Author: Jim

Luffa , ,

Luffa Sponge Gourd

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Luffa aegyptiaca

Luffa sponge seeds Luffa seeds Luffa sponge seeds

180 Days

10 Seeds

The Luffa has been cultivated in Egypt since before the 1600’s as far as recorded history tells us. Some grow them for steaming and pan frying the young tender fruits but most are grown for the natural bath sponges the bigger fully ripened ones make when dried and peeled. In the past they have been used for making oil filters to soundproofing, insulation, and stuffing mattresses.

Growing Directions.

Sow seeds 1/2″ deep, indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Transplant outdoors, in full sun, 16″ apart, when soil is warm and all chance of frost has past. Luffas need warm weather, so do not rush and put them outside too early, and they need a very sturdy trellis to climb. Training the vine to climb all the way to the top of the trellis with string or ties is key to them not sitting on the ground as they will rot. Harvest brown skinned, yellow stemmed, ripe luffas, as the green ones will only produce weak sponges that won’t last. Once harvested peel a zipper of the skin and gently pop out the sponge and rinse with water to prevent oxidization. Shake seeds out.

 

Oregano ,

Greek Oregano

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Origanum vulgare hirtum

80 Days

40 Seeds

Native to the Mediterranean, this traditional, full flavour variety of oregano has a cleaner taste than others, with slightly furry, medium green leaves that are a must in pasta and pizza sauce. This variety is great for making essential oil for everything from keeping mosquitoes away, to heart health, fighting depression, preventing colds/flus and fighting infections and bacteria.

Growing Directions.

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, by sprinkling on top of growing medium, tamping down lightly, as oregano seeds need light to germinate. Transplant outside when all chance of frost has past, in full sun, 10″ apart. Harvest continually and/or wait till stems are long and are about to flower for the best flavour.

Zucchini , ,

Cocozelle Zucchini

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Cucurbita pepo

Cocozelle Zucchini seed Cocozelle Zucchini seeds

Cocozelle Zucchini heirloom seeds 4

55 Days

25 Seeds

Originating in Rome as far back as the 1500’s, then moving North from the Mediterranean, this summer squash zucchini grows a dark green with cream coloured stripes, and are favored in Italy for their exceptional flavour and texture. Great as a pasta substitute, in salads, roasted, or battered and fried and it also freezes well. Large more mature ones can be halved, stuffed and then baked. We like to shave them into ribbons using a vegetable peeler or mandolin and roll them up to make
enchiladas. The flowers are popular in high end restaurants where they fry them or stuff them and fry them with a beer batter.

Growing Directions.

Sow 2-3 seeds 1″ deep, 3′ apart in 18″ hills, in full sun when all chance of frost has past. Plants grow to 20″tall and 20″ wide. Harvest when fruit reaches 6″ to 8″ in length, or grow them larger for stuffing. Benefits from compost amended soil.

Spinach , ,

America Spinach

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Spinacia oleracea

America Spinach heirloom seeds America Spinach seeds

50 Days

40 Seeds

Developed by a Louis & Groot Seed Company of Holland and winner of the 1952 All America Selection, this slow to bolt spinach has dark green, thick, savoyed, buttery tasting leaves. Growing 8-12″ high, this spinach prefers spring or fall plantings but will grow in mid summer, as long as harvested often to promote new growth. Great fresh in spinach salads, blanched, then frozen or our favorite steamed and topped with butter.

Growing Directions

Sow seeds 1/2″ deep, 6″ apart, in full sun, when soil is workable in early spring. Sow in succession every 2 weeks, right until mid August for continual harvest all season long. Benefits from compost amended soil.

Radish , ,

French Breakfast Radish

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Raphanus sativus

French Breakfast Radish seeds

25 Days

40 Seeds

Originally thought to have obtained its name from Parisienne marketers snacking on them with butter and salt while they sold their vegetables at the morning markets around Paris. Publicly released in New York in 1870, this early spring radish, grows an 2-3″ oblong scarlet red root with an ice white tip. Crisp and mild, these radishes can be grown in succession throughout the growing season for multiple harvests.

