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, this is an excellent dry bean for many purposes.

1 ounce, ~ 68 seeds, Sows ~ 12’

Dry Bush Bean One of the tastiest dry beans well known for its quality. Makes great soup and is especially delicious refried and eaten with Mexican food or as a dip. 100 days

Introduced in Kentucky just prior to the Civil War, this truly classic variety has proved its excellence by its sheer persistence. No one can beat it for productivity, consistency, and flavor. Gives rise to 7-10” stringless, solid, meaty pods that vary from oval to flat and have a distinctive flavor all their own. Formerly known as “Old Homestead” and “Texas Pole” among others. Brown seeds.

1 ounce, ~ 68 seeds, Sows ~ 12’

Snap Pole Bean Heirloom introduced in Kentucky just prior to the Civil War. Gives rise to 7-10” stringless, solid, meaty pods that vary from oval to flat. Nutty flavor is enhanced when cooked. 65 days

Phaseolus vulgare
An Heirloom variety with exceptional flavor! Dark green pods with unusual purple streaks. High yields of tender, stringless, round pods that average 7” long. Vines can reach up to 10’ tall! Streaks fade when cooked. Signature addition for road side stand and farmer’s markets! Buff colored seeds with brown streaks can also be used as a dry bean.
Days to maturity:65 days

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!

1/16 ounce, ~ 80 seeds, Sows ~ 15’

Tender, sweet flavor. Roots are also tasty and tender when harvested early. 35 days baby, 50 beets

Uniform, 3" globe roots are sweet and smooth. Detroit Dark Red is an excellent, high-quality storage variety and a standard type for commercial-scale production. Dark green leaves streaked with crimson veins can also be harvested for salad or braising.

1/16 ounce, ~ 80 seeds, Sows ~ 15’

These perfectly round blood-red roots are excellent, high-quality storage variety that has been around since 1892. Leaves are 50 days

Capsicum annuum
HEIRLOOM This highly attractive Italian variety was extremely popular in our 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 very vigorous with an excellent upright habit.

Days to maturity:70 days green, 78 red

A reliable, multi-cut variety producing a compact 3-4” bluish-green central head followed by a prolific set of side spears. Its variable maturity results in a long harvest period for both central heads and side spears. Slotted for spring or fall production.

Multi-cut variety producing compact 3-4” blue- green central head followed by a prolific set of side shoots. Variable maturity results in a long harvest period for. 48 days

Daucus carota var. sativus Heirloom 8-10 in. Hardy Biennial
French heirloom with sweet, tender flesh. We found this carrot to have the highest amount of free arginine, a protein building amino acid, among 12 varieties tested. Sow in rows 6-15 inches apart. Does best in sandy loam with mature compost dug or tilled 12 inches deep the previous fall or at least one month before planting. Avoid raw compost or manure. Sow in June for fall storage crop. Harvesting tips, require thinning, for baby carrots, thin plants to 1 inch as soon as they have their true leaves.

Planting Depth: 3/8" Soil Temp. for Germ.: 55-75°F Days to Germ.: 6-14 Plant Spacing: 1"-3" Days to Maturity: 70-90 Full Sun Moderate Water Pack weight 1gms ~ 950 seeds

Danvers This variety is sweet and tender. The roots taper to a small blunt tip and average 7"-8" long and 1" -2" in diameter at the top. Large tops make it easy to harvest.

1/32 ounce, ~ 600 seeds, Sows ~ 20’

An extremely adaptable variety. Heat-resistant vigorous plants will come through with heavy yields pretty much anywhere. Sweet and tender 7-8” tapered roots with wide shoulders. Tips will be blunt in sandy soils but remain pointed in heavy soils. Deep orange color with a traditional carrot flavor and texture. 70 days

This Heirloom Cucumber has been maintained for five generations by the Boothby family of Livermore, Maine, this unique heirloom cucumber is short, plump, and oval-shaped with a yellow-creamy texture, contrasted with black spines. It has a sweet, delicate flavor, extremely tender skin, and oddly endearing appearance.

