Seed Library at the Milwaukee Area Technical College: Current Seed Inventory

BE-26 Giant Swiss Snow Pea

Item Details: Delightful as an ornamental and an edible variety.
For the Swiss, peas are part of their national identity. Primitive garden peas were found during excavations beneath houses of the ancient Swiss “lake dwellers,” which date back to the Bronze and Stone Ages. Much later, but not too far away, Austrian monk-scientist Gregor Mendel used peas in his famous experiments to demonstrate the heritable nature of specific traits. These experiments led to an essential understanding of genetics that still informs seed savers and seed breeders today. Tall, robust vines double as an ornamental with large bi-colored flowers in shades of pink and burgundy. Pale, sweet pods. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked for a late spring crop, or in late summer for a fall crop.

Instructions: For best results, inoculate before sowing to boost the nitrogen levels of your garden soil. Inoculant is available at garden centers. Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked until last frost date. Trellising not required, though all peas prefer it. Harvest pods when plump but not bursting. Frequent and steady harvests help plants to continue to produce. Saving seeds is easy: just let some peas dry on the vine.

Sun Preference: Full to partial sun
Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1”
Spacing in Row: 1-2"
Spacing Between Rows: 36"
Days to Maturity: 60
Height at Maturity: 24-30”
Length at Maturity: Vine=5’. Pea=3-4”

BE-06 Panther Edamame Soybeans

Item Details: A soybean adapted to the Northeast. The elusive black panther, a rarity in the wilds of Asia, has reportedly extended its territory to Upstate New York. Its existence was confirmed at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture by fearless farmer Jack Algiere. It was Jack, in fact, who kept this rare breed alive; it had disappeared from the wilds of the seed trade. He gifted a few precious specimens to us in 2010, and we've let it prowl around the Northeast for a while. Now it's your chance to give Panther a home in your own garden sanctuary.

These beans are bright green with a hint of purple when at the ripe green edamame stage, and then mature to deep black when dry. Any color in the fresh beans fades upon cooking. If you've never grown soybeans in your garden, it's worth a shot: in addition to fixing nitrogen and yielding tasty beans, the plants sport velvety green leaves that are very attractive.

Instructions: Sow after frost, once soil has warmed. Harvest the entire crop at once, when you see the first hint of yellow in the pods. Steam the whole batch and freeze any extra, shelled or left in the pod to shell after defrosted. Or serve with coarse salt and nibble to enjoy their unique nutty flavor while benefiting from their high protein content. Let some dry on the plants and collect the black soy beans to plant next season.

Days to Germination: 5-10 days
Days to Maturity: 100 days
Planting Depth: 1"
Spacing Between: 6-12"
Height at Maturity: 30-36"

COL-33 Spring Rapini Broccoli Raab 

Item Details: Plant this crop early…harvest it regularly…and enjoy it steamed, grilled, or sautéed! Grown for its slightly nutty, asparagus-flavored side shoots, broccoli raab (also known as rapini) is related to both broccoli and turnips but is actually closer to turnips in terms of cultivation. Large plants mature over a 1-2 week period, bearing side shoots and large, tender, abundant leaves on thin stems.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Broccoli 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
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing In Rows: 24"
Days to Maturity: 40-60

COL-37 Daikon Radish

Item Details: Popular Japanese radish that can grow very large while remaining crisp and tender. Pure white roots with pale green shoulders when exposed to sun. Excellent for pickling, fermenting or storage. Winter radish stores well and develops large 2-6 lb roots and is open-pollinated.

Instructions: Daikon radishes are best sown in mid-to-late summer for a fall harvest. Thin to promote even-sized roots. Use a fork or lift roots carefully during harvest. Topped radishes store well for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.

Days to Germination: 5-7
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Seed Spacing: 1”
Spacing in Row: 4"
Spacing Between Rows: 8"
Height at Maturity: 24”

COL-21 Japanese Wasabi Radish
 

Item Details: 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 Wasabi Radish of Japan. 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. 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.
 

Instructions:  Sow spring radishes in several small successions for a continuous harvest.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Frost Hardy: Yes
Ideal Temperature: 50-75 Degrees F
Days to Germination: 3-6
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 2"
Days to Maturity: 60

Photo Courtesy of Seed Library Patron - Brandi

CU-01 Lemon Cuke/Cucumber

Item Details: Looks like a lemon but tastes like a cucumber! Very productive plants and unusual, beautiful fruits. Perhaps created from an accidental cross or a freak mutation—or picked up by adventurous traveling seed savers—some of the most unusual heirlooms were saved because of their freak factor. This cuke looks like a lemon but tastes like a cucumber—a really good one! Though common in India, it is not often seen in American supermarkets. So: best to grow some yourself. Invite a little oddity into your garden and enjoy the tasty and bountiful results. This unusual cucumber dates back 1894. It is consistently productive and mild, and looks beautiful sliced into rounds.

