Vegetable Seeds

Our Mesclun blend of baby lettuces offers you a simple way of experiencing the delicious diversity of lettuce colors, textures and flavors. The tender young leaves are ready to cut quickly and plants will regrow rapidly for a second and even third cutting from the same bed. These are the same gourmet varieties chefs use for signature salads in fine restaurants. Enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction of growing them in your own kitchen garden this season.
Equal parts: Rouge Grenobloise, Royal Oakleaf, Cimarron, Sucrine, Blonde Batavia and Red Salad Bowl
Harvest in 35 days.

Approx: 2000 Seeds

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In early spring, sow seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Shake seeds from the palm of your hand, broadcasting them about a half inch apart over the entire seedbed or in wide rows, and cover lightly and evenly with 1/4 inch of fine soil. Firm soil gently and water in with a fine spray. Keep seedbed evenly moist. Make small successive sowings until summer weather turns hot for a constant supply. Plant again in late summer for ample fall harvesting.

GROWING NOTES

This mesclun mix thrives in mild weather with consistent moisture. To extend the sowing season into hot weather, sow in light shade or erect a canopy of loosely woven shade cloth over the seed bed. Birds are often attracted to tender young seedlings so protect them if necessary.

HARVEST AND USE

Begin harvesting by the “cut and come again” method when plants are 4 or 5 inches tall. Cut as much lettuce as you need, using scissors to shear off a patch of leaves 1 to 2 inches above the soil level. Water well and fertilize lightly and plants will regrow for several more cuttings. Dress with a simple vinaigrette to enjoy the sweet flavor and juicy texture of these delicate young leaves at their best.

The best variety of sugar snaps to eat whole when peas are round and ripe and pod walls are sweet, thick and juicy – you’ll be tempted to eat them all right off the plants! Super Sugar Snap vines grow 5 feet tall with larger, longer pods than other snap peas, good heat tolerance, plus pea roll and powdery mildew resistance. Tops for vigor, productivity and melt-in-your-mouth sweet taste, Super Sugar Snaps are wonderful eating raw or very quickly cooked.
Harvest in 62 days

Approx: 72 Seeds.
(Resistant to pea leaf roll & powdery mildew)

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In early to mid-spring, plant peas in full sun in well-worked, fertile soil. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart in wide rows or bands 3 inches across, spacing the wide rows 2 feet apart. Provide supports for these 5 foot vines at planting time. Protect from marauding birds with netting or floating row covers if necessary. Wet and cold early spring weather may affect germination so if first sowing doesn’t germinate evenly, replant right away as new seedlings catch up quickly. Sow again for a fall crop about 2 1/2 months before first expected fall frost.

HARVEST AND USE

Harvest only when peas are mature and round in the thick-walled, juicy pods for the best developed flavor. Savor their sweet crunch fresh from the garden (kids especially love them!) as a snack or slice into salads. To cook quickly, pull strings from pods and sauté in a little oil just until pods turn a deeper green color.

GROWING NOTES

Use netting or wire trellis to support these heavy bearing vines for easy picking. Turn a sprinkling of bone meal and wood ashes into the soil before planting. Keep pea vines well weeded and watered and mulch to conserve moisture. Water at the base of the plants to avoid mildew.

Our novelty mix offers gardeners the fun of growing both sunny yellow and bright orange carrots. You’ll have eye-catching rich harvests of crisp, smooth, evenly cylindrical roots that reach a full 8 inches in length. Both of these premium European varieties taste sweet and crispy with no soapy off-flavors and you can enjoy them over a long harvest period. Whether fresh sliced into carrot sticks, or quickly cooked, their sunshine bright colors are a kitchen gardener’s delight!

88 Days.

Approx: 380 Seeds.

