Adventures in an Urban Kitchen Garden
VEGETABLES
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| 1 Artichoke (Started seedlings the last week of December. April 10, 2024 update: Slow growth. Fragile plant. The wind and rain are beating the hell out of the leaves, but I think it's gonna pull through. Perhaps there'll be some globes later this year...) 150-180 days Sprouts in 14 days Ideal germ.temp: 70-80 F Seed depth: 1/8-1/4 inch Plant spacing: big pot Averages 3-5 artichokes per plant Artichoke should be planted 3-4 weeks before the frost-free date for your area. Artichoke requires cool spring temperatures to initiate the flower stalk. If planted too late, plants do not get the required chilling, therefore, plants will not flower. Space plants 18 inches apart in the row, with rows 2-3 feet apart. Planting through plastic mulches accelerates early growth and leads to higher yields. Water frequently after transplanting to ensure good root and shoot growth. Maintain healthy vigorous growth during the spring and summer to ensure that artichoke produces for a long time. Water frequently during the year by supplying 1 to 2 inches per week in several applications. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulch heavily around the plants with an organic mulch like compost, grass clippings, or straw to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Mulches help keep the soil cool. Artichoke has a shallow root system, does not tolerate hot, dry conditions and likes moist soils if high productivity is expected. Artichoke requires high amounts of nitrogen fertilizer for best growth and development. Apply 2 teaspoons per plant of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) every 4 weeks beginning 4 weeks after transplanting to encourage sustained and rapid plant growth. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plant and irrigate it into the soil.
To get a crop of artichokes in one year, start seeds indoors in pots 2 to 3 months before the last frost date in spring. Move the pots outdoors when four leaves have developed. Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. When temperatures are occasionally freezing, protect plants if temperatures fall below 29 degrees. Two to four weeks of exposure to cool temps “vernalizes” the young seedlings, preparing them to bloom later in the season after plants have grown large. Seeds germinate in 10-21 days. Ideal germination temperature is 60-80 F. Artichokes prefer 6-12 hours of full sun. Provide rich, deep, well-drained soil and ample moisture. Seedlings require a chill period (nights below 45 F but above freezing) to produce artichokes. Mature plants produce many buds over a long season. Simply cut off each bud, with an inch of stem, when it has reached its full size but before the “scales” begin to separate, which signals that the bud is about to bloom. After harvest you can cut the plant down to the ground and mulch it. Mulching can allow artichokes to act as a perennial in zones 5 or 6, where there are usually not sustained periods of deep freezes.
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a) Green Globe Improved 3 Seedlings growing. 3/1/24 update: Two of the seedlings made it, and are in a raised bed on the west wall. They are growing quickly. |
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| 2 Beans (Started seedlings on March 5. April 10, 2024 update: All four varieties growing well, looking healthy and strong so far.) 50- 60 days Sprouts in 6-14 days Ideal temp: 70 F Seed depth: 3/4 inch Plant spacing 4" Min. full sun: 8-12 hours Succession plant every 3 weeks for continuous production All beans require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil for maximum yield. Incorporate some organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the soil before planting. When soils are above 60ºF, space rows 18-24 inches apart and plant seeds 1 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart in the row. Plant beans every 14-21 days until mid-July for a continuous crop throughout the growing season. Beans require regular watering particularly at flowering, so maintain soils near field capacity. Water stress will reduce yields and pod quality. Organic mulches help conserve water, supply extra nutrients and reduce the need for weeding. Control insect and diseases if they occur. Harvest when pods are plump and full but before seeds develop. For dry beans delay harvest until pods are yellow and dry. Use fresh beans immediately for best quality. Beans require regular watering throughout growth for best production. Soil moisture levels should be maintained near field capacity. Do not over water as wet soils promote root rot diseases and slow plant growth. Water needs are most critical during flowering and pod sizing. Drought stress during and after flowering will decrease yield due to flower abortion and reduce pod size and increase stringiness. For dry beans, reduce water applications as the seeds begin to mature. Watering amounts depend on soil type and organic matter content. Cool weather will cause beans to rot in the soil. Direct seed or sow indoors. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart. Keep seedlings moist but not soaked. Germination temperature is 70-80 F. Seeds will germinate in 5-8 days. Continuously pick to keep plants productive. Dry beans are grown just like green beans. They can be harvested when immature and used like green beans or left on the vine to dry. To harvest, pull the plants and shake them vigorously into a bag to release the beans from their pods.Keep leaves dry and disease free. Don’t plant beans near onion, shallots, chives or garlic. Started some ancient seedlings on Tuesday, March 5th. On a mat in a humidity dome. Old Renee's and BI seeds. Not expecting much. |
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a) Contender Bush Days to Maturity: 50 days Type: Snap bean Native: Mexico and South America Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Plant Dimensions: 12"–20" tall, wide Variety Info: 6"–8" long, round-oval, slightly curved pods. Also resistant to common bean mosaic virus. When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. Successive Sowings: Every 7 to 14 days up to 80 days before your average first fall frost date. NOTE: In very hot summer areas, skip sowing as high heat approaches; temperatures consistently above 90°F will prevent beans from forming. When to Start Inside: Not recommended. Days to Emerge: 6–12 days Seed Depth: 1" Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 4" Row Spacing: 24" Started seedlings on Tuesday, March 5th. On a mat in a humidity dome.
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b) Dragon Tongue Bush Our Favorite! With its incomparable flavor and eye-catching beauty, Dragon Tongue bean is our very favorite green bean. This famous Dutch heirloom, which is also known as Merveille De Piemonte or Dragon Langerie, dates back to at least the 19th century. The tender and superbly delicious 7-inch pods are yellow with amazing purple streaks! It also makes a tasty shelled bean. The compact plants set high yields. With its quick growth, superior flavor, and eye appeal, these beans are a must to grow! They are especially beloved in kids’ gardens, and very popular with chefs and gourmets.
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c) French Filet Filet (or as the French say, haricot verts) are slender beans; pencil-thin at only ¼" in diameter and 4" long, and so tender. Steam or sauté for just a minute and enjoy. Easy and delicious. Days to Maturity: 58 Family: Fabaceae Type: Snap bean Native: Mexico and South America Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Plant Dimensions: 12"–16" tall, 8"–10" wide, upright busy plants Variety Info: Slender ¼" diameter, 4"¼ long, green pods with white seeds. Attributes: Good for Containers When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 65°F, ideally 70°–85°F. When to Start Inside: Not recommended; bean seedlings are sensitive to root disturbance. Days to Emerge: 6–12 days |
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d) Red Swan Bush This stringless snap has a delicious, robust beany flavor and is a most uniquely colored bean, nearly a true red shade on the thick, flavorful pods, with lovely pink flowers, too! This wonderful variety pleases the senses and yields well. A beautiful selection from the late Robert Lobitz, the Minnesota bean man.
