Seed Library at Milwaukee Area Technical College: Seed Inventory

BE-56 Burpee’s Stringless Bean

Item Details: Introduced in 1894 by W. Atlee Burpee who obtained its stock seed from N. B. Keeney & Son of Genesee County, NY. Burpee proclaimed it the only totally stringless green podded bean. Produces pods that are 5" long.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1”
Direct Seed: 2" Apart
Spacing Between Rows: 36-48"
Days to Maturity: 46-50
Pod Length at Maturity: 5”
Support: Trellis, tepee, or fencing

BE-01 Calypso Bean

Item Details: (aka Yin Yang) Originally from the Caribbean. One of the best for baking and soups. Round black and white seeds with contrasting eye borne heavily on strong 15" plants. Averages 4-5 seeds per pod. Adapts well to all types of production areas.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest dry beans when the pods are completely mature and dry.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1”
Direct Seed: 2" Apart
Spacing Between Rows: 36-48"
Days to Maturity: 70-90
Plant Height at Maturity: 15”
Support: Trellis, tepee, or fencing

BE-41 Climbing French Bean

Item Details: Seed Savers staff favorite. Pole habit. Snap bean. The beans of this historic variety are excellent for fresh eating—especially when picked young and tender—and its vines bear beautiful lilac flowers. Sweet and flavorful off the vine (kids love them!), the snappy, green pods cradle shiny, dark-purple seeds when mature. Ever popular, it was once the most widely grown French climbing bean in England, according to The Beans of New York (1931).

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Harvest frequently for increased yields.

Sun Preference: Full
Planting Depth: 1”
Spacing: 2"
Days to Maturity: 65-75
Length at Maturity: 4-7"
Support: Trellis, tepee, or fencing

BE-61 Soybean - Donated by Victoria

Item Details: Try steaming soybean pods, or edamame, and topping with coarse salt for a quick snack. You can also shell the edamame and add them to salads with corn, black beans, onions, and cilantro for a fresh summer salad. Adding shelled soybeans to hummus recipes make a great dip for parties and you can also puree the beans and fry them up as fritters.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed and soil and air temperatures have warmed. Soybeans can be used as edamame, fresh shell beans, or dry beans.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1”
Spacing in Row: 2"
Spacing Between Rows: 24-36"
Days to Maturity: 75-80

COL-05 Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

Item Details: This early-maturing variety is delicious eaten fresh. The conical, solid, tightly folded/held heads. An historic variety, this cabbage was first grown in the United States by Francis Brill of Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1840. Short season.

Instructions: Cabbage is easy to grow. Sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Plant out just before the last frost. Take care not to disrupt the shallow root system while transplanting and weeding. Make sure cabbage has a regular supply of water. Mulching will reduce weeds and keep moderate temperatures and even moisture in the soil. Cabbage is a heavy feeder and needs an even supply of nutrients.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-12
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing: 24-36"
Days to Maturity: 60-75 from transplant
Size at Maturity: 15” long by 7” wide
Weight: 3-4 lbs

COL-43 Amazing Cauliflower

Item Details: If you’ve had trouble growing cauliflower, try this amazing variety. It can be harvested either at the “baby head” size or when fully mature at 10-16 inches.  Brilliant white, self-blanching heads are covered by large abundant wrapper leaves that protect them from sun, heat, and cold; easy to grow in the north or south. It keeps well in the field and is heavy-bearing, so pick as needed and prepare for a large harvest. It does well in wet or clay soil too!

Instructions: Does not tolerate extreme heat. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. Regular, consistent watering is essential to maintain soil moisture, as fluctuations can cause the plant to bolt or produce undersized heads. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is crucial for developing healthy cauliflower heads​.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Ideal Temperature: 50-75 F
Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2”
Spacing in Row: 18-20"
Days to Maturity: 75
Frost Hardy: Yes

COL-24 Romanesco Cauliflower

Item Details: As beautiful in the garden as on the table, Romanesco produces stunning apple-green whorled heads with a highly refined taste and texture. Dense florets in a fractal form. Widely grown and prized in Italy, it grows exceptionally well in cool northern areas of the country.

Instructions: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Plant out just before the last frost. This brassica prefers cool temperatures and a regular supply of water. In many regions it can be grown as both a spring and fall crop.
 