Instructions: Direct sow 2 weeks after last frost, or sow indoors 2-4 weeks earlier and then transplant. Make at least 2 succession plantings of cucumbers to have high-quality fruit for harvest all season. Lemon Cukes are best harvested at lemon-size, though they stay good eating even when slightly larger. The more you harvest, the more the plant produces and the longer the period of yield for each plant.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 3/4-1” in 12” diameter hills
Days to Germination: 5-10
Spacing: 36’ apart in all directions
Plant/Thin: 2-3 seeds per hill. Can thin to 2 plants
Days to Maturity: 65
Height at Maturity: 6"-8"
Length at Maturity: Best when picked lemon sized
Plant Spread at Maturity: 24"

CU-20 Table Queen Squash  
 
Item Details: Easy to grow winter squash with bush habit. Perfect for crisp fall days. First to ripen and doesn't store as long as other squashes, so it's ideal for transitioning from summer fare into fall meals. Roast or stuff. A fall staple. This open-pollinated acorn squash is perfect for crisp fall days. It's the first to ripen and doesn't store as long as other squashes, so it's perfect for transitioning from summer fare into fall meals. Traditional preparation includes roasting and stuffing. Plants are smaller than other winter squash types, making it a good choice for gardens with space limitations.

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
Days to Maturity: 80-90
Planting Depth: 1"
Seeds to Hill: 6-8
Thin: to 3-4 plants
Weight at Maturity: 1lb
 

CU-19 Dark Star Zucchini

Item Details: For those who love green zucchini, Dark Star is a top pick. Bred through a collaboration of the Organic Seed Alliance and Eel River Farms, with a goal to create an open-pollinated zucchini that is reliably uniform and dark green. This one gives the corporate-owned hybrid zucchini seeds that dominate the seed market a run for their money. Compact form is good for small gardens and its open plant habit makes the squash easy to harvest. Compared to the hybrids, it keeps producing into late summer after the standards have popped out.

Instructions: Start indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost or sow outdoors after last frost. Sow 2-3 more times at monthly intervals for fruit all season. Zucchini tolerates moderate soil fertility and dry conditions. Plants grow to 3' high and 3' across. Harvest fruits often at young stage for best eating and highest yields.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: 1”
Spacing in Row: 24"
Spacing Between Rows: 36"
Days to Maturity: 60
Height at Maturity: 36”
Width at Maturity: 36"

GR-10 Golden Giant Amaranth
 
Item Details: Over time, humans have selected and reselected Amaranthus genus plants for edible grains, nutritious leaves, and colorful flowering heads. Whether grown for its massive, golden-bronze plumes or high yields of plentiful, nutrient-dense seeds (or both!). The vigorous plants can grow as high as 8' and are truly stunning to behold.

Instructions: Direct sow in the spring after threat of frost has passed in a sunny, well-drained spot. Thin seedlings to 6-10 inches apart. Amaranth tolerates fair fertility and dry conditions, but more fertility and moderate water will yield lusher and taller plants. Taller plants (up to 8'!) may require a bit of staking to keep them from flopping over. To harvest seed for grain, wait until the seeds are visible and the foliage begins to yellow slightly; then shake the seed heads into a container, or clip entire heads and hang to dry before threshing, cleaning and storing.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: barely cover
Spacing in Row: 12"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Days to Maturity: 100
Height at Maturity: 72”
Width at Maturity: 15"
Support: Stake

HE-01 Genovese Basil

Item Details: Hundreds of years ago Genovese villagers collectively selected this basil for the qualities they felt made the best pesto: large thick deep green leaves on sturdy plants. In the spring of 2012, Habitat for Artists (HFA) took a donation of seeds from the Hudson Valley Seed Co. to the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), a community center in Washington DC's 8th Ward, and started heirloom seeds for the community as part of a larger community arts project.

Instructions: Direct sow after last frost, or sow seeds indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Sow at monthly intervals until 60 days before first fall frost for quality leaves all season. Harvest often to prevent flowers from forming. To harvest, cut basil at the stem just above new leaf growth. Basil is very sensitive to the cold; harvest or protect plants if frost is imminent.

Days to Germination: 4-10
Planting Depth: 1/4"
Spacing in Row: 2"-24"
Days to Maturity: 68
Spacing Between Rows: 12"-24"
Height at Maturity: 12"-24"

HE-07 Thai Basil

Item Details: A distinctive basil we love in curries, stir-fries, and more. Though they are the same species, Thai basil and Italian basil have many differences. Thai basil is a more concentrated, spicy flavor, with smaller leaves on sturdy purple stems and a much more compact habit. The plants are highly ornamental, with deep purple flower buds that open in lavender. Widely adapted to a range growing conditions. Grows well in containers too.

Instructions:  Direct sow after frost, or start indoors up to 1 month before last frost date. To have fresh basil the whole season, start in succession at one-month intervals. Pinch off tallest growth in order to keep basil from flowering; flavor becomes too strong once in bloom. Good for garden or container plantings.

Days to Germination: 5-14 days
Days to Maturity: 65 days
Planting Depth: 1/4"
Spacing in Row: 12"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Height at Maturity: 12"

HE-50 Santo Cilantro

Item Details: Strongly aromatic and flavorful, with a flat, parsley-like leaf, and round seeds. The commercial standard for field bunching. Very bolt-resistant variety with good flavor and excellent upright habit for easy harvesting. Fast-growing variety great for cut-and-come-again.

