Contrary to what you may have heard, vegetables can or can’t be your best friend when it comes to health. While the diabetic and heart patients need to limit the fats, carbohydrates and sugars in their diet, they also need to take into consideration the word “exercise”. What healthier way to get both than by gardening.
I’ve been a type 2 diabetic for several years and thought it didn’t matter what vegetable I ate as long as it was from my garden. After all, vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals with so few calories and carbohydrate, something everyone can enjoy more. I was wrong. There are two main types of vegetables—starchy and non-starchy. Obviously some old favorites are in the starchy category, such as corn, potatoes, and peas need to be eliminated from your diabetic garden. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat them on occasion, but don’t include them in your kitchen garden because they would be too tempting. You can enjoy the wide variety of vegetables using the glycemic index. Almost all vegetables contain very little carbohydrate and have very low GI value.
There is a variety of non-starchy vegetables that will add endless color to brighten your plate.
Common non-starchy vegetables:
Artichoke Asparagus Beans (green, Italian, wax)
Bean sprouts Beets Broccoli Brussels sprouts
Cabbage (green, Chinese) Carrots Cauliflower
Celery Chicory Collards Cucumber
Endive Eggplant Escarole Kale
Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Mustard
Okra Onions Pea pods Peppers
Radicchio Radishes Rutabaga Salad greens
Squash (cushaw, summer, crookneck, spaghetti, zucchini)
Sugar snap peas Swiss chard Tomato Turnips
Included below is a partial list of heirloom varieties. I’ve tried to represent color, taste and texture when considering varieties. For a complete list see Vegetables. For how-to grow these vegetables see Basic garden Vegetable Culture. For a complete list of seed catalogs see Seed Sources.
Artichokes Sources
Green Globe (OP) 88 days. Globular heads with thick and succulent ANN BAK
scales. Hard to grow in most parts of New England. COM GOU
IRI TERR
Purple Italian Globe (OP) 120 days. Italian heirloom with large slender IRI
Heads. Plants tolerate heat and cold.
Romanesco 85 days. Italian heirloom that has very large and flavorful ANN GOU
bronze and purple artichokes.
Violetta (Violetta Precoce) Northern Italy heirloom. Violet-bracted BAK JOHN
choke has small oval, slightly elongated flower heads that are 3” by 5”. TER
Asparagus
Giant Argenteil Cpeoce D’Argentieuil Delicious stems can be ANN BAK
Blanched white and has rose-colored buds. BOUGOU
Mary Washington An all-time gardener’s favorite. Medium green ANN BURP
tips. Rust-resistant variety. GOU IRI
SEED SHU
Beans (green, Italian, wax)
Black Seeded Kentucky Wonder 84 days. Pole bean that germinates SOU
well in cool soil. 6-8” long, stringless fleshy and fiberless pods.
Black Valentine (Henderson’s Black Valentine) 60 days. Slender, BAK COM
hairless green beans with dark seeds. Bushy, long bearing plants. PLA SEED
Tolerate of cold and poor soil. 6” long beans. TERR
Blue Lake (OP) 52 days. Round, straight 6-8” long pods. 15-18” tall SOU SHU
plants. THO
Contender (Buff Valentine) (OP) 40-50 days. 5-7” long medium-green, BAK BOU
Round, oval, stringless beans. Plants will tolerate heat and mildew. A BURG COM
bush plant. GOU IRI
SHU SOU
Dragon’s Tongue 62 days. Flat, stringless wax bean. French IRI SHU
Heirloom. 8” long pods are yellow, striped with purple.
Fin De Bagnol 50-60 days. Tiny gourmet green beans. Best eating SEED
when picked every 2 or 3 days while very young. Bush plant.
Golden Wax Yellow pods, has been around since the 1870s. COM GOU
Kentucky Wonder (Old Homestead) (OP) 70 days. 6-8’ vines BAK BURG
bear 6-8” long silvery green stringless pods with brown seeds and BURP COM
has old-fashioned taste. GUR IRI
IRI KIT NIC
PAR SEED
SHU SOU
STO TER
Provider (OP) 60 days. Widely adapted. 16-18” bush plant. Grows BOU HAR IRI
6-8” long green snap beans. JOH PAR
SEED SHU
SOU STO
VER
Red Swan 52-58 days. 4-5” dusty red-rose stringless pods. SEED
Roma II (OP) 20” tall plants produce large 6” medium-green, smooth BAK BURP
Italian flat beans with white seeds.
Romano 60 days. 8’ vine pole bean. 6” wide green, stringless bean. BOU BURP
SHU TERR
Romano Purpiat (OP) 60 days. Purple Romano bush bean. Deep violet TER
stems, lilac blossoms with purple 5” flat pods. Turns jade-green when
cooked.
Royalty Purple Pod (OP) 50-60 days. Purple stringless, 5-6” long BOU IRI
pods that turn green when cooked. SEED SOU
SHU
Soleil (OP) Yellow French filet bean. 1’ tall plants bear slender, TER
sunny yellow 4” pods with white seeds.
Beets
Bull’s Blood 40-52 days. Has blood-red foliage. Tender roots are ANN BAK
sweet and dark with interior stripes. Harvest as baby beets when young. BOT BOU
BURP GUR
GUR IRI
JOH NIC
SEED SHU
SOU STO
TERR THO
Burpee’s Golden 55 days. Golden interior. 2” diameter globes. Sweet BURP GOU
and mild flavor. SEED SHU
Chioggia (Barabutola de Chioggia, Candystripe) (OP) ANN BAK
Italian heirloom. 2 ½” globe reveals rings of white alternating red. BOU BURP
COM COO
GOU IRI
NIC PAR
SEED SOU
TER TERR
Crosby Egyptian (Early Crosby) (OP) 60 days. 3-5” roots are very BAK SHU
flattened in shape and grow virtually on the surface of the soil. Roots SOU
have a dull red skin and dark red interior.
