Offered here are only open-pollinated, non-F-l hybrid, non-patented vegetable seeds. I stress traditional and heirloom varieties, and have noted in the descriptions how long many kinds have been cultivated. The test of quality is time. You can be certain these time-honored varieties, many of which have been continuously grown for a century or more, and are still successfully competing with the modern hybrids, have proven themselves reliable and productive in a wide variety of climates and soils.
PUBLIC DOMAIN SEEDS.
All seeds in this catalog are Public Domain seeds.
ABOUT HEIRLOOMS.
There has been a lot of attention in the press in recent years to 'heirloom' or 'traditional' varieties, yet many people are unclear as to just what these terms mean. Since I find no universally accepted definitions among seedsmen and preservation workers, here are the meanings of the terms as I use them:
TRADITIONAL VARIETIES: Any variety developed more than 50 years ago. Includes many commercially developed and distributed varieties.
HEIRLOOM VARIETIES: Any variety that owes its existence to its preservation by home gardeners or private individuals, rather than the seed trade. This includes old varieties whose origin is unknown which have been passed down from generation to generation, as well as old varieties developed by seedsmen which at some point were dropped by the seed trade and would have been lost had they not been maintained by home gardeners.
GSI = Garden Seed Inventory.
OG = Organically Grown.
AMARANTH
NEW—Amaranth Chinese Giant Orange. (a!,h) VAMA-CO. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 96% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $8.00
Beautiful large dark orange seedheads on giant plants to 8 feet tall, with green leaves with orange ribs. Leaves excellent cooked like spinach, or great for baby salad greens. Light tan seeds, delicious eaten like sesame seed. A dramatic background plant in the flower-garden, next to a red-leaf type.
—Amaranth Elephant Head. (a,h) VAMA-EH. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED Click for photo »
Amaranthus gangeticus. Huge maroon flowerheads with a long, trunk-like spike, resembling an elephant head. Robust 1 - 4 foot plants. Brought by German immigrants in the 1880s. Seed organically grown by Shoulder to Shoulder Farm. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Amaranth Hopi Red Dye. (a,g) VAMA-HO. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 82% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00
Deep purple-red plants to 4 - 6 feet tall, large and vigorous. Leaves are good greens when young, and the black seeds as grain. The Hopi use the plants to make a ceremonial red dye. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Amaranth Polish. (a,g) VAMA-P. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Beautiful deep purple plants, one of the best flavored for salads. Originally from Poland. Seed organically grown by Shoulder to Shoulder Farm. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
OTHER AMARANTH: see: Amaranthus in Seedlist Al-An.
ARUGULA: See Specialty Vegetables
BASIL
Ocimum Basilicum. Aromatic tender annuals grown in the herb garden for their value as seasoning and fragrance. The leaves are widely used in sauces and soups, the flavor blending particularly well with tomatoes. The clove-like fragrance has been considered soothing, and a cure for nervous headaches. Basil tea is said to calm an upset stomach. Start seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost, and plant out after all danger of frost is past. Thin to 6" apart. Basil likes full sun, and all types do well in pots. Harvest fresh leaves anytime. For drying, cut just before it reaches full bloom. Seed viable 8 - 10 years. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Basil, Ararat. (b,h) OCIM-1A. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 82% Tested: 9/07, 5 grams: $11.50
An interesting basil with leaves mottled purple and green, with a licorice flavor. Unique.
—Basil, Cinnamon. (a!,h) OCIM-1C. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 85% Tested: 1/08, Oz: $6.00
'CINNAMON BASIL'. Spicy aroma, purple flowers, to 30". A fine variety. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Basil, Dark Opal. (a!,h) OCIM-1D. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 9/07, Gram: $5.00, 5 grams: $15.00
Purple leaves, pink flowers. Fragrant, tasty and ornamental. To 2 feet with 2 - 8" leaves.
—Basil, Large Sweet. (a!,h) OCIM-1S. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 90% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $9.00
The most popular and widely grown variety. Sweet and aromatic 2 - 3" leaves. To 1 - 2 feet tall.
—Basil, Lime. (a,h) OCIM-1LI. Packet: $1.50 ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 65% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $6.00 ORGANIC SEED
'LIME BASIL'. Has a zesty lime flavor.
—Basil, Ocimum gratissimum (=urticifolium) (b,h) OCIM-3. Packet: $2.00
'TREE BASIL', 'EAST INDIAN BASIL'. White or purple tinged flowers in 6 - 9" long spikes. Woody shrub to 4 - 8 feet tall, with highly aromatic, sweet-scented 4" leaves used in cooking. India, Africa, S. America. Said to repel mosquitoes, and is planted around houses for this purpose. Used to flavor tobacco in Africa. Grows well in the warm areas of the U.S., especially recommended for S. California. Grow as annual in cold areas. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
NEW—Basil, Ocimum sanctum. (a!,h) OCIM-24. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 98% Tested: 10/07, 5 Grams: $5.00, 10 grams: $8.00, 25 grams: $15.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
'HOLY BASIL', 'TULSI'. Sweetly fragrant bushy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, grown as an annual in cold climates. Profuse purple or white bloom, & sometimes purplish-tinted foliage. Tropical Asia. Held sacred by the Hindus & grown around temples. Sections of the stem-bases are used in rosaries. The leaves are used in salads, and the oil is an effective antibiotic, and the leaves are used medicinally. Nice, distinctive clove-like flavor, good in cooking, salads, or for tea. Good in herb breads and herb butters. Good bee plant. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks. Organically grown.