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 3-10. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing: 24"
Days to Maturity: 75-100 from transplant

COL-01 Early Purple Vienna Kohlrabi

Item Details: Delicious, cabbage-flavored bulbs that grow above ground. Purple skin and sweet, white flesh; good cooked or raw. Kohlrabi makes a real staple crop with high yields; cold hardy. A pre-1860 heirloom.

Instructions: Direct sow in rich soil every 2-3 weeks from 2 weeks before the last spring frost to 2-4 weeks before the first autumn frost. Kohlrabi is particularly well-suited for fall planting, as cooler temperatures can enhance the sweetness of the bulbs​.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Ideal Temperature: 45-80 F
Days to Germination: 6-9
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Plant Spacing: 6-8"
Days to Maturity: 55
Frost Hardy: Yes

COL-07 French Breakfast Radish

Item Details: Brighten up your breakfast plate with this crisp and slightly spicy radish. Elongated and cylindrical, bi-colored red and white, with nice crunchy flesh and decent bolt resistance. While some radish varieties might be sensitive to crowding or otherwise temperamental, French Breakfast is extremely reliable, with nearly every plant in the row producing useful, well-sized roots.

Instructions: Direct sow in early May in rows spaced 10" apart. Thin small radish seedlings to 2-4" apart, depending on the variety. Keep watered, especially as the season warms up. Harvest radishes as soon as they are round, there is a small window to harvest them before they split. Store radishes without the top to keep roots firm. (Tops are enjoyable in a saute or braising mix.) Radishes are fast growing, so plant in successions to have a steady crop.

Frost Hardy: Yes
Days to Germination: 5-7
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 2-4"
Row Spacing: 10”
Length: 4-6”
Plant Height: 8”
Days to Maturity: 25

COL-42 Sora Radish

Item Details: A classic red radish with crisp, succulent roots. Sora is a reliable all-season radish, but particularly excels in hot and dry conditions when other varieties are easily stressed. High quality, uniform roots form attractive bunches and resist pithiness.

Instructions: Garden radishes are cool season, hardy annuals. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked. Thin to promote even-sized roots. Plant every 10 days for a continual supply. Harvest radishes promptly for best quality. Topped radishes store well for 3-4 weeks in refrigerator. 

Days to Germination: 5-7
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 20 seeds/ft
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 1”
Spacing Between Rows: 8"
Days to Maturity: 23
Plant Height at Maturity: 8”
Bulb Size at Maturity: 1-1.25" round

CU-24 Crystal Apple Cucumber

Item Details: (aka Apple Shaped) Organic. A prolific and sweet flavored cucumber that is round, to be shaped like an apple when mature. This historic variety was introduced by the Arthur Yates seed house of Sydney, Australia. By the 1930s, American seed houses such as FErry Morse Seed Co. offered it. Very tender creamy white skin. Unique offering for market or home gardeners.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12” diameter hills after the last frost when soil is warm. Space hills 6’ apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost for an earlier harvest. Cucumbers benefit from consistent moisture. Provide support for vines to save space.

Can Start Indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost
Planting Depth: 1”
Plant/Thin: 6-8 seeds per hill, to 3-4 plants
Spacing: 6’ apart in all directions
Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Maturity: 65

CU-49 Green Finger Cucumber

Item Details: Thin, tender skin, crisp flesh and a small seed cavity. Green Finger blew away hybrids in our trials for quality and yield. Gourmet Beit Alpha-type. Unusually durable for this type; no wrapping needed! A field or open tunnel variety bred by Cornell University; requires pollination for fruit set. Beit Alphas are similar to European/Dutch types with the same ribbed skin but smaller. A portion of the sales of this variety is paid to the breeder.

Instructions: Cucumbers are a warm season tender annual that enjoy generous amounts of organic matter and good fertilization. Start transplants 3-4 weeks before planting date. Direct seed or transplant one week after danger of frost has passed. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-85 degrees.

Sun Preference: Full sun

Days to Germination: 7-10

Planting Depth: 1/2”

Spacing: 12" in all directions

Days to Maturity: 60

Height at Maturity: 12”

Fruit Length at Maturity: 6-8"

CU-40 Marketmore 76 Cucumber

Item Details: Marketmore 76 remains the most widely-planted open-pollinated slicer in the US! Dark green fruits stay green and mild-tasting even under heat stress, while multiple disease resistances keep plants vigorous and highly productive across a long picking season. Showed good resistance to angular leaf spot and anthracnose in our trials. 