Instructions: Cilantro is an easy-to-grow annual that prefers direct sun and is tolerant of cool conditions. Direct seed as soon as danger of hard frost has passed. Transplants can be started 4-6 weeks before planting date. Seed spring into summer for a continuous supply. 

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 1"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 4”
Days to Maturity: 55 leaf; 95 seed
Height at Maturity: 12”
 

HE-30 Dill Bouquet

Item Details: Early to flower with large seed heads. Excellent in pickles and used to flavor many other foods. Easy to grow.

Instructions: Prefers well drained, poor soil for best flavor. Harvest leaves as needed, or cut entire plant when seeds have formed at the tops of the 3-4 foot tall plants. Often reseeds itself.

Sun Preference: 8-12 hours sun
Ideal Temperature: 55-75 F
Frost Hardy: Yes
Days to Germination: 7-21
Planting Depth: 1/8-1/4”
Plant Spacing: 2-4"
Days to Maturity: 45-55 to leaf harvest, 70-90 to seed harvest.
Height at Maturity: 3-4’
Flower Width: 6”

HE-21 Mammoth Long Island Dill

Item Details: Beyond its pungent flavor and culinary versatility, dill has a long history of medicinal use. Ancient Egyptians referred to dill as a soother; gladiators believed it imparted courage; churchgoers felt the seeds sparked alertness; and villagers considered dill a protective charm.  Originally named Long Island Dill, this tall billowing relative of Queen Anne's Lace and carrots is perfect for edible landscaping, container gardens and, well, pickles, of course! All parts of the plant—leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds—can be used to impart dill flavor to dishes. 

Instructions: Direct sow around last frost, or indoors before last frost and then transplant fairly quickly. Succession sow every 3-4 weeks for highest-quality fresh dill leaves all season. For use as a dry herb, harvest before the umbel (Latin for umbrella) flowers form.

Sun Preference: Full to Little Sun
Days to Germination: 7-21
Planting Depth: ¼-½"
Spacing in Row: 9-12”
Spacing Between Rows: 24"
Days to Maturity: 65
Height at Maturity: 24-36”
Width at Maturity: 12-18"
 

NAT-16 Showy Goldenrod

These seeds are sustainably sourced at Mequon Nature Preserve. We thank them for their community partnership in spreading local growing throughout our area.

Item Details: Perennial. Pollinator. Erect, usually unbranched, reddish stems occur singly or in clusters. Small, yellow flowers occur in a compact, erect, pyramidal column. A stout stem, smooth below and rough above, bearing a dense, pyramidal or club-shaped, terminal cluster of small yellow flower heads. Tends to bloom a little later than most Goldenrods. For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately.
 
All Goldenrods are an important fall nectar source for many pollinators including the Monarch butterfly, so it is unfortunate that these fall blooming natives are mistakenly blamed for hayfever. The pollen of Goldenrods is large and sticky which sticks to the bodies of visiting insects. Because of this, goldenrod pollen cannot become airborne and can never make its way into your sinuses. The true cause of hayfever is the wind pollinated ragweeds, which broadcast copious amounts of lightweight pollen into the air.
 
Instructions: Seeds can be direct sown in the Fall, pressing into the surface of the soil since this plant needs light to germinate.. Otherwise best results come from a 30 day cold-moist stratification prior to planting. This is because native wildflowers, have a hard coating that helps protect the outer shell from breaking and sprouting too early.
 
Cold Stratification: 1) Soak your seeds for 1-2 hours. 2) Use a paper towel or coffee filter to drain the water. 3) Spread seeds out in a single layer on the paper towel. 3) Wrap a dry paper towel around the damp paper towel to help keep things moist but not too wet (which could become moldy). 4) Place in a ziploc bag and seal. 5) Label the variety and date clearly on the bag. 6) Place in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. If seedlings start to sprout in the bag in the refrigerator, remove immediately and either plant in the ground or in pots until it’s time to plant outdoors.
 
After the seeds have been stratified, plant them into the soil by gently sprinkling them on the surface of soil and pressing them in firmly.  Then, lightly sprinkle soil on top of them so they are partially covered. It is best to water the area for one to two months after seeding. Seed may revert to dormancy if it does not receive rain or moisture within a certain number of days after planting. After established, prefers drier soil and tolerates drought well.
 

Sun Preference: Full to partial sun
Days to Germination: 45-60
Planting Depth: Pressed into surface of dirt
Spacing Between Rows: 2-3’
Height at Maturity: 1-5’

NAT-08 Indian Grass
These seeds are sustainably sourced at Mequon Nature Preserve. We thank them for their community partnership in spreading local growing throughout our area.

