GardeningSphere

Brocoverde Cauliflower

The Cauliflower Brocoverde, 'Brassica oleracea', is a very sweet tasting cauliflower that deserves a place in your garden. If you like cauliflower, then try this new, green variety. The taste is quite sweet, and Brocoverde takes the spring heat better than regular cauliflower, thus making spring plantings more successful in northern climates. Keep soil moist and water deeply at least once a week. Harvest the heads when buds are tight by cutting the stalk below the head.

Kin Tsai Chinese Celery

The Celery Chinese Kin-Tsai (Qin cai, Kun choi), 'Apium graveolens', is one of the most widely grown vegetables in China. The leaves have a strong celery flavor that is essential for Chinese cuisine. In China, Chinese Celery is an ancient vegetable. In 1972, bamboo slips, used to record recipes, were excavated from the Han dynasty tombs. The soil should be well drained and very fertile with lots of organic matter. Cut individual stems or harvest the whole plant about 1 inch above the ground.

Utah 52 70 Improved Tall Celery

The Celery Tall Utah 52/70 Improved, 'Apium graveolens var dulce', has a far superior flavor than grocery store celery. The fruits of the labors of experienced gardeners will be even sweeter when growing celery. Tall Utah grows best in climates with long, moderate temperature seasons, but can be grown most places with the proper technique. Celery is worth the effort. Celery prefers well drained soil that has lots of organic matter. Harvest stalks when they are at least 6 inches tall and cut with a sharp knife just below the ground level.

Collards

The Collards Georgia Southern, 'Brassica oleracea', is a heat and cold tolerant variety that is high in vitamins and minerals. This non-heading member of the cabbage family has huge cabbage-like, blue-green, slightly crumpled, juicy leaves. Collards are overlooked for gourmet greens, lettuce, and cabbage. They prefer rich, moist, well drained soil with lots of organic matter. In dry climates, water deeply once a week. The leaves of the collard can be harvested as needed.

White Argent Corn

The Corn Sweet Argent (White), 'Zea mays var rugosa (Hybrid)', is the best tasting white sweet corn there is. It is unsurpassed in eating quality. Argent is a white sweet corn with superb sweet, creamy flavor and excellent cultivation traits. Argent sweet corn adapts well to cool soils and has a high tolerance ot Stewart's Wilt and Northern Corn Leaf Blight. Corn prefers a deep, rich well drained soil. Harvest the ears when the husks are dark green and the silks are brown but not brittle. Corn is usually ready 3 weeks after silks appear.

Yellow Bodacious Corn

The Corn Sweet Bodacious, 'Zea mays var rugosa (Hybrid)', is a gourmet sweet corn with exceptional flavor. It was developed for the home garden and the fresh corn market. Bodacious is a truly homozygous sugary enhanced hybrid. Its wide adaptability in northern latitudes and consistent performance have made Bodacious the most popular variety in its class. Harvest the ears when the husks are dark green and the silks are brown but not brittle. Corn is usually ready 3 weeks after silks appear.

Lemon Cucumber

The Cucumber Lemon, 'Cucumis satiovus', is a very good slicer or pickler. The Lemon cucumber is very sweet, crisp, easy to digest and looks just like a lemon. If you love cukes, eat these like an apple. Don't dismiss their unusual lemon-shaped cucumber variety as a simple oddity; the white flesh has excellent flavor, plants are somewhat drought tolerant, and they are a great slicer or pickler. Do not let cucumbers get too big because the vines stop producing if over mature cucumbers stay on the vine.

Homemade Pickles Pickling Cucumber

The Cucumber Homemade Pickles, 'Cucumis satiovus', is arguably the best cucumber available for pickles. Homemade Pickles has a solid and crisp interior that is perfect for 1 to 5 inch pickles. Making pickles at home is easy with Homemade Pickles. This plant has excellent disease resistance, has very high yields, and is ready to harvest early. Do not let cucumbers get too big because the vines stop producing if over mature cucumbers stay on the vine.

Armenian Slicing Cucumber

The Cucumber Armenian Burpless, 'Cucumis satiovus', is a slicing cucumber that is slightly sweet, crisp, and never bitter. The Armenian Burpless is very long and is best harvested short at 18 inches. Want to try something new in your garden? This is the variety. It has excellent flavor and absolutely gorgeous light green, thin skin. Cucumbers have a shallow root system and therefore require regular moisture. Do not let cucumbers get too big because the vines stop producing if over mature cucumbers stay on the vine.

