WORTHINGTON — Do seed companies put accurate information on a seed packet? What is the best variety or company for buying seed packets?
One source of information is through the Master Gardeners’ seed trials. Minnesota Master Gardeners have participated in annual seed trials testing since 1982 to help determine what seeds will grow best in Minnesota.
In 2025, there were eight different trials for a Master Gardener to choose from. There are usually five vegetables, one herb and two flowers. The purpose of the trials is to determine if seed packets are giving the correct information.
Each person doing a trial gets six varieties of seeds. They are labeled CF, DK, JH, LG, MB and ST. We do not know what company sells the seed packets being tested until the end of the trials and all the data is collected. We record data on how well the seeds grow, taste, texture, bloom times, pollination, disease and pest damage. All of our data is submitted to the Minnesota Master Gardener Seed Trial website by the end of October and we also submit our paper data sheets for double checking by the committee.
More than 250 Master Gardener volunteers in Minnesota participate. This year two of the Nobles County Master Gardeners are doing seed trials. One is testing mini-head lettuce and I am testing Dwarf Mix zinnias. If you walk around the lake, my garden is in the front yard with the bicycle sculpture. There will be six varieties of dwarf zinnias with seven seeds for each variety except one with five seeds. Each seed will be planted seven inches apart so there will be two rows at the back side of my garden. The varieties will be marked by the letters on the seed packet. Feel free to check it out on your walk. They won’t be planted until the end of May.
Last year I tested nasturtiums, six varieties with six seeds for each variety. One of the varieties did not come up. Another one had only one germinate, grow and produce blossoms. The other four varieties did very well. I saved some of the seeds to grow in the front of my garden by the bicycle sculpture.
To find out about all the seed trials conducted from other years, visit:
https://bit.ly/4tEklvV
Every year, trial results are posted on the Extension website. Full reports from past years can be found in the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy:
https://bit.ly/3QzyqMS
I have listed the two top varieties of nasturtiums from all of the state data as well as some of the results of other seed trials conducted last year.
The 2025 Seed Trials information is from the website.
No. 1 for nasturtium was labeled MB. MB was Cherry Rose. I found Cherry Rose with 25 seeds for $3.50 on the Baker Creek Heirloom site. My results had the vines growing along the ground through my garden. It had beautiful leaves and lots of blooming.
State results: Even though Cherry Rose is taller than a dwarf-mounding nasturtium should be, it was ranked the best in the trials. Many participants commented on the long vines and need for trellising, with some reporting vines reaching 60 inches in height. Thirty percent of Master Gardeners selected it as No. 1 and 67% of Master Gardeners ranked it either first or second. Seventy-eight percent of participants said they would grow it again. Comments from Master Gardeners included “Most flowers all season long,” “easy to care for, tasted great, with no disease or insect issues” and “healthy plant, loved the color of leaf and flowers.”
The pinkish/red flowers averaged 2 inches in diameter, with a mildly spicy flavor. Leaf flavor was rated as the second spiciest of all the varieties.
No. 2 for nasturtium was labeled LG. LG was Jewel Cherry Rose. I found Cherry Rose Jewel on the Baker Creek Heirloom site for 25 seeds for $3.
My results were the vines on this variety grew long through my garden. I liked the leaves and blossoms. It was very similar to Cherry Rose.
State results: Jewel Cherry Rose was ranked a very close second to Cherry Rose. It, too, is taller than a dwarf-mounding nasturtium should be, with heights up to 40 inches. There were comments of unsupported vines snapping in the wind and rain, and the large size taking over the garden. Fifty-nine percent of participants ranked it as either first or second and 78% said they would grow it again. Comments from Master Gardeners included “A heavy bloomer,” “great numbers of fuchsia, hot pink flowers and a nice spicy taste.” Flowers averaged just under 2 inches in diameter and were similar in taste to MB, but the leaves were spicier.
Some of the other trial results are as follows:
(aka Mini Pak Choi)
Mei Qing Choi is sold in Johnny’s Select Seeds catalog
No. 1: Mei Qing Choi
State results: Mei Qing Choi handily secured this trial’s top spot based on quantitative data and overall robust performance, with a whopping 77% of growers indicating they would plant this variety again and 55% of gardeners selecting it as their top pick. Out of all six varieties, Mei Qing Choi had the highest germination rate (74%) as well as the most prolific harvest. Average height: 7.36 inches, width: 7.67 inches. Although comments for Mei Qing Choi were few, the following comment sums up why Mei Qing Choi may have been the numeric favorite: “Biggest harvest, only one plant bolted, and plants were still producing into October past the first frost.”
