GOURMET AND HEIRLOOM EDIBLES

EAT YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH

Packs are CODE A - $2.25 unless marked otherwise.
AMARANTH RED Amaranthus Gangeticus. Also known as Chinese Spinach. Green leaves blotched with red can be lightly steamed like Spinach. Can also stir fry. Heat resistant. Sow direct and use when about 25cm high.  
ARUGULA Eruca Sativa. Native to Southern Europe where it is popular as a salad green. Remember a salad is not just necessarily lettuce with a bit of cheese and tomato. This Arugula has a tangy spicy flavour. Use when about 25cm.  
BEANS Phaseolus Vigna
BARLOTTO FIRE TONGUE From Italy. Highly decorative with buff pods and mottling. A stringless bean which can be picked and sliced when young or let the pods mature and shell for cooking. 50cm.  
DWARF BUTTER YELLOW Golden yellow pods to cut and eat. Dwarf plants.  
PURPLE POLE French bean from 1775. Purple pods and chocolate coloured beans. Purple tinged leaves and beautiful violet flowers. This one produces well even when it is hot and dry. Approx 180cm.  
PURPLE TEE PEE Highly productive French dwarf bush bean. Stringless, purple coloured, green when cooked. 40cm.  
ROQUEFORT French heirloom with golden yellow pods. Pick when young for great flavour. 180cm. Don't be put off growing beans because of bad memories of tough stringy things! Just eat all beans when they are young - delicious.  
BEETROOT - BARBIETOLA DI CHOGGIA Beta Vulgaris var Crassa. An Italian heirloom. It is a sweet round beet, red on the outside and on the inside - pretty alternating rings of red and white. Best when used young. Can grate into a salad.  
BROCCOLI - DE CICCO Brassica Oleracea var Italica. Another Italian heirloom, very popular in the 1800's. Has a light green central head with numerous off-shoots. Nice in a stir fry or lightly steamed.  
BRUSSELSPROUTS - CATSKILL Brassica Oleracea var Gemnifera. An old favourite grown for years in N.Z. Very productive and well known for its good flavour and heavy yields.  
CABBAGE Brassica Oleracea var Capitata. Domestic cabbages are developed from the wild cabbage in the Middle East. Earliest cultivated types were loose headed, similar to savoy types.
CHIEFTAN SAVOY Hardy, reliable producer of medium to large dark green heads.  
DYNAMO MINI F1 HYBRID Extra small round heads of blue/green are ideal for the smaller garden. Can plant very close together.  
PALM TREE PALMIZIO Old Italian heirloom. Looks like a cross between kale and cabbage. Non head forming. Dark green savoyed leaves. Use young leaves for cooking. Very rustic looking and great grown in the potager.  
RED DRUMHEAD An heirloom, grown since 1867. Medium size purple-red head. Sweet flavoured raw or cooked.  
CHINESE CABBAGE Use in the same way as ordinary cabbage.
FLOWERING PAK CHOI Use the flowering stalks in stir fries or steamed.  
JOI CHOI F1 HYBRID Upright plants with long slim stalks - excellent flavour and very tender. Resists bolting.  
TAT SOI Brassica Chinensis. Non heading with green spoon-shaped glossy leaves. Use for salads, stir fries, or cooking with.  
TWO SEASONS F1 HYBRID Brassica Juncea. Highly productive crop with a large oval head. Tender, tightly savoyed leaves.  
WONGBOK Sow in spring and summer. Popular Chinese cabbage. Barrel shaped with good wrapper leaves.  
CARROTS Daucus Carota. Originally from Afghanistan and they were red, purple or white.
PARISIAN RONDO French heirloom, still popular and one of the tastiest around. Small round roots.  
SCARLET NANTES Bright orange cylindrical roots with almost no core. An old favourite with sweet flavour and finely grained flesh.  
CAULIFLOWER Brassica Oleracea. Mark Twain said of the Cauliflower, 'It is nothing but a cabbage with a college education.'  
GREEN MACERATA Very attractive lime-green colour with full flavour. Vigorous, reaching 1kg in 90 days.  
SNOWDROP Small pure white curds. A mini-vegetable suitable for close planting. Great for small gardens.  
VIOLET SICILIAN Beautiful rosy-violet head. A must to grow for the colour alone. The colour does fade during cooking.  