BEANS
Pole Bean Varieties:
Sow in hills 3 feet apart, planting 6 or 7 seeds per hill, 1" deep. Stake with 6 foot poles set in a tripod over each hill. When seedlings are 2 - 3" high, thin to the 3 or 4 best plants. Pole beans bear later than bush types, but give a higher yield over a longer period. Most can be picked continually until frost.
—Bean Blue Lake Stringless. (c,g) VBEA-BLS. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
60 days. Outstanding, long bearing variety with long, green tender rounded pods produced throughout the summer. Sweet, delightful taste makes this a favorite for fresh eating, canning or freezing. Early and prolific.
—Bean Cherokee Trail of Tears. (c,h) VBEA-CT. Packet: $2.00
Beautiful black beans, originally from Dr. John Wyche, whose Cherokee ancestors brought this bean over the brutal forced winter march from the Smoky Mountains in fall of 1838, ending in spring 1839 in Oklahoma. Four thousand Cherokee died on this march, which is now known as the Trail of Tears. Slender green pods with purple blush. Excellent for fresh snap beans or dry soup beans.
—Bean Rattlesnake. (d,h) VBEA-RS. Packet: $2.50
Also called 'Preacher Bean', this heirloom pole bean is an old favorite in the southern U.S. Dark green pods splashed purple. Excellent flavor, tolerates heat and drought. Light brown seeds with dark streaks, hence the name Rattlesnake.
—Bean Romano Pole. (d,h) VBEA-RO. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
Broad flat green pods with a distinctive rich flavor, hearty and very tasty. Popular in Italy, and good for home and market gardens.
Bush Bean Varieties:
After all danger of frost is past, sow in rows 15 - 18" apart, 4 - 6" apart in the row. Seed does not germinate well in cold soil, so it is best to wait for warm weather to plant.
—Bean Royalty Purple Pod. (b,g) VBEA-RP. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 90% Tested: 9/07, lb: $7.00
Bushy purple plants with purple flowers and 5" bright purple pods. Very tender and tasty, turning green when cooked. Germinates fine in cold wet soil. Introduced in 1957.
Other Types of Beans:
—Bean Christmas Lima. (d,h) VBEA-CL. Packet: $2.50
Huge flat beans beautifully marked with maroon. Their rich flavor has been likened to chestnuts. Pole type from the 1840s. Vigorous vines bear even in the hottest weather.
—Bean Cowpea Rattlesnake. (c,h) VBEA-CR. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 88% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $4.00, 1/4 lb: $7.00
Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata. Nice small brown and tan beans, tender and flavorful eaten fresh or dried.
—Bean Cowpea Whippoorwill. (d,h) VBEA-CW. Packet: $1.50 OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Germination: 92% Tested: 1/08, Oz: $3.00, 1/4 lb: $5.00 OUT OF STOCK
Prolific, continuously producing heirloom with tasty, grey-speckled brown or tan seeds. Harvest fresh green or let dry to store and use over winter. Good in adverse conditions, a favorite since 1850.
—Bean Garbanzo Kala Channa. (c,h) VBEA-GK. Packet: $1.00
Germination: 92% Tested: 12/07, lb: $5.00
Cicer arietinum. A small, brown-seeded chick pea from India. Excellent for home gardens, good in dry, short-season areas. Not suited to cool coastal zones. Widely eaten in India fresh or dried, parched for snacks, ground into flour for sauces, pancakes, noodles, etc. An ancient snack food: Xenophanes, in the 6th century BC, spoke of "...drinking sweet wine and crunching chickpeas..."
—Bean Red Rice. (b,h) VBEA-RR. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 76% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $3.00, 1/4 lb: $6.00
Dark red seeds the size and shape of rice grains. Long trailing vines 40 well in tropical climates. The dried beans are used like lentils, or sprouted. The young leaves and green pods are steamed and eaten.
BEETS
Beets are a good cool weather crop, and can be sown as early as soil can be worked. Sow 1/2" deep in rows 1 foot apart. Thin to 4", using the tender seedlings as early greens. A rich, light sandy loam, kept moist, is best for growing crisp, tender beets.
—Beet Albino. (c,h) VBEE-AL. Packet: $2.00
Pure white, round sweet beets. Never messy, no stains. Absolutely delicious.
—Beet Bull's Blood. (b,h) VBEE-BB. Packet: $2.00
Strikingly beautiful deep blood-red-purple leaves with a wonderful sweet flavor. Dark red round roots are sweet and tasty, and the juice is used to make the only legal red food coloring in Sweden.
—Beet Chioggia. (c,h) VBEE-C. Packet: $2.00
Round, flattened beets have striking red and white rings inside, and a sweet mild flavor. One of the finest beets for fresh eating or pickling. Italian heirloom, introduced to America in the 1840s.
NEW—Beet, Sugar Beet. (b,h) VBEE-SU. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 84% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $6.00
Grown for the abundant leaves and the sweet whitish roots with a high sugar content. Roots about 8" long, weighing 2 - 5 pounds. Delicious cooked half and half with potatoes, and the leaves are excellent cooked like other beet greens.
BROCCOLI
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis. Sow in early spring for summer harvest, or in early fall for late fall or winter crop. Broccoli is a cool weather crop, and seeds may be started early indoors, setting out 2 - 3 weeks before last spring frost. Space 1 1/2 feet apart, in rows 2 feet apart. Likes full sun and a rich, moist well drained soil. Broccoli in the diet helps protect the body from damage due to high doses of X-rays.