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| 3 Beets (see notes below) 55 days Sprouts in 14-21 days Ideal temp: 50-85 F Seed depth: 1/2 inch Plant spacing 5" Min. full sun: 6-8 hours Beets are cool season vegetables that prefer sunny locations and fertile, deep, well-drained soils. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep. Thin seedling beets to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12-18 inches apart. Plant 2-3 weeks before the last frost. Beets taste best when plants have been exposed to several weeks of cool frosty weather. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. Irrigation should be frequent and uniform to ensure good growth. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. Harvest beets when the roots reach full size. Apply ¼ cup per 10 foot of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) 6 weeks after emergence to encourage rapid plant growth. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. Beets require adequate amounts of boron to develop properly. Black, sunken spots on or in the root generally indicate low boron levels in the soil.  |
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a) Golden Best Seller! A glorious gilded beet with supremely sweet flesh and dense nutrition. The rich golden roots do not bleed or stain, making for less kitchen mess. It is an excellent variety for kids and newbie beet eaters, as the mellow flavor is much less earthy than regular red beets, and it’s a perfect choice for market gardeners and those looking to grow a rainbow of produce. Rich in folate, manganese and, of course, beta carotene. Yellow beets date back to at least the 1820s, but they did not become widely adopted by gardeners until Burpee Seed introduced a golden beet in the 1960s. Perfect for raw eating, roasting, juicing, and more!
55 Days NOTES: Started seedlings January 21. They failed to germinate. 3/1/24 update: Lots of healthy seedlings seem to be doing great with their little golden stems. Can't wait to get them in the ground in a few weeks. April 10/24 update: Getting bigger and stronger and looking good. Beets are cool; you can leave them in the ground as long as you like. |
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| 4 Broccoli (started seedlings in December. April 10/24 update: Not quite a total failure - not the plants' fault - they got a late start and just as they started producing fruit the flowering began. Very excited to see how they work out when they are started in September, as opposed to December.) 90 days Sprouts in 7-10 days Ideal temp: 60-80 F Seed depth: 1/4-1/2 inch Plant spacing 12" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Averages 2-3' tall Transplants should have 4-6 mature leaves and a well-developed root system before planting out. Larger, more mature transplants are prone to form small, early heads (buttoning) which flower prematurely. Apply ½ cup per 10 feet of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or thinning to encourage vigorous plant growth. Apply an additional ¼ cup of nitrogen fertilizer when the broccoli head is the size of a quarter. After harvesting the main head, some additional nitrogen will encourage side shoot development. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. Harvest broccoli when the heads are large and compact, but before the flower buds open. |
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a) Calabrese Green Sprouting This delicious Italian-American heirloom produces 5- to 8-inch blue-green heads and many tender, succulent side shoots. Cooked, it has a buttery, soft texture and sweet, nutty flavor. It is a supreme choice for market gardening and home gardening alike. Hailing originally from Calabria, Italy, it was brought to America in the 1800s.
3/1/24 update: Have about 10 plants in the ground. Got a very late start but they won't have to vacate their ground till almost summer so I expect a nice crop. |
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b) Rabe: Natalina di Fasano Cima Grande A nutritious, richly flavored and high-yielding broccoli rabe from Puglia region, Italy. This variety made more and bigger heads than others in our trials. We were astounded by the abundant yields of the delicious heads. Plants average 2-3 feet tall. This gourmet brassica is a delicacy in Puglia, where it is used in a range of dishes, often sauteed with garlic and drizzled with a bit of olive oil as a side dish or atop good quality bread. A famous Puglia dish is broccoli rabe with orecchiette pasta, simply sublime!
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| 5 Brussel Sprouts (see notes below) Sprouts in 7-10 days Ideal temp: 50-75 F Seed depth: 1/4-1/2 inch Plant spacing 24" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Transplant Brussels sprouts 12-18 inches apart in the row with rows 2-3 feet apart. Plant Brussels sprouts in early summer for maturity in the fall after several frosts. Avoid fertilization during sprout formation as this may cause loose, soft sprouts, and splitting. Irrigation should be deep and infrequent. Plastic or organic mulches help conserve water and reduce weed growth. Harvest Brussels sprouts when the sprouts are one (1) inch in diameter, but before they split open. Apply ½ cup per 10 feet of row of nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting or thinning to encourage vigorous plant growth. Avoid applying additional nitrogen after sprouts begin to form. High nitrogen levels cause loose sprouts and splitting to occur. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. |
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a) Groninger NOTES: 3/1/24 update: Have only a few seedlings but they are doing good. Not that in love with Brussels Sprouts so however many I get will be fine. April 10/24 update: Three plants, doing well in RB1. Will see how they develop during the spring. |
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| 6 Carrot (Start seedlings in January 14, 2024. Killed them all off a while back; they take up too much real estate for their value. Won't do them again) 75 days Sprouts in 12-18 days Ideal temp: 50-75 F Seed depth: 1/8th inch Plant spacing 2-3" Min. full sun: 6-8 hours Averages 8-9" |
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a) Koral A super nutrient-dense heirloom from Europe. A 100-gram serving of Koral carrot provides over half of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A! Plants are productive and vigorous, with cylindrical, deep orange roots that average 8-9 inches long and resist splitting, even when grown in heavier soils. Its silky smooth texture makes Koral one of the very best for juicing. This excellent keeper carrot is widely grown in Europe but practically unknown in the U.S. Superb for making delicious carrot juice, sweet and flavorful!
