Japonica Striped Maize Corn - Historic variety introduced to the US seed trade before 1950.

Magnificent ornamental flint corn from Japan; known in the 1890's as Striped-Leafed Japanese Maize. Variegated leaves striped with green, white, yellow and pink. Tassels are dark purple, kernels are burgundy. Beautiful when planted as a border. Color develops better when plants are widely spaced. Can be ground for corn meal. 85 days. 50 seeds/packet.

Golden Bantam Improved Corn - Historic Variety introduced to the U.S. seed trade before 1950.
Producing an early crop for home gardeners and market growers, this historic variety has an excellent sweet flavor and is ideal for freezing and fresh eating. The original strain of Golden Bantam was introduced by W. Atlee Burpee in 1902, and this improved strain was selected for even longer ears and greater tenderness. 70-85 days. 100 seeds/packet.

German Pink Tomato - One of the two original Bavarian heirlooms from Diane Ott Whealy’s family that started the Seed Savers Exchange. Potato leaf plants produce large 1-2 pound beefsteak fruits. Meaty flesh with few seeds, very little cracking or blossom scars. Full sweet flavor. Excellent for canning, freezing, and slicing. Indeterminate, 85 days from transplant. 25 seeds/packet.

Black Beauty Zucchini - A 1957 All America Selections winner developed by John Scarchuk at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
Compact everbearing bush plants are loaded with glossy green-black fruits with firm white flesh. Best eaten when under 8" long. Excellent variety for freezing. 45-65 days. 25 seeds/packet.

Black Mountain Watermelon - Gorgeous green-black round fruits weigh 6-12 pounds. Deep scarlet flesh is super sweet, juicy, and crunchy. Perfect for short season areas; also does well in hot humid climates. Bred by SSE member Glenn Drowns in the 1970's when he lived in northern Idaho, where summer nights average 43°F. 65-75 days. 25 seeds/packet.

King of the North Pepper - This red bell pepper is the best variety for northern gardens where the seasons are cool and short. Full-figured, uniform fruits are excellent for stuffing or fresh eating and have a great, sweet flavor. 70 days from transplant. Sweet. 25 seeds/packet.

British Wonder Pea - A large-podded dwarf pea of good quality and yield. Introduced in England by Taber and Cullen circa 1890. W. Atlee Burpee introduced it in America in 1904. Short vines grow 3' tall and require trellising. Shell, 50-55 days. 75 seeds/packet.

Bushy Cucumber - Produces bumper crops for fresh eating and pickling, with fruits seemingly growing overnight in peak season. A bush cucumber, this variety will take up only 2 or 3 square feet per plant. Introduced to American gardeners by Seed Savers Exchange in 1992, the variety originated in Russia, where its short vines (up to 5' long) and ease of growing made it perfect for dacha or second-home gardens near Moscow. 45-50 days. 25 seeds/packet.

French Breakfast Radish - Historic variety introduced to the U.S. seed trade before 1950.
Also know as Radis Demi-long Rose a Bout Blanc. A very early market garden radish of French origin. Listed by J.M. Thorburn & Co of New York in 1870. Oblong and blunt, rose-scarlet with a white tip. White crisp flesh with a mildly pungent flavor. Sow in the spring or fall and pick when small. 20-30 days. 250 seeds/packet.

Detroit Dark Red Beet - Historic variety introduced to the U. S. seed trade before 1950.
Great for canning and fresh eating, this variety is a good keeper, producing round, blood-red, 3"-diameter roots. This historic variety was introduced in 1892 by D.M. Ferry & Company. Original selections were made from the Early Blood Turnip beet by Mr. Reeves of Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. 60-65 days. 100 seed/packet.

Calabrese Broccoli - Historic variety was introduced into the U.S. seed trade prior to 1950.
This historic and delicious variety dates back to the 1880's, when it was brought to America by Italian immigrants. Tight heads can grow up to 8" in diameter. After the central head is harvested, many side shoots will form, and they can be harvested right up to frost. 58-90 days from transplant. 100 seeds/packet.

Minnesota Midget Melon - Historic variety introduced to the U.S. seed trade prior to 1950.
Extra-early variety bred by the University of Minnesota at St. Paul in 1948. Introduced by Farmer Seed and Nursery Company. Capable of producing two crops—an excellent choice for northern gardeners. Vines seldom over 3' long; suitable for growing in containers. Round 4" fruits have thick golden-yellow flesh that is edible to the rind and deliciously sweet. Resistant to fusarium wilt. 60-75 days. 25 seeds/packet.

Early Snowball Cauliflower. This historic variety has smooth 6-7" heads of tightly formed white curds are solid, crisp, and tender. This variety is well-suited to being eaten raw, baked, roasted, or steamed. Can be overwintered for an early crop in warmer regions. Introduced to American gardeners in 1878 by Peter Henderson & Company. 60-85 days from transplant. 100 seeds/packet.

Dragon Carrot - This carrot’s beautiful red-purple exterior provides a striking contrast to its yellow-orange interior and light yellow core. A treat for the eye when sliced, its sweet, almost spicy, flavor makes this carrot a home gardener’s favorite and a best-seller at specialty and farmers’ markets. Considered the most refined purple carrot available, it was bred by Seed Savers Exchange member John Navazio. 90 days. 250 seeds/packet.