Item Details: Indian Grass is one of the first warm season grasses to form seeds and they are rich clusters of bronze colored seed. Golden stems and large seed heads provide ample color and texture to plantings and birds will enjoy the seeds come fall.  Plants are wind-pollinated. Indian Grass can be aggressive, spreading by rhizomes, so is not suited for very small landscapes. Different species of grasshoppers and caterpillars will feed on the blades of Indian Grass; in turn these insects are important food sources for upland game birds and songbirds, where they will also find ideal nesting habitat in stands of tall, clumping prairie grasses such as Indian Grass.

The bright yellow flowers contrast attractively with the blue-gray foliage. The grass stays low most of the year and then gets tall before blooming in early autumn. Works well on slopes to prevent erosion.
Instructions: For spring sowing, germination can be encouraged and will happen faster, if seeds are dry stratified. Or sow seed directly in fall. Division of older plants is difficult because of a dense, tangled root system. Don’t cut the grass back in first year of growth. If your garden is small, you may want to deadhead during the fall to prevent excess self-seeding.

Dry stratification is a seed pre-treatment in which the seed is subjected to cold temperatures. This simple treatment of keeping the seeds in cold, dry storage helps increase germination rates by imitating a natural winter dormant period. Store the seed in Ziploc bags in a refrigerator. Most warm season prairie grasses and wildflowers require only 30 to 60 days of dry stratification to break seed dormancy.

Sun Preference: Sun to partial shade
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 2-3’
After Germination Occurs: Is drought resistant
Height at Maturity: 4-6’. Maturity reached year two
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: The awns are red/rust color
High Deer Resistance
Attracts Butterflies

NAT-05 Purple Prairie Clover
Scientific Name: Dalea purpurea

Item Details: Perennial. Attracts butterflies. Herbaceous plant is unbranched. A dense cylindrical spike of flowers top the plant. Flower spike is 1-2″ long and about half as wide. Each purple flower is about ¼” across, with 5 small petals and 5 golden anthers that protrude outward. These flowers bloom together as a flowery wreath at the bottom of the spike, which gradually moves upward at the season progresses. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-summer, and lasts about 1–1½ months. The root system consists of a stout taproot that runs deep into the ground. The seeds travel only a short distance from the mother plant when the cylindrical spikes are shaken by the wind. Excellent in a variety of plantings including rock gardens, sunny perennial borders, native plant gardens or naturalized prairie areas.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors just beneath surface of soil. Transplant outdoors no later than August 1 to ensure good root development. Also easy to grow when direct seeded into a weed- free seedbed in mid-spring to early summer. Very drought tolerant once established.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 10-20
Planting Depth: Just below surface
Spacing Between Rows: 12”
Height at Maturity: 1-3’
Plant Width at Maturity: 1’
Bloom Length/Width: 2”/1”

mequonnaturepreserve.org

NAT-17 Rosinweed

These seeds are sustainably sourced at Mequon Nature Preserve. We thank them for their community partnership in spreading local growing throughout our area.

Item Details: Perennial. Pollinator. Coarse and sunflower-like. Derives its common name from the resinous gummy sap exuded by broken/cut plant stems. Usually a shorter silphiums. Likes rocky or dry open woods, prairies and glades. It grows on erect, hairy stems sparsely clad with pairs of rough, stalkless, bristly, hairless to woolly, toothed to toothless, medium green leaves. Flowers resemble small sunflowers. Appear in mid-summer. The root system consists of a taproot and short rhizomes, which enable this plant to form clumps. Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade. Also tolerates some drought once established. Will grow in a variety of soils including sandy, loamy or clay ones. Plants may be slow to establish in the garden, particularly when grown from seed. 

Instructions: Seeds can be direct sown in the Fall, pressing into the surface of the soil since this plant needs light to germinate.. Otherwise best results come from a 30 day cold-moist stratification prior to planting. This is because native wildflowers, have a hard coating that helps protect the outer shell from breaking and sprouting too early.

Cold Stratification: 1) Soak your seeds for 1-2 hours. 2) Use a paper towel or coffee filter to drain the water. 3) Spread seeds out in a single layer on the paper towel. 3) Wrap a dry paper towel around the damp paper towel to help keep things moist but not too wet (which could become moldy). 4) Place in a ziploc bag and seal. 5) Label the variety and date clearly on the bag. 6) Place in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting. If seedlings start to sprout in the bag in the refrigerator, remove immediately and either plant in the ground or in pots until it’s time to plant outdoors. After the seeds have been stratified, plant them into the soil by gently sprinkling them on the surface of soil and pressing them in firmly.  Then, lightly sprinkle soil on top of them so they are partially covered.

It is best to water the area for one to two months after seeding. Seed may revert to dormancy if it does not receive rain or moisture within a certain number of days after planting. After established, prefers drier soil and tolerates drought well. Downy mildew, leaf spots and rust may occur. Plants develop taproots. Once established, division is not recommended.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: Pressed into surface of dirt
Spacing Between Rows: 2-3’
Height at Maturity: 2-6’
Plant Spread: 1-3’
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies

NAT-19 Snapdragon Mix

Item Details: A pastel spectrum perfect for bouquets. Tired of circular flowers? You've found the right blooms. The puffed, squarish, hinged blossoms of snapdragons line short spires that reach vertically in sometimes straight, sometimes corkscrewed ways. Up close, the flowers resemble a dragon head, ready to snap at any moment. Above these brightly colored towers, another guardian of the garden, the dragonfly, can often be found patrolling for incoming insects. For centuries, gardeners have taken advantage of the imposing appearance of snapdragons to ward off evil spirits—even to guard castle gates.