Detroit Dark Red (OP) 58 days. Smooth round roots are 2 ½-3” ANN BAK
in diameter. BURG BURP
COM HAR
IRI NIC
SEE SOU
THO
Broccoli
Di Ciccio (De Ciccio) (OP) 48-85 days. Rich-tasting Italian heirloom. ANN BAK
2-3’ light-green plants have good side shoots. BOT BOU
GOU IRI
JOHN NIC
SEED SOU
TERR
Early Purple Sprouting (OP) English heirloom bred for overwintering. ANN BAK
Very frost hardy. BOU COM
GOU NIC
Romanesco (OP) 75-100 days. A unique looking plant with a spiral- BAK BOT
shaped, apple-green, 6” across head. My personal favorite. BOU BURP
SEED
Waltham 29 (OP) 74 days. Widely adapted, drought-tolerant variety. ANN BAK
4-8” diameter heads hold for a long time. Low, compact plant. Produces BOT GOU
lateral buds for 6-8 weeks after harvesting the main head. JOHN SOU
Chinese Broccoli
Te You (OP) Dark green leaves are smooth with long thick stems. Heat KIT
Heat tolerant and can withstand cool temperatures. Cool temperature
slows plant growth and will be smaller in size.
Broccoli Raab (Rapini)
Broccoletto (A Foglia di Olivo) 70 days. Oval leaf shaped. 14-15” high, ANN TERR
thick stem. Used for leaf production as well as shoots.
Rapini 45 days. Non-heading broccoli grown for asparagus-like shoots. BAK TERR
Spring Raab (OP) 40-45 days. Planted in early spring to produce a BAK BOU
quick crop of tender shoots that taste like broccoli. BURP JOHN
NIC
Brussels Sprouts
Long Island Improved (Catskill) (OP) Medium-green 1-1 ½” round firm ANN BAK
sprouts on 20” tall plants. BOT BOU
BURG COM
GOU IRI
NIC SEED
SHU SOU
TERR
Rubine (OP) 85 days 1-1 ½” purple-red sprouts on 24” tall plant. BOU TER
Cabbage (green)
Chieftain (OP) 83 days. Savoy cabbage that is well adapted to SOU
temperature extremes. Tolerates frost and summer heat. Flattened,
round heads are 6-8 pounds. White inside. Has well-savoyed blue-green
outer leaves.
Chirimen Hakusai 50 days. Old loose-leaf variety from Japan. Crepe- KIT
textured light green leaves. 12” tall plant. Sow in spring or fall.
Copenhagen Market 63-100 days. Danish heirloom. Solid 6-8” diameter BOU COM
heads weigh 3-4 pounds. Split resistant. Does well in a range of
climates.
Cour di Bue 70 days. 3-4 pound oxheart type heads. Italian heirloom. BAK GOU
Golden Acre (Derby Day) (OP) Grows rapidly in the chill of spring. GOU IRI
Round, blue-green, 3-5 pound heads. SOUSTO
TER
January King (OP) 100-160 days. Solid, flat light green, 3-5 pound BOU
heads. Frost improves flavor.
Matsushima No. 2 80 days. Well-suited for close planting. Hardy BOU KIT
against cold temperatures.
Tronchuda (OP) 85 days. Portugese heirloom loose-leaf cabbage. BOU GOU
Cut over and over again. Juicy crunch to the midribs and leaves. NIC
Wong Bok (OP) 80 days. 10” tall, 6-7” in diameter. Grows NIC
blanched tender oval heads.
Carrots
Atomic Red (OP) 75-85 days. 11” long by 1 ½” diameter. Red all the BAK GOU
way through. HAR IRI
JOHKIT
NIC SHU
Chantenay Red Core (Rouge Demi-Longe De Chantenay) (OP) ANN BAK
5 ½-6” long by 2 ½” at shoulders. All-purpose deep-orange carrot. BOU COM
Good winter keeper. GOU IRI
PLA NIC
SHU SOU
TERR
Danvers 65-87 days. Bright orange, uniform roots up to 8” long. SEED
High yields in clay or heavy soils.
Juane Obtuse Du Doubs Bright lemon yellow carrot from France. ANN BAK
Big, thick carrot with sweet taste. GOU
Little Finger 55 days. Baby-type deep orange carrots. French ANN BAK
variety. Sweet 3” carrots. Good canner and pickler. BOT GOU
IRI PAR
SHU TERR
Lunar White (OP) 78 days. Selection of Belgian White. 8” long and ANN BAK
white with small core. GOU KIT
NIC
Red Samurai (OP) Slim tapered bright rosy carrot. TER
Cauliflower
All the Year Round (OP) 70 days. Warm weather variety. Large, tight, BOU
white head surrounded by leaves.
Early Snowball (OP) 50 days. Head is denser than other early. ANN COM
Good wrapper leaves cover the curd. SEED SOU
Marches Green 75 days Lime green cauliflower but with rounded head. GOU
Italian heirloom.
San Giuseppe 78 days. Italian heirloom romanesco. Rich, nutty taste. ANN GOU
Lime green spiraled head.
Sicilian Violet 68 days. Italian purple headed cauliflower. Sicilian ANN GOU
heirloom. JOHN
Celery
Giant Pascal 100 days. Favorite of French chefs. Large ribs are GOU SHU
easily blanched.
