Hardy Vegetables
Waltham Broccoli (OP)
“This is an old New England heirloom variety that has been around for many years. Stocky plants have dark blue-green heads and prolific side shoots. This variety tolerates short dry spells and chilly weather.”1 Compact size is suitable for urban gardeners. Open-Poll. 63 days
Franklin Hybrid Brussels Sprouts“Very early maturity and premium quality, too. Harvest big yields of spherical, 1 to 1 1/2 inch, high quality sprouts that are firm and tightly wrapped with good mild flavor. Vigorous plants grow 24 to 36 inches tall, so give them plenty of room to grow. A high level of disease resistance and good holding ability ensures a successful extended harvest. Stalks are less woody so whole stem harvests are possible.”3 Maturity: 80-100 days
Copenhagen Market Cabbage (OP)The owner of Ohio Heirloom Seeds in Gahanna reports, “This is, hands down, my favorite cabbage variety. In fact I don't grow any other varieties. My wife is Russian, so we eat quite a bit of stuffed cabbage and borscht. These 4-pound heads are crisp and tender.“
Full to partial sun in a rich, well-drained soil.
Open-Pollinated 55-68 days.
Cauliflower - Snowball Self-Blanching (OP)“This variety produces large 6"-8" diameter heads that are pure white, with leaves furling upward. The leaves will self-wrap (blanch) during cool weather, but will need your help in warm weather. Excellent quality variety suitable for home gardens and market growers.”1
Open-Pollinated 60 Days
Tango Hybrid Celery
“Hybrid vigor is apparent in this early maturing, heavy-yielding celery. The stalks are very smooth and high quality with excellent eating quality. Tender, sweet and not stringy. Tolerates Fusariums and performs well even when stressed by excess heat or moisture.”3 Celery is best grown for fall harvest as weather fluctuations and cold nights can cause it to bolt. Fertilize heavily during and after planting and keep soil moist. 80 days.
SUMMER VEGETABLES
Black Beauty Eggplant (OP)
“An old variety introduced by Burpee Seeds in 1900. This beautiful, dark-purple eggplant is the most common variety grown in the U.S. The Black Beauty grows 30 - 48" tall and bears 4-6 fruits per plant.”1 75 days from transplant.
California Wonder Bell Pepper (OP)“The California Wonder has been THE standard bell pepper in the United States for decades. First introduced in 1928 it is still the largest open-pollinated bell you can grow. There are a few hybrids that are larger, but none surpasses the California Wonder in taste and plant vigor. A smooth, four-lobed, blocky bell with thick walls and large fruit (4" x4"). Color changes from green to red as the fruit mature, and is delicious as either color.”1
Open-Pollinated, 75 days from transplant.
Golden Calwonder Pepper (OP)A “favorite bell variety due to its prolific nature, delicious taste, and ability to grow well in Ohio's humid summers. Smooth, large peppers can be harvested while green or later when they mature into a golden-yellow. Serve raw with dip, in salads, or stuffed. A deliciously sweet pepper that does quite well in containers. “1
Open-Pollinated, 75-80 days from transplant.
Jalapeno Pepper (OP)
“An early-maturing hot jalapeno pepper. The compact plants produce many small green peppers that will slowly turn to red as the fruit matures. Jalapenos are used in a wide variety of recipes. They are popular fresh, cooked, pickled, dried and great in salsa.“1
Open-Pollinated, 67 days from transplant.
Sweet Pepper - Costa Rican Red hybrid
A Marconi-type, the Costa Rican Sweet Pepper is shorter in length and wider at the top. More flavorful than a sweet bell pepper, this hybrid variety has a unique fruity sweetness. This pepper will turn a deep ruby red when its flavors are at their height. Tasty when roasted or grilled, this pepper can also be used fresh in salads or sliced in strips for dipping. Grow in rich soil in full sun. Plant 12” apart. Grows to a height of 18 - 24”. 70 days to maturity.
*** HEIRLOOM TOMATOES *** Black Krim (OP)
“Origin: Crimea, Ukraine. Type: Beefsteak. Heirloom variety originally from the Isle of Krim, which is located on the Black Sea in the former Soviet Union. This rare and outstanding tomato yields 3" -4" mahogany-colored fruit (10-12 oz.) with deep green shoulders. Very richly flavored with a touch of saltiness.”1 Indeterminate, 75-85 days.
Cherokee Purple (OP) Origin: Cherokee Nation, Tennessee, USA. Type: Beefsteak. Pre-1890 heirloom variety with a unique purple-rose color. Ohio Heirloom Seeds’ owner reports, “The flavor has been described as both sweet and smoky. Productive plants produce large crops of 8-16 oz. fruits. Very productive. Stake this vigorous plant well.” Indeterminate, 80 days.
Chocolate Cherry Tomato (OP) “These highly-productive plants produce 1" fruit throughout the summer. Dark red in color, sweet and smoky in taste, this cherry makes a beautiful addition to any salad.”1 Indeterminate, 70 days.
Mortgage Lifter (OP)“The fruit can average over 2 pounds, and 4-pounders are not unusual.”1 Brilliant pink-red flesh, this beefsteak-type has delicious flavor. Indeterminate, 80 days.
Pink Brandywine (OP) “This "potato leaf" variety is an old Amish heirloom dating back to the mid- 1800's. Beautiful, smooth pink fruit weighing up to 1.5 pounds.”1 Indeterminate, 80 days.
Roma VF (OP)
“This variety is a meaty, egg-or-pear-shaped tomato that has few seeds and is perfect for canning and sauces. “1 Determinate, 80 days.
Yellow Brandywine (OP) Beefsteak. Citrus-like flavor, creamy texture, and stunning appearance. Smooth yellow fruit weighing up to 1½ pounds . Indeterminate, 80 days.
Sources
1. Ohio Heirloom Seeds of Gahanna, Ohio www.ohioheirloomseeds.com
2. Johnny’s Selected Seeds of Winslow, Maine www.johnnyseeds.com
3. J.W. Jung Seed Company of Randolph, Wisconsin www.jungseed.com
the blog of an aspiring organic farmer and healthy cell in the economy of Ohio.