Snapdragons are a late-blooming annual, bringing fresh, beautiful color to the late summer and early fall garden. They make an elegant cut flower, and the seed pods are surprisingly interesting, too—they resemble little skulls.

Instructions: Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Sow 3-5 seeds per pot, slightly pressing them into the soil to keep them from washing away. Once seedlings have sprouted, thin out the weakest, leaving one per pot. Transplant outdoors in fertile, well-drained soil. Semi-hardy plants will continue to grow and bloom beyond the first fall frost.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: 0”
Spacing in Row: 12"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Days to Maturity: 90
Height at Maturity: 24”
Width at Maturity: 18"

NAT-09 Sweet Joe Pye Weed

These seeds are sustainably sourced at Mequon Nature Preserve. We thank them for their community partnership in spreading local growing throughout our area.

Item Details: A butterfly magnet. A herbaceous perennial plant in the sunflower family. It is native to eastern and central North America. It is a clump-forming herb that grows to 5-8 ft tall and about 4 ft wide. Plants are found in full sun to part shade in mesic to wet soils. Stems are upright, thick, round, and purple, with whorls of leaves at each node. As the plant begins to bloom the stems often bend downward under the weight of the flowers. The leaves grow to 12 in long and have a somewhat wrinkled texture. The purplish flowers are produced in large loose, convex shaped compound corymbiform arrays. Plants bloom mid to late summer and attract much activity from insects that feed on the nectar produced by the flowers.

Instructions: Lightly press seeds into the surface of the soil since in fall or late spring germination is naturally slow and might take 2-3 months before first leaves are noticeable. Best planted on 24 in centers as they will eventually form large clumps.

Older plants can be divided and replanted in the early spring as new growth starts or fall. When the center dies out of Joe-pye weeds in the garden, then it’s time for division. You need to dig up the entire clump, cutting away and discarding the dead center material. You can then replant the divided clumps. Plants die back to the ground in late fall. This dead growth can be cut back or left over winter and cut in spring.

Sun Preference: Sun/Partial Shade
Planting Depth: Surface
Spacing between Plants: 24”
Time to Germination: 2-3 months for first leaves
Blooms: July - September
Height at Maturity: 4-7’

mequonnaturepreserve.org

NAT-11 Yellow/Gray-headed Coneflower

We love this community partnership between the MATC Seed Library and Mequon Nature Preserve. Connection and growth!

Item Details: Perennial. Attracts butterflies. Member of the daisy family. Summer-long bloomer with large yellow flowers that have drooping petals. Gray-head Coneflower flowers surround a brown seed head that birds eat from if plants are left standing. It is good for erosion control, looks good in mass plantings or in prairie plantings. Naturalizes easily.

Grows up right and may be a meter or more in height. The slender, grooved stems have fine, upward pointing hairs, and may branch with a flower on top of each stem. The flowers may have between 5 to 10 petals that droop down toward the stem with a distinct “cone” in the center. 

Instructions: Seeds can be direct sown in the Fall. Otherwise best results come from a 30 day cold-moist stratification prior to planting. This is because native wildflowers have a hard coating that helps protect the outer shell from breaking and sprouting too early.

Cold Stratification: 1) Soak your seeds for 1-2 hours. 2) Use a paper towel or coffee filter to drain the water. 3) Spread the seeds out in a single layer on the paper towel. 3) Wrap a dry paper towel around the damp paper towel to help keep things moist but not too wet (which could become moldy). 4) Place in a ziploc bag and seal. 5) Label the variety and date clearly on the bag. 6) Place in the refrigerator for 1 month before planting. If seedlings start to sprout in the bag in the refrigerator, remove immediately and either plant in the ground or in pots until it’s time to plant outdoors.

After the seeds have been stratified, plant them into the soil by gently sprinkling them on the surface of soil and pressing them in firmly.  Then, lightly sprinkle soil on top of them so they are partially covered. It is best to water the area for one to two months after seeding. Seed may revert to dormancy if it does not receive rain or moisture within a certain number of days after planting.

Deadhead to prolong blooming. But be sure to leave some seed heads to ripen as Prairie Coneflower are good plants for naturalizing, and reseed themselves when happy. Leave them standing over the winter months to provide a source of seed for seed eating songbirds. 

Sun Preference: Full to partial sun
Days to Germination: 30
Planting Depth: Surface to light dusting of dirt on top
Height at Maturity: 36-60”
Plant Width at Maturity: 24-36" 
Bloom Width: 2-3”
Cut Back: Early Spring. 1-2” above the ground

POL-57 Yellow Zinnia

Item Details: Fully double gold blooms make a dazzling display in the garden. Well-branched stems provide a continuous supply of easy-to-grow 3-4" blooms that hold up well in a vase. Excellent heat and cold tolerance keep this variety productive until frost.

