Scorzonera hispanica Black salsify or Spanish salsify is a vegetable cultivated for its long black skinned taproot. The name Scorzonera derives from the Italian scorza (bark) and nera (black). As we might be able to guess from its yellow flowers, the plant belongs to the Asteraceae family. Just like the root, the leaves are edible and so are the flowers before they open, like small broccolis. The white fleshed root may be harvested during the first or second year. To develop up its full potential, the plant needs to grow in a soil deep enough. If you let it overwinter in the ground, even here in Quebec, the plant will produce flowers the following year. Once they are ripe, it will be time for you to harvest the seeds, but beware : birds, and especially goldfinch, love them! Black salsify is rich in carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

Summer radishes of all colors, going from white to purple, and including more classic red ones. Some are pinker, other spicier. Ideal for indecisive people. The diversity will look great in a plate and will inevitably impress your guests. Package: 125 seeds

Haven't we all had a grandma that made us rhubarb jams? An easy to grow perennial, this plant is notably ideal for Guerilla Gardening. Under the cover of the night, you subtly go plant a rhubarb seedling. The small plant will go unnoticed until, a year or two later, it starts growing abundant and delicious leaves. With your care, it will be so healthy and thriving that the City won't want to remove it. Then, you will harvest the stems to offer to your grandma, who will return in a Mason jar as jam. Isn't this life cycle beautiful? Package: 25 seeds BEWARE: the leaves are toxic, only eat the stems.

Indeterminate. Bicolored tomato with large and very sweet marbled fruits. The pink, ferm flesh has very little acidity and has won a number of taste contests in the United States. Yellow fruits blush with red orange colors as they ripen. This heirloom tomato first appeared in New York in 1921 under the name Ruby Gold. It was renamed Gold Medal in 1976 by American seed collector Ben Quisenberry. Daughter not included.   Package: 30 seeds

KEEP REFRIGERATED AS SOON AS RECEIVED AND UNTIL PLANTING TIME!

Also known as potato bean, hopniss, Indian potato, hodoimo, America-hodoimo, cinnamon vine, American groundnut, or groundnut.

Quebec-native climbing plant. It belongs to the legume family (<i>Fabaceae</i>). Grows well on river banks and shores, but also in the garden. Its flowers have a strong perfume, reminiscent of glycine. It is sometimes referred to as 'glycine tubéreuse' (tuberous glycine). The bean part of some of its common names refers to the edible beans produced from its flowers, when climate allows. Its tubers, also edible, are interconnected by a liana-root giving it a rosary-like appearance.

The apios was widely eaten by First Nations. Nowadays, it is still common to see it growing where their settlements once were. Highly nutritional, it contains up to 18% proteins, 3x that of potatoes. It can be eaten boiled or fried. However, make sure to peel it thoroughly as the skin contains latex.

Please note, although very rare, that some people might feel unwell from <i>Apios americana</i> consumption.

Package: 8 small tubers.

Germination rate: 100%

Named after the town of Chioggia in the Venetian Lagoon, this beet can be eaten raw or cooked. Delicious sweet taste and a pleasure for the eyes, with its distinctive concentric red and white stripes. Will loose some of its color once cooked, but is perfect for carpaccio. Leaves and stems are edible too.

 

Developed in Italy before 1841, the Chioggia derives from another traditional variety, the Bassano beet, named after a town in the Veneto region. The Chioggia beet was introduced in the United States before 1865 and furthermore perfected by seed producers.

 

As popular as it is easy to grow. Italian Heirloom.

 

Package : 100 seeds.