Wendy Mae’s Choice 2010 Black Turtle Bean – 100 days, Believed to have originated in southern Mexico and Central America over 7,000 years ago, Black Turtle beans are one of the tastiest beans we know. They have a deep, rich flavor that works superbly in soups, frijoles, refritos, chili, and as refried beans. High yielding and easy-to-grow bush variety. 1 oz. Kentucky Wonder Bean – 65 days, Introduced in Kentucky just prior to the Civil War, this classic variety had proven its excellence through the test of time. Unbeatable productivity, consistency, and flavor. Pods are 7-9” long, stringless, solid, and meaty. Known to have a distinctive, favorable bean-y flavor. Use fresh for snap beans, or dry on vines for an excellent soup bean. Brown seeds. 1 oz. Gold Rush Yellow Bush Bean – 55 days, Early picking with a concentrated harvest period. Pods hang in clusters around the main stem, making them easy to pick. Lemon-yellow pods with green tips are round, straight, and tender. Fine flavor and ability to remain in prime condition on the plant over a period of time. Excellent freezer. White seeds 1 oz. Dragon Langerie Bush Bean – 55 days fresh, 95 shell Also known as Dragon’s Tongue. Unique purple streaked pods are 6-8” long and flat, like a Romano bean. Commonly eaten fresh as a snap bean with superb flavor and crispness – a clear winner in High Mowing’s 2008 taste tests. Streaks fade when cooked. Can also be shelled when beans fill pods for tender, creamy shell beans, or used as a dry bean. Purple seeds. 1 oz. Chioggia Guardsmark Beet – 60 days New strain of the popular Italian heirloom, improved by Alf Christianson Seed Company. Candy-striped beet with alternating rings of dark red and white are unique and beautiful, making this variety a popular choice for specialty markets. Increased uniformity and bolt tolerance. 1/16 oz. Detroit Dark Red Beet – 50 days These blood red, uniform globes grow up to 3” in diameter with a sweet taste and smooth texture. The greens are delicious too! Sown as soon as the soil can be worked and throughout the summer for a continual harvest, the beets can be stored at very cold temps (32 – 40o F) in damp sand or sawdust. 1/16 oz. Bull’s Blood Beets – 35 days baby leaves Grown primarily for striking dark red-purple leaves that provide incredible contrast in salad mixes and also have a tender, sweet flavor. Eliot Coleman’s choice for a red leaf in winter salad mixes. Roots are also tasty and tender when harvested early. Tolerant to heat and cool temps. Color intensifies as plants mature. Great variety for baby beets! Can be stored at very cold temps (32 – 40o F) in damp sand or sawdust. 1/16 oz. De Cicco Broccoli – 48 days This produces 3-4” main heads and numerous yields of side shoots. De Cicco is a superior quality for freezing, and is a very early variety. Broccoli does best in the cool times of spring, early summer, and fall, and can either be planted directly into the ground, or transplanted when it’s 4-6 weeks old. 1/32 oz. Red Cored Chantenay Carrots – 65 days Produces a 5-7” thick-cored root, red-orange to center with excellent carrot flavor. Sweetens further in storage. Wide shoulders and fine grain make this a great choice for heavier clay soils. Introduced from France in the late 1800’s. Standard processing variety for high yields per acre. Store under very cold (32 – 40oF) and moist conditions for the winter. 1/32 oz. Scarlet Nantes Carrots – 65 days A very sweet, bright red-orange flash carrot with excellent keeping qualities, and that old-time carrot flavor. This is a standard for quality among open pollinated varieties. Fine grain and almost no core, with 6-7” roots that have blunt tips and small to medium tops. These carrots can be sown as soon as the ground can be worked and planted throughout the summer. Store under very cold (32 – 40oF) and moist conditions for the winter. 1/32 oz. Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard – 25 days baby, 50 days mature From Burpee’s original Fordhook Farm in Pennsylvania, this Swiss chard has broad white stems set in brilliant green savoyed leaves. This had the best flavor in High Mowing Seeds 2004 trials, and is very vigorous and high yielding with good disease resistance. Sown as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, Swiss chard can often overwinter in zones 6 and warmer. 1/16 oz. Ruby/Rhubarb Red Swiss Chard– 30 days baby, 60 days mature This Swiss chard, with beautiful shiny green leaves with deep red stems and veins, grows well under hot and cool conditions, for a long season of harvesting. Especially nice for a micro-green or baby leaf because stem and leaf veins color early. This improved strain has been selected for highly savoyed leaves, color contrast, and a minimal amount of “chocolate leaves”. Sown as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, Swiss chard can often overwinter in zones 6 and warmer. 