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| 7 Cauliflower (Started seedlings in December. They went into raised bed #3 on February 11th. They were very promising and looked strong and healthy but all of them were yanked on about April 6th, due to lack of production and to make room for spring crops. Will germinate seeds in September this year.) Sprouts in 7-10 days Ideal temp: 50-75 F Seed depth: 1/4 - 1/2inch Plant spacing 18" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Tie the leaves over the head to avoid developing off colors. Harvest cauliflower when the heads are white, large and compact. Transplants should have 4-6 mature leaves and a well-developed root system before planting out. Avoid shocking the plant when transplanting or premature heading (buttoning) may occur. Buttoning often occurs in plants exposed to dry soils, low temperatures, low nitrogen, or other shocks at planting. Apply 1/2 cup per 10 feet of row of a nitrogen based fertilizer (21-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or thinning. This encourages vigorous leaf growth which is necessary for high yields. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. |
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a) De Jesi Nutty, sweet flavor and incredible fractal patterns in a stunning creamy white color make this a favorite cauliflower in Italy. A beloved heirloom hailing from Jesi, Italy, this mild-flavored variety is perfectly suited to marketing. In Italy it is called “snail cauliflower” for its funny twirled patterns, and it is a favorite of world-renowned chef Peter Gilmore. Full Sun Sprouts in 7-10 Days Seed Depth: 1/4" to 1/2" Ideal Temperature: 50-75 F Plant Spacing: 18-20" 3/1/24 update: Have about 10 plants in the ground. Got a very late start but they won't have to vacate their ground till almost summer when I start the next batch so ... |
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b) Rober This is one of the most productive and adaptable cauliflower we have ever grown. Rober can produce large, 12-inch heads with tight curds, despite fluctuations in temperature that would ruin many other varieties. We harvested perfect heads in the punishing Missouri early summer. This is a reliable and tasty variety from Poland. Full Sun Sprouts in 7-10 Days Seed Depth: 1/4" to 1/2" Ideal Temperature: 50-75 F Plant Spacing: 18-20" Have 4 seedlings germinating as of 1/10/24 3/1/24 update: Have about 10 plants in the ground. Got a very late start but they won't have to vacate their ground till almost summer when I start the next batch so ... |
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c) Cauliflower |
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| 8 Celery (Started seedlings on February 11. April 10/24 update: These were hard to get going but there are finally some seedlings that show promise and will be ready for the big pots in a few weeks.) 80 days Sprouts in 15-20 days Ideal temp: 70-75 F Seed depth: 1/8" Plant spacing 10" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Celery is generally transplanted. Transplants should have 3-4 mature leaves and a well-established root system, before they are planted in the garden. In areas with very long growing seasons, seed may be planted directly in the garden and later transplanted at the appropriate spacing. Celery is started from seed planted around February 1st and then transplant to April or early May depending on your area. Space the rows 2 feet apart and the plants 12 inches apart in the row. A tight planting helps force tall growth and long petioles. In addition to the fertilizer used at planting, celery responds to additional fertilizer to produce optimum yields. Side dress with nitrogen at ¼ cup (21-0-0) per 10 feet of row at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting. Celery grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches and is composed of leaf topped stalks arranged in a cone that are joined at a common base. The stalks have a crunchy texture and a delicate, but mildly salty taste. It is a biennial vegetable that belongs to the Umbelliferae family whose other members include carrots, fennel, parsley and dill. While many people associate celery with its prized stalks, the leaves and roots can also be used as a food or seasoning as well as a natural medicine. Celery has a small root system and is a poor nutrient forager, so there needs to be a good supply of nutrients in the soil. Before planting, determine fertilizer needs with a soil test and then follow the recommendations given with the test report. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. Use a complete fertilizer with a high ratio of potassium (4-4-8).  |
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a) Amsterdam Keeping gourmet seasoning on hand is easy with this “cutting” type celery! This particular variety hails from the Netherlands, but it is an Asian type cutting celery, Latin name Apium graveolens secalinum. Also known as Chinese Celery, or Nan Ling, these types tend to have larger leaves and small fibrous stalks. This variety will not be suitable for Ants On a Log, but it is a nuanced and balanced seasoning celery. Both the leaves and stalks are excellent for broth, soups, and general use in the kitchen. This care-free cut-and-come-again herb rounds out countless dishes and is a chef’s favorite. 4/10/24: Got a few. Now we'll let em grow.
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| 9 Corn (Start seedlings on April 14th) 80 days Sprouts in 6-10 days Ideal temp: 75-80 F Seed depth: 1.5" Plant spacing 12" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Corn cannot tolerate cold weather; plant corn directly in the ground after all chance of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees. Direct sow 1 to 2 inches deep in the richest soil available. Plant corn 12 inches apart. Ideal germination temperature is 75-80 F. Do not transplant corn; the delicate roots cannot handle it. Corn is a heavy feeder; plants need a rich soil with plenty of organic matter. Add well-rotted compost to the corn bed before planting. Plant in blocks as opposed to rows for better pollination. Because corn matures all at once, succession plant every other week for 6 weeks to ensure a steady supply. Each plant needs 1 square foot of space. Fertilize with a balanced organic 10-10-10 at one cup per ten feet. Fertilize just before planting and again 6 weeks later. Mulch plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Sweet corn is approaching maturity when silks have dried and turned brown. Dent corn is ready when the husks have dried and turned brown; the kernels should be hard. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS In areas of high wind, it may be necessary to stake corn stalks or provide a windbreak. Corn earworm is a major pest of corn. To suffocate these pests, apply mineral oil to the silks once they have turned brown. European corn borer can be controlled with Bt. Raccoons are one of the biggest pests. To ward them off, try leaving a portable radio playing in the garden at night. You can also interplant trailing beans to run along the bottom of the plants, as it is believed that raccoons don’t like to get tangled in the vines. |
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a) Glass Gem (popping) Amazing color! Indescribably beautiful flint or popcorn comes in an endless range of colors. The translucent kernels really do shine brilliantly like glass — on the cob they resemble strands of glass beads! The 3- to 8-inch ears are consummately decorative, but edible and delicious as well. Makes firm little morsels when popped; can also be parched, ground into meal, and more. Sturdy plants reach to 9 feet tall and throw numerous sideshoots where the season is long enough. Bred from a number of Native varieties by Carl “White Eagle” Barnes, the famous corn collector to whom we owe our gratitude for his life’s work of collecting, preserving, and sharing so many Native corn varieties.
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b) Painted Hill (sweet) Days to Maturity: 65–80 days Variety Info: 7" long ears with kernels in yellows, reds, purples, blues, and white. 'Painted Hill' is open-pollinated. Kernel color is pale at the fresh-eating stage. Darker colors develop as ears dry for colorful and unique ornamental corn. When to Start Inside: Not recommended; roots sensitive to transplanting. Best results occur when seedlings are transplanted less than 2 weeks old. Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
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| 10 Cucumber (Start seedlings on February 18. As of March 5th they are all in the ground outside. April 10/24 update: Little plants are getting bigger. Should be good eventually...) 65 days Sprouts in 5-14 days Ideal temp: 70-90 F Seed depth: 1/2" Plant spacing 12" Marketmore, 24" Boston Pickle Min. full sun: 8-12 hours Direct seed cucumbers ½ inch deep when soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees. For an early crop, start indoors 1 week before last frost date; transplant out when plants are 3 weeks old. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Ideal temperature is between 70-90 F. Cucumbers need moist, rich soil. Shade is beneficial in the hottest weather of summer. Trellis cukes to save space and make weeding, mulching and harvesting easier. Harvest frequently to maintain production. Cucumbers will peak quickly and die, so it is best to succession plant cucumbers every two weeks until late summer. Radishes are a great companion plant for cucumbers. A layer of mulch will retain moisture and suppress weeds. |
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a) Boston Pickling An old heirloom dating back to 1880. Vigorous vines give large yields of smooth green fruit. It is excellent for pickles; very crisp and good quality. A very popular variety at the turn of the 20th century. |
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Family: Cucurbitaceae Type: Monoecious, slicing cucumber Native: Southern Asia Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Plant Dimensions: 4'–6' vines Variety Info: 6"–8" long, 1 ½"–2" thick fruits with dark green, smooth, medium weight skin. 'Marketmore' was developed at Cornell University and introduced in 1968. Plants are resistant to cucumber mosaic virus. Days to Emerge: 5–10 days Seed Depth: ½" Plant Spacing: 12"
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| 11 Eggplant (Start seedlings on February 18. April 10/24 update: Growing, gonna be a while till there's fruit) Sprouts in 10-15 days Ideal temp: 75-95 F Seed depth: 1/4" Plant spacing 18" Min. full sun: 8-12 hours |
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a) Chinese String Our favorite eggplant is so long and skinny that the Chinese named it after a piece of string! This is the most slender, tender and best-tasting variety we have grown! This marvelous eggplant is so sweet it is even delicious raw in salads, and this buttery, tender East China variety is our top choice for doing just that! Very high-yielding plants produce profusions of 10- to 15-inch long fruit with lavender-violet skin and snowy white flesh. A superior choice for sautéing, grilling, and more! Fire up the wok and make the best pan of Chinese eggplant you will ever taste! Eggplant has an ancient history in China, where it is used for food and medicine. This is a masterpiece of thousands of years of eggplant selection from this amazing land. We grow these almost year-round in our greenhouses and outdoors in the warmer months They are super quick to mature. We cook the new baby fruit whole like green beans, only these are better!
