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3,78 $
Antoine D'Avignon was a ancient vegetable lover. A pioneer in Quebec for heirloom seed saving, he grew, harvested and shared the seeds of numerous varieties that would have otherwise been forgotten by now. Notably, Louis-Marie's Crotte d'ours potato, Suzanne Bourgeois's Ice Grow tomato, Huron wheat, and... this corn.
In an interview in the late 1990s he reached out for help to the public: the Quebec corn that our grandmas used to cultivate has disappeared. Nobody is growing flour corn anymore. After the interview, a lady called the radio station claiming that she did have seeds of a flour corn that had been grown by her family for ages.
This is how she came into contact with Antoine and shared with him her precious treasure. Then, during that summer, Antoine ends up mentioning the corn to a friend, Mrs. France Bouffard. She is really interested and ask for a couple seeds. Reluctant as he as only a few, he ends up giving her 6 seeds. She grew those and multiplied them, enough to make flour for her pancakes. The story could have ended there. Sadly it did not as Antoine died still young and took with him the corn story.
More recently, Mrs. Bouffard reached out to me while I was working for Seeds of Diversity. We chatted, and she ended up mentioning the corn. She then sent me some seeds by the mail. We had a good first harvest from those seeds and, thanks to that, we can now share this variety with you. Luckily, Antoine has also gifted a few to another one of his friends, René Paquet, who has since carefully kept the envelope. On it, a name:
Anita Fournier, from Nicolet.
We are looking for this lady (probably deceased by now) or her offsprings. Please let us know if you know her.
Please note that some of the seeds have been sent to Seeds of Diversity for preservation. With the hopes that you might also contribute to writing a chapter of this story.
For more information, please visit (in French): Antoine d'Avignon (1948-2003), jardinier de la dernière chance"
Please send us pictures of your crops and harvests! We will share them!
Package: 40 seeds
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3,78 $
Amaranth is a jack of all trades of the plant world. When the plant is still young, the leaves can be eaten just like spinach. The seeds can be used like cereals, raw, roasted, sprouted, or even to make flour. Amaranth is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, and in calcium, iron, and magnesium. But we especially like how its tall stance and bright red color decorate our garden.
Package: 200 seeds
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3,78 $
Spice up movie night with your own homegrown popcorn! This variety is crunchy and has a rich taste, making it ideal for a healthy snack as well.
The seeds are lustrous and black, and pop into appetizing white popcorns.
This variety was developed by the Prairie Road Organic Seed Farm in North Dakota, to our taste buds' greatest pleasure!
Adapted to colder climates and easy to grow, unless you have some hungry birds roaming around your garden! (in which case we recommend using nets)
Package: Around 35 seeds
If you struggle getting your corn to pop: https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/why-popcorn-sometimes-doesnt-pop/
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3,78 $
No need for introductions! This herb is loved by all cooks for its taste, and gardeners for how easy it is to grow. It aromatic leaves and equally tasty seeds makes it a great ally, be it in the garden or in a pot on the balcony. Sow at intervals to be able to harvest all season long.
Package: 75 seeds
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3,78 $
Ancient corn variety introduced in the U.S. during the 1890s. The plant can reach more than 2 m in height, and produces 2 to 3 cobs of 20 cm. The long and white grains are not organized in rows, but instead in a completely irregular way.
The taste is delicate and sweet. Requires a longer cooking time to fully bring the flavour out. Delicious on the BBQ.
Package: 60 seeds
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3,78 $
Quebec garlic is in, but everyone is growing the same variety! Don't put all your garlic in the same basket, and choose biodiversity instead! This package contains 6 different varieties, which will promptly adapt to your garden and your growing conditions, and will prove hardier to nature's challenges.
For more information on garlic culture, please visit (in French) : http://terrepromise.ca/culture-bulbilles-dail/
Package: Between 75-100 bulbils
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3,78 $
There are very ancient mentions of this corn which grew in the region of Gaspé (in Gaspésie, Eastern Quebec) and all over the East coast of Canada. It was originally cultivated by the First Nation Mi'gmaq. History says that Jacques Cartier had observed this crop back in 1534. This small sized corn is a popping corn type. A particularly early crop, its cobs form in no more than 3 months. The cobs measures between 10-12 cm (4-5 inches) and have 8 rows of grains.
Package: Around 35 seeds
If you struggle getting your corn to pop: https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/why-popcorn-sometimes-doesnt-pop/
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3,78 $
Malabar spinach originally comes from the Malabar Coast, India's southwest coast. Eaten like our spinach, it however grows in very different conditions; it loves heat and light as you might expect from its origin. It also has a quite distinct look, climbing up as it grows more and more leaves for us to harvest all summer long. It is both delicious and gorgeous. Malabar spinach can be grown in the ground or in pots.
Package: 20 seeds
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3,78 $
Coy in the garden, salsify can be mistaken for grass when still young. But its hardiness and lack of pests makes it a wise choice for enthusiasts of curiosities. Not the highest-yielding plant but its taste, somewhere between hazelnut and parsnip, widely makes up for it. It's also a true sundial: as soon as the first lights of the sunrise appear, the flowers will open towards the sun, and will then follow it for the whole day, until it sets. It is from the same family as dandelions.
The roots are tender and do not have a hint of bitterness, as long as harvested before the flowering stem starts to grow. The leaves are also edible. When the flower buds start appearing, on the second year, it is possible to eat them just like with viper's grass.
Culinary uses:
-raw roots chopped for salads,
-cooked roots sliced (with white wine to avoid blackening),
-young leaves in a salad,
-cooked leaves as vegetables,
-raw flower buds in a salad, or cooked as vegetables.
Package: 25 seeds
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3,78 $
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Sunflower mix
In French, the name 'tournesol' comes from the Italian girasole, meaning 'that turns with the sun.'
The seeds are rich in proteins and a good food source for both humans and birds. Depending on the variety growing, the plant will either grow one big flower, or many smaller ones.
Mix of small and very big sunflower varieties.
Package: 40 seeds.
3,78 $
Tetragon is usually grown for its leaves, which can be added in salads or cooked. Thanks to its ability to withstand difficult climates, this plant grows readily in the wild in China, Reunion Island, and New Zealand. It is also fairly easy to grow in Quebec, but it will behave as an annual since it cannot tolerate frost.
Held up by a round stem, tetragon has a really unique look with its thick leaves and quadrangular fruits. Good source of vitamin B1, B2 and C; the New Zealand spinach is both delicious and nutritious!
Package: 20 seeds
Germination rate: 89%
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3,78 $
This rare corn variety was shared with us by Steve McCumber, founder of the Haudenosaunee seed saving group. It comes from the Winnebago nation, who has been cultivating it for generations on their land, now known as Wisconsin and Illinois.
The Winnebago corn is a flour variety. The kernels are creamy white, sprinkled with blue spots. You can try to eat it fresh if you wish, but the taste won't be as sweet and the texture will be more fibrous than the corn cobs you usually find at summer corn stalls. It will however be best used to cook cornbreads, polenta or hominy.
Ancient and rare variety, please share!
Package: 40 seeds
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