Charentais Melon
A famous heirloom melon known around the world for its fragrance, taste, and production. A French 2-3 lb melon with light greyish/green skin has an amazingly sweet and fragrant orange flesh. Originating from Poitou-Charentes region around 1920. The flesh is firm and holds its texture once cut. A top seller among markets. They will literally slip off the vine when ripe. Generally grow to the size of a large grapefruit. Green thumb not ...
Nigra Hollyhock
This gorgeous single bloom Hollyhock was said to be grown by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Even earlier then that, John Parkinson said that this flower is "of a dark red like black blood". Depending on the lighting of the day, this flower will either appear jet black or show a hint of beautiful red with a little sun. This flower will give an excellent contrast when planting against a white wall or other purple or yellow flower. It's such a gr ...
Teddy Bear Sunflower
A perfect sunflower for bouquets in your kitchen, this flower has double 6 inch yellow/orange blooms. This dwarf sunflower's max height will be about 3 feet. A great flower to grow along a border or throughout your vegetable garden. A great companion for cucumbers, as they attract beneficial insects to the garden. Green thumb note: The birds and bees will definitely be attracted to this flower, as will anyone who visits your garden!! Days: ...
White Wonder Cucumber
This beloved Southern Heirloom was introduced in upstate NY in 1890. This plant grows vigorously and tolerates the heat very well. The fruit is a bit oblong, compared to the traditional cucumber, and is white skinned with white flesh. Considered by many to be the best slicing heirloom to grow. Fruits will grow to about 7 inches long and about 2-3 inches in diameter. The fruit will turn from green to white and eventually get a little yellowish/whi ...
Parisian Pickling Cucumber
An old French heirloom that has said to have made it to Massachusetts in 1892 by James J.H. Gregory of Marblehead. The perfect small cucumber for making small pickles or pickle chips. Crunchy, sweet, and extremely prolific. Used in the early 1900's to manufacture gherkins by the French. The fruit has dark green skin with thick flesh. If you prefer a slicing cucumber, let this cucumber sit on the vine for about 75 days and it will make a gre ...
A & C Pickling Cucumber-USDA Organic
In 1928, this heirloom cucumber was introduced by Abbott and Cobb in Philadelphia, PA . This heirloom pickling cucumber packs a punch of sweet goodness in a medium sized cucumber. The cucumber will grow to be a perfect 8-10 inches, which is great for pickling. You may have also heard of a similar variety called Ace. This variety is great for the home gardener and the market gardener. The dark green color of the cucumber lasts a long while, wh ...
Fish Pepper
A historical African American Heirloom, this pepper has originated back from the 1940's by Horace Pippin in West Chester, PA. Mr. Pippin suffered from war injuries so in order to treat his pain, he would get stung by honey bee's from the late William Woys Weaver. Because these bee's were Mr. Weaver's pride and joy, Mr. Pippin would bring him heirloom seeds as "payment". These seeds were from African American caterers who were said to use this pep ...
Kelloggs Breakfast Tomato
This heirloom comes from West Virginia though originating in Redford, Michigan by a gardener named Darrell Kellogg. Very thin skinned, meaty, and very few seeds. The taste is fantastic and addicting. The color attracts many and the taste has people coming back for more. Good acid to sugar balance. The tomatoes normally grow 1-2 lbs each, which is huge! The globes are round and slightly flattened on one side. This heirloom will be very productive ...
Wapsipinicon Peach Tomato
Also known as yellow peach or white peach, this heirloom won the 2006 best heirloom taste by Seed Savers Exchange. Originated in 1890 by Elbert S. Carman by the name of White Peach, however this strain comes from Dennis Schlicht and named after the Wapsipinicon River in Iowa. Very sweet flavor and an all around great tomato. This plant will produce a ton of 2 inch fuzzy fruit which makes it very fun to grow in the garden. The tomato is delicate a ...