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| 12 Garlic (Started cloves in mid-December) Garlic is usually considered an herb along withmost of the members of the Allium family but we are planting garlic in raised beds, not pots, so we will place it here with the vegetables. |
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  Garlic is organic from Whole Foods |
Went into raised bed 4 on January 7th, 2024Planted another six on January 9th, 20243/1/24 update: Garlic is growing great !! 
Those are onions intermixed with them. April 10/24 update: Getting bigger. |
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| 13 Leek (Start seedlings on January 21. COMPLETE FAILURE !!) 75 days Sprouts in 15-20 days Ideal temp: 60-85 F Seed depth: 1/4" Plant spacing 6" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Leek is a hardy cool-season biennial that prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soils. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep, 3-4 inches apart in the row, and 8-16 inches between rows. Side dress leeks with nitrogen (21-0-0) in mid-May and late June to ensure good growth and high yields. Leeks require regular watering, so maintain soils near field capacity. Water stress will reduce yields and plant size. Leeks may be harvested and used when larger than one inch in diameter Sow seeds ½ inch in pots at least six inches deep. This is crucial; do not sow in shallow pots. Seeds don't need a lot of heat or light to germinate. Temperatures of 60-65 F are best. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Harden off plants outside once soil can be worked in spring. Dig a trench 6 inches deep and place seedlings 6 inches apart in a row at the bottom of the trench. As the leeks grow, gradually fill in the trench; this is called blanching and it will keep the “stems” white and tender.
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Family: Alliaceae Native: Eastern Mediterranean region Hardiness: Biennial grown as an annual Plant Dimensions: 18"–30" tall. Under optimal growing conditions, the white part of 'King Richard' can be 12" long, making the entire plant up to 30" long. Variety Info: Leek plants resemble a long, fat green onion. The white lower portion has a mild onion flavor while the green tops are stronger tasting. Cold hardy to 20°F. Days to Emerge: 7–14 days Seed Depth: ¼ Plant Spacing: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 6" Row Spacing: 12"
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| 14 Lettuce (Started millions of seedlings in December. They are fantastic. They are growing like wildfire.)
Baker Creek Seeds: Sprouts in 7-10 days Ideal temp: 50-75 F Seed depth: 1/4 inch Plant spacing 8" Min. full sun: 4-8 hours Botanical Interests Seeds: Sprouts in 5-10 days Ideal temp: 60-70 F Seed depth: 1/8th inch Plant spacing 8" Maturation days in specific varieties You can seed densely for loose leaf varieties and thin to 4 inches per plant; for heading types, space plants about 8-12 inches apart. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep. Ideal germination temp is 60-80 F. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days. Apply ¼ cup of a nitrogen based fertilizer (21-0-0) per 10 foot of row 4 weeks after transplanting or at thinning to encourage rapid plant growth. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. Summer’s heat and drought are the most common enemies of a successful lettuce crop. Try to grow in a shady location or under shade cloth to keep greens cool. Slugs can be an issue with lettuce. |
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a) Buttercrunch - WINNER! Buttercrunch set the standard for classic butterhead type lettuce for many years. Soft, buttery-textured leaves enclose a crisp, juicy, loose inner head of blanched, sweet-tasting leaves. Very heat tolerant and slow to bolt, Buttercrunch stays mild long after others have turned bitter. Developed by George Raleigh, Cornell University, and an All America Selection for 1963.
Have 6 seedlings in pots as of 1/10/24 |
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b) Crisphead Great Lakes 118 - 68-82 days - GREW WELL BUT NOT THAT DELICIOUS No other lettuce type provides the incredible, cool crunch of crisphead (also called iceberg). 'Great Lakes 118' is a 1960s improvement over the original 'Great Lakes'; heat tolerant, and bolt resistant. Toss it in with your salad mixes or top your sandwiches to liven them up. Days to Maturity: 68–82 days Family: Asteraceae Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual Plant Dimensions: 6" diameter Variety Info: Very compact, round heads with green outer leaves and a blanched center. Heat tolerant, and bolt, scald, and tip burn resistant. Bred to be larger and firmer than the crisphead lettuces developed earlier in Europe, known as Batavia or summercrisp types. |
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c) Landis Winter- WINNER! Roughwood Seed Collection acquired this dark green classic Pennsylvania Dutch winter lettuce in 1994 from the well-known lettuce collector Mary Schultz of Monroe, Washington. A Pennsylvania Dutch selection of the now-extinct late 1700s variety known as White Tennisball, this is one of the hardiest, most frost-resistant lettuces we have ever grown. It even survived the Polar Vortex during the severe winter of 2013-2014. Each head reaches 11 to 12 inches in diameter with a loose butterhead appearance. Plant 14 inches apart in early September for salad greens through December and January. Have 18 seedlings in little pots as of 1/10/24. |
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d) Merlot - Start seedlings on January 14- WINNER! Reputed to be absolutely the darkest red lettuce in existence, which should make it tops for anthocyanin (antioxidant) content as well! Leaf lettuce with wavy to frilly leaf margins and very crisp, waxy leaves! Excellent bolt resistance, and good cold tolerance for a late fall to winter crop. Recommended as a cutting type for baby greens production or cut-and-come-again harvesting. We feel, along with our friend William Woys Weaver, that this variety is destined to become a classic, and it certainly deserves it! A rich source of potassium and vitamin A.
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e) Merveille Des Quatres Saisons- WINNER!
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f) Outredgeous- WINNER!
13 seedlings in pots on 1/11/24 |
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g) Red Sails - 20-45 days- WINNER! A favorite to use as baby greens, 'Red Sails' is ready to harvest after just 2 or 3 weeks and grows to a full head in just over 6 weeks. Very heat tolerant, the soft buttery leaves will grow well into warm weather without getting bitter. Contains more vitamins A and C than grocery-store lettuce! Attractive container variety, too. An All-America selections winner. Days to Maturity: 20 –45 days Family: Asteraceae Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual Plant Dimensions: 10"–12" tall and wide Variety Info: Light green, crinkled leaves turn to deep red-bronze on the frilly edges. When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed. Days to Emerge: 5–10 days Seed Depth: Surface to ⅛" Plant Spacing: 10"
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h) Rouge d' Hiver- WINNER! This wonderful French heirloom from the 1800s has been pleasing gardeners with its rich, buttery flavor for more than a century. Compact, 12" tall head with a tender green heart surrounded by bronze-red leaves. The name fittingly translates to "Red Winter", as it is cold tolerant and resists tip burn. Ideal for fall planting. Days to Maturity: 20–65 days Family: Asteraceae Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual Plant Dimensions: 6"–10" tall, 8"–10"wide Variety Info: Upright heads have bronze-red leaves and a green heart; develops best color in cool weather. 'Rouge d´Hiver' is a compact lettuce; a French heirloom from the 1800s. |
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i) Lollo Lollo Rossa - GREW WELL BUT NOT THAT DELICIOUS |
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j) Gourmet Salad Blend - GREW WELL BUT NOT THAT DELICIOUS |
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k) Yedikule - GREW WELL BUT NOT THAT DELICIOUS The ancient ‘greasy’ lettuce of historic Constantinople, it is excellent for salads and grilling. Ancient variety that has been grown by urban farmers near modern-day Istanbul, Turkey, for the past 1,500 years. This variety has been cultivated for centuries in Istanbul’s famous urban gardens, called Bostanlar. These ancient gardens are now threatened by urban sprawl; thankfully, there has been a resurgence of attention from local seed savers to keep this variety from going extinct. This variety has been recognized by the Ark of Taste as a beloved culinary symbol of the historic gardens. A romaine type with long leaves, a crisp center and white seeds. Locals report that the incredible flavor and tender leaves are so juicy and high in natural oils that there is no need for dressing. Thanks to Kate Jantz-Koprivnik for bringing this variety to our attention and for working so hard to grow us seeds. We are delighted to offer this culturally important and highly gourmet variety!
