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A delicious Alabama heirloom butterbean. This bean is quite vigorous and will need trellising. Does well in extreme heat and drought conditions. Technically a lima bean, this creamy white bean is traditionally grown in Alabama and referred to there as a butterbean.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: 1-1 ½ inch
Seeds per hole: 1-3
Height: 60-96 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60-85 days
A superb bush bean with huge yields of excellent quality pods. Introduced in 1949, this tender, productive variety is still a contender in any garden! Great taste, too.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: 1/2-1 inch
Seeds per hole: 1-2
Height: 12-20 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 50 days
Known for producing large heads and long stalks, this longtime favorite is excellent for cooking fresh or freezing. The 4-6" dark blue-green heads are arrayed with side shoots.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 24-30 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 70-75 days
Groninger Brussels Sprouts are an ideal choice for beginners. Groningers can handle light frosty weather and will improve in flavor. The best weather for planting is in midsummer for fall harvest.
When to Plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ¼ to ½ inch
Seed per hole: 3 seeds
Height: 2-3 feet
Sun light: Full sun
Day to Maturity: 80-100 days
This sweet and rich flavor Bok Choy will be perfect for frying, grilling, or making salads. You can enjoy dark purple leaves with lime green stems in your garden in cool spring or fall.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed depth: 1/4"
Seed per hole: 1-2
Height: 5-7 inches
Sun light: full sun, partial shade
Day to maturity: 45 days
Stunning roots with deep purple skin and orange flesh. These tapered roots steal the show in salads with their extraordinary color combination and sweet flavor with a bit of spice!
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: 1/4 inch
Seeds per hole: pinch
Height: 4-8 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 70 days
The original Danvers Half Long dates back to the 1870s. The strain "126" was improved in the 1940s. The old standard American carrot, adaptable and dependable.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: 1/4 inch
Seeds per hole: pinch
Height: 4-8 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 75 days
This Boston Pickling Cucumber is great for pickling and can be harvested when they grow 3 to 7 inches. It is crispy and flavorful. Harvest often to make room to grow more.
When to plant: Summer
Seed depth: ½”
Seed per hole: 2-3
Height: 3-7 inches
Sun light: Full sun
Day to maturity: 50-60 days
The plants are of bush habit, usually running no more than 18" or so, making them superior for small gardens, containers, or anywhere space is tight.
When to plant: Summer
Seed Depth: ½ inch
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 12 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60 days
No pollinators necessary for this stellar burpless cuke, making it perfect for greenhouse cultivation! Without insects, the vines produce seedless fruits that remain tender and tasty for longer. This tender, dual-purpose variety makes great pickles and is excellent for fresh eating out of the garden.
When to plant: Summer
Seed Depth: ½ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-5
Height: fruit grows 6 to 8 inches long and plump to 3 inches wide
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60 days
This Flanders poppy grew in Europe in World War I, and the name “American Legion” honors the soldiers who died. Bright red blooms cover plants. Grows and blooms very easily.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed Depth:¼ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 12-18 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 65-85 days
Attracts: Bees
This beautiful bright yellow flower with black center will give you an enjoyable time in your garden. The seeds were used by the Arikara nation in North Dakota. This flower needs full sun, rich soil, and moderately moist soil, and to start planting indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost.
When to Plant: Spring
Seed Depth: ½ inch
Seed per hole: 2-3 seeds
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Sun light: Full sun
Day to Maturity: 55 - 75 days
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, and Birds
The Dark Blue Panther Catmint, also known as Japanese Catmint, is native to Japan. The plant is an excellent pollinator, attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds (and as the name suggests, Cats!). This Catmint grows from seed to bloom within the first year, grows upright, and has a stunning fragrance. The plant works well in either beds or as the centerpiece within planters. This flower is rather hardy and can even survive in rockier soils, making it an excellent choice for planting where other flowers fail to grow.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 12-18 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Days to Maturity: 10-12 weeks (or within the 1st year)
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds
An easy-to-grow native wild flower with darling yellow blooms that smell of hot cocoa, especially strong in the early morning hours. The stamens of the flower are edible and taste faintly of chocolate! Various medicinal uses of this plant have been documented among Native American communities.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 1-1 ½ feet
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60 days
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Green Lacewings, Ladybugs, Moths, and Praying Mantises
This giant African type is popular with gardeners cost to cost. Big double blooms come in shades of lemon yellow to deep orange.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 30 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 75-90
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators, and Predatory Insects
A dainty and delightful pansy, with starkly contrasted, bi-colored petals of lemon yellow and plum purple. These cold-hardy plants reach just 8 inches in height, making them an ideal choice for containers, hanging baskets, beds, borders and more.
