As part of the All-America Selections (AAS) garden communicators group, I get to trial the new winners in my garden each year. This year I’m especially looking forward to planting and growing Patio Choice yellow tomatoes. 

AAS must have had me in mind for these small-space tomatoes. First, I love the taste of dozens of yellow tomatoes, and second, this cherry size is perfect for an early tomato – just 45 days – from transplanting in the vegetable garden. This tomato was bred especially for growing in container gardens, and I bet plants will do well in a hanging basket, too. 

If you’re not familiar with AAS, you should be. It’s the only non-profit trialing organization in North America that tests new plants each year and recommends them to home gardeners. Professional growers volunteer to trial them in their gardens and compare them to other great varieties to determine the winners.

This year, like every year since the 1930’s, there are fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers named as AAS winners. When you see these varieties at the garden center, you can be assured they’ve undergone a rigorous evaluation and came out on top. In addition to naming national winners, AAS also selects regional winners that will perform especially well in different areas of the country.

In addition to the Patio Choice yellow tomatoes, AAS sent me these other 2017 national winners to grow in my garden this season, courtesy of the companies who produce them:

• Seychelles pole bean
• Antares fennel
• Candle Fire okra
• Aji Rico pepper
• Mad Hatter pepper
• Midnight Snack tomato
• Gold in Gold watermelon
• Mini Love watermelon
• Asian Garden celosia
• Supra Pink dianthus
• Mega Bloom Orchid Halo and Pink Halo vincas
• Profusion red zinnia

To see all of the AAS winners and read more about the characteristics that make them special, visit the All-America Selections website. And watch for my updates on how they do in my garden throughout the season.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

Corona E-Grip Trowel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red.

Buy at Amazon

Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix, 16 Quart

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

ORGANIC COCONUT COIR: Made from recycled coconut husks, coir is a light, sustainable growing medium that holds the perfect amount of moisture for starting seeds. 100% biodegradable soil alternative. Environmentally friendly and a renewable alternative to peat moss. OMRI listed and certified organic. IDEAL GROWING MIX: Improve seed germination and root growth with this premium coconut fiber mix, which improves nutrients absorption! Great for flower, vegetable, herb, and more plant types. OMRI listed. Naturally disease and pathogen resistant, it will help you grow healthy live plants. EASY TO STORE & EXPAND: Each compact coconut coir brick expands into 8 quarts of seed starting mix, providing 16 quarts total. Just add water to expand! Dehydrated bricks save space until planting. Once expanded, coconut coir provides a quality growing medium for all types of plants—indoor plants, house plants, outdoor plants, and more! NATURALLY CONSERVES WATER: Renewable coco coir has excellent moisture retention and better air circulation than peat. This eco-friendly, premium seeds starting mix combines well with other potting soil and compost for container plants & raised beds. 100% GUARANTEED: Burpee is committed to the success of all gardeners. We treat each order with care to ensure healthy seeds, plants, soil mixes, and gardening supplies are sent in excellent condition. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, we aim to make it right!

Buy at Amazon