Discovering New Plant Varieties as a Field Tester

By MG Alison Edwards

Clockwise from top left: 'Salmon,' 'Silver Dollar,'
'Rosy Gem,' and 'French Breakfast' radishes
Photo: MG Alison Edwards

I learned in early 2025 about the Seed Savers ADAPT program, which field tests seed varieties across the United States. It’s run by Seed Savers Exchange, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing heirloom seeds. I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad that I did. 

The 2025 ADAPT program included 15 plant type trials, six of which were sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture. These trials mostly involved vegetable crops such as beans, kale, and tomatoes, but also covered some flowers, including marigolds and zinnias. Many plant varieties tested have little​ or no presence in the commercial market.

I signed up for the radish field trial for 2025. In February, Seed Savers sent me at least 30 seeds for each of three varieties: ‘Rosy Gem,’ ‘Salmon,’ and ‘Silver Dollar.’ I direct-sowed 24 of each variety in a raised bed in early March, putting them side by side so they would have similar growing conditions. I also planted some ‘French Breakfast’ seeds I had on hand for comparison, because I was familiar with that variety. I succession planted leftover seeds in April.

A row of test radishes.
Photo: MG Alison Edwards

As the spring went on, I took notes and photos for all four varieties to share in the Seedlinked app as the radishes developed. I rated my crops on traits such as germination, vigor, and flavor. Unfortunately, the trial manager did not hold the orientation session until April, and it was then I learned that for radishes, they were most interested in comparing bolt resistance! Had I known that earlier, I probably would have waited a bit longer to do my primary sowing, because most of my plants matured before the season really heated up, and bolting was less of a threat.

Most of my radishes thrived, and I had a great harvest. Since my husband and I can only eat so many radishes, I shared the extra bounty with my church’s food pantry. 

'Salmon' radishes
Photo: MG Alison Edwards

I fed my radish growing observations into the app and they were combined with the results of other participants. Overall, there were 248 field testers at the beginning of the trial (mostly gardeners and some farmers), with about half providing reviews and only 73 harvesting any radishes. The top-rated radish overall was ‘German Giant;’ ‘Salmon’ came in 2nd place, although I would be unlikely to plant it again because I did not prefer its flavor. 

This was a fun way to discover some new (to me) types of radishes. If you don’t have a lot of growing space, that’s okay—my test plants only took up one 1’ x 4’ row—and there was no cost to participate.

I have already joined a trial for 2026, featuring leaf lettuces this time. I can hardly wait to get underway; perhaps I will find a new favorite lettuce!