The Purple Italian Globe Artichoke, scientifically known as Cynara scolymus var. scolymus, is a stunning and delectable vegetable that has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Originating in the Mediterranean region, this particular variety of artichoke has been cultivated for centuries and is prized for both its ornamental appearance and culinary value. Its striking purple and green hues make it a unique addition to any garden or dinner table. In terms of taste, the Purple Italian Globe Artichoke boasts a mild, nutty flavor with a slightly sweet and earthy undertone. The tender inner leaves and heart are the most sought-after parts and are often used in various dishes, from salads and dips to braised or roasted preparations. The artichoke can grow to a substantial size, typically reaching diameters of 4 to 6 inches, making it a substantial vegetable for cooking. The Purple Italian Globe Artichoke is known for its longer days to maturity, typically requiring around 150 to 180 days from planting to harvest. Each plant typically yields multiple artichokes, and they can be propagated from seeds or offsets. These plants thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and prefer full sun exposure. Adequate spacing and regular watering are essential for optimal growth. Overall, this variety of artichoke offers not only a delicious addition to your culinary endeavors but also a visually striking and historical component to your garden.
Aspabroc broccoli seeds grow into a unique hybrid vegetable developed in the early 1990s by crossing standard broccoli with a Chinese kale-gai lan variety, resulting in what’s often called “broccolini.” This plant produces slender, tender stems topped with small, loose florets that resemble asparagus in shape, hence the name. Aspabroc is prized for its sweet, mild flavor with subtle peppery notes, making it delicious whether steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, or grilled. It thrives in cool-season conditions, preferring full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, with harvests ready in about 50–60 days after transplanting. Known for its extended harvest period, plants continue producing side shoots after the main head is cut, giving gardeners a steady supply. Its unique history, high nutritional value, and gourmet quality make Aspabroc a popular choice for home growers and chefs alike.
The Peppermint Stick's tender prolific stalks have real celery flavor! This unique, bicolored striped celery is red and white and full of flavor. It is a slow bolting variety. Use the Peppermint Stick's leaves and stalks for fresh seasoning. This celery is definitely a colorful addition to your garden!
Redarling Brussels sprout seeds produce a unique and colorful twist on a classic cool-season crop, offering vibrant reddish-purple sprouts that retain their color even after cooking. Bred for improved cold tolerance and rich pigmentation, Redarling plants grow about 30–36 inches tall and yield compact, flavorful 1–1.5 inch sprouts with a mildly sweet, nutty taste, especially after exposure to frost. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost and transplant into well-drained, fertile soil in full sun, spacing plants 18–24 inches apart. They require consistent watering, occasional feeding, and staking for support as they mature over 140–160 days. Ideal for roasting, sautéing, or adding color to fall and winter dishes, Redarling Brussels sprouts are both ornamental and delicious, making them a standout in the garden and kitchen.
China Star is a high producing and uniform Chinese cabbage. Grows large heads with a dark green exterior and dark yellow interior. It is slow bolting. China Star performs well in all Chinese cabbage planting slots.
The Purple Passion is a fun and colorful asparagus to grow. This dark purple asparagus plant is a perennial that can be planted just once and the succulent spears can be enjoyed for years. A very nutritious and delicious vegetable to have in your garden.
The Green Globe is America's most popular artichoke! Large flower buds, harvest when plump, ornamental with bold blue 6" flowers. Artichokes are a very tender plant. With thick, fleshy scales and solid center, the flower heads should be harvested when they're young. Native to the Mediterranean, globe artichokes have been grown in the US since Colonial times. Provided with a protective cover, the artichokes will successfully overwinter in colder areas.
The Golden Helios Radish is named after the Greek god of the sun. This olive-shaped radish is bright yellow with a crispy white flesh and is truly one of the most beautiful radish! Not only is Helios a beauty, it is also tasty with a sweet and mild flavor.
Produces large plants that grow upright stems. The uniform, semi-globe shaped thickened stem grows to 4" or more with a green skin. Leaves are dark green. Pick when tender as stems become fibrous with age.
