Organic

Quick to mature, round red radishes with crispy, mild-tasting flesh. In and out of the garden in no time- grow several crops for salads and snacking.

28 Days.

Approx: 288 Seeds.

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In early spring as soon as ground can be worked, sow radish seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun. Space seeds 1 inch apart in wide rows 6 inches apart. Cover 1/2 inch deep. Keep soil evenly moist and well weeded. If first sowing comes up unevenly, replant right away. Sow again in late summer for a fall crop.

GROWING NOTES

Sow this quick growing, cool season crop wherever you intend to plant heat lovers later. Radishes thrive and have crisp flesh and the best mild flavor given consistent moisture. Sow small amounts a week apart to ensure a constant supply. Thin quick-growing seedlings early to 2 inches apart so roots have room to size up. Protect radishes with floating row covers if marauding birds or flea beetles that chew holes in the leaves are a problem.

HARVEST AND USE

Harvest radishes when roots are the size of large marbles. If weather turns unexpectedly hot, pull, cut off tops, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Radishes will be spicier in hot weather and milder grown in cooler conditions. Combine sliced radishes, scallions and fresh dill or parsley for a great salad. Make delicious open faced sandwiches on whole grain bread spread with sweet butter and topped with sliced radishes.

This unique heirloom has crinkled, deep blue-green, sword-shaped leaves and really stands out in the garden – the leaves appear almost primeval! This is why Lacinato is often nicknamed “dinosaur kale.” Most importantly, Lacinato has fine, sweet, full flavor; never strong or overbearing. This distinctive Italian favorite is both cold and heat tolerant in all climate zones. You can harvest the nutrition-packed, richly colored leaves for months to steam, or sauté or use in hearty soups and stews.

Harvest in 70 days

Approx: 250 Seeds

TO START SEEDS DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN

As soon as ground can be worked in spring, plant in well-drained, fertile garden soil in full sun. Sow seeds 2 in. apart in rows 12 in. apart. Cover 1/2 inch deep. Keep soil evenly moist. When seedlings are 3 in. tall, thin to 10-12 in. apart. Sow again in late summer.

TO START INDOORS

Sow seeds 2 in. apart and 1/2 in. deep in a container of seed starting mix. Keep moist and provide a strong light source until seedlings reach 3 to 4 in. tall, then plant outdoors 10 to 12 in. apart.

GROWING NOTES

Kale tastes best in cool weather, so sow spring crops early. A late summer-sown crop will yield through fall and winter except in the coldest climates. Frost actually enhances kale leaf color, flavor and sweetness. Mulch to retain moisture in summer and before the ground freezes to protect the roots of fall crops.

HARVEST AND USE

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants have 6 to 8 leaves. Vitamin-rich kale is delicious with stems removed and leaves cut in very thin strips for fresh salads with nuts and fruit. Braise with garlic and olive oil in traditional Mediterranean style. Enjoy in hearty winter soups, stews and sautés. Pull and discard once plants begin to bloom as flowering plants get tough and bitter.

Italian heirloom yields nicely shaped, light green fruits you’ll find meltingly tender, custardy and delicious–never watery or mushy. Early bearing vines with marbled leaves.

40 Days.

Approx: 35 Seeds.

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

Zucchinis need full sun, rich fertile soil and warm temperatures. Plant only when spring weather is warm and night temperatures stay above 50°F (10°C). Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds,1 inch deep, every 2 feet, in rows 3 feet apart. Thin to leave only 1 seedling every 2 feet. Or, plant in slightly mounded hills, 2 feet in diameter, sowing 5 or 6 seeds in each hill. Thin hill-planted seedlings to 2 or 3 strongest plants.

GROWING NOTES

Amend soil well before sowing with lots of aged manure or compost. Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering with plastic berry baskets at planting time, removing when plants get crowded. Be sure to thin properly — you will have more productive, disease-free plants if seedlings have enough room to mature.

HARVEST AND USE

Harvest zucchini when no more than 5 to 6 inches long for best flavor. Frequent harvesting keeps plants producing tasty new fruits instead of maturing fat, tough, huge ones. Steam, stir-fry or grill sliced zucchinis and sprinkle with fresh parsley, dill, basil or thyme. Try the tasty blossoms sautéed or stuffed and baked. Heap a platter with spears of baby zucchinis to serve with your favorite dip for appetizers or snacks.

Climbing, heavily laden vines produce large sized cherries with really rich, full tomato flavor. Heirloom favorite of Alan Chadwick, a true Grand Master of sustainable, organic techniques in the US.
Harvest in 70 days.

Approx: 45 Seeds.

STARTING SEEDLINGS

Start indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 55° (13°C) range. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix. Keep moist but not soggy and very warm, 80°F (27°C). Provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside. When they are 2 inches tall, transplant into 4 inch pots, burying stems up to base of leaves. Maintain around 70°F (21°C). Feed with half-strength fertilizer every 2 weeks until weather is warm enough to gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions. Transplant these vigorous indeterminate climbers 3 feet apart into rich soil in full sun.

HARVEST AND USE

Pick fruits when fully red for best flavor. Enjoy for sweet snacks right out of the garden, in salads or stuffed with herbed cream cheese. For a delicious side dish, briefly sauté Chadwick’s Cherries in a garlicky olive oil, then sprinkle with chopped fresh chives and basil.

GROWING NOTES

Prepare soil well with aged manure or compost. Plant tomatoes several inches deeper than they were growing in pots. Provide strong stakes or tall wire cages at planting time as plants grow tall with heavy fruit loads. Mulch to provide the even moisture that prevents cracking. Don’t overwater once fruit begins to ripen.

Our heritage lettuce blend for superior baby leaf salads is a careful balance of flavors, colors & textures.

Equal parts: Troutback, Blush Butter Cos, Red Ruffled Oak, Red Devil’s Tongue and Sucrine lettuces
Harvest in 40 days.

Approx: 1000 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, sow in light shade or 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.