Instructions: Cucumbers can be direct seeded or transplanted one week after all danger of frost has passed. Start transplants 3-4 weeks before planting date. Plants with one or two true leaves transplant best. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 85°F. Soil temperatures below 50°F slow growth and impair water uptake by roots. Cucumbers prefer an air temperature of at least 70°F during the day, 60°F at night. Plastic mulch and row covers are commonly used for field cucumbers to increase soil and air temperature and ward off insects. Make sure to remove row covers when plants begin to flower to ensure pollination. Once plants begin to bear, it is important to harvest every day or two. Plants carrying overripe fruit will slow production.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 5-14
Planting Depth: 1/2” in 12” diameter hills
Spacing: 6’ apart in all directions
Plant/Thin: Thin to 3-4 plants per hill
Days to Maturity: 65
Length at Maturity: 8-9”

CU-02 Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber

Item Details: This Mexican and Central American species bears an abundance of 1" fruits that resemble tiny watermelons. Their initial flavor profile is that of a sweet cucumber, but is followed by a surprising “already pickled” taste, offering an interesting and spirited note. Great for growing on a trellis, this species’ fruits fall from the vines when ripe and are great for pickling with small peppers and garlic. 

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12"-diameter hills after the last frost when soil is warm. Space hills 3' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost for an earlier harvest. This species benefits from consistent moisture. Provide support for vines to save space.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Direct Seed: 1” Deep
Seeds to Hill: 6-8 
Thin: to 3-4 plants
Days to Maturity: 60-70
Plant Size at Maturity: 1-2”
Support: Trellis

CU-15 Cornfield Pumpkin Squash

Item Details: Our top choice for use as both a carving pumpkin and for fall decorations. Fruits are flattened, light-colored, thin-skinned, and weigh 12-15 pounds. Very sturdy stems rarely break off. Traditionally grown as a dual crop planted with field corn.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1”
Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds
Thin: To 3-4 Plants
Sow: Outdoors in 12” diameter hills, hills spaced 6’ apart
Days to Maturity: 90
Weight at Maturity: 12-15 lbs

CU-67 Anna Swartz Hubbard Squash

Item Details: Given to Seed Savers Exchange by Anna Swartz of Pennsylvania who originally received it 40 years earlier in the 1950s. Introduced commercially by SSE in 1999. Anna loved this variety because of its extremely hard shell and excellent storage ability. High quality flesh is the color of a sweet potato with similar flavor. Fruits weigh 5-8 pounds.

Instructions: Since squash take a long time to mature, try starting your plants indoors 3-4 weeks before planting them outside. Plant your seeds 1 inch deep in soil trays or pots and when you plant them in the garden you can use rows 4-6 feet apart instead of hills.  If you choose to directly sow your seeds in the garden, start by building up a hill of loose soil 12 inches across and plant 6-8 seeds at the top. As your plants grow, thin them to 3-4 plants per hill. These squash should be mature in about 90-100 days.    

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 5-14
Planting Depth: 1” in 12” diameter hills
Spacing: 6’ apart in all directions
Plant/Thin: 6-8 seeds per hill. Thin to 3-4 plants
Days to Maturity: 90-100

CU-04 Boston Marrow Squash

Item Details: (aka Autumnal Marrow) Once the standard early squash, available in the U.S. since at least the 1830s. Excellent table quality: flesh is thick, flaky, and free from fiber. Striking red-orange skin.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Direct Seed: 1" deep
Seeds to Hill: 6-8
Thin: to 3-4 plants
Days to Maturity: 90-110
Weight at Maturity: 10-20 lbs

CU-69 Brulee Butternut Winter Squash

Item Details: A prolific and early producer of stout, personal-sized squashes with traditional butternut color. Uniform, squat fruits have a rich and savory flavor profile, with just the right amount of sweetness. Very high yields on vigorous plants.

Instructions: Winter squash are warm season annuals that grow best in fertile, well-drained soil. Start transplants 3-4 weeks before planting date. Direct seed or transplant one week after danger of frost has passed, one row in center of bed. Can also be planted in hills of 3-5 plants in rows 3-5’ apart.

Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/2-1”
Spacing in Row: 3 seeds/ft
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 18-36”
Spacing Between Rows: 6’
Days to Maturity: 90-95
Plant Height at Maturity: 12-20”

CU-72 Little Gem Winter Squash

Item Details: A tasty, early-maturing squash that hails from South Africa and has also taken the German culinary scene by storm. Also known as roulette gem squash, or in Afrikaans, ‘skorsie.’ These softball-sized fruit can be harvested immature and eaten like zucchini, or you can allow them to mature to a delectable winter squash. The skin is extra hard, making for great storage life. 