San Marzano Tomato
This heirloom plum tomato comes from the Campania region of southern Italy and is favored by many around the world. Gourmet Chefs and Cooks prefer this tomato over all the others.Legends say that the King of Peru gave this seed to the King of Naples in the 1770's. Then the seeds were planted near Mount Vesuvius where the seeds crossed and cultivated into the seed we now have today. This is the perfect paste tomato that has thick walls, little jui ...
Eva’s Purple Ball Tomato
A great hot weather heirloom from the Black Forest region of Germany. This tomato produces large yields of 2-3 inch round tomatoes. Crack resistant and easy to peel. Many growers love this variety for canning. Passed down through many generations and is a favorite by many to grow every year. Said to have excellent resistance to disease and be a great all-around tomato to grow. Days: 75-80 days/Early-Mid Season When to plant: 6 weeks before la ...
Paul Robeson Tomato
Marina Danilenko, a seed collector from Moscow, made this seed available in the US. Originating from Siberia, this tomato is a great variety for cooler climates and will set a ton of fruit at lower temperatures. Named after the late Paul Robeson (1898-1976). He was a charismatic opera singer and fought for civil and personal rights throughout the world. This heirloom tomato won the “best of show” at Carmel Valley's “Tomato Fest” and is ...
Riesentraube Tomato
This seed was originally a European variety however the Pennsylvania Dutch have been growing this variety since about 1856. The name actually means “giant bunches of grapes”, name comes from East Germany. This tomato grows in clusters of 20-30 tomatoes and has a very distinctive tip on the end of the tomato. A round to oval shape is slightly larger than the traditional small round cherry tomato but is grown in a huge bunch. When in bloom, the ...
Black Cherry Tomato
This variety was developed from the late Vincent Snap of Tomato Growers Supply when he discovered this growing on his farm from a “natural occurrence”. Seed first became available in 2003. One of the only true black tomatoes, this cherry tomato is a favorite among heirloom growers. Its unique color makes it very attractive to restaurants, markets, and home gardeners. Market growers have noted that this is a very popular variety. This plant ...
Abe Lincoln Tomato
A popular heirloom that has been around forever, originated in Illinois around 1923 from the Buckbee Seed Company. The 1932 Shumway Seed Catalog described this plant as having “…phenomenal solidity of flesh and being a sturdy, healthy, grower with distinctive bronzy-green foliage”. Many gardeners have preferred this variety, as it will give you that perfect red tomato that many people aspire to grow. The perfectly round, medium sized toma ...
Green Zebra Tomato
One of the main heirloom tomatoes used in Alice Waters’ well known restaurant, Chez Panisse, in Berkeley California. Developed by Tom Wagner, a tomato breeder, in 1985, this Green Zebra is a rare and unique heirloom that is very similar to the Green Grape, however this greenish/yellowish tomato has zebra stripes of dark green throughout the tomato. The flesh is translucent green, as similar to its sister tomato, the Green Grape. The ripe toma ...
Mortgage Lifter Tomato
This is by far my favorite beefsteak heirloom to grow. The story behind the tomato is very neat. The late M.C. Byles developed this tomato in the 1930’s. Also known as “Radiator Charlie” he earned his unique nickname from owning a radiator repair business that he opened at the base of a steep hill where trucks would often overheat and need repair. “Radiator Charlie” had no education or experience in growing, created the legendary va ...
Rutgers Tomato
Originally introduced in 1934, this New Jersey heirloom is an old favorite loved by many. Said to be the primary tomato used by Campbells Soup Company for their tomato products starting in the early 1900’s. This tomato once accounted for 70% of all processed tomatoes, during its hype in the United States.This fruit has 8 oz globe like tomatoes that many use as a preferred tomato for everything from canning to slicing. A large vine will produce ...
Purple Tomatillo
A very rare heirloom variety of tomatillo that is very sweet and slightly tangy. This dark purple fruit is a bit larger than the traditional green tomatillo. The flavor is much sweeter than its green cousin and also less sticky (when you remove the husk, a tomatillo is slightly sticky). A tomatillo grows within a papery husk and begins a light green color and when ripe turns a gorgeous dark purple. The inside of the tomatillo is also beautiful sh ...
