Winnebago Corn

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

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

Indeterminate. Plant approximately 1,20 meters tall. Fruits between 150 and 250 grams. This tomato is a cross between Black Krim and Zapotec tomatoes. It combines the best traits of these two heirloom classics. The flavor of the Black Ruffle is exceptional. The red purple fruit is pleated like an accordion. It is a rare variety really worth discovering.   Package: approx. 35 seeds

This very ancient variety was supposedly brought to the U.S. on the Mayflower boat in 1620. The boat was carrying English religious dissidents, the Pilgrim fathers, and other European people seeking a land where they could fully enjoy religious freedom. This variety was widely grown in the Carolinas region. Despite this nice story, and considering most beans are originally from America, it is more likely that the colonizers 'borrowed' this variety from First Nations and named it after their boat. Perhaps. Their pods are small, and contain squarish beans, sprinkled with pink and white marks. Can be eaten as green beans when still young, or as dry beans when they reach maturity after 85 days. Mayflower beans are part of the SlowFood USA's Ark of Taste. Package: 30 seeds

You may be more familiar with traditional round cabbages. But once you discover collard, there is no going back! A distinguished member of the Brassica family, collard is grown for its large leaves, less curly than kale. It can be used in a variety of ways : soups, salads, sautés, stews, pasta, juices, etc. Very nutritious, it is also an excellent source of calcium and iron. Easier to grow than cabbage, it is a vigorous green that can withstand frost. It will even be more tastier in the cold months. Tip : If you let collard overwinter in the garden, protected under a layer of mulch, you will harvest a provision of seeds in the following spring. Package: 200 seeds

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