Instructions: Direct seed, or set out transplants after last frost date. Don’t let transplants become rootbound; don’t disturb roots while transplanting. Needs rich soil. Harvest when rinds become very hard. 

Sun Preference: Full sun
Ideal Temperature: 70-95 F
Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: 1/2-1”
Plant Spacing: 18-36"
Frost Hardy: No

CU-68 Potimarron Squash

Item Details: (aka Courge Châtaigne) A small winter squash from France, inversely pear-shaped, with a flavor like chestnuts. The name is derived from the French: potiron (pumpkin) and marron (chestnut). Superb table quality in a small (3-4 pounds) manageable size.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Direct Seed: 1" Deep
Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds
Thin: To 3-4 Plants
Days to Maturity: 85-95
Weight at Maturity: 3-4 lbs

CU-10 Summer Crookneck Squash

Item Details: An American institution, listed in some of our first seed catalogs from the early 1800s. Bush plants produce copious amounts of yellow summer squash with warted rinds that are best harvested and eaten young; at maturity the fruits are very ornamental.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1”
Seeds to Hill: 6-8
Thin: to 3-4 plants
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Days to Maturity: 55-60

GRE1-103 Kaleidoscope Salad Mix

Item Details: This beautiful selection of Asian greens and mustards was chosen for colors that truly pop. The light spice of the mustards blends well with the deep, savory flavors of the Asian greens. Excellent for babyleaf production and can be grown to full size as a braising mix.

Instructions: Grows best in cooler temperatures. Baby leef: seed up to 60 seeds/ft in 2” band with 6” between bands. A great cut-and-come again crop when harvested above the growing tip. Sow every three weeks from spring through late summer for a continuous supply. 

Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/8”
Spacing in Row: 60 seeds/ft
Spacing Between Rows: 6"
Days to Maturity: 21

GRE-15 Tatsoi Asian Green

Item Details: Mild, fast-growing Asian green. Over the centuries, East Asian gardeners have selected dozens of varieties of unique and highly useful brassicas. From bulging Chinese cabbages to bulbous Bok Choys to frilly Mizunas, it's hard to believe that all these diverse habits and colors are part of the same species. Tatsoi is one of our favorites. The lovely low-growing rosettes of deep green leaves proclaim this plant's nutrient density. Raw or cooked, its delicate flavor and tender texture belie an inner resilience: it heartily survives the cold, thriving into late fall and winter.

On top of all that, Tatsoi grows quickly. Once you've discovered its charms, your garden will never be without it.

Instructions: Sow indoors beginning 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow beginning 3-4 weeks before last frost. Can be sown straight through until September, though spring sowings can bolt early and be taken by flea beetles; consider using row cover. Sow more densely than indicated for baby clippings. Harvest whole head—not an ideal cut-and-come-again green. Superb in fall and winter. It lasts well into the colder months and can be grown successfully all winter with protection. 

Sun Preference: Full to little Sun
Days to Germination: 5-14
Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2”
Spacing in Row: 6"
Spacing Between Rows: 18"
Days to Maturity: 50
Height at Maturity: 8-12”
Width at Maturity: 8-16"
Days to Maturity: 21-28 for baby greens; 45 to full maturity

GRE-23 Georgia Southern Collard

Item Details: A time-tested variety with excellent flavor.  It’s easy to see why this old 1800s heirloom has been around for so long. A smaller and sturdier variety compared to other collards we've tried, the plant is both vigorous and productive, making it an an excellent choice for small spaces. The tender, blue-green leaves hold up well when sautéed or stewed. Heat and frost tolerant and slow to bolt. Non-heading plants.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.. Plant out at 4” height, just before the last frost. Harvest larger outer leaves, leaving the smaller inner leaves to grow. Collards prefer cooler temperatures and thus make a good spring and fall crops. They become extremely sweet after a frost, and last in the garden unprotected beyond December. For a hearty cold season supply, start indoors in early July, transplant in August and let grow until first frost date. In a mild fall, they will continue to grow if harvested regularly.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 10-21
Planting Depth: 1/2”
Spacing in Row: 18"
Days to Maturity: 7-14
Height at Maturity: 30”
Width at Maturity:    30"

