Black Eyed Susan

The traditional ‘Black Eyed Susan’, a North American Wildflower, is considered an annual (but it is technically a short-lived perennial and may come back for a 2nd or 3rd season). The beautiful 2”-4” wide daisy-like flowers bloom on 1’-3’ tall plants from summer to early fall (for an average of 60 days). Black-Eyed Susans will grow in full sun or partial shade and are the most drought-tolerant of all Rudbeckias. They make excellent cut flowers and do well in containers. Though the plants can’t be guaranteed to come back the following year, they often reseeds themselves – which makes them great plants in naturalized or wildflower areas. This packet covers 20 square feet (for example, a 5’x4’ or 10’x2’ area).

When to plant outside: Early spring 3-4 weeks before average last day of frost. May plant as late as 2 months before first fall frost.

When to start inside: RECOMMENDED. Sow 4 weeks before last spring frost. Indoor sowing is recommended to get blooms the first year.

Moonshadow Sunflower

The prized white Sunflower has never looked so beautiful! 'Moonshadow' is the whitest yet, with color so clean it tinges yellow-green at the base, and occasional hints at appleblossom near the tips. These 4-inch blooms arise on very well-branched plants just 4 feet high, and are so long-lasting that they keep their fresh appearance for up to 3 weeks in garden or vase. Unbeatable for distinctive, long-lasting summer color!

The blooms arise in clusters on this multibranched plant, which reaches 2 to 3 feet wide. Cut all you like -- 'Moonshadow' has flowers to spare! Pollen-free so they won't make a mess on your table, They are also the perfect Sunflower for dyeing.

Green Envy Zinnia

Annual. Blooms summer to fall frost. 2' - 3' tall. Full sun.Very easy to grow. For long hot summers, nothing beats Zinnias for brilliant color and a long blooming period. Susceptible to mildew in humid climates. In all climates, it is preferable to water by soaking the ground (not from overhead) to keep leaves dry. Making sure that sprinklers do not hit them overnight or in the early morning will help prevent mildew. Fairly drought tolerant when established, it likes a rich, deep, well-drained soil. Low-maintenance plant - but deadheading will increase blooms. Attracts butterflies! OUTDOORS: Sow in late spring 2 weeks after average last frost date. (Zinnias don't benefit from being planted early. Sow outside after weather is warm or start inside.) INSIDE: Sow 4-6 weeks before average last spring frost. SPECIAL GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS: None. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed!"

Plain or Single Parsley

Biennial Herb. An outstanding variety of parsley for flavoring soups and stews. Its flavor improves with successive cuttings. Very easy to grow and high in vitamins A and C.

Days to Germination

21 - 28

Planting Depth

0.25 -0.25

Plant Height

10 - 16

Plant Spacing

10 - 10

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

Soak the seeds 24 hours before sowing. Sow seeds as soon as ground can be worked. (For early bloom, start indoors 6 weeks before transplanting.) When plants are well-established, thin or transplant. Cut only 2 or 3 stems from a plant as required for use.

Extra Triple Curled Parsley

Biennial Herb. Highly decorative, both in the garden and for garnishing. Use leaves in salads, casseroles and omelets. Sweetens breath after eating onions or garlic. Parsley's flavor improves with successive cuttings.

Days to Germination

21 - 28

Planting Depth

0.25 -0.25

Plant Height

12 - 16

Plant Spacing

10 - 10

Preserve By

Freezing & Drying

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

For earlier harvest, start indoors. Or, after all danger of frost, sow outdoors. Thin or transplant when a few inches tall.

PLANTING INFO/DIRECTIONS

For later use, freeze leaves or dry them in the shade. Interplant parsley with roses and tomatoes to enhance vigor of both. Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed germination.

Tricolor Zuccini Mix

Color-coded seeds enable gardeners to grow extra-fancy pastel green Clarimore, buttercup yellow Golden Dawn yellow and dark green Raven zucchinis, all from one convenient packet.