2420A 1/16 ounce, ~ 64 seeds, Sows ~ 30’

Maintained for five generations by the Boothby family in Maine, this unique heirloom is short and plump with a creamy-yellow skin and black spines. Sweet, delicate flavor. 63 day

Specialty variety prized by discriminating salad chefs. Round 3” fruits turn from pale greenish yellow to lemon yellow (the best eating stage) and then bright golden yellow. Easy to grow and does well in short summers. Fruits are somewhat later but mature faster and perform well in cool conditions. Provide support for the growing vines or let trail along the ground. Can be grown in large pots.

1/16 ounce, ~ 64 seeds, Sows ~ 30’

Lemon sized round fruits are pale yellow when ripe. Flesh is cripy with a splash of citrus flavor. A specialty variety prized by "foodies" for its flavor and unusual appearance. 68 days

A lovely Italian heirloom of light pink-lavender fruits streaked with colors of creamy white and violet. Mild, creamy taste with no bitterness. Does best in areas with warm nights, can be lower yielding in extreme northern areas.

1/64 ounce, ~ 90 seeds

Italian heirloom with unique coloring and shape. White dew drop fruits have lavender streaks. Mild, creamy flavor with no bitterness, and smooth texture. Prized by chefs and gardeners. 73 days

Also known as "Dinosaur Kale," 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 here at HMS!

1/32 ounce, ~ 330 seeds, Sows ~ 30’

Thick, solid leaves are a deep, dark green color with an interesting and unique bumpy texture. Extremely winter hardy. Delicious steamed or added to soups. 35 days baby, 65 mature

Bright purple stems with slate green, deeply lobed foliage have a distinct appearance. Grows to medium height and leaves are tender and smooth compared to other kales. Perfect for salad mix or full size leaves. Our strain has been selected for cold hardiness and strong purple vein color.

1/32 ounce

Distinct, bright purple stems with slate green deply lobed foliage. Leaves are tender and smooth compared to other kales. Perfect for salad mix or full size leaves. 25 days baby, 50 mature

Hale’s Best combines earliness with the succulent, deep flavor of the best vine-ripened melon. Cantaloupe Heirloom with aromatic tangerine sorbet flavor. Oval fruits have slightly ribbed netted skin. Vine-ripened fruits average 5-6 Lbs. Harvest when skin turns gold and fruit slips. 80 days

1/32 ounce, ~ 30 seeds, Sows ~ 15’

Muskmelon Fine-grained, green-flesh. Developed, by chance, in1881 from the variety Nutmeg, and still around 125 years later! Ready when fruit starts to soften and slips off the vine. 80 days

Once thought to be extinct, Moon and Stars has been rescued from obscurity and has become a wildly popular specialty watermelon. Extolled for its unique appearance as well as its very sweet, bright red flesh. It has a dark green rind decorated with beautiful yellow spots of large (moon) and small (star) size. Also has spotted foliage. Needs heat to set fruit (use plastic mulch), so it may pose a worthy challenge to northern growers.

1/16 ounce, ~ 15 seeds, Sows ~ 8’

Watermelon. Rediscovered heirloom variety weighing 6-15 lbs. with very sweet, red flesh. Fruit and leaves are dark green with yellow splashes, ranging from tiny stars to larger moons. Kids will like the idea of the moon and stars on them! Great for back yard get-togehters.

95-100 days

A Paris favorite since before 1879. Beautiful scarlet-rose radishes with 2 - 3" long blunt roots with a bright white tip. Their crisp white flesh is mildly pungent, yet distinct. 26 days

Heirloom Variety spinach with long, savoyed dark green leaves. Noted for exceptional flavor. Can withstand both heat and cold, making it a great variety for both spring and fall sowings in the soil.

Fordhook Giant was an easy winner for flavor in our extensive 2004 chard trials. Also a winner for appearance with its broad white stems and deep green savoyed leaves. Offering both high yield potential and good disease resistance, this strain will be a successful addition to every grower’s list.