—Broccoli Calabrese. (a,h) VBRO-C. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 88% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $4.00, 1/4 lb: $6.00
(=Early Italian Green Sprouting) 80 days. Introduced to the U.S. by Italian gardeners around the turn of the century, this variety produces 4 - 6" central heads of a deep blue-green color. Once the center head is cut, tender side shoots are produced in abundance for several months. In areas with a cool, mild climate year-round it may become perennial, giving an almost constant crop of sprouts of excellent flavor. "The Broccoli Early Italian made it through the drought and I was munching on it in December till a heavy ice killed it. It was a pretty big bush!" —D. Gyula, NJ, 1/96.
—Broccoli De Rapa. (a,h) VBRO-DR. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 90% Tested: 7/07, Oz: $5.00
Non-heading variety originating in Europe. Produces an abundant crop of leaves and slender flower stalks that are eaten as greens or cooked with butter or olive oil and garlic, and tossed with pasta. Quick growing vegetable for early spring or fall sowing. Pick just as flower-buds start to open. Favorite winter greens in Italy. (=Spring Raab)
—Broccoli Fall Raab. (a!,h) VBRO-FR. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $4.00
Non-heading European variety, sown in fall to winter over for leafy tops, shoots and flower stalks very early in spring. Nice tender early spring vegetable, somewhat like turnip greens.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Brassica oleracea var. gemnifera. An excellent cold weather crop, Brussels Sprouts may be sown in spring as early as soil can be worked, or in late summer for fall harvest. Transplant in rows 3 feet apart, setting plants 1 1/2 feet apart in the row. Breaking off the lower leaves as the sprouts develop will encourage a heavier yield.
—Brussels Sprouts Long Island Improved. (a,g) VBRU-L. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 90% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $4.00
90 days. An old favorite variety, early and very productive. Compact plants 20" tall, the stems tightly covered with round, firm, dark green sprouts. Well-known for its fine flavor, heavy yields and hardiness.
CABBAGE
Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Cabbage grows best in cool weather, in a deep, heavy, rich, loamy soil. Start indoors in early spring, planting out in 4 - 6 weeks, as soon as soil can be worked. Space plants 1 1/2 feet apart in rows 3 feet apart. For fall or winter harvest, sow seed directly to the garden 2 - 3 months before first frost.
—Cabbage Brunswick. (a!,h) VCAB-B. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $4.00, 1/4 lb: $6.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Hard to find old-fashioned drumhead type, to 6 - 9 pounds. Very reliable even in cold summers. Broad flat heads store well. Makes good sauerkraut. "The Brunswick cabbages were so huge I couldn't cut the last few. Needed an axe." —A.G., Quebec.
—Cabbage Early Jersey Wakefield. (a!,h) VCAB-EJ. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $4.00, 1/4 lb: $6.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
62 days from transplants, 95 - 100 days from seed. Early conical-headed variety, grown since 1885. Mild, sweet flavor, and compact, solid heads. Very hardy, can be grown through the winter for early spring harvest. Slow to bolt. The dark green heads weigh 2 - 3 pounds at maturity. Stores well. "I grew up on them, early, small and so sweet and good." —R.D., North Carolina, 1/96.
CARROTS
Daucus carota var. sativa. For earliest crop, sow as soon as ground can be worked, in rows 1 - 1 1/2 feet apart, thinning to 2 - 4" apart in the row, according to variety. For succession, sow at intervals through mid-summer. A rich, sandy loam is best, but any good, well-cultivated soil will produce satisfactory crops.
—Carrot Danvers Half Long. (a!,h) VCAR-D. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 83% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $4.00
Bright orange almost coreless carrots, 8" long, tapering to a blunt end. Excellent high-yielding type for clay or heavy soils. Sweet and tender, stores for months. Introduced in 1871, has remained a popular variety for over a hundred years.
—Carrot Little Finger. (a!,g) VCAR-LF. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 75% Tested: 8/07, Oz: $6.00
Gourmet baby carrot, developed in France for early harvest in 6 - 10 weeks. Slender 3" roots with almost no core, smooth skin, & dark orange color. Tender and sweet, used whole for dipping, stir frying, roasting, salads, etc. In France they are favorites for pickling or canning.
—Carrot Scarlet Nantes. (a!,g) VCAR-SN. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 73% Tested: 8/07, Oz: $4.00
Long, cylindrical roots to 7", with bright orange color and almost no core. An old favorite for its sweet flavor and fine grained flesh, one of the best for juicing. Colors early for baby carrots. Excellent keeper; can be harvested all winter if left in the ground with a good layer of mulch.
CAULIFLOWER
Brassica oleracea var. botryis. Cauliflower is fairly hardy, best sown in summer for a fall or winter crop. Requires rich soil and constant moisture, and should be spaced 2 - 2 1/2 feet apart. When heads begin to form, wrap the leaves over the heads and tie together to blanch them.
—Cauliflower Early Snowball. (a!,h) VCAU-ES. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 85% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $8.00
An old standard variety since 1888, with pure white, solid, medium-sized heads. Short, compact plants. Does well in mild, warm climates, and as a fall crop in short-season areas. About 65 days.
CELERY
Apium graveolens var. dulce. Prefers a cool, extended season for best growth. A good summer or fall crop for the North, spring and winter in the South. Likes a very moist rich soil with good drainage. Start seed in flats and transplant out when 2 - 3" tall. Space 6" apart in rows 1 foot apart. Keep constantly moist, in full sun. May be blanched by tying the leaves together and gradually covering with soil to within a few inches of the top.
—Celery Giant Red Mix. (a,g) VCEL-GR. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Fine mix of very large red celeries, selected for size, color, disease resistance, and cold tolerance. Given a good soil and generous watering, they produce bright red stalks with deep green leaves. Tender rosy-red hearts are a delight in salads. Organically grown by Shoulder to Shoulder Farm.