GRE-100 Greenpeace Kale

Item Details: Yes, this purple-stemmed Siberian kale is nutritious and delicious, producing crunchy, crisp leaves with a sweet flavor (made sweeter with frost!) and only a hint of bitterness. Green, slightly blistered leaves have lobed margins and purple petioles. The variety hails from the Greenpeace Experimental Farm in British Columbia, Canada, a self-sufficient organic farming community formed in 1974 on Denman Island by Jim and Marie Bohlen, co-founders of the Greenpeace environmental organization.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Kale is most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest can continue even after snow.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 3-10
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost
Spacing Between Outdoor Rows: 24"
Days to Maturity: 40 from transplant
Length at Maturity: 15.5-18.5"
Width at Maturity: 5.5-8.5"

GRE-83 Vates Kale

Item Details: Short, sturdy plants are prolific when planted in the spring or fall. Curly leaf shape makes this kale perfect for kale chips, raw salads, and soups. Leaves resist yellowing in cold and heat. Overall compact plants show some size variability.

Instructions: Kale is a hardy biennial that will overwinter in milder climates, and can be grown for baby leaf or full size crops. Sow from early spring through late summer. Baby leaf: seed approx. 60 seeds/ft in 2-4” bands, ¾” between bands. Full-size: see planting instructions.

Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 1"
Spacing Between Rows: 18"
Days to Maturity: 30 baby, 55 full size
Height at Maturity: 18”

GRE1-102 Green Star Lettuce

Item Details: An ideal all-season lettuce, offering high quality even through the heat of the summer. Tender, textured baby leaves add great loft to salad mixes. 

Instructions: Grows best in cool temperatures and can bolt during hot weather. Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Baby leaf: seed 60 seeds/ft in 2” bands with ¾” between bands. 

Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/8”
Spacing in Row: 1"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Spacing After Thinning: 8-10”
Days to Maturity: 52
Height at Maturity: 12”

GRE-94 Pirat Butterhead Lettuce

Item Details: Tender heads with notably superior flavor and texture, blanched hearts and red-tinged outer leaves. Bested every other variety for taste and texture in our lettuce trials and also rates as one of the best butterheads in combined resistance to downy mildew, white mold, tip burn and bacterial head rot.

Instructions: Grows best in cool temperatures and can bolt during hot weather. Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Baby leef: seed 60 seeds/ft in 2” bands with ¾” between bands. Full size: see instructions below. Sow every three weeks from spring through late summer for a continuous supply. 

Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/8”
Spacing in Row: 1"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 8-10” 
Days to Maturity: 55
Height at Maturity: 12”

GRE-69 Red Planet Salad Blend

Item Details: A stunning all-lettuce mix of spectacular reds, deep purples, and a few greens for contrast. A great blend for spring or summer. We chose our most intensely colorful varieties for a mix that tastes great and makes a statement on the plate! High Mowing Seeds exclusive.

Instructions: Harden off seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before transplanting. Choose cool, well drained, loose soil with pH 6.2-6.8. Lettuce is sensitive to low pH. Lettuce can also be seeded in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Days to maturity are from direct seeding in spring conditions, subtract 10-14 days if transplanting, subtract 7-10 days if planting in summer conditions, add 20 days if planting late summer-fall In certain areas, lettuce can be grown throughout the summer by choosing varieties which are heat tolerant; however, many lettuce varieties have difficulty germinating in soils above 75°F.  Start transplants 3-4 weeks before setting out.  

Cut lettuce holds best when harvested in the morning and cooled rapidly.  For salad mix or baby leaf production, harvest individual leaves when they reach desired size, or cut evenly across the bed making sure to stay above the growing tip.  For a continuous harvest, sow lettuce every 3 weeks. Store just above freezing temperatures with 98% humidity.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/8”, seeds require a little light for germination
Spacing in Row: Babyleaf – 1-2”. Full size – 8-12”
Spacing Between Rows: Full size - 12-18"
Days to Maturity: 28
Height at Maturity: 3-6”

GRE-80 Salad Bowl Lettuce

Item Details: Bright green oak leaf most commonly used for baby leaf production, favored for its shape, color and rapid growth rate. Full size habit is loose and open. Very attractive and always tender and sweet. An All-America Selections (AAS) winner in 1952, and has remained a favorite to this day. Heat tolerant and bolt resistant. Intermediate disease resistance to tip burn. Open-Pollinated.