The Avalanche beet, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris var. conditiva 'Avalanche,' is a popular variety of beetroot that has gained recognition for its exceptional characteristics. Historically, beets have been cultivated for thousands of years, with evidence of their consumption dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks. The Avalanche beet is a modern cultivar that has been selectively bred for its unique attributes. Avalanche beets are renowned for their mild, sweet flavor and tender texture. They are typically harvested at a smaller size, around 2-3 inches in diameter, making them ideal for salads, roasting, and pickling. The days to maturity for Avalanche beets range from 45 to 50 days, making them a relatively quick-growing crop. These beets are characterized by their crisp, pure white flesh and skin, giving them their distinctive appearance. They are also known for their resistance to common beet diseases such as Cercospora leaf spot and Rhizoctonia root rot, which can help ensure a healthy yield. When growing Avalanche beets, it's essential to provide them with well-draining, loose soil that is rich in organic matter. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Proper spacing is crucial, with rows spaced about 12-18 inches apart and individual beets planted 2-4 inches apart within the rows. Adequate watering is necessary to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. With the right care and growing conditions, Avalanche beets can yield an abundant harvest of these delightful, mild-flavored, and visually striking vegetables.
The Cincinnati Market Radish is a uniquely skinny and elongated pink to red radish that is a fresh-from-the-garden-favorite! This six inch variety has a delicately mild taste with a very tender and crisp texture, making it perfect for fresh eating. The early maturing radish has been an heirloom garden favorite since 1885. You can enjoy the delicious Cincinnati Market from spring to fall.
Emerald Green Gem is truly an emerald green gem! This early, green skinned melon has a sweet yellow-orange flesh that has a sweet and somewhat spicy flavor! This variety can grow up to 3 pounds.
Mexican Sour Gherkin cucumber seeds produce small, grape-sized fruits that resemble miniature watermelons but have a refreshing cucumber-like taste with a tangy, citrusy twist. Also known as cucamelons or mouse melons, these vigorous, vining plants thrive in warm climates and are resistant to pests and diseases. They are easy to grow, requiring a trellis for support, and yield an abundant harvest throughout the season. Perfect for fresh snacking, pickling, or adding a unique touch to salads, Mexican Sour Gherkins are a delightful and eye-catching addition to any garden. These been around since pre-Columbian times, but were not brought into botanical classification until the mid-1800s. Despite being a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, they're only distantly related to the cucumber and will not cross with other cucumber varieties. This variety is also said to be the most cold-tolerant of all cucumbers, and will continue to fruit until the first frost.
Thumbelina carrots are tender and sweet with no need to peel! It is the perfect bit size for fresh eating, stews and salads. Thumbelina's small size makes it a great choice for heavy or shallow soils or containers. No wonder it is an All-America Selections Winner from 1992!
Li Ren Choi cabbage is good looking mini pak choi with light green stems and slightly darker green leaves. This variety develops a pak choi shape at a very early stage. It can even be planted in trays and harvested at transplanting time. It is one of the smaller mini pak choies on the market. Excellent production for pak choi hearts.
The large, red stalks of the Giant Red celery have a wonder flavor, some prefer it over green stalks! The Giant Red celery is a hidden gem. This variety is by far the best tasting celery you can grow! The yellow-pink hearts of the Giant Red are great in salads or soup and it grows great throughout the United States.
The Sugar Magnolia Pea is a beautiful deep purple colored sugar snap pea that is the result of over 15 years of development! This spectacular beauty has a very sweet flavor and is best before the pods get too fat. Make sure that this climbing variety has a trellis, as its sturdy vines reach to be 6-7 feet tall. Add the Sugar Magnolia to fresh salads or as a steamed side dish for a pop of color!
Malbec Red carrot seeds produce a striking, modern carrot variety bred for its deep wine-red color and exceptional nutritional value, with roots rich in anthocyanins and a sweet, earthy flavor. Malbec Red draws inspiration from traditional purple carrots while offering improved uniformity, smoother skin, and reliable performance in home gardens. The tapered roots typically reach 8–10 inches long with vibrant red flesh that holds much of its color when cooked. For best results, sow seeds directly in loose, stone-free soil in early spring or late summer, as carrots transplant poorly. Grow Malbec Red carrots in full sun, keep soil consistently moist during germination, thin seedlings early for straight roots, and harvest when roots reach full size for the best flavor and color.