"Question with boldness even the existence of God; because if there be one, He must approve the homage of Reason rather than that of blindfolded fear." —Thomas Jefferson.
CHERVIL
Anthriscus cerefolium. Hardy annual herb of the parsley family, with a caraway/cucumber flavor that blends well with fish, eggs, and meat. Good in soups, salads and herb butters. Cold hardy; sow in late summer or early spring, thin to 8" apart. Reaches 1 1/2 feet in height.
—Chervil Plain Leaf. (a,g) VCHE-PL. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 81% Tested: 7/07, Oz: $5.00
Broad, flat, light green leaves with a distinctive parsley-anise flavor. Used as a spring herb in soups and salads, and as a garnish with fish, meats and eggs. Used extensively in Europe, it is blended with chives and marjoram in fines herbes mixes. To 1 1/2 feet. Good in pots.
CHICORY (including Radicchio)
Chicorium Intybus. Perennial plants grown for their tender leaves and roots. The crisp, bitter leaves add flavor and bite to salads, and can be braised or boiled. The roots of all types can be dried and roasted, then ground for a coffee flavoring or substitute, or can be cooked and eaten like carrots or parsnips. Called radicchio in Italy, where they are very popular, chicories come in a variety of types, from loose-leaf to forcing. Most are harvested as needed, like lettuce, but the forcing varieties require extra care. Sow in late spring to summer, thinning to 6" apart, for harvest from fall to early spring. Many need up to 5 months to mature, but the leaves may be used throughout the growing period. Forcing chicories are grown over the hot season, then cut back to within 1" of the root crown about 3 weeks before first frost. They will then regrow, producing the beautiful red and white heads which are used for winter salads. Freezing weather brings out the color. Once cut back, plants may be left in the ground and mulched, or lifted and stored in a cool dark place while second growth occurs. Left uncut, frost will kill the outer leaves, and the heads will appear later beneath the dead summer growth. Their color and unique tart, crisp tenderness make them worth the extra effort. All chicories prefer a rich, moist, well-drained soil and full sun.
NEW—Chicory Barbi Di Cappuccino. (b,g) VCHI-BC. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
10 grams: $7.00 OUT OF STOCK
Long, green, deeply-indented upright leaves, grown especially for baby salad greens.
NEW—Chicory Imero. (b,h) VCHI-IM. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 92% Tested: 12/07, 10 grams: $7.00
Also called 'Dolce Greco', this variety has long narrow, bright green leaves. Upright plants, grown for tender baby salad greens.
—Chicory Italian Dandelion Chicory. (a!,g) VCHI-ID. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 86% Tested: 10/07, Oz $6.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Also called Ciccoria Catalogna. Deeply cut, long, wide leaves on quick growing plants which produce an abundance of young shoots in spring. The thick shoots and tender young leaves are eaten in salads or lightly steamed. They have a rich, delicate flavor that many prefer to asparagus. Sow in late summer after the peak of the hot season has passed. Thin to 1 foot apart, and allow the plants to develop over winter. 75 days.
NEW—Chicory Variegata De Castelfranco. (b,h) VCHI-VC. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 86% Tested: 10/07, 10 grams: $7.00
Heirloom heading type, with beautiful rounded, crinkled leaves splashed red, yellow, and green. The loose heads color vividly during, cold weather.
CHIVES: See Specialty Vegetables
COLLARDS: See Specialty Vegetables
CORN (Maize)
Zea Mays. Excellent corn can be raised in any good garden soil, but rich loam is best. Keep moist. Sow seed after all danger of frost is past. Plant 4 - 6 seeds 2 - 3" deep in hills 3 - 4 feet apart each way. When seedlings are 4" tall thin to the 2 most vigorous plants. May also be planted in rows, 1 foot apart in the row. Corn does not pollinate fully if planted in a single row; best in blocks.
The three types of commonly grown corn are: Sweet Corn, Field Corn, and Popcorn.
Sweet Corn Varieties:
Sweet Corn has a higher sugar content and less starch than the others, and is generally eaten fresh after boiling or steaming the ears for a few minutes. Ears are harvested before full maturity, when the kernels are very tender.
—Corn Golden Bantam. (b,h) VCOR-GB. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 86% Tested: 9/07, 1/4 lb: $4.00, lb: $9.00
75 days. Early 8-rowed variety with plump, sweet golden kernels on 7 inch ears. To 6 feet. A favorite home garden variety since 1900.
Field Corn Varieties:
Field Corn has more starch and is drier and less sweet than the other types, often with very large, flat, broad kernels. They are used after drying for meal, flour, hominy and fodder. Harvested when the ears are fully mature and the husks are dry. Most of the maize varieties grown by the American Indians were of this type. I have come to like field corn for on-the-cob eating, preferring its robust, hearty qualities. It is especially good Central American style, roasted over an open fire, and rubbed with a lime dipped in chili powder and salt.
—Corn Black Aztec. (d,h) VCOR-BZ. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 1/4 lb: $7.00, 1/2 lb $10.00
Said to be grown since pre-Columbian times, this variety has long, slender ears which turn deep blue-black at maturity. Good for fresh eating and roasting when the kernals are young and white, and makes excellent blue corn meal when mature. Considered a sweet corn, but probably not as sweet as the modern types.
—Corn Bloody Butcher. (c,h) VCOR-BB. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 1/4 lb: $6.00, 1/2 lb: $9.00
Graphic name for an old variety with dark red kernels. Heirloom from 1845, the color varied from light red with darker stripes, to pure dark red, even a white ear now and then. Great for fresh eating when young, or ground into flour or cornmeal when mature.
