Many people are looking forward to pumpkin spice lattes and wearing their favorite sweater. However, the heat has not passed yet, and while summer...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-08-0610 min read0