Golden Self-Blanching (OP) 80-85 days. Dwarf plant with yellow BOU SHU
foliage, cream-colored 9” stalks. Thick heavy, stringless. SOU TOT
Redventure (OP) 115 days. Dark to brilliant red stalks with emerald BOU JOHN
green leaves. Golden-pink hearts. Milder than normal varieties. NIC TER
Utah Tall 100 days. Thick, crisp, medium dark green, 1 foot stalks. ANN BAK
Plants can reach 3 feet tall. SOU
Chard
Bright Lights (OP) 60 days. All American Winner. Light shades of BURP COO
pink, crimson, orange, yellow, gold, purple, and white 20” stems. Light JOH JOHN
savoyed leaves are burgundy with some green. NIC SHU
TER TERR
TOT
Golden Chard (OP) 60 days. Starts out as emerald green baby leaves ANN TER
with yellow stem and veins. Colors intensify to rich golden. 20-24” stalks.
Fordhook Giant (OP) 60 days. Large, dark green, very savoyed leaves. ABU ANN
8-10” pale green stalks. BAK BOT
BOU BURP
COO JOHN
SEED SHU
TERR
Rainbow (Five Color Silverbeet) (OP) 55-60 days. Australian variety. ABU ANN
Multicolored shades of red, orange, pink, yellow and creamy white. BAK BOT
SEED SOU
TERR
Collards
Georgia Green (Georgia Southern, Creole) (OP) 60-65 days. BOT BOU
Especially valuable for sandy soil. Open, loose heads are best BURP COM
harvested after frost when they are sweet and tender. 36” plants. GOU KIT
NIC PAR
SOU
Morris Heading (OP) 70 days. Produces loose heads with dark green, JOHN NIC
slightly savoyed leaves. 18-24” plant. SHU SOU
Cucumber (Slicers)
Armenian 55 days. Eastern European heirloom. 24” long twisting white BOT BOU
fruits. Burpless and easily digested skin. BURP GOU
IRI JOHN
KIT NIC
SEED TER
Crystal Apple Small 3” oval, bright, creamy white about the size of an BAK SEED
apple. Likely to have originated in China. You can eat skin and all.
Lemon (OP) 58-70 days. Dual purpose cucumber. 3-4” compact vine. BAK BOT
Size and shape of a lemon. Crunchy white flesh. Easy to digest. BOU BURP
COM COO
GOU IRI
JOH JOHN
NIC
Marketmore (OP) 76 days. 8” long, non-bitter cuke. Dark green with ANN BAK
white spines. BOT BOU
HAR IRI
JOH SHU
SOU STO
Orient Express 64 days. Asian type. Burpless. 12-14” long and BURP COO
1 ½” in diameter. Dark green fruit. STO
Spacemaster (OP) 52-75 days. 2-3’ vines, 7 ½” long green cukes. BOT BURP
Widely adapted. Ideal for small gardens and containers. SHU SOU
Eggplant
Applegreen (OP) 62-70 days. Apple-green color, 3 x 2 ½” fruits with BAK SEED
skin that doesn’t require peeling. Grows in cool growing areas. SOU
Black Beauty 73 days. Uniformly large-fruited eggplant 1 o 3 pounds. ANN BAK
Very deep purple-black. 18-24” tall plants. BOT BOU
BURG BURP
COM COO
GOU IRI
PAR SHU
STO
Blush (OP) 85 days. Creamy-white inside and out with a lavender blush SOU TERR
when ripe. Long cylindrical shape.
Listada De Gandia (OP) 75 days. French heirloom. 5-6” egg-shaped ANN BAK
fruits. Purple with irregular white stripes. Drought tolerant, sets fruit well JOHN SEED
under high heat. Does best in long warm growing areas. No need to SOU
peel before cooking.
Little Green Brilliant neon-green fruits. Russian variety. Does well in BAK
cooler summer climates.
Garlic
Elephant (OP) Large bulbs with 4-6 cloves and weigh up to ½ pound BURG BURP
or more. Mild and sweet. GUR PAR
SEED SHU
VER
German Porcelain (Northern White) (OP) Hardneck garlic. Bright IRI SOU
White bulb wrappers enclose red-tinged cloves. 5-7 cloves per bulb.
Inchelium Red (OP) From Colville Indian Reservation, Inchelium, WA. COO IRI
15 cloves per bulb. Bulbs in excess of 3” in diameter. Stores 6-9 months. JOHN SOU
TER
Silverwhite Silverskin (OP) This is the garlic seen in most grocery SOU
stores. Good for braiding and stores up to 12 months.
Spanish Roja Hardneck garlic with true garlic flavor. GUR JOHN
Kale
Black Tuscan (Nero Di Toscana, Toscano, Palmizio Senza Testa, ANN BOU
Black Palm Cabbage, Dinosaur) (OP) 50-60 days. Italian curly kale. COO GOU
Dark and meaty 2-3’ evergreen colored leaves. Hardy. JOHN TER
TERR THO
Dwarf Blue Scotch (OP) 55 days. Hardy 15” plant spreads 2’, ANN BOT
producing blue-green, finely curled leaves. Light frost improves flavor. NIC PLA
SEED
Russian Red (Ragged Jack) (OP) 50-60 days. 2-5’ plant. Hardy and ANN BAK
delicate purple-red oak-type leaves. Can overwinter. COO IRI
JOH NIC
PLA SHU
SOU SEED
TERR
Kohlrabi
Early White Vienna 50 days. Old variety is the same as purple except ANN BAK
has pale green skin. COM GOU
IRI NIC
Early Purple Vienna (OP) From Austria. 2” across and slightly larger BAK COM IRI
than White Vienna. SHU STO
TERR
Purple Vienna (OP) 60 days. Tennis ball sized purple bulbs. Begin ANN GOU
harvesting when bulbs are 2”. NIC TERR
Leeks
American Flag (Broad London) (OP) 85 days. Shafts average 1 ½” x ANN BOT
8-10” long. Well-blanched from base upward. COM GOU
GUR SOU
VER
Blue Solaise (Blue de Solaise) 100-120 days. 19th century French BAK COO
heirloom. Holds well in garden and even over winter. Deep blue green PAR SEED
leaves.