—Corn Earth Tones. (c,h) VCOR-ET. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 96% Tested: 10/07, 1/4 lb: $7.00, 1/2 lb: $10.00
Multicolored flour variety with kernels in dusky shades of gold, purple, bronze, rose, brown & green. Large ears to 10" long. Dent type, excellent for grinding into cornmeal or flour, and good eaten fresh as corn-on-the-cob when young.
—Corn Green and Gold Dent. (d,h) VCOR-GG. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 96% Tested: 10/07, 1/4 lb: $7.00, 1/2 lb: $10.00
Large ears with beautiful emerald green and gold kernels. A striking corn, makes great flour, and is wonderful roasted when young.
—Corn Hopi Blue. (c,h) VCOR-HB. Packet: $2.00
Ancient flint corn traditionally grown by the Hopi people in what is now Arizona. Dark blue kernels on large ears, produced on bushy 5 foot tall plants. Extremely drought tolerant and hardy. Ground into flour for making piki bread, or parched for stews, etc.
—Corn Japonica Striped Maize. (e,h) VCOR-JS. Packet: $2.50 ORGANIC SEED
Incredibly lovely ornamental corn, with leaves striped white, yellow, bright pink, and green. Kernels are dark purple-red. Grows 5-6 feet tall, beautiful and unusual for borders or backgrounds. Originally from Japan in the 1890s. Space widely for best color. Organically grown.
—Corn Oaxacan Green. (d,h) VCOR-OX. Packet: $2.00
Heirloom Zapotec variety with deep emerald-green kernels on 8 - 10" ears. Sturdy, drought-tolerant plants to 7 feet. Grown for centuries in Oaxaca, México, usually ground into flour for making green tamales. Young ears, called 'elotes', are sold fresh-grilled in the marketplace, eaten rubbed with lime-juice, chile powder, and salt. The most beautiful and delicious fresh corn we have eaten.
—Corn Peruvian Morado. (c,h) VCOR-PM. Packet: $2.00 Click for photo »
Deep violet round kernels, dark purple cobs. The darkest purple corn we have ever seen. Short, plump ears to 2 1/2 - 6" long, 8 - 12 row, some dent. Grown primarily for making chicha, a corn drink.
NEW—Corn, Pod Corn. (c,h) VCOR-PD. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 96% Tested: 1/08, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
One-of-a-kind ornamental corn, with each kernel enclosed in a tiny husk. Each ear is red, creamy white, brown, or purple, depending on the color of the husks. Large solid ears to 12". This rarity makes fantastic fall decorations-great at farmer's markets.
Popcorn Varieties:
Popcorns are smaller than other types, and are harvested after the cobs have dried on the stalks. Valued for its ability to pop when heated, it has been regarded as a festive food since ancient times.
—Popcorn Ken. (d,h) VCOR-KN. Packet: $2.00 Click for photo »
Germination: 88% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
Jewel-like colors of red, yellow, white, rose, and purple, on 8" ears, some entirely purple. Developed by Ken Asmus of Oikos Tree Crops, who crossed 2 heirloom multicolored popcorns and grew them out over ten years, selecting for larger ears. Vigorous plants reaching 6 - 8 feet tall.
NEW—Popcorn Miniature Blue. (c,h) VCOR-MB. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 93% Tested: 8/07, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
Striking dusky steel-blue kernels on tiny 5" ears. Plants grow 5 - 6 feet tall. Great popping corn, and makes beautiful fall decorations.
—Popcorn Strawberry. (b,h) VCOR-ST. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $4.00, 1/4 lb: $6.00
Beautiful deep crimson kernels on tiny 2" ears resembling a huge strawberry. Excellent for popping and fall decoration. Stalk to 4 feet with several ears each. Nowadays the ears are longer and more slender—decades ago, the ears were even shorter and more strawberry-shaped.
CORN SALAD (also called Mache or Lamb's Lettuce)
Valerianella olitoria. A small, quick-growing annual for fall, winter and spring use. Forms rosettes of tender, deep green leaves which are delicious in salads or lightly cooked and served like spinach. Sow in early spring and again in fall. Treat like lettuce, spacing plants 3 - 4" apart. During very cold weather, a light covering of straw will preserve the plants for early salad greens.
—Corn Salad. (a!,h) VCOS-CS. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $5.00
Compact rosettes of delicate, glossy green leaves with a mild, nutty flavor.
—Corn Salad Vert de Cambrai. (a,h) VCOS-VC. Packet: $2.00
Deep green oval leaves with delicate flavor. Tender rosettes can be harvested young for 'baby mache'. Very cold tolerant, an old favorite for overwintering in France and Germany. Best sown in October for harvest in February and March.
—Corn Salad Vert D'Etampes. (a,h) VCOS-VT. Packet: $2.00
French heirloom from the 1880s, known for its remarkably dark green narrow leaves. Compact plants and very cold tolerant. Thick succulent leaves last well after harvest, making this the best variety for farmer's markets.
CRESS
Small-leaved succulent herbs with a spicy, peppery flavor that goes well in salads mixed with milder greens. Sow in spring, allowing close growth in rows 1 foot apart. Prefers moist soil. Seed sprouts quickly, and may be sown successively every few days until the beginning of hot weather, and again in late summer. Easily grown vitamin-rich greens.
—Cress Upland or Winter Cress. (a!,g) VCRE-U. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 85% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $4.00
Barbarea verna. Round leaves similar to watercress, with a pleasantly warm flavor. Not aquatic, it grows well on dry land. Good pot herb. Does not require succession sowings.
