Wonderberry

Heirloom variety introduced to the Saint Lawrence River Valley by French settlers in the 17th Century. It is still eaten today and makes delicious pea soup. High yielding plants. They will need trellising and can grow up to 1 meter tall. The Potager d'Antan reports this story : « According to an old European tradition dating back from the 15th Century, Hubertus, patron saint of hunters, was associated with the pea soup. To make a long story short, during his lifetime, in the 7th Century, Hubert went astray, hunted on Good Friday, and while pursuing a stag, he had a vision in which he saw the animal with a crucifix between its antlers and heard a voice enjoining him to lead a holy life. Hubertus later performed many miracles, evangelized pagans in distant countries, and erected temples dedicated to the Lord. He died on May 30, 727. His relics were translated on November 3, 743. His feast day is November 3 in Belgium and May 30 in France. In memory of Saint Hubert, European settlers in Quebec supposedly kept the name of this pea variety, used in the preparation of the « hunting soup ». For the complete story, visit the Potager d’Antan website. This variety is very rare and is considered endangered.   Package: 30 seeds

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 variety produces golden and delicious fruits, with a sweet but slight tangy taste. They can be enjoyed raw, but can also be added to various recipes such as fruit salads, sherbets, coulis, jams, and even salsa! It is very rich in antioxidants and beta Carotene. Eat when the fruit is orange-yellow. Like Chinese lanterns, it is encased in a papery husk. When the fruit is ripe, the husk drops off the plant and you can harvest the gold berry. Package: 40 seeds

** CANNOT BE SHIPPED OUT OF CANADA ** The tree onion, or Egyptian onion, has been grown in Quebec for a long time. It is mentioned as early as in the 1820s, and was allegedly brought in with the first colonizers. However its true origin remains mysterious; some people claim that it comes from Catawissa, a town in Pennsylvania, while others say it comes from China. It is a perennial onion that produces, at the tip of its leaves, clusters of red grape-sized bulbils. The most commonly harvested parts are these bulbils and the bulb, but the leaves can also be used, chopped just like chives. After 2 to 3 years, the plant might start feeling a bit crowded at its base: divide the bunch, and transplant individual sections further apart. Extra ones can be eaten like green onions. The tree onion has an elongated bulb that ranges from small to medium in size. Package: About 8 small bulbils per order

This pepper variety originally comes from Japan. It gives a bountiful harvest of small wrinkled fruits, about 10 cm in length. Very productive, it will yield at least 25 peppers per plant. The red peppers (when ripe) are equally delicious if eaten earlier, when they are still green. They are mild and sweet but can be bit spicy, especially if dried. Compact plant, ideal for small gardens. Package: 30 seeds.

Originally from Peru, this plant has been cultivated in North America since the 17th Century. The sweet and delicious fruit can be eaten fresh, in jams, soups and pies. Like Chinese lanterns, it is encased in a papery husk. When the fruit is ripe, the husk drops off the plant and you can harvest the gold berry.

Package: 75 seeds