Have 16 seedlings in little pots as of 1/10/24. |
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| 15 Melon (Started seedlings on March 3. APRIL 10, 2024 update: Going into the ground on April 14th) 75 days Sprouts in 7-14 Days Ideal Temperature: 75-90 Degrees F Seed Depth: 1/2 inch Plant Spacing: 18" Melons are fruits, not vegetables but I have too many pages in this document already so here they will be. Melons prefer slightly sandy, very rich, well-drained soil. Be careful not to over water vines, especially as fruit is approaching maturity. |
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a) Kajari
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b) Model Crisp, juicy texture and electrifying green flesh; the sugary flavor is amazing! The green orb-shaped fruit is lightly netted. The green flesh is thick, very aromatic and sweet. This uniform and pleasingly perfect heirloom variety is one of the finest flavored that we have tried, always winning our hearts at annual melon tasting trials. Hailing from Poland, these melons are about two to three pounds each. Extra fancy looking!
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| 16 Onion (Started seedlings in December) Baker Creek Seeds: Sprouts in 7-14 days Ideal temp: 45-80 F Seed depth: 1/4 inch Plant spacing 5" Min. full sun: 6-12 hours Botanical Interests Seeds: See specific varieties Johnny's Seeds: See specific varieties Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep in rows 8-16 inches apart. Seeds germ in 7-14 days. Seeds, sets or transplants should be planted 3-4 inches apart in the row. If planted at closer spacing, thin to the suggested spacing and use the pulled plants as green onions. Side-dress onions with nitrogen in May and June to ensure good growth and high yields. Onions require regular watering, so keep soils moist. Water stress will reduce yields and bulb size. Organic mulches help conserve water, supply extra nutrients and reduce weed growth. Control weeds, insects and diseases throughout the year. Harvest onions when the tops fall over and papery skins have formed. Bulbs store best in cold, dry conditions to maintain best quality. Onions need additional nitrogen fertilizer to produce optimum yields. Side-dress onions with ½ pounds of nitrogen fertilizer (21-0-0) per 100 square feet in mid-May and again in late June. Do not fertilize after mid-July as extra nitrogen stimulates late season leaf growth and reduces storage potential of dry onions. Onions prefer cool temps (60 F is ideal), and they will start out slowly. Set out acclimated, stocky seedlings 4-6 weeks before the last frost of spring. Plant onions in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Space 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Consider planting onions with cabbage relatives; i.e., cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and radishes. The sulfur from the onions may help deter pests.
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a) Matador Shallots - Started seedlings on January 14. They failed. Restarted 5 seeds on February 11th. |
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b) Texas Early Grano This sweet, white short day onion has been proudly grown in the Lone Star State since 1944. The Grano onion was originally introduced to the U.S. in 1925 from Valencia, Spain. In the 1930s the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station began an onion breeding program; the Grano was trialled and selected for early maturation and extra-sweet flavor, and thus the Texas Early Grano was born. These extra-sweet and early Vidalia-type onions have a thin skin and supremely mild flavor, so sweet they can be eaten like an apple! SLOW TO GROW |
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d) Unzen Flat SLOW TO GROW |
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e) Walla Walla |
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f) Zebrune Shallot Cuisse de Poulet du Poitou Is a gorgeous heirloom French eschalion or “banana” type shallot yields plump, long, torpedo-shaped bulbs. Bulbs are brown tinged with pink. The flesh is very mild and sweet, and large yields may be had starting the first year from an early planting. Excellent keeping quality makes these gourmet shallots useful over a very long season! 6-12 hours of Sun
SLOW TO GROW |
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17 Peas (Started seedlings in December. 4/10/24 update: Been eating mostly purple peas for a couple of weeks now)
Peas require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil for maximum yield. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. When soils are above 40ºF, space rows 12-24 inches apart and plant seeds ½-1 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart in the row. Plant peas until April 1 in warm areas and until May 1 in the cooler areas of Utah. Peas require regular watering particularly at flowering, so maintain soils near field capacity during this time period. Hot temperatures and water stress will reduce yields and pod quality. Organic mulches help conserve water, supply extra nutrients, and reduce weeding. Control insects and diseases if they occur. Harvest snap peas when pods are plump and garden peas when the pods are full but before seeds mature. For dry peas wait until pods are yellow and the seeds are dry. Use fresh peas immediately for best quality. Peas require regular watering throughout growth for best production. Soils should be allowed to dry until half of the available water is used before re-watering to field capacity. Do not over water as wet soil promotes root rot diseases and slows plant growth. Water needs are most critical after flowering. Drought stress will decrease yield due to pod abortion and reduce seed size, increase pod stringiness, and alter seed quality. Watering amounts depend on soil type and organic matter content. Sow seeds directly in the garden four to six weeks before the last frost date in spring. For fall planting, seed directly in the ground 60 days before first fall frost. (If your area stays above 75 F into fall, you may not have a successful crop, and it is probably best to just plant in spring.) Ideal germination temperature is 45-80 F. Seeds germinate in 10-30 days. Peas thrive in cool weather. A trellis is essential to keep vining-type plants from trailing along the ground. Bush (dwarf) types do not grow so tall and, planted in blocks, hold each other up without need of additional support. Peas do not require additional fertilizer if a fertilizer or compost was applied at planting. Adding more nitrogen will over-stimulate leaf growth, delay flowering and reduce pod set. Peas fix nitrogen from the air via soil bacteria attached to the plant roots.