Fanfare Slicing Cucumber

The Cucumber Fanfare, 'Cucumis satiovus (Hybrid)', is an All America Winner. The Fanfare is a semi-dwarf plant that is resistant to many diseases, and is a great slicer. It is almost the perfect cucumber. The compact vines produce over a long period of time rather than all at once like some varieties. They produce quickly and taste great. Do not let cucumbers get too big because the vines stop producing if over mature cucumbers stay on the vine.

Tohya Green Soybean Edamame

The Edamame Green Soybean Tohya, 'Glycine max', is so high in protein, it is called "the meat without bones". When boiled, the beans are popped out of the pod into your mouth for a culinary delight. Edamame means "beans on a brach" and has quickly become a favorite vegetable. They are 40% protien, high in vitamins A, B, calcium and iron. Wait for the pods to get plump but while they are still green. If the foliage starts to turn yellow, pull up the whole plant and harvest.

Bambino Eggplant

The Eggplant Baby Bambino, 'Solanum melongena (Hybrid)', is a baby eggplant with 1" fruits! The Bambino is great hors d'oeuvres, shish-kabobs and other eggplant dishes. It is also an attractive ornamental. In addition to not having the bitter flavor that some full-sized eggplants have, Bambino is a tasty and attractive addition to your garden. Eggplant prefers rich, deep, loose soils with large amounts of organic material. Provide 1 inch of water a week if it does not rain.

Long Purple Eggplant

The Eggplant Long Purple-Japanese/Chinese, 'Solanum melongena', has a milder, more delicate flavor than regular eggplant. The Long Purple has few seeds and a thin skin that makes it easy to cook. Eggplant is a very international vegetable. The unique and tasty dishes cooked in Japan, China, Italy, Russia and other countries make eggplant a useful and tasty vegetable for your garden. Eggplant prefers rich, deep, loose soils with large amounts of organic material. Provide 1 inch of water a week if it does not rain.

Tres Fine Maraichere Endive

The Endive Tres Fine Maraichere, 'Chicorium endiva', is the classic ingredient for mesclun mixes. Tres Fine Maraichere has very narrow, finely cut leaves that add dramatic texture to salads, and it is a very attractive ornamental. Once you have tasted a well grown Endive, you will never eat a salad without it. The smooth taste of blanched Endive is perfect to cleanse your palate between spicy dishes. Endive prefers fertile, moist, well drained soil with lost of organic matter. They will not tolerate weed competition.

Grosse Bouclee Escarole

The Escarole Grosse Bouclee, 'Chicorium endiva', is a crackling, crisp, tender, snappy green that is a must green in Europe and for any salad. Grown properly, no green will match its flavor. There is a reason superb gourmet salads usually have Escarole, because Escarole adds flavor, texture, and visual appeal to any salad. Harvest in the fall after the first couple of light frosts because the flavor is actually improved after a light frost. In the spring, harvest before temperatures get above 90 degrees.

Birdhouse Hard- shelled Gourd

The Gourd Hard-shelled Birdhouse, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is commonly used to make birdhouses, pots, planters, bowls, toys, and hanging baskets. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds such as Birdhouse will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. Birdhouse gourds makes a great birdhouse. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.

Corsican Hard- shelled Gourd

The Gourd Hard-shelled Corsican, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is used to make serving bowls, jewelry boxes, and many other beautifully decorated lidded containers. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as Corsican, will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. The Corsican can be left the natural color or painted in any color desired. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.

Dipper Hard- shelled Gourd

The Gourd Hard-shelled Long Handled Dipper, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is wonderful for painting, decorating, or used as a water 'dipper'. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as the Long Handled Dipper, will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. This dipper gourd can be used as a pot to hold plants or to dip water from a pot or other utensil. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.

Luffa Gourd

The Gourd Luffa Chinese Okra, Cee Gwa, Sze Qwa, 'Luffa aegyptiaca' is simple and easy to grow. Grow your own sponge! The Luffa Gourd can also be cooked and eaten like summer squash! What a useful vegetable, and fun for the whole family. Grow your own sponge for exfoliating and clearing your skin, scrubbing dishes, and cleaning the barbeque grill. When the gourds are harvested between 4 and 6 inches long, they are a sweet, tasty vegetable that can be stir-fried, sauteed, or cooked with meats just as you would zucchini squash or okra.