Giant Musselburgh (Scotch Flag) (OP) 105 days. Winter hardy. ANN BAK
Produces thick white 12-18” long, 2-3” diameter stalks. NIC SEED
SHU TERR
Lancelot 78 days. Widely adapted. 12-16” high shanks. Space 8-10” JOH PAR
apart. SHU TER
Mustard
Green Wave (Tendergreen) 50 days. Upright habit grows 2’ tall and BOU JOHN
has a dark green curled leaf. Bolt resistant. NIC TER
Mizuna (OP) 35 days. Japanese heirloom. Hundreds of tender, juicy ANN IRI
stemmed serrated leaves. Tolerant to cold and rain. JOH NIC
Southern Giant Curled (OP) Large, thick, bright-green with crumbled ANN BOT
frilled edges. Peppery flavor. Cold tolerant. Slow to bolt. BOU COO
GOU HAR
PAR SHU
SOU STO
Tokyo Bekana 44 days. Enormous loose heads of light green, ruffled JOHN NIC
leaves. Very mild. Good frost tolerance. SOU
White Stemmed Pak Choi 45 days. Tender, light green leaves are SOU
spoon-shaped with thick, white ribs. 14-18” tall. Cold resistant.
Okra
Burgundy (OP) 49-60 days. Deep burgundy-colored pods. Harvest at ANN BAK
6-8” long. GOU SHU
SOU
Clemson Spineless (OP) 56 days. Dark green, slightly grooved, ANN BAK
straight pods without spines. Best when picked at 3” long. BOU BURG
GOU HAR
JOH SEED
SHU SOU
Hill Country Heirloom Red (OP) 64 days. Texas hill country heirloom. BAK SEED
Very colorful red and green 4’ plants. 3” green pods with reddish tips SOU
and ribs. Drought tolerant.
Penta Dragon 60 days. 25” tall dwarf plant from Asia. Pods are ANN GOU
pentagonal, deep green, spineless, almost free of fluting.
Onions (Slicing)
Alisa Craig (OP) 110-140 days. Spanish onion. Very large 2 pounds ANN BAK
plus. Globe-shaped, straw-yellow skin. Long day type. BOU IRI
JOH SEED
SHU STO
TER TERR
Borrettana (Cipollini) 105 days. Cipollini onion with classic button ANN GOU
shape and translucent yellow color. Use as classic pickling onion. IRI JOHN
Long to intermediate day type. Italian heirloom. NIC SEED
TER TERR
Exhibition (OP) Very large, sweet, Spanish-type onion. Mild flavor. GOU NIC
Long to intermediate day.
Long Red Florence 100-120 days. Italian heirloom. Long bottle- SEED
shaped bulbs, attractive color. Mild and sweet. Best used for fresh
eating. Long day type.
Southport White Globe (OP) 65-120 days. Medium-size globe, fine- BOU COM
grained flesh, snow white with pungent flavor. Good keeper.
Bunching/Scallions
Crimson Forest Bunching (OP) 70-90 days. Brilliant red stalks, BAK
flavorful and tasty. Very unique and colorful.
Evergreen Hardy White (OP) 60 days. Perennial onion in fall and ANN JOH
spring. Forms long, slender onions with tender shoots. Divide clumps
second year to produce new crop.
He Shi Ko Bunching Japanese heirloom. Perennial bunching onion. ANN BAK
Stalks grow and divide from the base. Non-bulbing white type. TERR
Shallots
French Red (OP) Reddish-pink bulbs and pale, purple-pink flesh. COO SOU
Mature bulbs can range from ½” diameter. Does not keep as well as
other shallots.
Grey Griselle (OP) 180 days. French heirloom. Small teardrop-shaped SOU
1 x 1 ½” bulbs have a hard, gray skin and tender, pinkish-white flesh.
Mild flavor.
Peas (sugar snap, snow peas)
Amish Snap Pea 60 days. Heirloom with sweet flavor and tender pods ANN
when picked young. Climbing pea vine.
Dwarf Gray Sugar 60 days. 1773 heirloom snow pea. 30” vines have ANN BOU
pink and purple flowers that can be used in salads with the peas. COM JOH
JOH KIT
SEED
Mammoth Melting Sugar 70 days. Large sweet-flavored snow peas. ANN BAK
Pick before peas inside grow large. 4 ½” pods. IRI KIT
SHUSOU
Peppers (Sweet)
Antohi Romanian 78 days. Eastern European frying pepper. Smooth JOHN THE
4” long by 2” wide, tapered, pointed fruits are pale yellow and ripen to red.
Bull Nose Very early heirloom grown by Thomas Jefferson. Medium- COM SOU
large bell type pepper. Still grown at Monticello today. THE
California Wonder (OP) 70-75 days. 4-4 ½”, thick flesh, blocky, emerald ANN BAK
green peppers. Good stuffing variety. BOT BURG
BURP COM
COO NIC
PAR SHU
SOU STO
TER THE
Doux D’Espagne (Spanish Mammoth) Pre 1860. 6-7” long cone- BAK THE
shaped peppers used for frying or salads.
Golden Cal Wonder (OP) 78 days. Golden bells are sweet and tasty. BAK IRI
Milder than green varieties. 4” by 5” fruits with thick walls. SOU THE
TOT
King of the North 70 days. Red blocky bell pepper. Great for stuffing. ANN SEED
Sweet flavor.