Instructions: Harden off seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before transplanting. Choose cool, well drained, loose soil. Lettuce can also be seeded in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Days to maturity are from direct seeding in spring conditions, subtract 10-14 days if transplanting, subtract 7-10 days if planting in summer conditions, add 20 days if planting late summer-fall In certain areas, lettuce can be grown throughout the summer by choosing varieties which are heat tolerant; however, many lettuce varieties have difficulty germinating in soils above 75°F.  Start transplants 3-4 weeks before setting out.  

Cut lettuce holds best when harvested in the morning and cooled rapidly.  For salad mix or baby leaf production, harvest individual leaves when they reach desired size, or cut evenly across the bed making sure to stay above the growing tip.  For a continuous harvest, sow lettuce every 3 weeks. Store just above freezing temperatures with 98% humidity.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/8”, seeds require a little light for germination
Spacing in Row: Babyleaf – 1-2”. Full size – 8-12”
Spacing Between Rows: Full size - 8-12”
Days to Maturity: 28 for baby. 50 full size
Height at Maturity: 3-6”

GRE-99 Webb’s Wonderful Lettuce

Item Details: English lettuce that holds up well in heat. Very large and robust heads with crumpled leaves. Fine distinct flavor and good texture. Slow to bolt, holds well at market stage. Recommended for planting in the South.

Instructions: Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. 

Sun Preference: Full sun or partial shade
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Direct Seed: 1" Apart
Thin: 10-12" Apart

GRE-88 Purple Orach from Alice's Garden Patch - Kindly donated by Victoria

Item Details: Also known as Mountain spinach, French spinach, Giant Lambs quarters. Touted as a warm-season alternative to spinach, orach is actually a cool-season plant that just doesn't go to seed (bolt) as quickly as spinach. Harvest leaves that are less-bitter than spinach into the summer. Purple varieties in particular make good ornamental plants, though can reach 4 to 6 feet tall.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors 2-3 weeks after the last frost. Harvest leaves that are 4-6" tall, harvest continually and make successive plantings. Best harvested when plant is between 6" and 2' tall. Self-sows in the garden.

Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/2”
Spacing in Row: 2", thin to 6-8” apart
Days to Maturity: 45-50
Height at Maturity: 4-6’

OK-03     Hill Country Red Okra

Item Details: Said to originally be from the Hill Country of southern Texas. Beautiful 6' tall, red-stemmed plants produce wide, green pods tinged with red. Full of the good okra flavor popular in the hill regions of the south. Full, complex flavor. Excellent pickling variety. This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but does not tolerate cold well.

Instructions: Green Thumb Tip - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields.

Planting Depth: ½”
Direct Seed: 2" Apart
Thin to: 6-8” apart
Sun Preference: Full Sun
Height: 4-6’
Days to Maturity: 60-70 days

OK-01 Red Burgundy Okra

Item Details: (aka Burgundy) Bred by Leon Robbins at Clemson University after eight years of careful selection. Introduced in 1983; All America Selections winner in 1988. Stunning 4' plant with burgundy accents and tender burgundy pods up to 6" long. Good yields.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1/2”
Direct Seed: 2” Apart
Thin: 6-8” Apart
Days to Maturity: 55-60
Plant Height at Maturity: 4’
Pod Length at Maturity: Up to 6”

POL-69 Mixed Zinnias - Donated by Victoria
 

Item Details:  Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, bringing bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators and beneficial insects into the garden. They are outstanding in beds, borders, containers, and are the perfect cut flower.
 

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost. Zinnias prefer well-drained average soil. Water regularly, keeping leaves dry. Remove spent blossoms frequently to prolong blooming.
 

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 5-24
Planting Depth: 1/8”
Thin: 10-12” Apart
Spacing in Row: 8"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Days to Maturity: 75
Height at Maturity: 24”
Frost Hardy: N

COR-17 Doug’s Poppin’ Good Popcorn

Item Details: This popcorn was grown right in Cedarburg, by a great gardener - Doug. Enjoy this local popcorn!
 

Popcorn (Z. m. everta) is a type of flint corn with a soft starchy center inside the very hard, slightly translucent kernel. When heated, moisture inside the kernel produces steam that creates enough pressure to explode the kernel inside out, with the starchy center extruded into a cooked, fluffy white mass. Pops most consistently if you freeze the kernels first then throw them directly into a kettle with hot oil.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. For good pollination and full ears, plant in blocks of 3-6 rows instead of one long row. Thin seedlings to 8" apart. Corn is a heavy feeder and does best in well-drained fertile soil with plenty of water. 