1/16 oz. Golden Swiss Chard – 30 days baby, 60 days mature This specialty heirloom is sweet and stunning, with deep golden colored stalks and veins contrasted against emerald green leaves that taste wonderful. This very nice heirloom strain was rescued by the Abundant Life Seed Foundation and has been improved for color and vigor by High Mowing Seeds grower, Frank Morton. Sown as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, Swiss chard can often over-winter in zones 6 and warmer. 1/16 oz. Ashworth (Yellow) Sweet Corn – 65-75 days Unique among open-pollinated corn varieties. Fred Ashworth called it “rat selected” because it came from the bin most preferred by rats. Maturing with the first of the early hybrids, Ashworth gives rise to plump, well-filled 6-7” ears of bright-yellow corn with the best of old-fashioned corn flavor. Pay close attention after half silk, as it does not hold well in milk stage so must be harvested on time for optimum sweetness. 1 oz. Roy’s Calais Flint/Milling Corn – 90-95 days dry Roy’s Calais corn is one of the things that first put the High Mowing Seeds Company on the map. An excellent old Vermont heirloom flint that was recognized as a variety worth recovering. Roy’s Calais makes excellent cornmeal and is also highly ornamental, being a mix of golden yellow and deep maroon ears. 1 oz. Boothby Blonde Cucumber – 63 days They have a delicate flavor and a sweetness that is surprising in a cucumber. This unique heirloom cucumber maintained for five generations by the Boothby family of Livermore, Maine is short, plump, and oval-shaped with a yellow-creamy texture, contrasted with black spines. Once they mature, they can be harvested regularly for continued production, the smaller sizes for pickling and the full size for slicing. 1/16 oz. National Pickling Cucumber – 52 days Developed by the National Pickle Packers Ass. In collaboration with the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, this is the pickling cuke that pickle growers asked for. High yielding, early fruit on vigorous, medium vines that retain quality over a longer season than Northern Pickling. Dark green fruit are 5-6” with black spines. 1/16 oz. Rosa Bianca Eggplant – 73 days This heirloom variety has unique lavender and white streaking. It’s medium sized, bell shaped fruit averages 2 lbs, and has a mild flavor and creamy texture. Transplanting is recommended for all eggplant varieties, and the seedlings should be hardened off for one week before planting. Does best in areas with warm night, can be lower yielding in extreme northern areas. Plastic mulch and floating row covers will aid in this, as well as keep away harmful pests like the Colorado potato beetle and tarnished plant bug. 1/64 oz. Zefa Fino Fennel – 65 days Also known as “finnochio” in Italy where this variety was first encourntered over 100 years ago. Slightly thinner and longer then Florence or Perfection with a vase-like shape. Vigorous plants form medium bulbs with sweet, anise-like flavor that is delicious cooked or raw. Blue-green stems and feathery green leaves are also edible. A spring planting will stand till late summer. 1/32 oz. Red Russian Kale – 25 days baby, 50 days mature The green leaves with purple stems on this heirloom are sweeter and tenderer than most kale. The best flavor is found after the first frost, and they can be over wintered with little or no protection. The baby leaves are excellent eaten fresh in salads and the mature leaves are wonderful for steaming or stir-frying. This strain has been selected for cold hardiness and strong purple vein color. 1/32 oz. Lacinato “Dinosaur Kale” – 35 days baby, 65 days mature This unique variety has the richest, darkest blue-green leaves of any kale. Deeply savoyed leaves have smooth margins and are blade-shaped. This strain has been reinvigorated by Frank Morton and is widely appreciated for its superior flavor, vigor, and hardiness. Staff favorite at High Mowing Seeds. 1/32 oz. Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce – 28 days baby, 45 days mature This heirloom has very early yields of a full-sized head of light green, slightly crinkled leaves. Withstands heat, drought, and light frost. This was first introduced in 1850 and has been well loved ever since. These can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked, and throughout the summer and early fall for a continual harvest. To avoid bitterness, keep well watered during the midsummer heat. 1/32 oz. Rouge de Hiver Lettuce – 28 days baby, 60 days mature An excellent red romaine of old French heritage. Its name means “Red Winter” and refers to its hardiness. Leaves are bronze to deep red, and have a rich, buttery flavor. Tolerant to tip-burn, white mold, and cold. Does better in heat if kept well watered. 