Ibis Lettuce

The ice plant comes from South Africa. Its foliage, which looks covered with frost or dew, is nicely tangy. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in butter. Its tiny flowers are dainty and quite unique. Easy to grow, doesn't require much but will be killed by freezing temperatures.   Package: Around 100 seeds

Small head lettuce with red undertones. Baquieu lettuce combines hardiness with early harvest. It might be an ancient German variety then called 'Erstling' (meaning the first) due to how early it can be harvested. Mentions of this variety are found in horticultural documents of the end of the 17th Century. Package: 200 seeds

This Batavia head lettuce has light green leaves, sprinkled with red dots. They are slightly wavy, reminiscent of a jester costume, which explains the name. They are also crispy and delicious. The plant itself is very hardy, and resistant to bolting. This allows for a longer harvest with delayed planting. This variety was developed by Frank Morton in Oregon, who made a triple-cross between the “Reine des Glaces”, “Merlot”, and “Flashy Troutback” varieties. It was selected for both its visual and eating qualities. Package: 200 seeds

This spinach variety is very rare. It comes from a convent, the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul in Kingston, ON. These sisters grew over 400 different cultivars of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. They're offered us some treasures that have been grown for over a century. Some of their seed packages were even written using a typewriter. For more information, visit Le Potager d'Antan (in French): https://potagersdantan.com/2011/01/06/lepinard-norfolk/ Package: 130 seeds

French sorrel is a perennial that grows into a ground cover that establishes nicely along paths and beds, or on rocky soils. The small leaves of this sorrel variety are light green with occasional silver specks. They taste a little tangy and lemony. They are well-loved by kids, and are delicious in salads, sandwiches or sauces. The leaves can be harvested young in which case they are delicious eaten raw, or later to be cooked like spinach. Once harvested, the leaves can be stored frozen for a long time. Package: 55 seeds   Photo credit: https://www.andrewsgarden.be/en/exotis-spices-medicinal-plants/rumex-scutatus-silver-leaf-french-sorrel/a-559-13

This ancient variety comes from France. It naturally grow finely chiseled leaves, and a self-blanching tightly packed core. This chicory is especially cold hardy, making it a good choice for the start and the end of the season. In terms of maintenance, it is absolutely not demanding and will adapt to several growing conditions.   Package: 200 seeds Photo credit: Jardin du Vallurot