Some years corn needs very little attention, but in dry years it will need irrigating. It thrives during the summers when subtropical weather settles in for a couple months. Many critters love to munch on corn, including rodents and, most notoriously, raccoons. Avoid growing corn near chicken coops or pest attractants, and be sure to surround your garden with a good critter fence.

Allow ears to mature and dry on the stalk. When dry, husk and remove kernels from cob. For best popping results, freeze the dry kernels before popping the traditional way, on the stove top.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 4-21
Planting Depth: 1”
Spacing in Row: 4"
Spacing Between Rows: 36-48"
Days to Maturity: 70-80
Height at Maturity: 4-5’?
Support: Stake

HE-07 Sweet Thai Basil

Item Details: Adored by bees. Lovely potted herb, edible bedding plant and cut flower for floral arrangements. The plants are highly ornamental, with deep purple flower buds that open in lavender. Smaller leaves on sturdy purple stems and a much more compact habit than Italian basil. Thai basil is a more concentrated, spicy clove-licorice flavor. Perfect in Thai cuisine, curries, stir-fries, etc.

Instructions:  Basil needs well drained but moist soil that is highly fertile. It is not drought tolerant, so even moisture levels are important for healthy growth. Direct sow after frost, or start transplants indoors 6 weeks prior to planting out. Can direct seed mid-spring through late summer. Basil is very sensitive to cold; use row cover to extend the season. Pinch buds to encourage branching and leaf production. Harvest can begin once plants have become established, by pinching or cutting branches but leaving the plant to continue to produce leaves. A harvest of the full plant should be completed just before the plant starts to flower (flavor is significantly impacted once flowering occurs). Cut the entire plant 4-6" above the ground to promote a second growth. To have fresh basil the whole season, start in succession at one-month intervals. Store unwashed at room temperature to avoid browning. Do not store below 50°F.

Days to Germination: 5-14 days

Days to Maturity: 63 days

Planting Depth: 1/4"

Plant: 6-8" apart If Transplanting, recommend doing so at: 4-8” tall

Spacing Between Rows: 18"

Height at Maturity: 12-18"

Leaf length: 2”

HE-54 Bronze Fennel

Item Details: the fine, feathery leaves have a ruddy, purplish hue and create a soft, smoky effect in the garden. Bright yellow blooms appear at maturity, attracting swallowtail butterflies and other pollinators. Enjoy this variety as an ornamental or harvest the fragrant leaves and sweet, anise-flavored seeds for meals. It grows quickly, spreads easily, and self-sows. 

Instructions: Direct sow in spring as soon as the danger of frost has passed in well-draining soil. Water thoroughly after planting and once a week during summer, unless rainfall is plentiful. Established plants can generally get by on less water. Carefully thin seedlings to 12 inches apart after seedlings are established. Fennel has a long tap root which should not be disturbed after planting. Cut back to the ground at the end of the season after seeds have formed. Some plants may overwinter in zones 5 and above. Use the edible foliage, flowers and seeds, or enjoy as an ornamental, pollinator-attracting plant.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 12"
Spacing Between Rows: 18"
Days to Maturity: 60
Plant Height at Maturity: 4’
Width at Maturity: 18-24"

HE-56 Indian Coriander

Item Details: Annual. Highly scented with a citrus top note. The dark green leaves are regularly cut to prevent this fast growing variety of Indian coriander from bolting. Once bolted, the seeds are a must in Indian dishes and are especially good when used still “green” and tender.

Instructions: Indian coriander grows best in cooler temperatures and is best planted in early spring, 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Be careful with the heat of summer, as the plant tends to bolt, meaning it will quickly flower and produce seeds, leading to a decline in leaf production​.

Sun Preference: Full sun-partial shade
Ideal Temperature: 60-80 F
Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2”
Plant Spacing: 4-6"
Days to Maturity: 45
Frost Hardy: Yes

HE-08 Greensleeves Dill

Item Details: Slow to bolt; ideal for leaf production over a long harvest window. Excellent for market growers and planting in containers. Dark green leaves are aromatic and pleasingly sweet eaten fresh or dried. 

Instructions: Dill is a hardy annual that prefers full sun and well-drained soils that are low in fertility. Dill can be transplanted but prefers direct sowing. Sow as soon as soil warms and throughout summer, every 4-6 weeks for a continuous supply. Harvest for dill weed, flowering heads and seeds. 

