Lincoln Peas

(Homesteader)

English or garden peas are frost hardy, thrive and like to be planted in cool weather (55 to 60°F) They can become bitter with heat. Therefore, plant outdoors in full sun, in early spring for an early summer harvest or mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Plant the seeds 1½ inches deep spacing them at a rate of one to two seeds every two inches. Space the rows 2½ feet apart.

As a rule, smooth seeded varieties are more starchy and used for soups while wrinkled seeded varieties are sweeter and generally eaten fresh.

68 days — Does well in the Northern United States, resists wilt and is tolerant of heat. The vines are eighteen to thirty inches tall and the pods are easy to shell. Lincoln was one of the better post-war varieties and continued in commercial production until the mid-1960s.

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.

Sorrel

Oseille in France, Sorrel is a popular vegetable there. In the US it is sometimes known as dock. The flavor is somewhat acidic, reminiscent of citrus fruit. In France, it is often pureed and served with a cream sauce or fresh in salads with a vinaigrette. It also makes a splendid soup. It is easy to grow and nutritious, providing ample harvests throughout the seasons.
Plant Type: Perennial (Hardy)
When to Sow Outside: Two weeks before last frost date.
When to Sow Inside: Four weeks before last frost date.
Seed Depth: 1/4"
Seed Spacing: 4"
Days to Emerge: 5 - 10
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 18" apart.

Knight Peas

This is the largest-pod, highest yielding pea in the early maturing class. Vines are short, a little over 2 feet, and don't need staking. Pods are full sized, 4", with up to 10 peas. Easy to shell with sweet flavor. 56 days.
Pick regularly to promote continued production.

New Kuroda Carrot

A smooth, uniform conical carrot with a deep orange red color. Use as a main crop for enormous yields of 6 inch carrots that mature late in the growing season. Keeps well in cold storage. 110 days.
Comments: Deep, red-orange, tender, sweet, 7-8 inch long roots. Excellent juicing carrot. Stores well. Does best in mild climates. Popular oriental market variety.
Zones: 3 - 9 annual
Height: 6-10 inches
Spacing: 2-3 inches between plants, 12-14 inches between rows
Depth: 1/2 inch
Spread: 2-3 inches
Sun/Shade: full sun
Germination: 14-21 days
Days To Maturity: 68

Golden Beet

HEIRLOOM 1828 The 3 inch, round, golden bulbs are renowned for their exceptional sweetness. The unique color dresses up many a dish and has the added advantage that it doesn't bleed as do the red varieties. 55 days.

Detroit Beet

HEIRLOOM 1892 Has been the leading main crop beet for the last 20 years, but has been grown for over 100 years. The crimson of the flesh also shows in the leaves. Large, smooth roots are produced, but it is also good for greens at an earlier stage. Freezes and cans well, with exceptional flavor. 63 days.

Arugula

Tender smooth leaves with robust, peppery flavor. Cook mature leaves with other greens. Ready to harvest in 35 days. Zesty accent in salad.

GARDEN HINTS: Grows best in cool weather. Can also be grown as a fall crop. Sow early in spring. Protect from heat with shade cloth. Likes fertile soil, ample water. Best when picked minutes before your meal. Thin plants 8" apart. Grows best in full sun, will tolerate light shade.

Fiero Radicchio

(Cichorium intybus) Early and sure-heading. Fiero’s deep maroon heads with contrasting white ribs are large, very attractive, and impressively early. Good uniformity and sure-heading ability offer superior yield potential. Larger and more deeply colored than Trevisio Red Preco. Suitable for all cropping seasons. Days to Maturity or Bloom: 66 Growing Information: CULTURE: For North American production, these are vast improvements over older types, but are still not very uniform or completely predictable. Although bred for specific seasons, it is still best to trial more than one, using succession plantings to determine which variety suits your conditions. PLANTING/GROWING: Very similar to raising lettuce (see Lettuce). Specific instructions supplied with seeds. NOTE: Radicchio grows best in cool or mild weather, i.e. fall, winter, and spring. Summer crops can be successful if nights are cool (below 60°F/16°C). DAYS TO MATURITY: From transplanting; add 14-21 days if direct seeding.