—Cress Watercress. (a,f-g) VCRE-W. Packet: $2.00
Nasturtium officinale. Hardy perennial creeping aquatic plant. Does not need running water to succeed, but if grown in the garden it must be watered every day. May be grown in tubs or tanks with a few inches of rich soil on the bottom, and flooded with water. If water is not flowing, change it every 10 days or so. Try scattering the seed along the edge of a brook, or start in moist soil and transplant deep enough that the leaves are just submerged. Once established, it will give for up to 10 years. Cut frequently as it becomes bitter when seedstalks form.
CUCUMBERS
Cucumis sativus. Sow in late spring or early summer in hills 4 feet apart. Plant 8 - 10 seeds per hill. Thin to the 3 or 4 best plants. May be sown early in pots, 4 - 6 weeks before planting out. When transplanting, take care not to disturb the roots. Will produce all abundance of fruit in any good garden soil. Pick cucumbers when dark green, before fully ripened and yellow, or they will die back.
—Cucumber A & C Pickling. (b,h) VCUC-AC. Packet: $2.00
Nice straight, dark green cucumbers, excellent for slicing or pickling. Very productive, great for home or market. Introduced by Abbott & Cobb of Pennsylvania, in 1928. Thanks to the SSE, this fine variety is available again.
—Cucumber Sikkim. (d,h) VCUC-SK. Packet: $2.50
Cucumis sativus var. sikkimensis. From a French specialty cucurbit grower, who says "A nice, short, fat fruit with peculiar maroon color netting the skin. Can be eaten young or used in winter dried arrangements like ornamental gourds. To 1 kilo."
EGGPLANT
Solanum melongena var. esculentum. Start seed early indoors, mid- to late March, for transplanting outside 8 - 10 weeks later. Space plants 2 - 3 feet apart in rows 2 - 3 feet apart. Eggplants need full sun and loose, deep, rich soil.
—Eggplant Casper. (b,g) VEGG-C. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 84% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00
Slender snow-white eggplants, sweet & delicious.
—Eggplant Ruffled Red. (b,g) VEGG-RR. Packet: $2.00 Click for photo »
Germination: 78% Tested: 9/07, Gram: $6.00, 5 grams: $15.00, 10 grams: $25.00
Solanum integrifolium. Striking deep red-orange, flattened, ribbed fruit, 1 - 3" across. Pleasantly bitter, used in Asian stir-fry. Highly ornamental plants to 2 - 3 feet tall, with dark purple stems and soft green leaves. Cut branches of the fruits make long-lasting autumn decorations.
NEW—Eggplant Striped Toga. (b,h) VEGG-ST. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 90% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $9.00
Striking small 3" oval eggplants, beautifully marked-green with dark green stripes, changing to rich orange with deeper orange stripes. Clusters of them last well in fresh or dry arrangements. The flavorful little eggplants are delicious in Asian and Mediterranean cooking.
—Eggplant Udumalapet. (b,g) VEGG-UD. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00
Small teardrop-shaped fruits are pale green with deep lavender stripes. Very pretty, best eaten when about 3" long. Originally from India, but has been a heavy producer for the SSE at the Iowa/Minnesota border.
FENNEL: See Specialty Vegetables
FRENCH SORREL: See Specialty Vegetables
GROUND CHERRY: See Specialty Vegetables
HUAZONTLE: See Specialty Vegetables
KALE
Brassica oleracea. Also known as Borecole, Kale is a cool weather crop, with sweet tender leaves. A good fodder plant for poultry and livestock. In the South, sow in late summer or early fall for winter and spring harvest. In cold climates, sow in late spring for fall harvest. Likes full sun and a rich, well-drained soil. Keep moist. Sow seeds 1/4" deep, thin to 1 1/2 feet apart in rows 1 1/2 - 2 feet apart.
—Kale Black Tuscany. (b,h) VKAL-BT. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 99% Tested: 11/07, 10 grams: $6.00
Also called 'Black Cabbage', 'Cavalo Nero', or 'Palm Cabbage'. Long, narrow, heavily blistered leaves of deepest dark green, rich flavored and hardy. Young leaves good in salads, mature leaves for braising, soups, etc. Italian heirloom, good winter greens in mild climates, where it is sown in spring to harvest over fall and winter.
—Kale Lacinato Rainbow. (b,h) VKAL-LR. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Deeply savoyed long narrow leaves overlaid with shades of purple, blue-green, and red. Very vigorous and cold hardy, perennial in mild climates. Organically grown.
—Kale Nero de Philo. (b,h) VKAL-NP. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
A new type of black kale, with savoyed, dark maroon-purple leaves. A work-in-progress from Wild Garden, it should produce some interesting variations. Organically grown.
—Kale Russian Red. (b,h) VKAL-RR. Packet: $2.50
Outstanding variety with deeply ruffled leaves with purple veins. The whole plant may turn purple in cold weather. Tender and tasty. Grows year-round in mild climates, and may reach 4 feet tall.
—Kale Wild Red. (b,h) VKAL-WR. Packet: $2.50
Selected red kale types, mossy curled, flat leaf & in between. "Bouquets of these diverse forms make the most spectacular bunches of kale you ever saw in a produce display. Very red, very cold hardy, very beautiful & high yielding." —Shoulder to Shoulder
KOHLRABI
Brassica oleracea var. Caulo-rapa. A member of the cabbage family, the stem forms a ball-shaped bulb which is eaten. It is a delicious vegetable combining the best qualities of turnip and cabbage when cooked, and is mild, sweet and crisp eaten raw. Sow in early spring or late summer, spacing plants 6 - 8" apart in rows 1 1/2 feet apart. Prefers cool weather and light, rich soil. Best young and tender.