Days to Germination: 7-21
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 4"
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 2-4”
Spacing Between Rows: 36"
Days to Maturity: 45
Height at Maturity: 12-36”
Frost Hardy: Y

HE-37 Mitsuba Japanese Parsley

Item Details: This delicate and refreshing Japanese herb is easy to grow. It loves shade; it can be grown in full to part shade and is perfect for low-light spaces in the garden. This savory little parsley family member is also popular in Chinese cuisine and is reminiscent of its cousins, parsley and cilantro. It is typically used raw, sprinkled atop a meal to give it the perfect final touch. The leaves, stems, roots and seeds are all edible and excellent in stir fries, soups, salads and other Asian-inspired dishes. The plants are similar to parsley in their growth habit. Prefers cooler spring and fall weather.

Instructions: Direct seed outdoors in fall or very early spring; otherwise place the seeds in the fridge for several weeks, then remove from fridge and germinate at 65-70 F.

Sun Preference: 4-6 hours - Likes shade
Ideal Temperature: 68-78 degrees
Frost Hardy: Yes
Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 6-8"
Days to Maturity: 50

HE-53 Sorrel

Item Details: Brightly flavored, lime-green leaves with sharp, lemony flavor and tender texture. Long 8" leaves are highly flavorful and are often used to accent and enliven dishes with notes of peppery citrus. Can be spring-sown but better in fall for harvest in early spring, when leaves are most tender and mild.

Instructions: Sorrel is a hardy perennial to zone four or grown as an annual in full sun. Direct seed in fall for spring seedlings or early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Transplants can be started 8-10 weeks before planting date but best results are from direct seeding. Seeds require light for germination. 

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 3-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 2"
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 8-10”
Spacing Between Rows: 12-18"
Days to Maturity: 45
Plant Height at Maturity: 12”
Leaf Length at Maturity: 8"

PEP-13 Lemon Drop Hot Pepper - Donated by Victoria

Item Details: Peruvian pepper with flavorful bright heat. Collected in one of the vibrant farmers markets in Lima, the seeds of this unusual hot pepper found their way into the hands of William Woys Weaver and the Roughwood Seed gardens. According to Weaver, the bright lemon yellow color and waxy citrus-like texture of this pepper, originally known as Aji Lima, inspired name changes from Lima, to Liman, to Lemon Drop. With exceptional flavor and cayenne-range heat, this pepper spices a dish without overwhelming it and makes a striking yellow hot sauce.

Its habit is incredibly vigorous, forming big, tall, strongly upright plants that are naturally lush. Each plant tends to bear heavily (one plant is plenty for the home gardener!), its branches laden with dozens of small, waxy-skinned fruit that turn from light green in mid-season to golden yellow at ripeness. The flavor of each is exceptional: truly citrusy and suitable for spicing a dish without overwhelming it. If you like a bit of heat, one pepper is enough for a pot of chili; use more if you are a fiend.

Lemon Drop takes a few weeks longer to mature than your average garden pepper, but it's well worth the wait!

Instructions: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost in very warm spot (80 degrees is ideal). Keep seedlings in a well-ventilated place at 70+ degrees and do not over water. Transplant outdoors in full sun into rich, well drained soil after threat of frost has passed. Peppers can tolerate dryness and heat, but need moderate water to produce fruit and prefer to be watered at the base.

Days to Germination: 7-14 days
Days to Maturity: 100 from transplant
Planting Depth: ½"
Spacing in Row: 24"
Spacing Between Rows: 24"
Height at Maturity: 36"
Width at Maturity: 24"
Sun Preference: Full Sun

PEP-31 Shishito Pepper

Item Details: Small, mild Japanese pepper for roasting, pan-frying and grilling. Thin walls blister and char easily when roasted or grilled, taking on rich flavor that is delicious with coarse salt and lemon juice. The occasional fruit will display heat. Typically harvested and used green, but eventually turns orange and red with sweeter flavor.

Instructions: Peppers are long season, heat-loving annuals which require transplanting to reach full maturity in most areas. Start transplants 6-8 weeks before planting date, after the danger of frost. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Harvest promptly to encourage higher yields of ripe fruit. 

Days to Germination: 10-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 12-18”
Spacing Between Rows: 18-36”
Days to Maturity: 60 green, 75 red
Plant Height at Maturity: 24”