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a) Lillian’s Caseload One of the best-tasting peas we have ever tried. This superior variety was saved by a Mennonite farmer named Lillian. It is not an old, storied heirloom of antiquity, but rather a discontinued commercial variety that this family did not want to see disappear. Lillian explained that she grew Caseload peas from Johnny’s Seeds and loved the variety. When the company discontinued the Caseload pea, Lillian tracked down some seeds to save. After almost two decades of seed saving, the variety has developed unique characteristics making it different from the original Caseload pea. Vines reach
3/1/24 update: Growing taller. Not flowering yet. 4/10/24: Not that many peas so far but tasty. |
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b) King Tut Purple A very rare and amazing garden pea! One of the most historical peas known, this particular variety is said to have been taken from the tomb of famed Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, or King Tut. The story is, his servants planted and harvested these peas to help provide for his afterlife. Though some claim to have debunked the story, Lynn McKee’s family tradition asserts that her father received the seeds found in the boy King’s tomb, where they had been undisturbed for nearly 5,000 years until Howard Carter found the tomb on Nov. 4, 1922. From there, as the legend goes, the seeds were taken to England where they were propagated and shared with friends. “The conditions within Egyptian pyramids are very dry and would permit seed longevity in certain species to extend to thousands of years,” one document said. Some claim, though, it is likely the seeds originated in early 20th century English gardens. The Fortean Times says “It is sometimes said that Tutankhamun’s Pea originated on the country estate of Lord Carnarvon, who financed Howard Carter’s search for King Tut’s resting place and was subsequently named in honor of Carnarvon’s claim to fame, rather than the plant’s origin.” As an interesting turn to the story, we located the seed and found the story from Japanese seed collectors during our travels there. Stunning fuschia purple flowers give way to tasty, fat purple pods on strong and vigorous plants that love cool weather. This variety has proven highly productive and makes a delicious soup pea, or pick it young as a purple snow pea. Try this piece of living history in your garden! A wonderful source of healthy, plant-based proteins to keep a body strong! 4/10/24 update: Lots of purple peas. Quite tasty. |
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| 18 Peppers (Start seedlings on February 18.) 65-100 days Sprouts in 7-14 days Ideal temp: 70-95 F Seed depth: 1/4" Plant spacing: big pots Min. full sun: 8-12 hours Start seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Provide a heat mat to encourage germination. Grow them under good light or in full sun. In good temps (80- 85 F) seeds sprout promptly. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days. Allow 8-10 weeks to grow transplants. Transplants should have 6-9 mature leaves and a welldeveloped root system before planting. Germinate seeds at 80ºF until the seed root emerges, then transfer seeds to sterile seeding mix and grow out at 65-75ºF. Adequate light is essential to produce quality transplants. Cool fluorescent tubes 2-3 inches above the plants, lit for 14–16 hours per day will ensure plants grow big and healthy. Water regularly and feed weekly with half strength soluble complete fertilizer before planting into the garden. Transplants mature about 4 weeks before seeded peppers. Side dress with additional nitrogen fertilizer to help grow a large plant. Irrigation should be deep and infrequent. Plastic and organic mulches help conserve water and reduce weeding. Do not apply organic mulches until soils have warmed to 75ºF. Control insect and diseases throughout the year. Harvest peppers when the fruits are fully colored but still firm. At the end of the season, gather all mature green and slightly colored fruits and store at 55ºF Avoid over-fertilizing peppers which encourages excessive foliage growth and delays fruit set and maturity. Side dress each plant with 1/4 tablespoon of (21-0-0) fertilizer, 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plant and irrigate it into the soil.
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a) Aji Cachucha Sweet This is the beloved pepper also known as Aji Dulce that is so popular in the Caribbean and part of Latin America. Pods are reminiscent of Scotch Bonnet, but only in shape -- the heat level is super mild, just about 500-1,000 Scoville units, which is much more mild than a habanero. This sweet-fleshed pepper is essential for so many dishes, from sofrito to bean dishes, soups and even just as a raw snack. It is exceptionally versatile and appreciated for its incredible flavor.
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b) Datil BURSTING with fruity, hot goodness! Perfect for spicy salsas, sauces, and fabulous jellies! The renowned pepper originating from St. Augustine, Florida. Local legend says the peppers were brought there from Spain, where they do enjoy a following in Minorca. However, they may also have originated in Chile. Blazing hot, blunt little 3.5-inch fruit ripens to a brilliant orange yellow. The heat is vicious, being comparable to habanero types, but the flavor is more complex, sweeter, and more fruity.
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c) Mini Bell Mix (sweet) This colorful mix of dainty bell peppers is an old Ohio family heirloom. This trio of mini red, yellow and chocolate bell peppers was introduced to the Seed Savers Exchange by member Lucina Cress. Lucina received the seeds from an elderly neighbor woman and began to grow them out. The 2-inch mini bell peppers became locally famous, as Lucina would sell hundreds of jars of cabbage-stuffed pickled peppers at her local church bazaar each year. We love these little peppers for snacking, stuffing or pickling. Plants produce an abundance of tiny colorful orbs, easy to grow and so rewarding.
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d) Baron (F1) Poblano Pepper Seed (ancho) This widely adapted pepper performs particularly well under challenging conditions. The fruits are very large, avg. 5" x 3", and are typically 2-lobed, which makes them easy to stuff and cook in their signature dish, chile rellenos. They also may be dried and ground into medium-hot powder or flakes. 65 days to green; 85 to red ripe
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e) Santo Domingo (F1) Serrano Pepper Seed (Similar to Altiplano) Santo Domingo has a bigger plant than Altiplano and yields over a longer period of time. Fruit averages 4 1/2–5" long. The larger fruit size makes harvest faster than the traditional, shorter-fruit types. Standard serrano flavor and pungency. |
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19 Radish (Started seedlings in December)
Apply ¼ cup per 10 foot of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer 3-4 weeks after emergence to encourage rapid plant growth. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. Sow 2-3 radish seeds in cucumber hills to protect the plants from cucumber beetles. You can let the radishes continue to grow throughout the season and even flower, which will attract pollinators. Plant radishes next to spinach. They will draw leafminers to their leaves, which won't affect the radish roots.
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a) De 18 Jours Old French variety gives unbelievably rapid yields! The name translates as “of eighteen days,” and this radish will yield roots in 18 days under ideal conditions! Round to cylindrical roots are red with white tips; flesh is crisp and juicy. A French breakfast type, often grown under glass for off-season production.
3/1/24 update: pulled the last of them out of the ground today. Delicious ! |
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b) Japanese Wasabi The unmistakably pungent flavor of wasabi can clear the sinuses and invigorate the palate. The energizing flavor found in plants like true wasabi and horseradish root can also be found in the Japanese Wasabi radish. This Daikon type radish packs a wallop of tingling wasabi heat, making it a much easier to grow substitute for the famously finicky true wasabi root. If grown in the fall/winter, the flavor tends to be mild and sweet, but when grown in the spring/summer season it develops heat! We love to add the peppery flavor to everything, from grated atop stir fries and sandwiches to sliced paper thin to enhance a salad or your favorite Asian recipe.