—Kohlrabi Early Purple Vienna. (a,h) VKOH-EP. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 85% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $3.00, 1/4 lb: $5.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
60 days. An old-fashioned, pre 1885 variety with purple skin and leaves. Flesh white and tender, sweet and mild flavor cooked or raw.
LEEKS
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum. Leeks are a popular vegetable in Europe and the Mid-East, where their mild, sweet, onion-like flavor is valued in stews, pies, casseroles and soups. They are hardy plants and may be sown in spring for harvest during fall, winter, or through to the following spring. Sow seed in early spring in rows 1 foot apart, thinning to 4" apart in the row. When plants are nearly mature, draw soil around the stalks to blanch.
—Leek American Flag. (a!,g) VLEE-AF. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 75% Tested: 8/07, Oz: $6.00
Classic home-garden variety with tall blue-green leaves and thick, white stalks. Cold hardy, for fall and winter harvest. Mild oniony flavor, delicious roasted or grilled ,with olive oil, or in soups, etc.
—Leek Giant Musselburg. (b,h) VLEE-GM. Packet: $2.00
Big vigorous leeks with pleasant mild flavor. Very cold hardy Scottish heirloom, introduced to gardeners in the early 1800s.
LETTUCE
Lactuca sativa. Sow in rows 1 foot apart as early as the ground can be worked, not covering the seed, as light is needed for germination. Thin to 8" apart as they develop. Or, plant in flats 1 month before planting out. Transplant carefully. Lettuce prefers cool to moderate temperatures, and is best sown in spring or early fall in a light, well-drained soil. Give shade in hot weather. For a continual crop, sow every few weeks, as long as desired.
There are four basic types of lettuce: Loose-Leaf, Butterhead, Crisphead, and Cos or Romaine. Within these types there are also: Winter Lettuces, which are more adapted to cold and will withstand ordinary winters with little care. Spring Lettuces head rapidly and are sown just after winter. Summer Lettuces are usually larger and do not run to seed as fast in hot weather.
Loose Leaf Types:
These form large, spreading rosettes of tender leaves. Good for continuous picking, taking what is needed from the outer leaves. Easily grown, withstands poor soil, neglect and bad weather.
—Lettuce Amish Deer Tongue. (b,h) VLET-AM. Packet: $2.50
Unusual triangular green leaves in thick, loose heads. Hardy and productive. Very flavorful.
—Lettuce Australian Yellowleaf. (b,h) VLET-AY. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 80% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $11.00
Long, narrow, crumpled leaves are a vivid, glowing yellow-green. Crisp, tender, stands heat. Heirloom from Australia.
NEW—Lettuce Cracoviensis. (b,h) VLET-CR. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Unique French heirloom, forming loose heads of pointed savoyed leaves, marked with patches of deep purple. Bolts easily in warm weather, forming a thick, tender rosy stem which is prized as a vegetable. Called 'red celtuce' in the 1880s, so the stem was the main use then, but it can be a dual crop. Organically-grown.
—Lettuce Bunte Forellenschuss. (b,h) VLET-BF. Packet: $2.00
A beautiful butterhead with light green leaves splashed maroon. Tender and sweet, forming large loose heads. From the Seed Saver's Exchange. How the name is spelled and translated is a bit of a controversy. Some spell it 'Forellenschluss', and it is probably best translated as 'Speckled like a trout'.
—Lettuce Emerald Oak. (b,h) VLET-EO. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Brilliant green oakleaf, with almost a butter-lettuce head of sweet tender leaves. Very nice texture and flavor, can be used for salad at any size. Organically grown.
—Lettuce Grandpa Admire's. (b,h) VLET-GA. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 88% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $12.00
Heirloom with big loose heads of bronze-tinged leaves. Stays tender even in hot weather, slow to bolt. George Admire was a Civil War veteran, born in 1822. The seed was passed down through his family, and eventually to Kent Whaley's Seed Saver's Exchange. Thanks to them, it is now in wider circulation.
—Lettuce Mascara. (b,h) VLET-M. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 96% Tested: 11/07, 1/2 Oz: $6.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Deep purple-red oak-leaf type, forming a large rosette of thick, curly leaves. Stays red even in hot weather. Bolt resistant & non-bitter. Heat and cold tolerant, an excellent cutting lettuce for mesclun.
"Mascara lettuce is outstanding: 16" across and still tender!" —K. Kennedy, California, 1/97.
—Lettuce Oak Leaf. (a!,h) VLET-OL. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 96% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $4.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Thick rosettes of deeply-lobed medium-green leaves that stay sweet and tender, with no bitterness. Very heat-resistant, for long-lasting harvest throughout summer. An old favorite, with good reason.
—Lettuce Red Velvet. (b,h) VLET-RV. Packet: $2.50
Deep, dark, red-purple rumpled leaves, one of the darkest red lettuces available. Crisp and crunchy. From the Seed Saver's Exchange.
—Lettuce Yugoslavian Red Butterhead. (a!,h) VLET-YR. Packet: $2.50
Big heads of tender red-tinged leaves, the center almost white, sometimes streaked with red.
MAIZE: See Corn.
MANGEL WURZEL: See Specialty Vegetables
MELONS
Cucumis melo. A group of annual melons that includes the heavily scented netted varieties known as cantaloupes, as well as the smooth-skinned melons such as crenshaw, casaba and honeydew.