CELERIAC GIANT PRAGUE Apium Graveolens Rapaceum. Known as Celeri-rave in France, also know as turnip rooted celery. Grown for its edible root. Can be used raw in salads or eaten as a cooked vegetable. Sow in spring.  
CELERY SP Apium Graveolens var Dulce. Eat raw in salads or cooks for soups etc. Likes moistish soil.  
CHICORY Cichorium Intybus. Recently become popular in America. In Continental Europe it is a salad essential. Moist, drained soil.  
PALLA ROSSA Radicchio or hearting type. Zingy, tangy flavour either picked young or leave to form a heart, which is bright red at maturity. Annual to perennial.  
PUNTARELLA Catalogna type with deeply cut, broad dandelion like leaves. Excellent for salads at the baby leaf stage. Annual to per.  
COLLARD HI CROP Brassica Oleracea. Member of the cabbage family which is non-head forming. Collards have been cultivated for over 4000 years. Very heat and cold tolerant. Pick the young leaves and eat like cabbage.  
CORN RAINBOW MINI INCA Zea Sp. While not an eating corn, this is so pretty grown with vegetables. The most beautiful of the Indian corns were selected and crossed with heirloom sweet corns. Mini-cobs - 10-15cm long on 180cm plants. Kernel colours of blue, red , gold, white, blue-black and purple shades. Great dried decorations, lovely in baskets or rustic containers.  
CORN SALAD Valeriana Locusta. Another excellent salad green. Pick young leaves. See salad mixes.  
CRESS Lepidium Sativum. Peppery flavoured leaves for salads. Very quick - ready to eat from sowing in approx 4 weeks. Excellent for salads and great for snacks. Still produces well in low sunshine areas.  
CUCUMBER Cucumis Sativus. At least 3000 years ago Cucumbers were taken into China from Northern India.
LEMON An Australian heirloom. Pale yellow skins and crisp white flesh. Mild crunchy texture. Young fruits can be eaten like an apple.  
MEET Heirloom from the Ukraine. Unusual brownish skin colour. Traditional Cucumber shape. Crunchy refreshing taste.  
SPACEMASTER Compact bush crop type. Lots of medium to dark fruit, about 20cm in length. If you wish to save space grow this.  
EGGPLANT Solanum Melongena. Also known as Aubergines. They originate from China and India.
BLACK BEAUTY High yielding smooth, dark coloured glossy, oval fruit. Approx 1m.  
LOUISIANA LONG GREEN This one can withstand light frost. Long, light green fruit. Good producer and nice tasting. Approx 1m.  
TURKISH ORANGE Heirloom from, you guessed it - Turkey! Prolific plants with orange-red fruit. Best picked green. 80cm.  
KALE - RAGGED JACK Brassica Oleracea. Also known as Borecole. Heirloom variety grown in Europe. It was introduced to Canada by Russian traders. Ruffled grey-green leaves with purple veins. In cold weather the colour turns even more reddish purple. Exceptionally tender even in cold weather. Does well in warmer weather as well. Use as a baby leaf in salads or steam as you would cabbage.  
KOHLRABI - GIGANTE Brassica Oleracea var Gongylodes. A Czechoslovakian heirloom. In its growth it resembles a beetroot. The fat Turnip-like root is eaten like a vegetable, stir fried or raw in salads. Moistish. Sow in spring.  
KOMATSUNA Brassica Compestris. Tender dark green glossy leaves for salads. Quick and easy to grow. See salad mixes.  
LEEK MONSTREUX DE CARENTIAN Allium Ampeloprasum. Heirloom variety from Europe. Tender long white stems. Biennial.  
LETTUCE Lactuca Sativa. Lettuce appeared on the tables of Persian kings around 550BC.
AUSTRALIAN YELLOW Heirloom. Starts off with light yellow-green leaves which grow rapidly to form large crinkled leaves. Tender texture and slightly sweet flavour. High yielding. Popular variety grown for years in Australia. Loose leaf variety.  
BLACK SEEDED SIMPSON Heirloom with large light green crinkled leaves. Loose leaf variety that is slow to bolt.  
BURGUNDY BOSTON Large butterhead type. Lovely magenta-red coloured leaves. Heat tolerant and slow bolting.  
CANASTA Bright green leaves with reddish tips. As it matures a heart develops. Bolt resistant.  
DARK LOLLO ROSSO Compact very heavily frilled green leaves with dark red edges. Very good colour.  