Sweet Banana (Long Sweet Banana) (OP) 72 days. Tapered 6-7” BOU BURG
long fruit goes from light green to orange to red in color. BURP GOU
GUR NIC
SHU SOU
STO TOT
Orange Bell (OP) 100 days. Super sweet, brilliant orange. Blocky ANN BAK
4” fruit. Thick flesh. SEED SOU
THE
Red Mini Bell (Baby Bell) (OP) 60 days. Tiny version of red bell BAK GOU
peppers. Red 1 ½” tall and wide. Thick flesh and very sweet. 2’ SEED TER
plant is ideal for small space gardens or containers. THE
Peppers (hot)
Aji Amarillo (Aji yellow, Aji orange( (OP) 89-90 days. From Peru. 3’ NIC TERR
tall plants produce 3” long mildly hot green to yellow pepper. 1,000 THO
Scoville units. Spicy fruity flavor. Perennial in frost free areas.
Anaheim (OP) 80 days. Mildly hot flavor. Very large chili pepper. BAK BOU
Long, slender fruit. BURG COM
SOU TERR
TERR THE
TOT
Ancho Poblano 90 days. Slightly spicy cooking pepper used in BOT BOU
Mexican cooking. Use while green or allow to ripen to a deep brick- BURP JOHN
red color. TERR
Caribbean Red Habanero Twice as spicy as the common orange BAK BOU
Habanero. Rich smoky citrus taste. 2” lantern-shaped fruits. Heavy STO TOT
producer.
Fish Pepper (OP) 80 days. An African-American heirloom used in ANN BAK
fish and shellfish cookery. Colors range from green, orange, brown, JOHN SEED
white and red. Spicy and hot. 2’ tall plants have white and green SOU THE
mottled leaves. 2” long peppers. TOT
Fresno 75 days. Medium-hot 3” long chili primarily used in salsa. THE
Pendant fruit, green to red.
Jalapeno (OP) 60 days. Hot, cone-shaped fruit with distinctive meaty ANN BOU
flavor. When smoked they become chipotles. Use green or red. 24” GOU IRI
plant. Will produce in cooler climates. NIC SOU
THE
Mexican Serrano 85 days. 30” bush-like plant. Heavy crop of very GOU
red or green peppers shaped like miniature jalapenos. The standard
Serrano in Mexico.
Radish
Champion (OP) 20 days. Red, silver-dollar size radish that is not too GUR HAR
hot. IRI NIC
SHU STO
China Rose (Rose-Colored Chinese, Scarlet China Winter) (OP) BAK COM
55 days. One of the oldest types of radish. Very hardy fall/winter variety. KIT SHU
Roots are 5” long and rose colored. 1850s heirloom. SOU
Chinese Red Meat (Beauty Heart, Watermelon Radish, Mantanhong) BAK BOT
50-60 days. Historic Chinese heirloom. 4” round roots with white and BOU BURG
green skin, but has a rose-red center. Must be grown in cool weather. BURP GOU
JOH KIT
NIC TOT
Easter Egg (OP) 27 days. Round radishes in colors of pink, purple, BOT BURG
White and red. IRI JOH
NIC PAR
SOU TER
TERR TOT
French Breakfast (Radis Demi-Long Rose a Bount Blanc) (OP) ANN BAK
25 days. 1873 heirloom. Mild, spicy flavor, oval roots have red top BOT BOU
and white tip. COM GOU
GUR HAR
IRI JOHN
NIC SEED
SHU TER
Round Black Spanish (Noir Gros Ron D’Hiver) (OP) 53-80 days. BAK BOT
Large 5” diameter winter type. 16th century earlier. Deep, near black GOU GUR
skin and snowy white flesh. Will keep all winter under the right TERR
conditions. Fairly hot flavor.
White Beauty 25 days. Round to flat globe-shape. White skin, white IRI
flesh.
Rutabaga
American Purple top (Golden Neckless) 95 days. Mild and sweet, ANN BAK
great cooked or raw. Pre-1920 heirloom. Bright yellow flesh, dull BOT COM
reddish-color above ground. HAR IRI
JOHN NIC
SHU SOU
Champion A Collet Rouge 1850 European heirloom. Large purplish BAK
red top and yellow on the bottom half of the root. Sweet.
Joan (OP) 90 days. Uniform purple top, round root with yellow flesh. ANN IRI
Sweet and milder than other types. Hard frost improves flavor. NIC
Salad Greens (Chicory, Endive, Lettuce, Radicchio, Spinach, Micro-greens)
Chicory
Broad-Leaved Batavia 90 days. French variety. Broad, light-green BOT COO
nearly plain leaves. Heavy full head.
Grumolo Biondo Small golden rosette head with rounded thick golden- BAK GOU
green leaves.
Wild Garden Chicory (OP) 65 days. A mix of about 8 heirloom Italian GOU
Chicories. Some have smooth texture, glossy leaves, red Speckles,
Rather than red leaves. A variety of shapes.
Chicory (Cutting)
Asparagus (Puntarells, Puntarelle a Folia Stretta) (OP) Italian BAK NIC
heirloom variety. Resembles a dandelion on steroids. Hardy, excellent
greens. Very long slender leaves.
Spadona da Taglio Lance shaped cutting chicory. Outstanding flavor. GOU
Used in France and Italy for its rustic flavor. Great for micro greens.
Endive, (Frisee) (Curled)
Frisee Endive 60 days. Triple-cut curly heirloom from France. Feathery BOU TERR
fine-branched pale leaves. Big head and blanched hearts.
