Alaska Pea

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

Package: 20 seeds

This pea variety was carefully preserved by Will Bonzai, in the United States. Few other varieties from the colonial era still exist today, although French colonizers did develop hundreds of pea varieties in their gardens which were well adapted to the North-East American climate. This is were the nickname 'Pea Soup', given by the English to the French, originated. This variety is a landrace, meaning its peas are of different colors. They look like small pebbles coming straight out of a river, marbled and spotted. We genuinely think those are the most beautiful peas there is. They are ideal to make jewelry. Also adorable as legume in a salad. Using a net or tutors can help with harvest. High-yielding. Package: 30 seeds. RARE, PLEASE SHARE.

Very ancient variety from the United States. Its skin is a creamy yellow with some pink undertone, and is very soft with a light down. This all makes this tomato look a bit like a little peach. The taste is exceptional, the skin is soft... makes you want to touch AND eat it.   Package: 30 seeds

You've been dreaming of growing peas on your balcony? Laxton Progress peas are just what you've been waiting for! This very productive dwarf variety will drown you with its large 8 to 10 pea filled pods. Early bearing, you won't wait for long before the first harvest begins. Ideal to eat raw or to freeze.   Package: 30 seeds Photo Credit: gardiendesemences

While sorting the beans, Geneviève slipped and spilled them all! We are now happy to introduce you our best climbing bean varieties, of all colors and tastes: Skunk, True Red Cranberry, Kahnawake Mohawk, Turkey craw, Goose, Mennonite, Mayflower, and Grand-mère.