3/1/24 update: These have been confusing. They are growing; should be interesting when they mature. KIND OF A FAILURE |
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| 20 Spinach (Started seedlings in December) Sprouts in 7-14 days Ideal temp: 45-75 F Seed depth: 1/2 inch Plant spacing 7" Min. full sun: 3-10 hours Spinach is a cool-season vegetable that prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant seeds ½ inch deep, 2-3 weeks before the last frost in the spring. Thin seedlings or transplant spinach to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12 inches apart. Spinach tastes best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the heat of summer. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. Harvest spinach when the leaves reach full size. Spinach seed can be sown after soils reach 40 degrees F. Seeds germinate best at 55-65 degrees F and require 7-10 days to emerge. Temperatures above 80°F reduce seed germination. Seeds should be planted ½ inch deep. Thin stands when plants have 3-4 true leaves. Plants removed at thinning can be transplanted to adjacent areas if some roots are maintained. Thinned plants can also be eaten. Transplants should have 4-6 mature leaves and a well-developed root system before planting out. Generally 5-6 weeks are required to grow transplants to this size. Seeded or transplanted spinach should be spaced 3 inches between plants in the row with rows 12 inches apart. Dense plantings will reduce weed pressure. Spinach grows best when temperatures do not exceed 75°F. Apply ¼ cup per 10 foot of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or at thinning to encourage rapid plant growth. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. High summer temps reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause the plants to flower and the leaves to develop bitter or off-flavors. For fall spinach, select early maturing cultivars and plant 50-75 days before the anticipated maturity date. Plants can be left in the garden after light frosts. Spinach will easily over-winter for an early spring crop if the plant has 4-5 true leaves formed late in the year. When over-wintering spinach, mulch the plants heavily and remove the mulch after the snow melts in the spring. Water spinach regularly. Mulch around the plant also helps conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Moisture fluctuations will cause leaves to become tough, slow leaf development, and contribute to off-flavors. Try to keep water off the leaves in the evening. |
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a) Bloomsdale
5 seedlings in the ground on 1/11/24 3/1/24 update: Lots of them and thriving. |
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b) Merlo Nero A fine-flavored Italian spinach that has dark-green, savoyed leaves. This productive variety is fairly early. Rare in the U.S.
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c) Monstrueux Big leaves to 10 inches long, smooth and deep green in color. Very fast growing plants are popular for fall planting. A gourmet French heirloom that was developed prior to 1866.
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| 21 Squash (Start seedlings on February 18, in the ground on March 1st) Sprouts in 5-10 days Ideal temp: 70-95F Seed depth: 1/2 - 1 inch Plant spacing 18" Min. full sun: 8-12 hours Plant in spring or early summer; harvest in fall before a hard frost. You can direct seed or start squash indoors; just be extra careful not to let plants become pot bound! All cucurbits will not tolerate outgrowing their pots; it will stunt their growth. Sow seeds or put out transplants about one to two weeks after the chance of frost has passed, as these plants absolutely cannot handle frost. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep. Germination temperature is 70-95 F. Seeds germinate in 5-10 days. Squash plants like rich, well-drained soil and plenty of sun. If you have limited garden space, be sure to choose bush type squash varieties; otherwise you will have a trailing vine that may crowd other plants. There is,however, a major bonus to growing vine types: They are much more resistant to the squash vine borer than are bush types. Transplant summer squash 2 feet apart through black plastic for early maturity. Use row covers or hot caps to protect the plants when planting before the frost-free period. Plant winter squash at same time as pumpkins. After the vines develop runners, side dress with additional nitrogen fertilizer. Irrigation should be deep and infrequent. Plastic and organic mulches help conserve water and reduce weeding; however, do not apply organic mulches until soils have warmed to 75°F. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. Harvest summer squash shortly after they flower Sow seeds one foot apart in rows, and vining types should be grown in rows six to 10 feet apart. When plants get to be about 6 inches tall, you can thin to two to three feet apart in the rows. It can be very tricky to weed around mature plants without disturbing the delicate vines, so weed often when plants are young. As they get older, their massive leaves will help reduce weeds. Winter squash are left on the vine to harden and have a long storage life. Harvest summer squash frequently. After the vines develop runners, side dress each plant with 3-4 tablespoons of a nitrogen fertilizer (21-0-0), sprinkled around the plant, then water in the fertilizer. |
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a) White Scallop A very ancient Native American heirloom squash, grown by the Northern tribes for hundreds of years. This type was depicted by Europeans back to 1591, and is one of the best-tasting and highest-yielding varieties still around today! Great fried or baked. Flat fruit with scalloped edges--beautiful!
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| 21.5 Swiss Chard (Started seedlings in mid-December)
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| Old, old seed sprouted and in pot on 1/11/24 | |||
| 22 Tomatillo (Start seedlings on February 18) Sprouts in 7-14 days Ideal temp: 75-95 F Seed depth: 1/8 inch Plant spacing : Big pots Min. full sun: 8-12 hours Tomatillos grow 3-4 feet tall and wide and rarely suffer from disease or pest damage. Plants can be started indoors, 6-8 weeks before planting date. They are semi-drought tolerant, requiring 1-2 inches of water per week. Plant at least two tomatillo plants to achieve proper fertilization for fruit production. Allow six to eight weeks to grow transplants. Plants should have five to seven leaves and a well-developed root system before planting. Germinate seeds at 80°F until the seed root emerges, then plant to sterile seeding mix and grow out at 65-70°F. Good light is essential to produce quality transplants. Cool white fluorescent tubes, 2-3 inches above the plants, lit for 14-16 hours per day, will ensure plants grow big and healthy. Water regularly and feed weekly with half-strength, soluble, complete fertilizer before planting into the garden. Transplants mature four to five weeks before seeded tomatillos. Avoid over-fertilizing tomatillos, which causes excess leaf growth and delays fruit set and maturity. Side dress each plant with 1 tablespoon of (21-0-0) fertilizer, sprinkled around the plants at four and eight weeks after transplanting, then water in the fertilizer. Start seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost. Using a heat mat helps to warm the soil and speed germination. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Seeds germinate at 75-95 F. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep. Grown much like a tomato, but it is a lighter feeder. In order for the tomatillo flowers to set fruit, you must grow at least two tomatillo plants. Tomatillos like fun sun and rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. They are moderately drought tolerant but do best with an inch or so of water a week. Like tomatoes, tomatillos should be planted deeply, as they produce roots all along the stems. Set plants about three feet apart, giving them plenty of room to spread out. They will grow to be 3 to 4 feet tall. Plants should begin producing fruit in about 75 to 100 days. They are incredibly prolific and fruit nonstop until killed by frost. |
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a) Toma Verde
Early maturing, large, flat-round green fruits. Use in salsa or Mexican cooking. Grow as tomato ! |
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23 Tomatoes(Start seedlings on February 18) A couple of days before transplanting seedlings, shower them with an aspirin spray to give the seedlings an immunity boost to avoid transplant shock before they go in the garden. Dissolve a regular-strength, uncoated aspirin tablet (325 mg) in a gallon-size sprayer or watering can and thoroughly spray all the leaves, making sure to get the undersides. Dig a generous amount of well-rotted manure into the top 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.) of soil at planting time. Manure is nutrient-rich but low in phosphorus, so add bone meal along with the poop. Toss in a fish head and a couple more aspirins. Any seafood will do, fresh or frozen, but heads are the coolest. Toss in a banana skin, then add about a half-cup of fertilizer specially formulated for tomatoes or vegetables and about a quarter-cup of bone meal. Cover with soil and water it. Pinch off the bottom two or three sets of leaves and bury the plant 8-12 inches deep where the next set of leaves is. Bury them as deep as you can; the deeper it is the more roots it will grow. Water it in well, maybe a gallon or so. From now on, only water when the top 3 or 4 inches are dry, then water deep. Three or four weeks after planting side-dress plants with fertilizer. Side-dressing: Use a water-soluble fertilizer for tomatoes grown in containers. Mix the fertilizer in a watering can at a rate of about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) per gallon. Apply every ten days or so throughout the season. Avoid applying it during very hot or very dry conditions. Barely cover the seeds and germinate on a heating mat under a humidity dome. Once sprouts appear, remove the dome. They require good light to grow well. That's where the LED units come in. They'll need 5-8 weeks for the seedlings to grow big enough to transplant. They may need to be fed once or twice to make good growth prior to transplanting. Tomatoes need plenty of warm weather and a long growing season. 2.5-3 months after. Avoid over-fertilizing tomatoes which causes excess leaf growth and delays fruit set and maturity. Side dress each plant with 1/2 tablespoon of (21-0-0) fertilizer, sprinkled around the plants at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting, then water in the fertilizer. Plant them with chili peppers, marigolds, borage, chives, nasturtiums, basil, calendula, sage, onions and garlic. If you find a hornworm that appears to have grains of white rice glued to its sides, it’s been parasitized, and that means the beneficial Braconid wasps have arrived to the rescue! Leave this hornworm in place as a nursery, and when the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae will eat the hornworm.