Instructions: Annuals that do best in full sun and rich soil. Bloom time is mid-summer to fall. Direct seed after the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Transplanting is recommended, starting 3-4 weeks before planting date. Do not allow plants to become root bound. Harvest before flowers completely open. 

Days to Germination: 5-7
Planting Depth: 3/4”
Spacing in Row: 2"
Spacing Between Rows: 24"
Days to Maturity: 75-90
Height at Maturity: 30-36”
 

COR-17 Doug’s Poppin’ Good Popcorn

Item Details: This popcorn was grown right in Cedarburg, by 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

EDI-43 Tip Top Nasturtium

*a small amount of packets are categorized as NAT-20; no other information is incorrect 

Item Details: This strain of nasturtium is noteworthy because it holds a multitude of edible flowers above its rounded foliage. The flowers and leaves can also be added to salads to impart a peppery flavor. The flowers within the mix of this half-hardy annual are apricot, gold, mahogany, and scarlet. This 8-10" tall selection is ideal for containers.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors one week after last frost. Plants prefer average moist soil. Water during dry spells, but do not fertilize, as this will promote more foliage than flowers.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-12
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 8"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Days to Maturity: 75
Height at Maturity: 8-10”
Frost Hardy: N

GRE-95 Sunset Chard

Item Details: Bright golden yellow stems that vein beautifully into glossy, broad, green leaves. Plants are large and uniform, displaying a beautiful bouquet of deep green leaves on cheerful golden stems. Performs well in variable weather, exhibiting exceptional quality as a microgreen, when harvested as a baby leaf and when grown to full size for bunching. Can be mixed with other colors for a classic rainbow appeal.

Instructions: Chard is a tender biennial (producing seed in its second year). Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked mid-spring throughout mid-summer. Transplants can be started 4-6 weeks before planting date. Cut stems three inches above ground, leaving the center growing tip intact. 

Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: 1/2”
Spacing in Row: 2"
Spacing Between Rows: 18-24"
Plant Spacing After Thinning: 4-8”
Days to Maturity: 30 baby; 60 full-size
Height at Maturity: 22”

GRE-17 Old Timey Blue Collard
 

Item Details: Donated to SSE in 1989 by Ralph Blackwell of Alabama. Ralph's family grew this variety for over a hundred years and his mother used it to make a dish similar to sauerkraut. Plants grow blue-green leaves and purple stems/veins. Very good eating qualities.
 

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Can also be direct seeded outdoors 3 months before fall frost. Collards are most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest may continue even after snow.

Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost
Days to Germination: 3 to 10
Planting Depth: 1/4"
Spacing in Row: 24"
Height at Maturity: 24"
Days to Maturity: 60 to 80

GRE-82 Green Wave Mustard Greens

Item Details: Bright lime green, ruffled leaves add great contrast to salad mixes.
A reliable workhorse mustard, with beautiful color and spicy flavor that mellows when cooked. At baby stage leaves are flat with softly serrated edges. At full size, leaf margins become heavily serrated and frilly.

Instructions: Mustard greens are hardy brassicas that prefer full sun and fertile soils. Direct sow seed as soon as soil can be worked or start transplants 4-6 weeks before planting date. Excellent producer with heat tolerance. Sow every 3 weeks into fall for a continuous harvest. 

Days to Germination: 7-10
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 2"
Spacing Between Rows: 24"
Days to Maturity: 21 baby, 45 full-size
Height at Maturity: 18”
 

GRE-42 Peking Ta Ching Kou Pai Tsai Asian Green

Item Details: This prolific, easy-to-grow Asian green is one of Seed Savers Exchange advisor David Cavagnaro’s favorites from his time as SSE’s farm manager. The greens can be prepared like any other brassica greens, such as collards and kale. Growing to more than three feet tall, this variety bears lovely, large purple leaves that have an ornamental quality as well as great taste. 

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed to prevent premature flowering. Can also be planted in late summer for a fall crop. Seeds will germinate in 4-7 days. Plant in full sun to partial shade.

Patron Comments: “The Asian Greens are my new favorite. They were an early producer and tasty in salads, soups, Ma Po Tofu, and anything else that calls for spinach or kale. I let a few plants continue to grow and go to seed. There are even some volunteers coming up for a fall harvest!” From Ann - Thiensville, 2020.

Days to Germination: 4 to 7 days
Days to Maturity: 45 days
Planting Depth: 1/4"
Spacing in Row: 1", thin to 6"-12"
Spacing Between Rows: 18"
 

GRE-15 Tatsoi Asian Greens

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-39 Asian Tendergreen Komatsuna

Item Details: Also known as Mustard Spinach, Japanese Spinach, or Tendergreen. As silky and sweet as spinach, but easier to grow. Stages of the crop: young, flowering, gone to seed. You can reproduce this full spectrum scene in your own garden by letting some plants live on without the interruption of harvest: they will flower and go to seed self-sowing a second generation for delicious fall greens.

