2026 - Good Growing Grow-Along
The registration period has ended.
Thank you for your interest. All available seeds have found a garden. Please check back next year for the fourth annual Grow Along.
Are you ready to bring something new and exciting to your garden this year?
Illinois Extension's Good Growing team is back for a third year with the Grow-Along. We invite you to explore unique or ’new-to-us’ plants alongside our dedicated staff. This interactive program is designed to give you the freedom to choose plants that fit your landscape and personal gardening goals while we provide the seeds and expert resources you need to succeed throughout the growing season.
As a participant, you'll have the opportunity to engage with our team, share your progress, and provide valuable feedback, all while expanding your gardening horizons and connecting with fellow plant enthusiasts. Let’s grow something extraordinary together!
Participation is restricted to Illinois and the surrounding states.
The species we are growing:
Tomato ‘Rebel Starfighter Prime’
Expect large, variable heart-shaped fruits with a unique, multicolored exterior. Flavor is described as a blend of sweetness, umami depth, and light fruity notes.
Expect large, variable heart-shaped fruits with a unique, multicolored exterior. Flavor is described as a blend of sweetness, umami depth, and light fruity notes.
- Start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out (recommended) after the last frost.
- Full sun
- Space plants 2 feet apart and plant to support indeterminate growth.
- Harvest when color is developed, approximately 70-90 days from transplant.
Poppy ‘Amazing Gray', 'Shirley Supreme', and 'Black Swan'
A mix of unique blooms, 'Amazing Gray' offers blooms ranging from silver-gray to slate-blue to pale lilac, with delicate, crinkled petals. 'Shirley Supreme' is a large flower in bold hues of magenta, cherry, orange, pink, and whites. ' Black Swan' provides intrigue in deep burgundy to nearly black blooms.
A mix of unique blooms, 'Amazing Gray' offers blooms ranging from silver-gray to slate-blue to pale lilac, with delicate, crinkled petals. 'Shirley Supreme' is a large flower in bold hues of magenta, cherry, orange, pink, and whites. ' Black Swan' provides intrigue in deep burgundy to nearly black blooms.
- Direct sow 4 weeks before the last spring frost (recommended) or in pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Take care when transplanting; roots do not like to be disturbed.
- Full sun
- Space plants 10 to 12" apart
- Drought-tolerant once established
Sweet Pepper ‘Nadapeno’
A unique, heat-free jalapeno-type pepper bred to deliver the flavor, aroma, and crisp texture of traditional jalapenos without the heat. Producing 3-inch fruits that resemble the classic jalapeno.
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A unique, heat-free jalapeno-type pepper bred to deliver the flavor, aroma, and crisp texture of traditional jalapenos without the heat. Producing 3-inch fruits that resemble the classic jalapeno.
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- Start indoors 4-8 weeks before the last frost date (recommended). Direct sow after the last frost (Peppers won’t germinate in cold soil)
- Full sun
- Compact, 18 to 32-inch height. Space 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Moist, well-drained soil.
- 55 days to maturity, 90 for red fruit. Green peppers can be eaten; however, wait to harvest red peppers for the sweetest flavor.
Cucumber Mexican Sour Gherkin/Mouse Melon
Often mistaken for tiny melons, these grape-sized fruits feature a mini-watermelon rind pattern and a refreshing flavor reminiscent of a citrus-lime cucumber.
Often mistaken for tiny melons, these grape-sized fruits feature a mini-watermelon rind pattern and a refreshing flavor reminiscent of a citrus-lime cucumber.
- Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date (recommended)
- Full sun
- Indeterminate vining habit. Trellising recommended. Space 1 to 2 feet apart.
- 65-75 days to maturity
Ground Cherry
A low-growing member of the nightshade family, producing golden, marble-sized fruits inside a papery, lantern-like husk. The flavor is unique, sweeter than other members of the same family. A prolific producer that self-seeds with abundance.
A low-growing member of the nightshade family, producing golden, marble-sized fruits inside a papery, lantern-like husk. The flavor is unique, sweeter than other members of the same family. A prolific producer that self-seeds with abundance.
- Start indoors 5-7 weeks before planting out (recommended)
- 1 to 3 feet in height. Space 2-4 feet apart.
- Full sun, afternoon shade in hot climates
- 65-85 days to maturity from time of planting out
Savory ‘Summer Compact'
A dwarf selection of savory with a smaller growth habit, which is ideal for container gardening. Native to the Mediterranean, savory prefers evenly moist soils until established, then tolerates periods of drought.
A dwarf selection of savory with a smaller growth habit, which is ideal for container gardening. Native to the Mediterranean, savory prefers evenly moist soils until established, then tolerates periods of drought.
- Direct sow after the last frost date (recommended). Light is required for germination.
- 10-18 inches in height. Space 8 inches apart.
- Full Sun
- Maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season for best performance.
- Harvest foliage for use once plants have become established.
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