Crown of Thorns Ornamental Gourd

The Gourd Ornamental Shenot Crown of Thorns Blend, 'Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera', is an amazingly symmetrical gourd with 10 little "fingers" that protrude to make a crown. The Crown of Thorns is fun for kids and adults to grow. The vine is smaller than many gourd vines, and it can be grown in large hanging baskets or containers. Harvest the Crown of Thorns in time to use as a holiday decorations or crafts projects, such as weird-shaped small bowls. Shenot was selected for it's very uniform gourds.

Nest Egg Ornamental Gourd

The Gourd Ornamental Nest Egg, 'Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera', is very similar in size and shape to a hen's egg. The Nest Egg is used as a decorative egg in baskets and Easter arrangements. Arrange them in gourd bowl, paint as Easter eggs, or you can make a unique and useful tea ball. Gourds should be kept evenly moist and at the end of the season keep them on the dry side. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.

Pear Bi- color Ornamental Gourd

The Gourd Ornamental Pear Bicolor, 'Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera', is a wonderfully colored gourd. The Pear Bicolor gourd looks great nestled in a harvest basket or on a Thanksgiving table. The Pear Bicolor Gourd is a colorful addition to any gourd arrangement with the lower half being green and the upper half being yellow or tan. The Pear Bicolor has smooth skin and the outside is very hard. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.

Dwarf Blue Curled Kale

The Kale Dwarf Blue Curled, 'Brassica oleraceae (Acephala)', is very nutritious, tasty, and simple to grow. Add the Dwarf Ble Curled Kale to soup, or stir-fry or steam. Dwarf Blue Curled Kale is extremely hardy and will overwinter in all but the coldest climates. Like most "green", it grows best in cool weather but will also withstand some heat. The flavor of this "cut and come again" crop is actually improved by frost. Kale can be harvested by cutting off the entire plant or by periodically stripping off the lower leaves.

Nero Toscana Kale

The Kale Italian Lacinato Nero Toscana, 'Brassica oleraceae (Acephala)', is an Italian Heirloom that is prized by gourmet cooks worldwide. The Italian Lacinato is also known as Dinosaur kale, Black Tuscan Kale, or cavolo nero. This great variety has incredible flavor. It is highly nutritious and quite attractive as an ornamental in the garden. The Nero Toscana Kale dates back to the late 18th century. Kale can be harvested by cutting off the entire plant or by periodically stripping off the lower leaves.

Purple & White Vienna Blend Kohlrabi

The Kohlrabi Purple & White Vienna Blend, 'Brassica oleracea', is a curiously shaped member of the cabbage family. Kohlrabi is a crisp, mild and sweet source of fiber, potassium, calcium, and vitamin C. It may look like a space alien has invaded your garden, but you'll welcome not only Kohlrabi's unusual shape and it's crisp, juicy flavor in salads and slaws. Kohlrabi prefer rich, moist, and well drained soil with lots of organic matter. Harvest when round portions are 2 to 3 inches wide.

Bon Vivant Blend Lettuce

The Lettuce Mesclun Bon Vivant, 'Lactuca sativa', is a wonderful blend of non-bitter leaf lettuces. The Bon Vivant is a tasty mixture that will excite those of you who live the diverse taste, color, and texture of leaf lettuces. Mesclun Lettuce displays leaves that have unusual shapes, a mixture of colors, and has different colors. To experience an even more European flavor, add a pinch of Radicchio or Arugula seed to this blend before planting. Lettuce grows well near cabbage, beets, carrots, chives, garlic, and onion.

Bon Vivant SPICY Blend Lettuce

The Letuce Mesclun Bon Vivant Spicy, 'Lactuca sativa', is a custom salad mixture with exciting flavors, colors, and textures that will excite your interest and taste for salads. We've added several unique and tasty greens to the Bon Vivant Mix to make a tasty and texture filled European salad blend. This variety contains Tango, Royal Oak Leaf, Red Salad Bowl, Black Seeded Simpson, Grand Rapids TBR, and Red Salis, Mizuna, Green Endive, and Arugula seeds. This lettuce can also be grown inside in containers.