Gourmet greens that thrive in cool weather

These gourmet greens thrives in cool weather. It will be one of the first greens of spring if left in the garden to reseed. Arugula's oak leaf-shaped leaves grow in a loose bunch and taste peppery. The edible flowers make an attractive garnish and add lots of flavor.

Heat and drought tolerant, heavy yield

Also known as "Mary's Grandaughter." Developed at UC Davis, this variety is more heat and drought tolerant than other varieties. Yields heavy dark green spears with fairly compact heads. The plant has tall feathery, graceful stems. Plants may take 2 to 3 years to come to full production but can bear for 10 to 15 years. Disease resistant.

Sweet basil, good for pesto

This classic Italian basil is most often used for making pesto. It has a sweet fragrance and is slow to bolt. Its large green leaves average 2" long.

Clove scented basil, popular in Thailand, very flavorful, self-sows

Very strong, clove-scented basil. This heirloom is very popular in Thailand and is a very flavorful specialty variety. Reportedly self-sows. Grows great with tomatoes.

High yield, popular and dependable multi-colored bean

This black bean grows well in the northern U.S. but is also popular in the South. Tall, erect plants bear small, jet black beans. Great for soups and refried beans, black beans are a staple of many cuisines.

Smooth and stringless pole snap beans

High yields of 6" smooth, straight, and stringless pods. This current strain shows irregularity in pod shape, varying from round to slightly flat. Vines reach 6 to 8' tall. With unbeatable flavor, Blue Lake is a long-time favorite for freezing, canning, and fresh use. This is a great variety for the home gardener or small scale grower. White seeds.

Stringless 6" pods with excellent flavor, widely adapted, great for canning

A popular variety due to its excellent eating quality. Introduced 1961 as a bush version of 'Blue Lake' pole bean. Produces heavy yields of 6" pods containing white seeds. Pods fill slowly and retain tenderness for a long period. Resistant to bean mosaic and is widely adapted. An excellent variety for canning and freezing.

Often used in soups, this is the classic Minestrone bean.

Also known as fagioli, haricot blanc or white kidney, cannellini are prized as cooking beans for their smooth, meaty texture and a dense, nutty flavor. Excellent as either a shelling or a dry bean.

This versatile legume can be grown as a cover or fodder crop, as well as for its protein-rich beans. Young leaves, shoots and pods are cooked. Bushy, upright plants are drought tolerant and should be given no water after flowering ceases. If rain during harvest, pull whole plants and dry under cover, easily threshed and stored. The pods are picked when the beans are in the green, ripe stage or allowed to ripen for dry beans.

Large, prolific greasy beans, fleshy, stringless, great for shelling too

Large, prolific greasy bean that sets beans in easy-to-pick clusters. In 1907 "Lazy Wife" was the third most popular bean in the US. Hairless "greasy" pods are thick, very fleshy, and stringless, remaining tender until the beans are quite large. A great shelly bean as well. 1882, NC heirloom.

Ecologically grown. Seed Saver Packet.

A favorite staple bean

Half-runner type 20" plants produce light tan seeds with brown speckles. May be eaten as a green snap bean when young. Delicious when used as refried beans or in other Mexican recipes.

Nutty, buttery sweetness, very productive

Edamame soybeans' flavor is nutty, buttery and truly irresistible fresh from the garden and they pack top nutritional value. Cook them quickly, right in their pods for appetizers and snacks, or use like fresh beans in any recipe. We import our seed from Japan, where edamame are a long-standing favorite. These widely adapted 2 foot tall bush plants offer consistently high yields of large 3 to 3-1/2 inch green pods with 3 to 4 delicious beans per pod.

Versatile and excellent cover crop that's delicious in the kitchen.

Pole Pod. Heirloom. This is the classic, large-seeded English fava with strong, upright plants bearing 4-7 very large, tender, light-green seeds for fresh shelling. The mature, light-brown seeds are excellent in soups and hummus. Long pods are filled with large, edible beans which are popular fresh, dried or pickled.

Large, glossy, tasty black fruits

Early Summer Bearer. Black thornless. Plants yield berries that are pleasantly firm and able to withstand shipping. Plants are semi-erect but benefit from trellising. Vigorous vines can grow 12 to 15' in a season. Ripens mid-July to August.

Very large, classic berries, heavy producer, Chill Hours: 1000+

Chill Hours: 1000+

An old favorite and heavy producer, Blueray performs particularly well in areas with hot summers or very cold winters, and produces high quality berries with outstanding dessert flavor. The stunning rosy pink flowers turn bright white when in full bloom.

Very popular and used in many Asian dishes

This Chinese non-heading leaf type has clusters of 8 to 12" wide white celery-like stalks with large, nearly round, smooth, glossy leaves. The mild, mustard-y flavor is not bitter. The young leaves make a wonderful addition to soups, noodle dishes, and stir-fry.

Italian heirloom with 3-6" heads and many side shoots

Brought to U.S. by Italian gardeners and introduced to seed trade during 1914-1918. Produces central head (3-6" diameter) plus many side shoots.

Hardy compact plants about 20" tall, widely adapted

Still the best garden variety for sustained production. Compact plants, about 20" tall. Produces large sprouts 1-1/4 to 1-1/2" diameter, closely packed on the stem. Widely adapted variety.

Compact, easy to grow and perfect for everyday meals

Space-saving, early-maturing, baby variety quickly forms compact, dense 5 to 6" heads with excellent sweet flavor. A perfect size for everyday meals. Can take both heat and frosty weather.

Slow-bolting heads have a good, mild, sweet taste

Large, full-sized, dark green heads. Wide adaptability. Slow-bolting heads have a good, mild, sweet taste. Resistant to club root, fusarium yellows, and black speck.