Rhodos (OP) 65 days. Extra frilly leaves are smooth and finely ribbed. JOH TER
Tightly massed plants. Hearts naturally blanched to creamy white.
Endive, (Escarole) (Not curled)
Belgian Endive (Witloof) (OP) 160 days. White to pale yellow, torpedo- BOU
shaped romaine-like heads.
Full Heart Batavian 85 days. Upright, broad, smooth dark-green leaves. BAK SOU
Yellow centers. 12” tall plants. STO
Witloof Di Brusselles This chicory (endive) is planted in spring, dug up BAK
And forced to grow in a cool, dark place to mak “chicon heads”.
Lettuce (Iceberg/crisphead)
Iceberg 85 days. Light green crinkled and fringed outer leaves, BAK BURP
the inner leaves are silvery white. COM IRI
Reine Des Glaces (Queen of the Ice, Ice Queen) (OP) 65-70 days. BOU GOU
French heirloom that thrives in cold. Emerald-green, lacy leaves with SEED TER
serrated edges. Stays crisp in heat. TERR
Lettuce (Buttercrunch, Bibb, Butterhead, Boston)
Ben Sherman (OP) 60-70 days. Butterhead from Israel. Large, dark- BOU
green compact heads are very sweet. Heat resistant.
Bibb (Limestone Lettuce) 46 days. Kentucky bred bibb. Uniquely COO GOU
textured.
Big Boston (Laitue Lorithois) Originally from France. Edges are BAK COM
slightly brown. Large, tender green heads.
Deer Tongue 28 days. Attractive, smooth buttercrunch type. Tongue- JOH JOHN
shaped outer leaves. Slow to bolt.
Tom Thumb (OP) 34 days. Little butterhead that produces heads about BAK BOT
the size of a baseball. Dark outer leaves, creamy yellow interior. NIC SOU
Excellent variety for containers or small space gardens. TER TERR
THO
Lettuce (French crisp, Batavia, Loose heads)
Merlot Batavian (OP) 50-65 days. Open-headed with upright, waxy JOHN
savoyed leaves with wavy edges. Heat tolerant. Slow to bolt. Good
baby leaf lettuce or let grow to a crisp, full-size burgundy head.
Rouge Greneblois 55 days. Red tinged green leaves. Holds up BOU JOHN
well in heat. Resists bolting. European favorite.
Lettuce (Romaine/Cos)
Cimarron Red (Cimarron) (OP) 60 days. 18th century heirloom. Deep ANN BAK
red leaves. Creamy yellow center. Bolt resistant. HAR IRI
NIC TERR
Forellenschluss (FlashyTrout’s Back, Speckled Trout) (OP) ANN BAK
58-60 days. Austrian lettuce. Green leaves with maroon markings. BOU COO
Thick midribs. Grows quickly in cold weather, but bolts in heat. GOU JOH
JOHN SEED
SOU TER
Little Gem (OP) 35-50 days. Heads are about 4” across and 4-6” tall. ANN BOT
Miniature green romaine just right for small space gardens or container. BAK BOU
COO GOU
IRI JOHN
NIC TER
Lettuce (Loose leaf)
Black Seeded Simpson (OP) 45 days. Fast growing pale green leaves. ANN BAK
BOT BURP
COM COO
GUR HAR
IRI JOH
NIC PLA
SHU SOU
TERR
Green Oakleaf (Baltimore, Philadelphia leaf) 1880s heirloom. SEED
Withstands hot weather. Never bitter.
Lollo Rossa (Lollo Rosso) (OP) 53-60 days. Italian variety. Red, ANN BOT
fringed green leaves. BAK COO
GOU JOH
JOHN SEED
Red Salad Bowl (OP) 55 days. Big, wine-red leaves. Excellent fall ANN BOT
variety. COO GOU
HAR IRI
JOH JOHN
SEED SHU
SOU STO
Lettuce (Mesclun, Blends, Microgreens)
Ann’s Lettuce Blend Blend of heirloom lettuces, Forellenschluss, ANN
Tango, Red Salad Bowl, Oak leaf, Salad Bowl, Amish Deer Tongue,
Rouge d’Hiver, Rossimo, and Cocarde.
Heatwave Blend 50-60 days. Heat and drought resistant varieties. BURP COO
Micro Greens Mix (OP) 12-21 days. Includes Arugula, Bull’s Blood BURP TER
beet, Winter red kale, Pink, Petiole mix mustard, Cherry Belle radish,
and Salad Burnett.
Spicy Mesculun Mix 20-50 days. Spicy blends of greens. Verte Mar, IRI
Sierra and Rouge Grenobloise lettuces, verte de Cambrai mache,
Arugula, Red Giant, Kyona mustards, Tres Fine endive and Ruby Red
Swiss chard.
Wild Garden Lettuce (OP) 50-70 days. Literally dozens of varieties, SOU TER
including selections of lettuce that remain unnamed and not available
anywhere else other than this mix.
Radicchio
Castelfranco Variegated (OP) 80 days. Italian heirloom. Round slightly BAK GOU
open heads have creamy white leaves splashed with violet and burgundy. NIC
Palla Rossa Special (OP) 85 days. Dark red leaves and uniform 5-7” BAK GOU
heads. Distinctive tangy taste without getting bitter. TER
Rouge De Verone (Verona Red) (OP) 85 days. Red-green colored BAK BOU
radicchio, if cut back in spring it will produce clusters of small apple size BURP GOU
heads. IRI NIC
Spinach (Plain leaf)
Amsterdam Prickly Seeded Grown by Thomas Jefferson in the early BAK
19th century. Flat, tender, medium-green leaves with red tinged stalks.
Slower to bolt.
