Asparagus has grown in the wild in France since the time of Louis XIV. Originally only three different types were available, they were distinguished mostly by their thickness, ‘la grosse’, ‘la commune’ and ‘la sauvage’.

Cultivation become widespread in the mid-19th century, with populations often identified according to countries and towns where they were grown. Arguably the best known asparagus was cultivated at Argenteuil, situated just 14 kilometres northwest of Paris. For centuries Argenteuil was an important asparagus-growing district: at one time several thousand persons were employed in cultivating the crop.

Asparagus 'Precoce D'Argentuil’ or ‘Early Argenteuil‘ was listed by Vilmorin-Andrieux in 1885 as a selection from 'Giant Dutch Purple'. It is one of three subvarieties of Argenteuil (early, mid, and late) and is highly esteemed for its thick, rose-purple spears with tender tips and an excellent flavour.

It is an excellent choice for the impatient gardener. Earlier and hardier than most asparagus varieties, the spears are usually produced from seed struck plants in the second year and it will shoot earlier in the season than other varieties.

In France, Asparagus D'Argentuil is the traditional variety used to create the popular white asparagus by blanching the plants. White asparagus, nicknamed ‘edible ivory’ and ‘white gold’ typically sells for two to three times as much as the green-skinned variety due to the high cost of production and the short season. However, it is simply created by mounding earth over the spears as they begin to push out of the ground, thus keeping them from sunlight and the photosynthesis that would turn them green.

This noble stalk may cost a king's ransom for much of the year but when cultivated in the garden it is affordable for even us commoners and is uncommonly delicious.

What is the best month to plant sunflower seeds?

Growing sunflowers from seed is super easy, too. Plant seeds after the danger of spring frost has passed and the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees. This will be between March and May, depending on where you live. Plant the seeds no more than an inch deep and about 6 inches apart.

The massive bright yellow blooms have feathery petals and large chocolate brown centers full of seeds. Thin-shelled, striped seeds are plump and meaty with high oil content. Plants grow 6-12' tall and produce flowers that range from 10-12″ across.  

Sunflower seeds can be planted directly into the garden soil.

Sow seed directly into the garden in late spring to early summer or start seeds indoors in 4 weeks before spring frost danger has ended. 

Plant seeds 1” deep and 6” apart. They should come up in 8-10 days depending on the soil temperature and grow quickly in warm weather. After the seeds sprout thin plants to at least 12" apart. First blooms appear 60-90 days after emergence.

They grow well in poor soil and will tolerate heat and dry conditions.

Smokey (or Bronze) fennel is an ornamental herb known for its fine, feathery foliage that transitions from coppery rose to deep bronzy-purple, giving it a "smoky" appearance. It has an anise or licorice flavor, making its leaves and seeds valuable for seasoning seafood, salads, and vegetables, as well as for making tea. Growing up to five feet tall, it produces yellow flower umbels that attract butterflies and beneficial insects, adding both culinary and ecological value to gardens.  

A medium  to early variety. The hearts are round, medium-sized and compact. the sheaths are thick, fleshy and entirely  white with very little fibre. They are crunchy and tender white  with  a  sweet, aromatic flavour. SOWING: can be sown  in several stages from july until the beginning September for harvesting from November until February. 

Fennel is easy to grow. They prefer full sun and a well drained soil. They will do best in rich soils.Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Add a general purpose fertilizer once or twice a season. While classified as a herb, Fennel is a popular European vegetable too. Native to Mediterranean region, the bulbous base and stalk is popular eaten raw like celery, cooked, or boiled. Closely related to Parsley, Fennel is popular in Italian and other Mediterranean recipes. Also called Florence Fennel or Finuccio, it is easy to grow and very hardy, lasting well after the first frost. With bright green, fern-like leaves and aromatic yellow flowers, this plant will grow three to four feet tall. Plant it in the back of the herb garden or in your vegetable garden. Foliage and seeds have an anise-like flavor.

Traditional Italian herb with a wonderful anise taste. Romanesco Fennel is also called Roman or Florence Fennel. Very sweet and aromatic late maturing variety produces a large head with thick white tightly wrapped stalks.

Florence fennel or Finocchio

Perhaps the most indulgent vegetable to start off at this time of year is Florence fennel, otherwise known as finocchio or, more commonly, bulb fennel. The handsome feathery foliage of this crop is matched only by its exquisite aniseed flavour that makes a fine pairing with fish (try baking parcels of mackerel with slices of fennel and lemon for a sublime dinner). But fennel has more strings to its bow than this – pop chunks into a stew to freshen things up, or finely slice a bulb over a garden-gathered salad using a chef’s mandolin. The leaves can be used in place of herb fennel.