1/16 ounce, ~ 70 seeds, Sows ~ 15’

From Burpee's original Fordhook Farm in PA. Best in flavor with broad white stems and deep green savoyed leaves. Very vigorous and high yielding. 25 days baby, 50 mature

With rich crimson red stems and bright green savoyed leaves, this is the standard variety for red chards. Especially nice for a micro-green or baby leaf because stem and leaf veins color early. Our improved strain has been selected for highly savoyed leaves, color contrast, and a minimal amount of "chocolate leaves."

1/16 ounce, ~ 70 seeds, Sows ~ 15’

Beautiful shiny green leaves with deep red stems and veins in striking contrast. Grows well under hot and cool conditions for a long season of harvesting. 30 days baby, 60 mature

28 days baby, 45 mature The earliest lettuce! Rapidly produces a full-sized, bright green head with slightly crinkled leaves. Withstands heat, drought, and light frost. A highly adaptable lettuce for plantings throughout the season.

1/32 ounce, ~ 700 seeds, Sows ~ 100’

Green Leaf Very early yields of a full-sized head of light-green color with slightly crinkled leaves. This heirloom was first introduced in 1850 and continues to be well loved. 28 days baby, 45 mature

Classic New England heirloom said to have the best flavor around with creamy, stringless flesh. Pumpkins range from 5-7 lbs. Rich dark orange color.

• Great for small jacks too! 105 days
• 1/8 ounce, ~ 28 seeds, Sows ~ 15’

Arch rival to Brandywine for best-flavored heirloom tomato, Pruden’s Purple has a devoted fan club. Pruden’s is not really purple, but rather a deep pink-red with occasional shoulder ribbing. Fruits are very large, often over 1 lb each, silky textured, and have that nice tart bite. This is an indeterminate tomato.

1/10 gram, ~ 30 seeds

Similar to Brandywine. Large beefstake fruits are actually not purple but a pinkish-red. Pruden's is known for its very own distinct sweet and tangy heirloom flavor. Indeterminate. 77 days

HEIRLOOM Brownish-purple skin with green shoulders and red flesh. The most popular of the “black” tomatoes for its outstanding flavor and texture. Large beefsteak fruits weigh in at a 12-16 oz. Widely grown by gardeners and market growers alike. A popular heirloom for the greenhouse. Believed to trace back over 100 years to the Cherokee Indians. Indeterminate.
Days to maturity:72 days

A rare English heirloom with sweet fruit of luscious lemon yellow. Prone to cracking in wet weather. Indeterminate, potato-leafed.

1/10 gram, ~ 30 seeds

English heirloom with golden fruits that are very sweet with little to no acid. One of the best tasting yellow OPs we have tasted. Medium sized globes are 2". Indeterminate. 70 days

An Indeterminate interesting heirloom from Connecticut. Has a long, narrow shape, often with an endearing crook at the tip. Flesh is very solid, thick, with a deep, rich flavor that makes excellent sauce and soups. A favorite among many of our customers. Known to have green shoulders.

1/10 gram, ~ 30 seeds

Heirloom paste tomato known for exceptional flavor, green shoulders, and unique crook in its neck. Long slender fruits are sweet and meaty making this a great processing tomato. Indeterminate. 85 days

Brandywine 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 flesh 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.

1/10 gram, ~ 30 seeds

Classic heirloom which has set the standard for superb tomato flavor. Large, juicy, beefsteak-type fruits consistently over 1 lb. Best flavor ratings in our 2004 trials. Indeterminate. 82 days

A popular 1800's heirloom which has become the standard American turnip. Round, smooth globes are white beneath the soil and purple above. Creamy texture with good old fashioned flavor. 55 days

1/32 ounce, ~ 275 seeds, Sows ~ 30’

Still widely planted today. The 6” smooth white globes are purplish-red above ground and white below. Best when harvested at 3-4”, but retain good condition until quite large. Has sweet, mild, fine-grained white flesh. An Excellent keeper.

This is not your usual turnip! It's an hierloom specialty with golden skin, amber-yellow flesh and a delicate sweet flavor. Introduced before 1888. Both tops and root can be eaten. Stores well. 55 days

1/32 ounce, ~ 275 seeds, Sows ~ 30’

The quality and tenderness is best when harvested at about 3” in diameter.