Large Viroflay 1900s heirloom. Very broad dark green smooth leaves. COM
Spinach (Savoyed, Semi-savoyed leaf)
Bloomsdale (Ricco d’ Asti) 45 days. Terrific 1826 heirloom. Dark BOT BOU
green heavily savoyed leaves. Best used in cool weather. SEED TER
Bloomsdale Long Standing 39-60 days. Pre-1908 American ANN BAK
heirloom. Glossy, dark green savoyed leaves. Does better in hot BOUBURG
weather than most. BURP COM
GOU GUR
IRI NIC
PLA SHU
STO TER
Giant Winter (Giante d’ Inverno) 50-70 days. European heirloom ANN BAK
produces large, broad deep green semi-savoyed pointed leaves. BOU GOU
From Italy. Very cold hardy. JOHN
Spinach substitutes
New Zealand Spinach 60-70 days. 1770s heirloom. This variety BAK BOT
takes summer heat and keeps producing. Not frost hardy. BURP COM
GOU JOHN
SEED SHU
STO
Ruby Orach (Mountain Spinach) 60 days. Tall, erect hardy annual. TERR
Native to Europe. Cultivated in America since the 1800s. Tender,
spinach-like leaves. Tolerates heat, cold and drought, also does well
in salty and alkaline soils.
Squash (Summer, zucchini)
Black Beauty (OP) 50 days. Classic dark green zucchini. 1920s ANN BAK
heirloom. Best picked when young. BOT BOU
GOU IRI
PAR SEED
SOU STO
TER TERR
Costata Romanesco 52 days. Famous Italian/Roman zucchini. ANN BAK
Long, fluted and ribbed. Medium-green striped skin, rich flavor. When
Cut the slices are scalloped.
Ronde De Nice (Tonda Nizza) 50 days. French heirloom. Round, BAK BOT
Green zucchini. Ideal for stuffing. Great taste. COO GOU
IRI JOHN
SEED TERR
Summer Sampler Zucchini Mix Mix of colors, shapes and sizes. GOU
Includes Round of Nice, Bianco di Trieste, Golden, Striatodi Napoli,
and Romanesco.
Yellow Zucchini 45 days. Striking golden heirloom zucchini. Semi- IRI
spineless plant.
Squash (Straightneck)
Early Prolific 50 days. All American winner. Uniform yellow club- ANN BAK
shaped fruit. Firm flesh. BOT BURP
GOU GUR
IRI JOHN
SHU SOU
Squash (Crookneck)
Yellow 55 days. 1770s heirloom. Yellow, bulb-shaped fruit with ANN JOH
Narrow, curved neck. Skin becomes bumpy and warted on large SOU TER
Fruit. Best eaten at 6” long.
Squash (Patty Pan/Scallop)
Bennings Green Tint (OP) 50-63 days. Colorful, light green, scallop- ANN BAK
shaped fruit. Old favorite. 2-3” diameter. 3-4’ bushes yield up to 15 BOU JOHN
squash. SOU TER
TERR
Early Yellow 52 days. 1856 heirloom. Early, flat, scallop-shaped. COM IRI
Deep orange-yellow, smooth skin. Native Americans used to dry this SHU SOU
squash and used as gourd-like rattles.
Patisson Panache Blanc Et Vert Stunning pure white scallop with BAK SEED
deep greed radial streaks. Small fruit may not show streaking, and it
can be variable. Pre-1885 French heirloom.
Squash (Other)
Lemon Squash The shape, size and color of a lemon. Very tasty BAK
squash.
Rugosa Friulana (Wrinkled of Friuli) Common in Northeastern Italy. BAK
Light yellow fruits are beyond wrinkled, they are warted. Rich and full
of flavor.
Zapallo del Tonco 60 days. Huge bushy plants with large tropical BOU IRI
looking leaves. Glossy round fruits are crispy raw. Almost like a
cucumber. South American heirloom.
Squash, Winter
Spaghetti Squash (Vegetable Squash) (OP) 88-100 days. The only ANN BAK
winter squash recommended for this garden. Stringy flesh is used like BURG BURP
spaghetti. No carbs, no fat. Oblong, yellow 1934 heirloom. May have GOU GUR
originated in China. HAR IRI
KIT NIC
PAR SHU
SOU STO
TER TERR
Tomato (early to 70 days) (All colors)
Black Prince (OP) 70 days. An heirloom from Irkutsk, Siberia. BAK GOU
5 ounce, round, uniform tomatoes. Deep blushed chocolate brown. NIC SOU
Sweet, rich flavor. 2-3” diameter. Indeterminate plant. TER
Bloody Butcher (OP) 55 days. Medium, round, 4 ounce fruits. Deep ANN TOT
dark red inside and out. Indeterminate potato leaf plant.
June Pink (Pink Earliana) 68 days. 1900 heirloom. Rose-pink color. SOU
Indeterminate plant bears clusters of 4-6 tomatoes.
Lime Green Salad 58 days. Heirloom 3 ounce tomato with apple green IRI
skin that matures to yellowish, with lime-green flesh. Sweet tangy flavor.
Short plants.
Marmande 70 days. Semi-determinate. French heirloom. Scarlet, ANN BAK
lightly ribbed fruit is full of flavor. Medium-large size fruit produce even TOT
in cool weather.
Willamette (OP) 70 days. Very smooth, mild, meaty, red 3” globes. IRI NIC
Popular in the Pacific Northwest. Bushy upright determinate plant.
Heirloom.
Tomatoes (Mid-season 71-89 days) (All colors)
Ace (OP) 75 days. Proven heirloom for vigor and large crops. Red BOT GOU
round, low in acid.