When to Plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 8 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 85 days
Attracts: Butterflies
Also known as “Painted Tongue,” large petunia-like blooms are splashed with vibrant purple-pinks and yellows. These pretty flowers are native to southern Chile and are related to nicotiana.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: 1/4 inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 12-15 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 45-60 days
Attracts: Bees and Butterflies
It is annual flower and easy to grow. This Daisy will give your garden colorful pleasantness. This flower is native from South Africa and named by Dr. David Livingstone who traveled in South Africa in the 1800s. They like slightly dry and well drained soil.
When to plant: Fall, Spring
Seed depth: Surface sow
Seed per hole: 3-4
Height: 4-6 inches
Sun light: Full sun
Day to maturity: 30 days
Attracts: Bees and Butterflies
Mixed of red, purple, yellow, orange, brown, rose, white and more colorful flower. This Australian native flower is popular for dried and fresh bouquets. Need well drained soil and can be started indoors 6-8 weeks to transfer outdoor before the last frost date.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed depth: Sow in place
Seed per hole: 2
Height: 24-36 inches
Sun light: Full sun
Day to maturity: 70-84
Attracts: Butterflies, bees, and hoverflies
Wildly illuminating purple and white petals make this Swiss giant type pansy glow in the garden. Gorgeous edible blooms on this classic pansy of yesteryear!
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 8-10 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 85 days
Attracts: Butterflies
Named after the ape-like creature legend says inhabits the Himalayas, these white nasturtiums are rare indeed. Here is a creamy-white flowering variety that blooms on long trailing vines with large leaves. Pretty in salads!
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth:½-1 inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 5-6 feet
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 60-70 days
Attracts: Butterflies
*All are great for attracting pollinators*
Very aromatic and produces lots of flavorful leaves and seeds. Great companion to most plants and foods.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 12-24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 65 days
Used in Europe and America to flavor many meats, stuffings, vinegars, and more! Fragrant leaves are also used in potpourri.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 3-5
Height: 20 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 80 days
This easy to grow herb tests spicy and sweet. People use it for baking, pastas, and salad. Need moderately rich and moist soil to grow well. It is known as Mexican spice basil.
When to plant: Late spring, Summer
Seed depth: 1/4 inches
Seed per hole: 2
Height: 18 inches to 2 ft 6 inches
Sun light: Full sun
Day to maturity: 68 days
Wonderful, mild onion flavor. These long, thin chives are excellent in many meals; great raw or cooked. Lavender flowers.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed Depth: ⅛ inch
Seeds per hole: 10-15
Height: 10-15 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 90 days
Fenugreek is popular herb in Western Asia and Mediterranean. People use it for cooking and medication even in soaps and cosmetics. The seed test like maple syrup. Plant directly well-drained soil
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed depth: ¼ - ½ inches
Seed per hole: 2-3
Height: 1-2 ft
Sun light: Full sun to partial shade
Day to maturity: 20-30 days
This Italian basil is one of the most aromatic of all basils. Gorgeous, large green leaves on 18-24" plants. A must for any kitchen garden. It is best known for its use in pesto.
When to plant: Spring
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 16-18 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 65-75 days
A very large Italian strain of parsley with great flavor. Perfect for sauces!
When to plant: Early Spring, Fall
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 8-12 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 70-90 days
Famous for fragrance, the lavender-colored blossoms are used in potpourris, soaps, etc.
When to plant: Spring
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 20-24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 90-200 days
Lemon Balm is a perennial and lemon flavored and fragrance herb. It is from the mint family and people use it for cooking, tea, and medical use. It has small white flowers and is an easy to grow plant.