Cherry Roma Tomato
A unique heirloom variety that looks just like a miniature roma tomato. Some people say that this is the best grape tomato they have had. This plant sets heavy amounts of fruit that are about 1 inch long mini plums. Has a very addicting sweet and spicy flavor. Many people enjoy this tomato in salads or for easy snacking. My kids LOVED this tomato, as they could pick it right off the plant and eat it. Fruit will keep at room temperature for longer ...
Federle Tomato
A West Virginia heirloom, this is a very productive paste tomato that grows a 5-7 inch long tomato that grows in a shape similar to a jalapeno. Very little seeds and full of great flavor. The perfect tomato for salsa, tomato paste, or heavy sauces. It’s unique shape attracts many people, as it looks very neat sitting on the countertop or at a farmers market among other heirloom tomato varieties. Some people have referred to this tomato as the ...
Mini Chocolate Bell Pepper
A family heirloom from a Lucina Cress in OH, these sweet peppers are the neatest little peppers ever! A short stalky plant will be covered in these little mini bells and the fruits are about 2-3 inches wide. Perfect for salads or snacking. Lucina used to stuff them with cabbage, then she pickled and canned them, then sold them at her church’s fundraiser. They were a huge hit! The peppers will be green but chocolate brown when ripe. The compact ...
Jimmy Nardello Pepper
Originally from Basilicata, Italy, Jimmy Nardello was a seed collector and brought his seed to Conneticut when he immigrated to the US in the late 1800’s. This pepper can be eaten fresh off the plant for a sweet snack or can be fried up and served with any entrée, as it’s known as one of the best frying peppers out there. When fried its sweet fruity flavor comes out and pairs with whatever meal you are serving it along side of. Traditional ...
Dr. Wyches Yellow Tomatillo – USDA Organic
A really neat tomatillo to grow, this seed came from the late Dr. John Wyche. Supposedly this man lived and gardened in the mountains and fertilized his garden with manure from the local zoo. This tomatillo starts light yellow and ends up with a beautiful purple blush when ripe. The husk is light brown and paper thin, which protects the sweet fruit inside. Very sweet, extremely prolific, and super easy to grow. The best fruit for salsa verde or ...
Padron Pepper
Often used in Spanish Tapas, this gourmet heirloom pepper is a variety brought over from the Galicia area of Spain, just above the Province of Portugal. These sweet fruits are served sautéed in olive oil and garnished with coarse sea salt or Pecarino Romano cheese, as a tapas dish around the country. A New York Times writer mentioned this pepper to be like playing “Spanish Roulette”, as an occasional hot pepper can come up and catch one off ...
Red Cheese Pepper
Used once to color cheese red, these candy sweet peppers will knock anyone’s socks off. These peppers grow to be about 3 inches wide, are round and flat by nature, and are claimed to be highly addictive. Thick red flesh, perfect for stuffing or slicing, and can dress up any meal when cut and decorated in small pieces. Very productive plants that will continue to produce for the season will little maintenance. Thick flesh withstands bugs and pes ...
Kolb Tomato
When one thinks of heirloom, this is the type of heirloom that comes to mind. The picture says it all. From Storm Lake, Iowa, in the Kolb Greenhouse, this fluted beefsteak turns heads and charms all with its great flavor. Produces well with 1lb fruits and when ripe, the fruit turns a beautiful shade of reddish pink. Days: 85/Mid- Season When to plant: 6 weeks before last frost Days to germination: 10-14 days Plant Spacing: 24-36’ inches apa ...
Moonglow Tomato-USDA Organic
A very easy to grow heirloom that is very striking when it ripens. Turns from bright yellow to electric orange and the flavor is very mild but unique. My kids loved this tomato sliced and served in grilled cheese. For a little contrast, this tomato looks great added to either a fruit or veggie salsa, as its mild flavor can go both ways. Winner of Seed Savers 2007 Heirloom Tomato Tasting. The smooth and solid orange globe has little seeds and soli ...