Thyme - One of the most versatile herbs used in cooking, can be used to season any meat or vegetable. It can be used fresh or dried. Plants grow 6-12" tall with a sprawling habit. Perennial in zones 5-8. 250 seeds/packet.

Giant from Italy Parsley - Prized by Italian cooks, this variety produces sizable, bushy plants and a continuous supply of large, flat leaves with strong parsley flavor. Biennial in zones 6-9, grown as an annual. 85-90 days. 250 seeds/packet.

Cilantro - The fresh leaves of this herb, commonly known as cilantro, are used in a variety of Asian and Latin cuisines, but its seeds are also collected and used as a spice called coriander. Successive sowing of this annual herb, which bears umbels of white flowers before it sets seed, will ensure a steady supply of its edible leaves throughout the season. 50-55 days to first leaf harvest, 90-120 days for seed. Annual, 1-2' tall. 250 seeds/packet.

Chives - The slender, onion-flavored, green foliage of chives can be eaten fresh or cooked, and can even be frozen for use later. The cheery, lavender-pink flowers of this perennial herb are also edible and make this species a welcome addition to ornamental borders. Plants will self-sow. Perennial in zones 3-9. 250 seeds/packet.

Genovese Basil - This classic large-leaved Italian sweet basil, prized for its flavor and heady aroma, is a top pick for many cooks when making pesto. Fragrant plants grow 18-24" and produce densely branched plants when pinched back regularly. Can be chopped and frozen in olive oil for winter use. Annual. 250 seeds/packet.

Loewen Family Heirloom Ground Cherry - The very productive plants have sprawling growth and the tangy and sweet fruits are about ⅔" in diameter and encased in a papery husk. We found these to be slightly sweeter and smaller than Aunt Molly's. Allow the fruit to fall to the ground before harvesting. This ground cherry has been passed down through at least four generations of women; it was brought to Canada from Russia in 1925. 80 days from transplant. 50 seeds/packet.

Winter Density Lettuce - Also known as Craquerelle du Midi. Bred in England. Large dark green curled leaves form upright 8-10" heads. Sweet, crisp, and succulent. Slow to bolt in summer heat yet also cold tolerant. Bibb-Romaine, 55 days. 500 seeds/packet.

Seed Savers Lettuce Mixture - This well-balanced mix of cutting lettuces brings any salad to life. Consisting of tender Australian Yellowleaf, flavorful Forellenschluss, mild Lolla Rossa, striking Red Velvet, and at least four more of our favorite varieties, this cut-and-come-again mix will have a colorful salad on the table within weeks of planting. 40-45 days. 500 seeds/packet.

Lacinato Kale also known as Dinosaur or Nero di Toscana Italian kale reportedly dates back to the 18th century. Blue-green strap-like leaves are 3" wide by 10-18" long with a heavily savoyed texture. Excellent flavor that is enhanced by frost. Best eaten when leaves are small and tender. 62 days from transplant. 150 seeds/packet.

Red Russian Kale also known as Ragged Jack is one of the hardiest and most tender-leaved of all kale. Originally from Siberia and was brought to Canada by Russian traders around 1885. Its beautiful, frilly, purple-veined, blue-green leaves are tinged with red-purple and resemble oak leaves. Vigorous plants grow 18-36" tall. Leaves have a mild, sweet flavor. Hardy to -10°F. 50-60 days from transplant. 150 seeds/packet.

Arugula, also known as Roquette or Rocket. This fast-growing, cool-season green of Mediterranean origin is ideal for salads, sandwiches, frittatas, and pizzas, and can be grown in partial shade. Its sharp, distinctive, nutty flavor is best when picked young. Self-sowing and relatively cold-tolerant. 40-45 days. 500 seeds/packet.

Prize Choy Asian Greens - Beautiful upright pac choy with succulent white stems and lush green leaves. This strain is especially uniform, vigorous, and bolt resistant. Delicious mild flavor. Excellent in stir-fries. 45-50 days.

Blue Solaise Leeks also known as Bleu de Solaise. Beautiful 19th century French historic variety with truly blue-colored leaves that turn violet after a cold spell. Very large 15-20" stalks are sweet and flavorful. Extremely hardy, good for short-season areas and winter harvest. 100-120 days from transplant. 100 seeds/packet.

America Spinach - This high-quality, heat- and drought-tolerant spinach is well-suited for spring sowing in long-day areas. Growing 8" tall with thick, deep-green, savoyed leaves, the acclaimed variety is slow to bolt. A 1952 All-America Selections winner, it was developed by the Dutch seedhouse Sluis & Groot. It is a long-standing, compact Bloomsdale type and can be frozen, canned, or used fresh. 43-55 days. 250 seeds/packet.

Bloomsdale Spinach - Historic variety. Developed in 1874 by D. Landreth & Sons seed company of Philadelphia. Vigorous upright plants with dark green, glossy, savoyed leaves. Fine quality, very tender, excellent flavor. Quick growing variety with heavy yields. Well adapted for late spring or summer plantings, slow to bolt. 39-60 days. 250 seeds/packet.

Five Color Silverbeet Swiss Chard also known as Rainbow Chard. Australian heirloom from Digger’s Garden Club. Technicolor mixture of Swiss chards with shades of red, orange, purple, yellow, and white tastes as good as it looks. Seed crops of all the different colors are grown in isolation to maintain a proper balance of colors. Tender and delicious. 50-60 days. 100 seeds/packet.