Brandywine Tomato

An Amish heirloom that dates back to 1885 and is generally considered to be the world's best-flavored tomato. Plants look like potato vines with good yields of extra-large (weighing up to 1-1/2 lbs.), firm, clear-skinned, light rosy-pink fruits. Indeterminate. Maturity: 90-100

Bonny Best Tomato

An old-time favorite producing 8 to 10 oz. globed fruits that are solid and meaty. Bonny Best is highly adaptable, and performs especially well in the North. Indeterminate. Maturity: 72

Luffa

What fun to grow your own sponge! Luffa gourds can be used for exfoliating and cleaning your skin, scrubbing dishes, and cleaning the barbecue grill! When they are harvested young at 4”-6” long, they are also a sweet, tasty vegetable that can be stir-fried, sautéed, or cooked with meats or tofu just as you would zucchini squash or okra. They can also be sliced or diced in a salad like a cucumber. Mature gourd seeds can be roasted. The young flowers and foliage can be cooked for greens (great with butter and a pinch of curry).

When to plant outside: Spring, 2-4 weeks after average last frost and when soil temperatures have risen above 60 degrees.

When to start inside: Recommended only for short season climates, 4-6 weeks before last frost. Sow in individual pots for direct planting.

Special Germination Instructions: Seeding into a black plastic mulch is highly recommended because it keeps down weeds, traps moisture, and warms the soil. Soak seeds in water for 12-24 hours before sowing. Please note that luffa gourd seeds may take 10-25 days or longer to germinate in some instances.

Harvesting: For culinary purposes, cut the gourds from the vine when they are between 4” and 6” long. For use as a sponge, gourds are ready to harvest when they turn brown, feel light, and rattle with loose seeds when shaken. In shorter season climates, harvest the gourds and dry them for about 2 weeks or until the skin hardens and they turn brown. In either case, then open the large end and shake out the seeds. Soak the gourd overnight or until the skin separates from the sponge. Remove the excess pulp and rinse in a 10% bleach/water solution. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Di Cicco Broccoli

This very tasty broccoli from Italy produces an abundance of small to medium heads. The very productive plants produce lots of various sized florets throughout the season, giving you a long harvest period. We recommend harvesting the main head when it is 3” in diameter – this will encourage more side shoots. Sowing seeds every two weeks throughout the cool growing season will ensure a continual harvest. Excess harvest can be blanched and then frozen (instructions inside packet). Di Cicco Broccoli is also an excellent broccoli seed for sprouting.

When to plant outside: RECOMMENDED. As soon as soil can be worked in spring or 4-6 weeks before the average last frost. You can also plant it in late summer for fall harvest. In mild winter climates, it can be sown in late fall for winter or early spring harvest.

When to start inside: 6 weeks before transplanting outside. (3-4 weeks before average last spring frost.)

Special Germination Instructions: None. Easy to grow from seed.

Sprouting Instructions: Broccoli Di Cicco is only offered right now in a small packet, basically for growing out full-sized plants. But, you may also grow the seeds as sprouts if you would like to sample the wonderful nutritional benefits of broccoli sprouts. Many studies have shown that broccoli sprouts are high in many nutrients, including vitamins A and C, and cruciferous phytochemicals that may have anti-cancerous benefits. (Please note that, if not properly disinfected, all seeds have the possibility of carrying E. coli bacteria. Please disinfect the seed prior to sprouting by soaking in a 2% bleach solution (1 tsp. bleach to 1 cup hot tap water for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.) There are several ways to grow sprouts, the most popular, easiest, and least expensive is the jar method. All you need is a sterile glass canning jar and a lid - either a special sprouting lid or simply a piece of muslin, cheesecloth, or nylon screen secured with a rubber band. Place seeds in jar and cover with water. Soak for 4-6 hours. Then, rinse with clean water and invert jar. Rinse with clean water and drain 2-3 times a day until sprouts are of desired length. When leaves appear, place the jar in indirect sunlight to help them green up. When sprouts are mature, make sure they are thoroughly dry then you may store them in the refrigerator.

Imperial Star Artichoke

The Best Annual Artichoke
Plant in early spring, harvest the same summer!

Green variety developed especially for growing from seed as an annual, this is the best choice for growers in short season areas. Plants produce 6-8 plump four inch diameter buds in about 80-90 days from transplanting.