Another trial was Orange cauliflower, a pigmented cultivar that was discovered growing in a field during the late 20th century and was further developed through years of traditional cross-breeding. Orange cauliflower contains a genetic mutation that allows the plant to store extra beta-carotene, giving the plant an orange hue. It is important to note that orange cauliflower is not genetically modified and was created solely from natural occurrences.
Each variety will display varying shades of orange depending on growing conditions. Orange cauliflower has a visually striking appearance, it can be eaten raw or cooked, and it will hold its color even when cooked. Orange cauliflower has a mild, sweet and subtly nutty flavor well suited to raw and cooked preparations, including steaming, grilling, sautéing, roasting and baking. It is also being studied as a potential crop to help fight against vitamin A deficiencies worldwide.
No. 1: Clementine orange cauliflower is sold in Johnny’s Select Seeds and Burpee catalogs
State results: Clementine received the overall top ranking by participants. It had the highest germination rate (84%) compared to the other varieties. It also received the highest flavor rating (both raw and cooked). The average first harvest date was Aug. 7, 2025. Clementine had the greatest amount of edible head according to trial participants. Gardeners also reported that this variety was the most productive. The heads were reported to be larger than the other varieties. Some gardeners went on to say that Clementine had a beautiful color both cooked and raw. Still, only 35% of participants said they would grow this variety again.
Parsley seeds were sown directly in a garden bed or in a container during the last two weeks of May. Parsley can take three weeks or more to germinate, but this year’s harvest for the gardeners who were able to produce plants came about eight weeks later — in late July — and most participants were still harvesting in October. There were very few reports of insect damage or disease affecting any of the varieties.
No. 1: Plain Leaf Parsley
State results: Eighty percent of the Master Gardeners who grew Plain Leaf said they would grow it again. Production was rated high by over half of the respondents. Many favorable comments were reported including “sweet and earthy taste, very prolific.” Seed germination was 42% and the mature plants were 14 inches tall and 14 inches wide.
No. 2: Dark Green Italian Plain Parsley
Many testers liked the taste of this variety: “Best flavor, more citrusy overtones.” Germination was 42%. The size of the plant was 13 inches high and 13 inches wide. “Good germination rate and the first to harvest.” Seventy-four will grow this variety again.
Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as black-eyed susan, is a North American wildflower known for its bright, daisy-like yellow flowers with dark brown centers. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil and attract pollinators while also providing seeds for birds. Somewhat deer-resistant, they can add a lot to most Minnesota flower gardens.
No. 1: Cappuccino
Cappuccino ranked first with a germination rate of 59% and a high bloom rate across all months, particularly in September. It had minimal pest and disease damage and an 81.4% “grow again” recommendation. Growers loved the large colorful blossoms with their mahogany centers surrounded by dark gold. The blossoms averaged 4.6 inches in diameter — larger than the 4 inches advertised by the seed seller.
No. 2: Denver Daisy
Denver Daisy had a 55% germination rate and the highest bloom rate overall and attracted by far the most pollinators. Growers reported that plants were smaller and sturdier with early blooms. Slightly more than 80% of participants said they’d grow it again. With large mahogany centers and a small fringe of yellow on the petals, the average diameter of the flowers was 4.2 inches, compared with the 6 to 8 inches promised by the seed seller.
Container-friendly slicing tomato
The goal of this trial was to compare the overall performance of “dwarf” tomatoes (from the Dwarf Tomato Project) vs. determinate tomatoes as bush style or container-friendly tomato plants; in this trial, we tested one of each.
Determinate tomatoes are smaller and more compact plants (3 to 4 feet in height at maturity) and produce fruit over a shorter time period as compared to indeterminate tomatoes that grow taller and produce fruit over a longer period of time.
No. 1: Campbell 33 Determinate
This tomato was developed for the Campbell’s Soup Company and was advertised as being an “early maturing, disease resistant, reliable performer that grows well in adverse weather conditions,” which is why it was selected as one of the varieties for this trial. It slightly beat Cal Ace VF for overall ranking. While it had the highest germination rate (79%) and largest harvest rating, it was also the largest variety in height (averaging 47 inches). A number of trial planters reported it had grown out of control even when suckers were managed. Fifty-four percent of participants would grow this variety again, compared to roughly 40% for the other three varieties.
No. 2: Cal Ace VF Determinate
Cal Ace’s overall ranking score was just below the Campbell 33 score. However, trial planters either really liked it or rated it in last place. Some people found the tomato classic and well- balanced with good meaty flesh, while others found it to be bland or earthy. It yielded the smallest fruit at 6.2 oz on average and was rated the least acidic.
All seed trial results and descriptions are from the University of Minnesota Extension, Master Gardener Volunteer 2025 Seed Trials:
https://bit.ly/4t8Lkjl
Full reports from past years can be found in the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy:
https://bit.ly/4vnvWBr
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