1/32 oz. Parris Island Cos Lettuce – 28 days baby, 55 full size, Long-time work horse of a lettuce! Commonly used for baby leaf production because of its quick growth rate, but makes an excellent head too. Upright, medium green 8-10” heads have slightly savoyed leaves. Very uniform and slow to bolt. Tolerant to Tip Burn. 1/32 oz. Purple Osaka Mustard Greens – 21 days baby, 40 days mature A favorite burgundy colored mustard variety with a spicy kick. Leaves will remain succulent to 12-14”, while the purple venation will become more pronounced as the leaves grow. Either plant outside in early spring, or transplant seedlings outside 2-4 weeks before last frost. Mustards prefer cooler weather of spring and fall, and can be protected from flea beetles by using row cover. 1/32 oz. Red Oakleaf Lettuce – 30 days baby, 60 full size Burgundy oak leaf similar to Red Salad Bowl but with a more golden sheen, rounder oaky shape and larger lobes. Forms a larger and more packed full-size lettuce than Oscarde. Perfect for teenage heads or baby leaf production. Maintains a mild flavor all season long, when other reds become bitter. Shows excellent field resistance to common fall mildews in the Northeast. 1/32 oz. Rocky Ford Muskmelon – 80 days An excellent fine-grained, green-fleshed melon. Developed in 1881 out of a chance seedling from the variety Nutmeg. Has a heavy net and slight ribbing, and the vines are highly rust resistant. Prolific yields of firm fruit that ship very well. These should be started indoors 4-5 weeks before the last frost or planted outside once the danger of frost has passed. They like hot weather and grow slower in cooler summers. 1/32 oz. Hale’s Best Melon – 86 days Return of this excellent variety is long overdue! Heavy producer of oval-shaped muskmelons averaging 4-5 lbs each. Melons are heavily netted and slightly ribbed with juicy salmon flesh and a sweet flavor. Good resistance to Powdery Mildew in High Mowing’s trials, and resistance to drought. 1/32 oz. Walla Walla Sweet Onion - 110 days Famous for its sweet flavor in fresh eating, a medium to large mild onion with white flesh and light brown skin. Very cold hardy but not a keeper. Can be directly sown in mid-spring. Long day. 1/32 oz. Green Arrow Shell Pea – 64 days A classic main crop garden pea bearing heavy yields of 4-5" slim, pointed, doubly-born pods with 8-11 small, deep-green peas. Delicious pea flavor, excellent for freezing. 1 oz. Laxton’s Progress #9 Pea – 60 days A leading garden pea with short vines and plump pods that hold dark-green peas of excellent quality. Small 15-10” plants produce heavy yields of 4-5” long pods, with up to 9 peas per pod (hence the name). An improvement over the original Laxton’ Progress with a high resistance to wilt. 1 oz. California Wonder Sweet Pepper – 68 days green, 85 days red Large blocky, thick-walled stuffing pepper introduced by Burpee’s in 1928. Has an upright, everbearing habit that keeps fruit high on 24-30” plants. Forms glossy, 6 oz. deep green fruits that turn red quickly under a range of different conditions (use plastic mulch to hasten maturity into reds). Peppers enjoy the heat and will do best in the warmest spot in your garden. Good for both shipping and freezing. 1/64 oz. Early Jalapeño Pepper – 68 days green, 85 days red A traditional early strain of very hot, blunt 3”x1” peppers that can be eaten when dark green, or when they have ripened to a deep red. Delicious with that distinctive jalapeno flavor. Medium heat. Peppers enjoy the heat and will do best in the warmest spot in your garden. 1/64 oz. Corno di Toro Pepper – 70 days green, 78 red This highly attractive Italian variety was extremely popular in High Mowing’s 2006 taste tests. Tapering fruits are 8-10” long and thin, often with a slight “bull horn” curve, deep crimson red color when fully ripe. Plants are vigorous with an excellent upright habit. 