When to plant: Late spring
Seed depth: Surface Sow
Seed per hole: 2-3
Height: 2 ft
Sun light: 8-12 hours of Sun
Day to maturity: 70 days
This top pollinator favorite is easy to grow from seed and to care for. It’s loaded with nectar so the subtly spotted flowers hum with life. Because of its strong smell, mammals won’t bother it, yet it’s a delight in the gardens because simply brushing this plant will release a beautiful mint aroma.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 24-36 inches
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Days to Maturity: sprouts in 10-14 days
Small evergreen shrub covered with needle-like aromatic leaves and a myriad of tiny pink or blue flowers in summer. The dark green leaves may be used fresh or dried. Flowers are beloved by bees
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: barely cover
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 3 feet
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity:180-360 (sprouts in 14-28 days)
Great flavor, yet slower to bolt. Fresh leaves best harvested before flowering.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 24-36 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 45-60 days
Small, rounded leaves along woody stems are very aromatic and flavorful. A delightful culinary herb that balances and enhances any dish. Not winter hardy but grows well in containers.
When to Plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 6-12 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 70 days
This is a beautiful and delicious Italian flavoring herb. Can also be used for medicinal purposes. Great for Italian and Greek cooking.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: surface sow
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 1-2 ft.
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 90-200 days (sprouts in 7-14 days)
Low, compact plants with finely curled, bluish-green leaves. Usually stands winter weather with some protection. Good cooked or fresh in salads. Grows best in cool weather.
When to plant: Spring, Fall, Winter
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 12-16 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 55 days
Very flavorful and superb quality. This is one of the most popular leaf lettuce varieties on the market. Its frilled crumpled leaves are crisp, tender, and very flavorful. The crisp leaves are perfect for salads and garnishes.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: pinch
Height: 9-15 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 45 days
This delicate butterhead is the crowned jewel of the heirloom garden. Tender, yellow hearts are gently blushed rose, and the leaves are ethereally soft with the buttery sweet flavor signature of an old-fashioned European butterhead type.
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: pinch
Height: 2-10 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 50 days
An old-time pea introduced in 1908. High-yielding and tasty, this pea does better than many in warmer weather. The tightly-filled pods are easy to shell, and compact vines are a good choice for small gardens.
When to plant: Spring, Fall, Winter
Seed Depth: 1 inch
Seeds per hole: 1-2
Height: 24-30 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60-65 days
The Anaheim Chili Pepper is a mild to medium heirloom chili pepper that is commonly used in Mexican, and other spicy dishes. It is large, colorful, and tasty.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: 1-2
Height: 18-24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 80 days
Peppers are hot and turn from green to brilliant red when mature. Plant has green stems, green leaves, and white flowers. A perfect pepper for seasoning when dried.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole:1-2
Height: 24-36 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 85 days
The 2-inch mini bell peppers are an old Ohio family heirloom. We love these little peppers for snacking, stuffing or pickling. Plants produce an abundance of red, yellow, and chocolate orbs, easy to grow and so rewarding.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 15 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60 days
A favorite old Japanese variety which produces 3 inches long, slightly wrinkled fruit that is perfect for making tempura or other traditional recipes. Fruit is emerald green in color, ripening to red, and mildly flavored with just a bit of spice.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60 to 65 days
This is an old standard. It's a large, spreading spinach that has dark green, savoyed curled leaves. The yield is good, and it is slow to bolt.
When to plant: Spring, Fall, Winter
Seed Depth: 1/2 inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 10-12 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 40-50 days
The undisputed king of all butternut squash, the "Waltham Butternut" is an heirloom and a 1970 All-American Selections winner; a familiar staple of classic American cooking.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: ½ -1 inch
Seeds per hole: 1-2
Height: 10-12 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 85-100 days
Dark green Acorn-type fruit. The small fruit has sweet, orange flesh.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: ½ -1 inch
Seeds per hole: 1-2
Height: 12 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 80 days, harvest when rind becomes very hard
Bush type plant produces high yields of straight dark green zucchini squash. The outer surface is very smooth. Best when harvested when squash is 8" long.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ½ -1 inch
Seeds per hole: 1-2
Height: 24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 50-65 days
This is the first black cherry tomato that has the classic tomato flavor. Perfect for salads, gourmet dishes, vegetable platters, shish-kebobs, or just eating fresh right off the vine.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ⅛ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 72-84 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 60-90 days
Old favorite, introduced in 1908, Bonny Best boasts 6-8 oz. smooth, bright scarlet globes that are flavorful, solid and meaty. Popular for home and market gardens.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ⅛ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 36-60 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Plant produces good yields of 8 oz red beefsteak tomatoes. They have a high flavor of sugar and acid making it one of the best for making spaghetti sauce.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ⅛ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 48-60 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 80-90 days
These extremely rare, lemon-yellow colored, medium-large cherry tomatoes are very tasty with a good, sweet and mild flavor, and when immature have some faint striping similar to gooseberries, hence the name.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ⅛ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 72-96 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Simply stunning raspberry-pink fruit of medium size. Firm flesh is very sweet and richly flavored. It is almost free of imperfections, making it ideal for marketing.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seed Depth: ⅛ inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 36-60 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 75-85 days
Crisp and sweet, medium-red flesh, mild flavor. A good producing type that is still quite popular.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: ½ -1 inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 72-96 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 85 days
The most popular icebox-sized melon among gardeners! They have a sweet, deep, red flesh.