Growing Directions.

Sow seeds 1/2″ deep, 3″ apart in full sun as soon as the ground can be worked in early spring. Harvest as soon as mature to avoid woody bitter flesh. Water consistently without saturating soil, to promote healthy growth. Benefits from compost amended soil.

Pepper, Sweet Pepper ,

Chocolate Pepper

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Capsicum annuum

 

25 Seeds

80 Days

Introduced in 1965 by the University of New Hampshire Agricultural Experimental Department, this sweet pepper packs the flavour you want, that most chocolate peppers lack. Turning from green to chocolate brown when ripe, these produce copious amounts of 5″ long, 3 lobed peppers, so much so they may require support. The medium thick flesh is a burgundy color inside. They are also great for short season areas and can even handle cooler nights. Looks fantastic when mixed with other sweet peppers in salads and other fresh dishes.

Growing Directions

Sow seeds 1/4″ deep, indoors, 6 weeks before last frost Transplant outdoors 20-24″ apart in full sun, when ground is warm and all chance of frost has past. Peppers will ripen from green to brown, either on the plant or off. Benefits from compost amended soil. May need support as they are heavy producers and may have anywhere from 8-20 peppers per plant.

Pea , ,

Amish Snap Pea

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Pisum sativum

Amish Snap Pea seeds

60 Days

25 Seeds

Grown by the Amish communities long before sugar snap peas were introduced. This only true heirloom snap pea is sweet, juicy, and packed with flavour that beats out any sugar snap hybrid. An early harvester and prolific producer over a 6 week period if harvested regularly. A crisp “eat it all” pea that will grow vines 5-6’ tall.

Growing Directions

Sow seeds 1” deep, 4” apart in early spring when ground can be easily worked. Harvest the pods at 3″ long before they start to get any patches of dusty grey. Harvest continually when producing for prolonged production. Benefits from good healthy soil. Support with trellis.

Broccoli ,

Romanesco Broccoli

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Brassica oleracea

75 Days from transplant

25 Seeds

Grown in Italy since the 16th Century, as Broccolo Romanesco, with tastes described as broccoli and cauliflower, slightly nutty, and having an intense broccoli flavour. It’s shades of chartreuse and apple green, and crazy fractal logarithmic spirals of buds, this brassica is very popular in Italy and with chefs around the world for its flavour and look. Well adapted to Northern climates, and very frost tolerant.

Growing Directions

Sow seeds 1/4″ deep, indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant outdoors a week before last frost, 2-3′ apart in full sun. as these are heavy feeders, amend soil with compost and water regularly.

Cabbage , ,

Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

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Brassica oleracea

Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage seeds Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage seed Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

65 Days

40 Seeds

Originally grown in England in the early 1800’s, then by Francis Brill of Jersey City, New Jersey. This early harvesting cabbage also known as “Old Reliable” produces a conical pointed, dark green, remarkably sweet, smooth tasting head, without that bold cruciferous flavor that is most reminiscent of cabbage. These 2- 3 lb. heads are tightly wrapped, resist splitting and make great coleslaw.

Growing Directions

Sow seeds ¼” deep, indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant or sow directly outdoors a week before last frost, 2-3′ apart in full sun with compost amended soil. Water regularly.

Carrot , , ,

Scarlet Nantes Carrot

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Daucus carota

70 Days

50 Seeds

In 1850, the Vilmorin Seed Company of France developed the Scarlet Nantes carrot. This tender, crisp,sweet, nearly coreless, bright orange red carrot is great for freezing, and harvesting young as baby carrots. Growing to 5-7″ long with blunt tips, these carrots are so tender and sweet, they are phenomenal for juicing. Grows well in northern climates and will yield better than most.

Growing Directions

Sow seeds 1/4″ deep, 2-3″ apart, in full sun, 3 weeks before last frost or as soon as the ground is workable. Carrots take up to 3 weeks to germinate and the ground must remain moist. Its a good idea to soak the ground very well before sowing the carrot seeds or even laying wood or row cover down to retain moisture while checking underneath every couple of days for germination.