Muskmelons need full sun and soil rich in organic matter. Plenty of water gives the best results. Sow seed when the weather has warmed, in hills spaced 4 - 6 feet apart each way. Plant 5 - 8 seeds per hill, thinning to the 3 or 4 best plants. Best sown direct to the garden, as they dislike transplanting.
NEW—Melon Canoe Creek Colossal. (d,h) VMEL-CC. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 1/2 Oz: $9.00
Huge, handsome, deeply ribbed melons, with thick orange flesh. Can reach 20 pounds under the best conditions, but usually 5 - 15 pounds. Impressive in both size and flavor.
—Melon Collective Farm Woman. (c,h) VMEL-CF. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 99% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00
A Ukrainian heirloom, with round, smooth 10" melons. Dark rind turns orange-yellow when ripe. Extremely sweet creamy-white flesh. Keeps well.
—Melon Delicious 51. (c,h) VMEL-D. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 86% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $4.00
One of the best O.P. (open pollinated) home garden cantaloupes. Round, well-netted 4 - 5 pound melons with deep orange flesh. Sweet, juicy and high quality.
—Melon Emerald Gem. (d,h) VMEL-EG. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 80% Tested: 11/07, Oz: $7.00
Dark green ribbed 2 - 3 pound melons with sweet and juicy rich orange flesh. Introduced by Burpee in 1886, it became one of the most popular melons of the day, called "luscious beyond description."
—Melon Noir Des Carmes (=Early Black Rock). (e,h) VMEL-NC. Packet: $3.00
Heirloom French cantaloupe, with slightly flattened, ribbed smooth melons. Very dark green skin, nearly black, turning orange when ripe. Dark orange flesh, very fragrant & sweet. Small size, 2 - 3 1/2 lb. One of the finest early French melons, once popular, now very hard to find.
—Melon Petit Gris de Rennes. (d,h) VMEL-PG. Packet: $3.00 OUT OF STOCK
Amy Goldman, in her wonderful book 'Melons for the Passionate Grower', says about this variety: "...the creme de la creme of French melons. You will blink your eyes with disbelief when you sample its sweetness, which is more like brown sugar than white. It will melt your tongue, and your mouth will water for more." Enough said? This is a small, ribbed melon, weighing up to 2 pounds, with green-gold skin and orange flesh. Needs some extra care, but well worth the effort.
—Melon Prescott Fond Blanc. (c,h) VMEL-PF. Packet: $3.00
This large, lumpy, white-skinned melon may be odd to look at, but the taste and fragrance of the orange flesh are divine. The unusual shape of these melons was once used for French ice cream molds.
—Melon Snap. (d,h) VMEL-SN. Packet: $3.00
Cucumis melo var. momordica. 'SNAP MELON', 'KACHRA'. An unusual variety from India, where the young tender fruits are eaten raw or cooked, and the ripe fruits eaten as a dessert. The fruits explode when mature, scattering their seeds and giving them the name 'snap' melon.
NEW—Melon Tigger. (d,h) VMEL-TG. Packet: $2.50 Click for photo »
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 1/2 Oz: $6.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Cucumis melo. Small smooth melons to 1 pound. Beautiful golden skin with bright red-orange tiger stripes. Highly fragrant white flesh, meltingly sweet cantaloupe flavor. Armenian heirloom, does well in dry climates. A real winner for farmer's market sales.
—Melon Vert Grimpant (=Green Climbing). (d,h) VMEL-VG. Packet: $3.00
French heirloom melon. Small oval 1 - 1 1/2 lb melons, 4 - 5" long, with dark green skin spotted lighter, and green flesh. Very tender, especially juicy and sweet, with a delightful scent. Good for trellis growing; ripens best when allowed to climb.
"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." —A. France.
MUSTARD
Brassica juncea var. integrifolia. Mustard leaves are excellent greens with a sharp pungent flavor. Boiled like spinach, they become tender and not at all bitter. Very good in soups, or as simple cooked greens served with a little melted butter.
Plant in late spring or early summer, or in frost-free climates, sow in fall and early winter. Prefers a rich soil and abundant moisture for fast growth, but will produce well in any soil. Thin to 6" apart in rows 18" apart. A cool weather crop.
—Mustard Bau Sin. (b,h) VMUS-B. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 1/4 Oz: $7.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Shiny gold-green leaves with a hint of red veining. Great for salads, braising, or stir-fry. Outstanding mild sweet flavor. Forms a folded heart at maturity, and the bolted stems are crisp and tender. Organically grown.
—Mustard Florida Broadleaf. (a!,h) VMUS-F. Packet: $1.00 OUT OF STOCK
Oz: $3.00 OUT OF STOCK
Fast growing, with wide, dark green leaves and creamy white midribs. Vigorous and heat tolerant, popular in the South.
—Mustard Magma. (a,h) VMUS-M. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 96% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Ruffled leaves are deep purple on top, contrasting with the green undersides. Young leaves are a wonderful salad green; excellent peppery cooked greens at any age. A particularly pretty variety with a lot of flavor. Organically grown by Shoulder to Shoulder Farm.
—Mustard Osaka Purple. (b,h) VMUS-OS. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 84% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Smooth leaves blushed deep purple, with a spicy flavor. Grows vigorously in cool weather. A fine addition to salads. Organically grown.
NEW—Mustard Pink Petiole Mix. (b,h) VMUS-PT. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 92% Tested: 11/07, 1/4 Oz: $6.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Incredible mix of shapes and colors-creamy yellow to emerald -green leaves, smoothly rounded to deeply cut, all with the leaf-stems in shades of pink or purple. Superb addition to baby salad leaf mixes. colors best with cool weather and well-spaced plants. Organically-grown.