When to plant: Spring
Seed Depth: ½ -1 inch
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 15-24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 75-80 days
This bushy, 1-2 ft. perennial is prized for its large, flat-topped clusters of bright orange flowers. When grown from seed, it takes 2-3 years to flowers. Once established it will continue to expand each year.
When to plant: Spring
Seeds per hole: pinch
Height: 12-24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 2-3 years
The bright yellow, daisy-like flowers are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and bloom singly on a long stem.
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Seeds per hole: pinch
Height: 12-24 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 90-120 days
Nodding Onion is stunning to have in gardens because of its unique flowers. A ball of star-like flowers forms on each stem, tending to bend downward.
When to plant: Summer
Seeds per hole: 2-3
Height: 8-18 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: approx. 60 days
It makes a beautiful cut flower. It has grass-like leaves with a purple tufted flower head. Sometimes grown as an ornamental.
When to plant: Summer
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 30-48 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 20-25 days
The flowers are a golden red to purple. Coneflowers have been known to treat rattlesnake bites, bee stings, headaches, toothaches, and sort throats.
When to plant: Summer, Fall
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 40-48 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 1-2 years
The purple flower blooms bottom to top and attracts pollinators even though it does not have noticeable fragrance. This plant can grow medium to dry soil.
When to plant: Spring, summer
Seed per hole: 2-3
Height: 3 inches
Sun light: Full sun
Also known as Red Milkweed, Marsh Milkweed, or Swamp Milkweed. This flower has a vanilla fragrance with large rosy pink flowers.
When to plant: Summer
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 30-48 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 40-50 days
The scarlet, trumpeting flowers beckon to all the hummingbirds in the area, as well as Black Swallowtails. Smaller insects fall prey to the “catch” part of this plant: the stems and leaves are sticky. Royal Catchfly is rare due to loss of prairie habitat and is endangered in some states but is relatively easy to grow. The bloom period is June-August for this excellent garden plant.
When to plant: Fall
Germination Code: C(60)
Seeds per hole: a pinch
Height: 24-48 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: may bloom in the first year, but it is more likely they will not bloom until the 2nd or 3rd year
Attracts: hummingbirds, butterflies
Recently removed from the federal endangered species list! Flat, pastel pink flowers with green and burgundy centers, and follow the sun like sunflowers.
When to plant: Summer
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 12-24 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: 2-3 years
Bright, white flowers start growing at the base of a cylindrical cone, and continue to wrap upwards as the season progresses. This perennial thrives in full or partial sun and drier soils. White Prairie Clover’s blooming season is June through September. Bees, birds, and butterflies are all fans of the Prairie Clover and will be attracted to the plant. The Prairie Clover is deer resistant.
When to plant: Spring, Early Summer, Fall
Germination Code: A, I, J
Seeds per hole: a pinch
Height: 12-24 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: germinate in 14-30 days, spends the first year developing a deep roots system
Attracts: bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, wasps, and birds
The flower has greenish-white flowers and "whorled" leaves. *Can be toxic to livestock*
When to plant: Summer
Seeds per hole: 3-4
Height: 12-24 inches
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Days to Maturity: germinate in 10-15 days, but flowers don't come in until the second year of growth
Plant descriptions and images are from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Prairie Moon Nursery.