Arkansas Traveler 80 days. Medium-size pink tomato with smooth ANN BAK
rose color skin. Arkansas heirloom. Tolerates heat and humidity. Crack BOU GOU
resistant. SOU TOT
Aunt Ruby’s German Green 85 days. One of the largest green ANN BAK
Beefsteaks. Can grow to 1 pound. Brilliant, neon-green flesh with BOT BOU
strong, sweet, fruity flavor. German heirloom by way of Greenville, JOHN SEED
Tennessee.
Big Rainbow 85 days. Huge fruit up to 2 pounds. Sweet tasting. BAK BURP
Very striking. When sliced, the yellow fruit has neon red streaking COO GUR
through flesh. Heirloom. Indeterminate. JOHN PAR
SOU
Black Brandywine 85-100 days. 1920 Pennsylvania heirloom. SHU SOU
Indeterminate. Large, dusky rose/purple fruit with rich sweet flavor. TERR TOT
Black Krim (OP) 78 days. Russian heirloom. Very juicy with thin ANN BOT
skin and dark green shoulders. Brown-red when ripe. Slight saltiness BOU BURP
that enhances the taste. 4” fruit. Indeterminate. One of my favorite COO GOU
slicing tomato. GUR IRI
NIC SEED
SHU TERR
TOT
Brandywine Red (OP) 85 days. Large-lobes, beefsteak-shaped, BOT COO
16 ounces with thin pinkish-red skin. Not acidic. Best staked, GOU GUR
Indeterminate plant. IRI JOHN
NIC PAR
SEED SHU
SOU TER
TERR TOT
Cherokee Purple 80 days. Cherokee Indian pre-1890 heirloom. ANN BAK
Deep dusky purple-pink color. Very large tomato. Sweet flavor. BOT BOU
10-12 ounces. Indeterminate. COO GOU
IRIPAR
PLA SEED
SHU SOU
STO TER
THE TOT
Costoluto Genovese (OP 75 days. 19th century Italian heirloom. BAK BOU
Determinate plant. Flattened and quite attractive with deep ribbing. COO GOU
JOHN PAR
TER TERR
TOT
Great White 80-85 days. Large, 1 pound creamy white tomato. BAK GOU
Has a tropical flavor. Smoother than most beefsteaks. TOT
Old Virginia 80 days. Indeterminate Virginia heirloom. Sweet/tart SOU
flavor. 4-7 ounces, dark red fruit with few seeds. Produces even in long
hot summers.
Ponderosa Red (Ponderosa Scarlett) 80-90 days. 1891 heirloom. SEED SHU
Meaty 10-24 ounce flattened beefsteak. Deep red fruits. Does well in TOT
humid areas. Indeterminate.
Tomato (Late 90+ days) (All colors)
Rutgers 72-100 days. Indeterminate. Good canning variety. Large BAK BOU
red 8 ounce globe tomato. Large vine. New Jersey heirloom. BURP
Tomato (Small)
A Groppoli d’ Invero Old Italian heirloom tomato that resembles little BAK
Romas. Delicious.
Black Cherry 75 days. Black cherries are dusky purple-brown and BAK GOU
look like grapes. Large vines. TERR THE
Lemon Drop 70-90 days. ¾” elongated fruit, 3/8” diameter. COO IRI
Indeterminate wild South American tomato. SEED TOT
Pearly Pink 75 days. Bright pink cherry tomatoes. BAK
Red Cherry (Old Fashioned Red Cherry) 72 days. Pre 1840 heirloom. SOU
Indeterminate.
Red Pear 75 days. 1” pear-shaped fruits borne in large clusters. GOU TOT
Heirloom favorite. Full of rich flavor.
Snow White Small ivory-colored cherry tomato. BAK
Tigerella 55-75 days. 2” round fruits are bright red with orange stripes. BAK THO
High yields even in cool summers.
Turkish Striped 80-85 days. 2” fruit are striped red and gold. BAK
Yellow Pear (OP) 78 days. Very sweet, 1 ½” yellow pear-shaped fruit. BAK BOU
Mild flavor. Very productive indeterminate plant. Pre-1800 heirloom. BURP COM
GOU IRI
NIC PLA
SOU TER
TERR THE
TOT
Tomato (Paste)
Amish Paste 80 days. Giant, blocky, Roma type tomatoes have ANN BAK
delicious red flesh. Wisconsin Amish heirloom. 6-8 ounces. BOU COO
Determinate plant. GOU IRI
NIC SEED
SHU SOU
TERR TOT
Pink Icicle Bright pink fruit shaped like a pink icicle. Ukriane variety. BAK
Incredible producer of sweet, rich paste tomatoes.
Roma (OP) 76 days. Determinate plant. Thick flesh, good paste BAK BOT
tomato. Great yields. BOU BURG
BURP GOU
GUR HAR
NIC SHU
SOU STO
TOT
San Marzano (OP) 80 days. Long, blocky 4 ounces, 3” meat ANN BOT
tomatoes. Italian heirloom. Intense flavor yields perfect paste. Few COO GOU
seeds. Good for canning and drying. Indeterminate. HAR NIC
SOU STO
TERR TOT
Turnips
Purple Top White Globe (OP) Pre 1880 heirloom. Purple-white skin. ANN BAK
Easy to grow. Nearly round, 5” across. Harvest a 2-3”. BOT BOU
GUR HAR
IRI KIT
NIC SHU
SOU TER
TERR
Red Round 50 days. Bright red Japanese heirloom. Small, tender BAK KIT
globe-shaped roots. Stems and roots are both red. Fun and fast
growing.
White Egg 48 days. Pre-1800s heirloom. Smooth, white turnip has BAK SOU
mild white flesh. Egg-shaped roots, 3 ½ x 2 ½” and grow partly above
the ground.