Bulb fennel is perhaps a slightly misleading name, as the ‘bulb’ is in fact the swollen stem base of the plant. But this is nitpicking as all you really need to know is that this is a vegetable to luxuriate in – a gourmet kitchen gardener’s treat!

Late variety, very productive, also known as broccoli or top of turnip

It is a type of turnip whose inflorescences and the tender part of the stem with the leaves are used

The plants are cut 5-10 cm from the ground so that it can drive other numerous axillary jets from the base of the stem

Sowing: from September to the end of October in rows 30 cm apart

Harvest: about 120 days from sowing

The "Grightmire's Pride" tomato is a large, pink, heart-shaped, heirloom paste tomato that is known for its meaty, low-acid, low-seed fruit with a sweet, flavorful taste. It is a prolific and early-maturing, indeterminate variety, originating from Yugoslavia, and is excellent for sandwiches, salads, and sauces. 

Appearance: Large, heart-shaped, pinkish-red fruit.

Flesh: Very meaty, dense, and juicy with few seeds.

Taste: Delicious, sweet, and fragrant.

Acidity: Low-acid, making it a good choice for those with sensitive stomachs.

Plant Type: Indeterminate, prolific grower that is early-maturing.

Uses: Ideal for slicing, salads, sandwiches, and making sauces.

Origin: A variety from Yugoslavia that came to North America via Yugoslavia. 

Danver's Carrots have excellent flavor and are easy to grow. They are a beautiful rich dark orange color and produce high-yields. A great choice for new gardeners. They are a cool-season crop and grow best in the cool temperatures that occur in early spring and late fall. This Danver's variety is hardy and the best choice for all types of soil, and not prone to splitting or cracking. The taste of these fresh carrots from the garden can not be beaten.

Each packet contains 300 Organic Danver's Carrot seeds.

This Danver's variety is hardy and the best choice for all types of soil, and not prone to splitting or cracking.

They are a cool-season crop and grow best in the cool temperatures that occur in early spring and late fall

Harvest in 75 days.

Open-pollinated, heirloom, Non-GMO

The Black Beauty tomato is a visually striking heirloom variety known for its nearly black skin, which develops due to high levels of anthocyanin antioxidants. Inside, it has deep red flesh and a rich, savory, smoky, and sweet-tangy flavor that is more complex than traditional tomatoes. These tomatoes are great for slicing, salads, and cooking, and they have a long shelf life, with flavor that can even improve with storage.  

Skin: A deep, almost black-purple color on the top, often with a reddish-burgundy blush on the bottom when fully ripe. 

Flesh: Deep red to raspberry-colored. 

Shape: Typically round and meaty. 

Flavor and texture

Flavor profile: Rich, savory, and smooth, with earthy and smoky notes, and a balanced sweetness and tanginess. 

Texture: Meaty and juicy. 

Growing and harvesting

Growing habit: Indeterminate (vining) plant. 

Sun exposure: The "black" color intensifies with more sun exposure. 

Harvesting: Ripens in the mid to late season (around 80-85 days from transplant) and should be harvested when the shaded base starts to blush. 

Storage: Hangs well on the vine and stores well at room temperature, with its flavor often improving over time. 

Slicing for sandwiches and burgers

Salads

Sauces, roasting, and cooking 

Cuor Di Albenga is an heirloom oxheart tomato from Albenga, Italy, known for its large, meaty, pleated, teardrop-shaped fruits that are typically red or orangey-red. It has a sweet and savory flavor that makes it excellent for both fresh use, such as in salads, and for cooking, especially roasting, sauces, and canning. These plants are indeterminate, vigorous, and productive. 

Origin: From the Ligurian coast town of Albenga in Northern Italy.

Shape: Large, pleated, teardrop or ox-heart shaped.

Size: Fruits are large, often weighing 10–16 ounces (about 200–300g).

Color: Ranges from pinkish to red or orangey-red.

Flesh: Meaty with few seeds and little juice, with a firm and sweet pulp.

Growth: Indeterminate, vigorous, and productive plants that require staking or caging. 

Fresh: Excellent sliced and eaten raw in salads, or used in Caprese salads.

Sauces: Ideal for homemade sauces, pasta dishes, and stews due to its rich, meaty flesh.

Roasting: Roasting brings out its savory richness.

Other: Also suitable for canning and making fresh juice. 

Ridge Gourd: Hero is a high yielding photo insensitive hybrid variety of ridge gourd. Fruits are vigorous in growth and resistant to biotic and a biotic stresses. Fruit length is 40 – 45 cm and weight 250-300 g each. Plant harvesting starts around 40 – 45 days after sowing. Yield is 14 – 16 tons/acre.