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In spring once danger of hard frost is past, sow seeds in full sun in finely-worked, fertile soil. Sow 1/4 inch deep and 1/2 inch apart in rows 8 inches apart, or broadcast thinly in beds and cover lightly. Keep seed bed evenly moist as carrots can be slow to germinate, emerging over 10 to 21 days. If first sowing comes up unevenly, replant right away as seedlings catch up quickly. Thin seedlings several times so they are 2 to 3 inches apart and have room to size up.

GROWING NOTES

Carrots like well-worked soil and need consistent moisture. If your soil dries out fast, cover seed bed with floating row covers to help retain moisture during the germination period. Keep carrots well weeded throughout the growing season. Plant again 3 months before first expected fall frost for a late crop.

HARVEST AND USE

Let carrots size up to at least 5 to 6 inches and turn deep orange or golden yellow before harvesting for best sweet flavor. Eat raw, sauté, or lightly steam. Set off their flavor with fresh lemon or orange juice and a sprinkling of minced herbs. Or glaze with a little honey and ginger or cinnamon. Fresh mint leaves are a pretty and tasty garnish.

Edamame soybeans’ flavor is nutty, buttery and truly irresistible fresh from the garden and they pack top nutritional value. Cook them quickly, right in their pods for appetizers and snacks or use like fresh beans in any recipe. We import our seed from Japan, where edamame are a long-standing favorite. These widely adapted 2 foot tall bush plants offer consistently high yields of large 3 to 3-1/2 inch green pods with 3 to 4 plump and tasty beans per pod.

85 Days.

Approx: 22 seeds.

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In spring, once weather is warm and nights stay securely above 13°C, sow in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 3 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart. When seedlings are several inches tall, thin to final spacing of 6 inches apart. Make several sowings a few weeks apart until the end of June or early July to provide successive harvests.

GROWING NOTES

Edamame is easy, fun and reliable to grow, but wait until weather warms before planting; cold and/or wet conditions prevent good germination. If first sowing comes up unevenly, replant right away; new seedlings catch up quickly. Be sure to thin to final 6 inch spacing for best pod production. Birds are often attracted to young seedlings, so watch carefully and protect with netting or floating row cover if necessary. Avoid cultivating plants when wet.

HARVEST AND USE

As edamame ripen, the beans swell in the pods. Pick promptly when pods are plump and beans are almost touching each other inside the pods but before the pods turn yellow. When ripe, harvest is concentrated over a short period. To prepare: cook unopened pods in a large pot of boiling salted water for 2 to 4 minutes or just until the beans in pods are tender. Drain and serve hot or cold, sprinkled with coarse salt to taste.

Sea of Red is brand-new leaf lettuce from top American breeders. The plants form open, loose heads of sword shaped leaves that color up to the most beautiful and amazingly deep, mahogany-red that we’ve seen in any lettuce variety. Unlike other red lettuces that fade in the sun, Sea of Red’s color just gets more intense. A true show-stopper in the garden, these richly colored leaves add gorgeous contrast to other lettuces and greens and make every salad a special occasion.

40 Days.

Approx: 850 Seeds.

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In cool early spring weather, sow seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Sow seeds about one inch apart in seed beds or containers. Cover lightly and evenly with 1/4 inch of fine soil. Firm soil gently and water with a fine spray. Keep seedbed evenly moist. Make small successive sowings until summer weather turns hot for a constant supply. Plant again in late summer for fall harvesting.

GROWING NOTES

Sea of Red will thrive in mild weather with consistent moisture. To extend the sowing season into hot weather, sow in light shade or erect a canopy of loosely woven shade cloth over the bed. Birds are often attracted to tender young seedlings, so protect them if necessary.

HARVEST AND USE

To harvest, wait until the plants form open, loose heads and are about 6 inches tall. Cut as much as you need, using scissors to shear off a patch of leaves about 1 to 2 inches above the soil level. Water well and fertilize lightly. If weather is cool, plants will re-grow for another cutting. The sword-shaped leaves with their beautiful deep red color will enhance any salad bowl and add interest to any sandwich.