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a) Alice's Dream A super beautiful beefsteak tomato, bursting with antioxidants and an incredible depth of flavor. This medium/large beefsteak is golden yellow with red striping and a blue blush. We love this productive and anthocyanin rich variety.
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b) Amish Paste Many seed savers believe this is the ultimate paste tomato. Giant, blocky, Roma type tomatoes have delicious red flesh that is perfect for paste and canning. It has world-class flavor.
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c) Berkeley Tie Dye Incredibly colorful and delicious large-fruited slicing variety! Fruit runs 8 to 16 ounces. Exterior color is green with stripes in red and yellow. But the flesh is truly tri-color! Creamy green flesh infused with various shades of red and yellow. Each of these colors has a different flavor resulting in a spicy, sweet, tart tomato with good acid all in one fruit. Discovered in a planting of Beauty King. Fair to good production. A truly incredible new open-pollinated variety, and a new favorite of many chefs.
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d) Black Beauty The darkest tomato we know! A dark, meaty, very rich-fleshed tomato with extreme anthocyanin expression (same antioxidant in blueberries and blackberries). So dark that some tomatoes turn solid blue-black on the skin. Deep red flesh is among the best tasting of all tomatoes. Rich, smooth and savory with earthy tones. Hangs well on the vine and stores very well, and the flavor improves with room-temperature storage. Some proclaim it as the BEST tomato they have ever eaten!
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e) Brad's Atomic Grape Our Favorite tomato! Large, elongated cherries in clusters. The color (and flavor!) is a full-blown assault on the senses—lavender and purple stripes, that turn to Technicolor olive-green, red, and brown/blue stripes when fully ripe. Really wild! Fruit holds well on the vine or off, making this amazing variety a good candidate for market growers. Olive green interior is blushed with red when dead-ripe. Crack-resistant fruit is extraordinarily sweet! Wispy foliage looks delicate but belies these plants’ rugged constitution and high productivity. These range some in size from a large grape to plum-sized. AMAZING!
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f) Geronimo Greenhouse tomatoes ... good luck! (F1) Tomato Seed Good flavor and mildew tolerance. Firm, 8-10 oz. fruit is produced on vigorous plants with good balance. A perennial yield leader, Geronimo has stood up well to powdery mildew pressure in our high tunnel trials. Indeterminate. Fusarium Wilt races 1, 2 (High) |
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g) Moskvich Moskvich' translates to "inhabitant of Moscow", paying homage to the area where it was bred in the early 1970s (more information inside packet). After a winter without homegrown tomatoes, it will be the first one you will harvest, as it withstands cool weather. At the end of the hot summer when temperatures cool off, it is the last to slow down in production of full-size, garden-fresh fruit. Days to Maturity: 75–80 days from transplanting Family: Solanaceae Type: Indeterminate, Slicer Native: Andes Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Plant Dimensions: Vines up to 6' or longer Variety Info: Globe-shaped, 4–6 oz. fruits are deep red. Plants are more cold tolerant than other tomato varieties. 'Moskvich' is an indeterminate type tomato developed in the early 1970s at the Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry near St. Petersburg, Russia. Attributes: Cold Tolerant |
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h) Principe Borghese Famous for sun drying. Small 1-to 2-oz, grape-shaped fruit is very dry and has few seeds. It has a rich tomato taste that is wonderful for sauces. Vines yield clusters of fruit in abundance, perfect for selling in fresh markets and making specialty products. We offer pure Italian seed.
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i) Italian Roma (bush) An absolutely excellent heirloom tomato—firm, meaty, 3" oblong fruits with few seeds, on compact vines that are very productive. As a determinate type, most of the fruits ripen at the same time, which makes this tomato a good choice for canning. In areas with a long growing season, a second planting will double your harvest! Days to Maturity: 80 days from transplanting Family: Solanaceae Type: Determinate, Paste, Slicer Native: Andes Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual Plant Dimensions: About 36" tall, 18" wide Variety Info: 3" x 1 ½", 5-6 oz. oblong, red fruits with few seeds. Italian 'Roma' is a determinate type tomato. |
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j) Sart Roloise Amazing Color, Supreme Flavor! These gorgeous globes have the lustre and stunning color of a stained glass masterpiece. Its beauty is only outmatched by its flavor! The Sart Roloise tomato is bursting with sweet, fruity and complex flavor with just the right acidity, owing its tropical flavor profile to its parentage. It is a cross of the White Wonder tomato, which lends pineapple sweet notes, and the Baby Blue tomato, which explains the deep indigo blue brushstrokes on the shoulders! This variety was bred by Roland Boulanger, Sart Eustache, Belgium. This is a large beefsteak type. The big, beautiful fruit averages 10-20 ounces each, with the most captivating color and sheen, making it a must have for market gardeners, chefs and anyone who loves a gourmet flavored tomato with pizazz.
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k) Spoon Micro mini fruit, just the size of a tiny pea, and said to be the world’s tiniest tomato! A delightful edible ornamental, the tiny, fire engine-red fruit is arranged beautifully along super long trusses. What Spoon lacks in size, it makes up in flavor. This variety packs tons of bold classic red, tangy tomato flavor, which is another reason why it is a kid favorite! Spoon tomatoes pop in your mouth when you bite into them; they are a joy to eat and grow.
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l) Tomimaru Muchoo Greenhouse tomatoes ... good luck! (F1) Tomato Seed Asian-type pink greenhouse slicer. Pink tomatoes are preferred in Asia for their sweet, less acidic flavor profile. This Japanese-style, 6–8 oz. slicer exemplifies pink tomato flavor, and has an appealing, medium-firm texture. Vigorous plants with a broad disease resistance package for indoor growing. Indeterminate. Fusarium Crown and Root Rot (High) |
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