Komatsuna is one of our favorite Asian greens. You can plant it from early spring through fall and eat the leaves, stems, and even flower heads; it survives the winter happily in an unheated tunnel or under row cover. You can use the leaves fresh when young. Wilt or braise when more mature for an unbeatably tender, melting, bright-green, sweet mild mustardy treat! Delicious, highly nutritious (plenty of calcium), and a beautiful, light-green, shiny addition to any garden.

Instructions: Sow under protection 4-6 weeks before last frost and transplant 3 weeks before last frost. Succession sow July-August; fall crops are most successful. Spring-sown crops must be harvested young to beat bolting; they also may need row cover to protect against flea beetle damage. Will overwinter with protection and give delicious greens through January at least. Grows very quickly and is usually ready for harvest in about 6 weeks.

Sun Preference: Full to little sun
Days to Germination: 5-10
Planting Depth: 1/2”
Spacing in Row: 4"
Spacing Between Rows: 10"
Days to Maturity: 35-48
Height at Maturity: 10”
Width at Maturity: 6"

GRE-93 Parris Island Romaine Lettuce

Item Details: Fast-growing multi-purpose lettuce for baby leaf or full size heads. Baby leaves size up quickly for salad mixes while the upright, uniform grey-green heads have nicely savoyed leaves. Medium-slow to bolt.

Instructions: Grows best in cool temperatures and can bolt during hot weather. Days to maturity are from direct seeding. Baby leef: 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: 75
Height at Maturity: 12”
 

GRE-16 Backlund Bly Orach

Item Details: Green Orach.grows up to 5' tall with light green leaves. Slow to bolt heirloom from Norway. In family 4 generations. This variety comes from Mark Walker and Kathy Kapitan, seed savers who have listed in the SSE Yearbook Exchange since 1996. They received this orach from Marks uncle, Gib Backlund, who obtained it from his father-in-law, George Bly. George's parents, Haldor and Ingeliv (Sekse) Bly, brought the orach to the U.S. when they emigrated from Norway to Minnesota in 1888. Heritage Farm Collection Variety in 2017.

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: 50-55
Height at Maturity: Up to 5’
 

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’
 

GRE-84 Watercress

Item Details: This refreshing green crop has deep, peppery undertones. Serves as a lovely spring tonic. Perennial. Excels in containers. Direct sow. 

Instructions: Surface sow in spring when temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees F. Once plants are established, thin to indicated spacing. For home growers, watercress is most easily grown in containers filled with quality compost, in a shady spot, with a deep tray filled with water under. Change water weekly and harvest frequently.

Sun Preference: Full to partial sun
Days to Germination: 5-15
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 4"
Spacing Between Rows: 4"
Days to Maturity: 45
Height at Maturity: 18”

OK-02 Star of David Okra

Item Details: aka Old Fashioned Okra. Purple coloration on leaves and thick pods. Cross-sections of pods look like the Star of David, giving this variety its name. Like many okra varieties, this plant bears beautiful flowers and foliage that could warrant a place in the ornamental border.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields. Pods are best picked at about 3" long.

Days to Maturity: 60-75
Planting Depth: 1/2"
Spacing in Row: 2", thin to 6-8" apart
Height at Maturity: plants reach 7' tall
Pod Length at Maturity: 3”

PEP-23 Maule’s Red Hot Pepper

Item Details: Introduced in 1903 by the William Henry Maule seed company of Philadelphia. Vivid red 10" long cayenne-type peppers are great for hot sauce or dried red pepper flakes. High yielding plants produce well even in northern areas.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 14 
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing In Rows: 12-24"
Days to Maturity: 80
Length at Maturity: 10”
 

PEP-28 Bridge to Paris Pepper

Item Details: Plants are large (up to 36' in height) and loaded with big peppers. The flavor and texture are first-rate: extremely sweet when ripe, with thick bell pepper-like skin. A handful of plants will provide plenty of pepper flesh for fresh eating and freezing.

Instructions: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost in very warm spot (80 degrees is ideal). Keep seedlings in a well-ventilated area at 70+ degrees and do not over water. Transplant outdoors into rich soil after threat of frost has passed. Grows to 30" high; may require staking to keep fruits off the ground. Harvest any time after pods begin to fill out; sweetest when deep red.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 10-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 18"
Spacing Between Rows: 36"
Days to Maturity: 88 from transplant
Height at Maturity: 30-40”
Support: Stake
 

PEP-18 Buran Pepper

Item Details: Sweet and productive Polish pepper. Bell fruits with 3 lobes. Sweet even when green, sure to be a favorite. Does well in dry areas.

Instructions: Start seeds indoors. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Start Indoors: 8 weeks before last frost
Days to Germination: 14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Plant Spacing: 12-24"
Days to Maturity: 90 from transplant
Height at Maturity: 24”
Fruit Size at Maturity: 4"

PEP-16 Sweet Chocolate Pepper

Item Details: Medium-sized, elongated, thick-walled fruit bear the color of chocolate as they ripen; they acquire a scarlet hue when fully ripe. Fruit are abundant on plants that are medium-tall in height. Flavor is sweet and texture is crunchy but, alas, they do not taste like chocolate. An excellent slicing pepper for salads, where its unique color creates plenty of interest.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm. 

Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/2”
Spacing in Row: 18-24"
Spacing Between Rows: 24-48"
Days to Maturity: 85 from transplant
Height at Maturity: 36-42”
Width at Maturity: 18-24"
Support: Cage or stake

TOM-02 Gold Medal Tomato

Item Details: From Ohio tomato collector, Ben Quisenberry, who described it in his 1976 catalog: “The sweetest tomato you ever tasted. The yellow flesh with streaks of red makes them very attractive and a gourmet’s joy when sliced.” Winner of the 2008 SSE Tomato Tasting. Very flavorful. Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep, six weeks before last frost. Tomatoes are sensitive to freezing temperatures, so wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing between Plants: 24-36"
Days to Maturity: 75-90
Support: Cage or stake

TOM-54 Moskvich Tomato

Item Details: High quality, early season red heirloom slicer that rivals hybrids. Fruits are round to slightly flattened with deep red color and luscious, rich flavor. Great eaten fresh or processed. Highly resistant to cracking, making it a great pick for the greenhouse. Like all Russian tomatoes it can stand up to cool conditions. Semi-determinate.

Instructions: Prefers moderately fertile soil. Start 6-8 weeks before planting date. Optimal soil for germination is 75-85 degrees. Set transplants out after danger of frost has passed. Harvest fully ripe for best flavor.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing in Row: 12-24"
Days to Maturity: 60
Height at Maturity: 3’
Fruit Size at Maturity: 4-6 oz
Support: Cage, stake, or trellis

TOM-67 Oma’s Orange Tomato

Item Details: The delicious, dark-orange flesh of this large beefsteak tomato has a great balance of sweetness and acidity. Juicy fruits mature mid-season, weigh a half to full pound, and measure 3-4.5"" wide. Tall, indeterminate plants grow 5-6' tall and bear fruit singly or in a cluster of 1-3. Betty Moore of Stow, Ohio, has stewarded this variety since 1983, when she received it from her mother, Oma Rachel Lively Miller, who was given the variety from a relative circa 1937 when she married.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Tomatoes are sensitive to freezing temperatures, so wait to transplant outdoors until the soil is warm. Plant in full sun.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Spacing: 24-36”
Days to Maturity: 75-80
Height at Maturity: 5-6’
Frost Hardy: N
Support: Cage, stake, or trellis
 

TOM-65 San Marzano Paste Tomato

Item Details: Classic Italian favorite with high yields; excellent richly flavored tomato for preserving. Prized for its firm pulp, low seed count and easily-removed skin. Medium-sized fruits are slightly larger than Roma VF but smaller than Gilbertie and Amish. Resists cracking and holds well both on the vine and in storage. Heavy yields.

Instructions: Start seeds 6-8 weeks before planting date. Days to maturity are from transplants. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-85°F; seeds in colder situations will germinate very slowly. Do not start too early; transplants will suffer if allowed to become root bound and leggy. Harden off transplants by reducing water and nitrogen fertilizer. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Tomatoes yield best in clay or loam soils that are well drained and high in organic matter. Use a high phosphorus fertilizer for transplants. Take care not to over-fertilize with Nitrogen as this can result in more foliage but lower yields. Harvest tomatoes fully ripe for best flavor. Tomatoes can also be harvested green or at first blush and ripened off the vine at temperatures above 70°F. Store between 55° - 70°F at 95% relative humidity. Storing below 50°F can result in chilling damage.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 7-14
Planting Depth: 1/8-1/4”
Plant Height: 4 feet
Plant Spacing: 12-24"
Days to Maturity: 80

TOM-64 Purple de Milpa

Item Details: The tomatillo that grows wild in Mexican cornfields. Very small (¾") purple-tinged fruits borne on 3-4' tall plants. Fruit typically does not burst through husk when ripe. Sharp flavor preferred by some cooks over other tomatillos. Make sure to remove the papery husk on these fruits before storing them in the refrigerator.

Instructions: Culture is very similar to tomatoes. Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Transplant outdoors when soil has warmed. Plants are self- supporting, but sprawl over a large area. Cage or trellis when space is limited.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Days to Germination: 14
Planting Depth: 1/4”
Plant Spacing: 24-36” apart
Days to Maturity: 70-90
Plant Size at Maturity: 3-4’
Fruit Size at Maturity: ¾”
Support: Cage or trellis when space is limited

TOM-39 Toma Verde Tomatillo

Item Details: Early variety with tart flavor when young, becoming sweeter as it ripens. Medium to large size fruits are ready to harvest when husks split and fruit color changes from a yellow green to medium green. Perfect for Salsa Verde or as a special addition to any Mexican dish.

Instructions: Tomatoes yield best in clay or loam soils that are well drained and high in organic matter. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before planting date. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-85°F; seeds in colder situations will germinate very slowly. Do not start too early; transplants will suffer if allowed to become root bound and leggy. Harden off transplants by reducing water. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed.

Sun Preference: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1/8-1/4”
Spacing around Plant: 24-36"
Days to Maturity: 60 from transplant