We’ve worked with a talented breeder who specializes in selecting heirloom varieties to compose this blend of luscious antique lettuces. The pretty mix includes seeds for red-flecked, lime-green “Speckled Troutback,” sweet “Blush Butter Cos,” juicy “Red Ruffled Oak,” notched dark red “Devil’s Tongue” and crispy, upright “Sucrine.” These beautiful lettuces create a tapestry in the garden and you’ll be able to cut their fast growing, flavorful leaves often for colorful and delicious salad bowls all season.
Harvest in 40 days
Equal parts: Troutback, Blush Butter Cos, Red Ruffled Oak, Red Devil’s Tongue & Sucrine lettuces

Approx: 1400 Seeds.

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In early spring, sow seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Shake seeds from the palm of your hand, broadcasting them about a half inch apart over the entire seedbed or in wide rows, and cover lightly and evenly with 1⁄4 inch of fine soil. Firm soil gently and water in with a fine spray. Keep seedbed evenly moist. Make small successive sowings until summer weather turns hot for a constant supply. Plant again in late summer for fall harvesting. Or, space seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart and let them mature to full size heads.

GROWING NOTES

Lettuce thrives in mild weather with consistent moisture. To extend the sowing season into hot weather, erect a canopy of loosely woven shade cloth over the lettuce bed. Birds are often attracted to tender young seedlings so protect them if necessary.

HARVEST AND USE

To harvest by the “cut and come again” method, wait until plants are 4 or 5 inches tall. Cut as much as you need, using scissors to shear off a patch of leaves 1 to 2 inches above the soil level. Water well and fertilize lightly and plants will regrow for several more cuttings. Dress with extra virgin olive oil and a mild fruit or balsamic vinegar to enjoy the sweet flavors and juicy textures of these delicate young leaves at their best.

Purple Beauty pepper seeds produce compact, bushy plants with thick protective foliage. The fruits begin to form mid-summer, starting as big, blocky, 3-4 lobed green bell peppers, before maturing to an astonishing bright purple colour. Purple Beauty was grown out from the original hybrid Purple Belle and now produces open pollinated seeds for seed saving and home seed production. The flavour of these remarkable fruits is mild, sweet, and succulent, with a fine, crispy texture. The cut fruits look absolutely spectacular mixed with yellow or orange peppers, so they belong in every foodie’s garden. Peppers will turn green when cooked.

How To Grow, Timing:  Peppers need plenty of time to mature before they will bloom and set fruit. Start indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and grow under bright lights. Transplant only when weather has really warmed up. Night time low temperatures should be consistently above 12°C before hardening off pepper plants and transplanting outdoors. Soil temperature for germination: 25-29°C. Seeds should sprout in 10 – 21 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow indoors 5mm-1cm deep. Keep soil as warm as possible. Seedling heating mats speed germination. Try to keep seedlings at 18-24°C in the day, and 16-18°C at night. Before they become root-bound, transplant them into 8cm pots. For greatest possible flower set, try to keep them for 4 weeks at night, about 12°C. Then transplant them into 15cm pots, bringing them into a warm room at night, about 21°C.

How To Grow, Growing:  Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the bed at least three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Though peppers will tolerate dry soil, they will only put on good growth if kept moist. Harden off before planting out 30-60cm apart. Five gallon containers also work well, but require good drainage and regular irrigation. Using plastic mulch with a cloche can increase the temperature by a few degrees. Pinch back growing tips to encourage leaf production. This helps shade the developing fruits and prevents sun-scald in hot summers.

How To Grow, Harvest:  When the fruit is large and firm it is ready to pick. Or wait for the fruit to ripen further turning red, yellow, brown, or purple. The sweetness and vitamin C content go up dramatically as the fruit changes colour. If you pick green, the total numbers of peppers harvested will increase. Fruit that sets after late August will not usually develop or ripen. Pull out the entire bush just before the first frost and hang it upside down in a warm, dry place to ripen hot peppers.

Matures in 75 days.

Approx: 60 Seeds.