1/64 oz. New England Pie Pumpkin – 105 days The classic New England pie pumpkin. While not quite as sweet as Baby Pam, its stringless flesh has a higher dry matter content, cooking down easily for thick pumpkin filling, which makes for pies of superior consistency. Dark orange skin with light ribbing and well attached handles are very attractive as well as delicious. Fruit ranges in size from 4-6 lbs. 1/8 oz. French Breakfast Radish – 26 days This scarlet-rose 2-3” oblong radish has a bright white tip, and crisp white flesh that is mildly pungent, yet distinct. A favorite in Paris markets since before 1879. Can become pithy if harvested late. 1/16 oz. Mivashige White Daikon Radishes – 50 days These popular Japanese-style radishes are strictly for fall and winter, and grow to large size (2-6 lbs) while remaining crisp and tender for pickling and storage. Pure white with a pale green band near the crown. Sow in late July or August for fall harvest. 1/16 oz. Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach – 42 days A long loved old-time favorite and one of the more outstanding open-pollinated varieties available. Leaves are savoyed, long and narrow with a glossy, dark green color. Developed by Dan Landreth in the late 1880’s. 1/4 oz. Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash – 50 days A standard variety with bright, lemon yellow to golden skin and a creamy white interior, this is delicious, especially when picked at 5” long or smaller. Very prolific and carefully selected for yield and shape. Summer squash can be started indoors, or planted outside when all danger of frost has passed. It does best in full sun and well-drained soil. 1/8 oz. Dark Green Zucchini – 50 days This is a top producer with heavy yields of smooth, medium green zucchini. The uniformly straight fruits have fine-flavored firm flesh. Zucchini can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost or planted outside one danger of frost has passed. Frequent harvesting when fruit is small and tender will encourage further yields. 1/8 oz. Waltham Butternut – 105 days This 1970 AAS winner from Waltham, Massachusetts is by far the most widely-grown butternut variety. Forms uniform, 4-5 lb fruits with smooth, tan skin that is easily peeled with a potato peeler. Flesh is finely textured and dark orange. HMS’s strain has been hand selected by their growers and their farm for uniformity of size and shape, disease resistance, and yields. If cured well and stored properly Waltham will keep well into the winter. Great rich butternut flavor! 1/8 oz. Delicata Winter Squash – 95 days Incredibly sweet flavor and superbly delicata flesh have made Delicata the darling of squash lovers. Fruits are 1-1.5 lbs each and can be eaten with the skin right on, after baking or boiling. HMS’s strain is the highest quality available, carefully selected over 8 years for uniformity of size, shape and color as well as yield and non-bitter or hard-shelled fruit. As a farm-based seed company HMS is able to carry out focused improvements like this on many of their varieties. 1/8 oz. Brandywine Tomato – 82 days Has the distinction of being almost exclusively responsible for revival of interest in heirloom tomatoes. Very large and prone to cracking, the average Brandywine can be a somewhat daunting challenge to slice. But wait until you taste one. The pink flash is silken smooth and has that unusual, well, “Brandywine” taste to it: just the right blend of tart and sweet with some other flavors you just can’t describe properly. Indeterminate, potato-leafed. These had best flavor ratings in High Mowing Seeds 2004 trials. Best started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, then transplanted after the danger of frost is passed. 1/10 g. Peacevine Tomato – 78 days Peace out in your garden with these delicious and prolific red cherries! A de-hybridized selection of the Sweet 100 F1 hybrid known for its incredible flavor and resistance to cracking. Produces incredible numbers of uniform 1” tomatoes with an orange-red color. Very high in Vitamin C and amino acids. Indeterminate. 1/10 g Yellow Pear Tomato – 70 days Yellow pear-shaped fruits are similar in shape and size to Red Pear, with a slightly more tart flavor. Mix for a complimenting display of colors. Thick skinned and crack resistant. Fruits average ¾ oz each. Indeterminate. 1/10 g Gilbertie Paste Tomato – 85 days This long-time favorite is requested by customers year after year! Long, slender shape with characteristically green shoulders and a slight crook in the tip. Narrow fruits are on average 7” long and 10-12 oz. Flesh is very solid, with a beloved rich flavor that makes excellent sauces and soups. Very small seed cavity. One of the varieties HMS has carried since 1996, when they began as Tom’s hobby. Indeterminate. 1/10 g Purple Top Globe Turnip – 55 days A popular 1800’s heirloom which has become the standard American turnip, these 6” round smooth roots are white beneath the soil and purplish-red above, but retain good condition until quite large. Has sweet, mild, fine-grained white flesh. Excellent keeper. Sow in early spring. 1/32 oz. |