DEERTONGUE Heirloom buttercrunch. Very upright lettuce with pretty leaves shaped like a tongue - hence the name. It holds its shape very well. Really nice grown with dwarf snapdragon and Zinnia Green Envy.  
MERVEILLE DE QUATRE SAISONS French heirloom. Outer leaves reddish green with cranberry red tips. Tight creamy heads.  
LETTUCE OAKLEAF Loose leaf with a rosette of light green leaves. Bolt resistant in heat. Ideal for small gardens  
LETTUCE WILLOWBURN MIXED Various types grown at Willowburn but not listed in the catalogue. Head forming and loose.  
ROUGE DI HIVER French heirloom meaning 'red winter.' A cos type which have more upright stems. This one does very well grown in winter. Reddish upright leaves and a central green heart. Nice in the baby leaf stage.  
PARIS WHITE COS An heirloom with a conical head of light green and a white heart. Slightly crinkled outer leaves.  
TOM THUMB Cute little English heirloom. A favourite for their cottage gardens. Lemon-green outer leaves and a nice little head.  
MELON JENNY LIND Cucumis Melo. An American heirloom dating back to the 1840's. Very popular in America. Flattened turban shaped, very sweet green fleshed fruits - 500g to 1kg.  
MINERS LETTUCE Portulaca. Sp. Very common in the Middle East and India. It is even used in a French soup - bonne femme. Use the tender leaves in salads, especially good for winter salads. It can also be lightly steamed.  
MINUTINA Plantago Coronopsus. Slender green leaves for salads with edible flower buds. Can lightly steam. Perennial.  
MITSUBA Cryptaenia Japonica. Excellent salad green. Also nice in a stir fry. Best in a moistish partly shaded area.  
MIZUNA Brassica Japonica. Dark green feathery leaves. Invaluable salad plant that has a very mild taste. Very quick from sowing till eating. This is a definite must to grow.  
MUSTARD Brassica Rapa. Common mustard used in salads or as a green manure crop.  
MUSTARD GIANT RED Burgundy green leaves picked young are striking in a salad. If left to grow the leaves grow larger and are wonderful food decorations because of their near burgundy colour.  
MUSTARD SERIFON Brassica Juncea. Green leaves with a slight sharpish flavour used in Japan for salads.  
ONIONS BORETTANA Allium Cepa. Also called Cipollini. Lovely little button onions - around 5cm in diameter with creamy coloured flesh and rosy yellow skins. In Italy they are traditionally served whole. Try adding them to a roast meal.  
ONIONS BUNCHING CRIMSON RAIN Allium Fistulosum. A red bunching spring onion very attractive in salads. Perennial.  
ORACH - RED PLUME Atriplex Hortensis. Absolutely gorgeous deep burgundy leaves - too pretty to eat! Very upright plant used for salads or lightly steamed like Spinach. Try growing this with either green lettuce or Beet Bright Lights. 1m.  
PARCEL
Apium Graveolens. A curly leafed celery. Use the leaves for flavouring or garnishing and the stalks for cutting. Bie.  
PARSNIP WILLOWBURN Pastinaca Sativa. A cross between Hollow Crown and a few others. We can't be bothered with rows so we just scatter the seed around which works really well. A roast is not a roast without Parsnip!  
PEA OREGON SUGAR DWARF - SNOW PEA Pisum Sativa. Large pods to harvest flat or leave to shell. Pods are great in stir fries.  
PEA WF MASSEY Excellent cropper that doesn't need staking. Remember fresh peas? Who can be bothered with rows and rows of them? Just grow enough to pick and eat raw as you are passing, or enough to add to a salad. They are delicious.  
PEPPERS Capsicum Annum. All varieties of peppers are developed from the wild Chiltepin, native to Central America and Mexico.  
MARCONI RED A traditional pepper from Italy. Longish, oblong shape. Eat when green or red, raw or cooked.  
PURPLE BEAUTY Good producer. The colour changes from green to purple to deep red. Harvest anytime.  
RED AND GREEN MIXED A mix of varieties grown here, not listed in the catalogue. Remember to chop and freeze for winter use.  
YELLOW BANANA Heavy cropper from Hungary. Yellow to red, long pointed fruit - 15cm. Sweetest flavour at the red stage.  
PERILLA Perilla Frutescens. Also known as Shiso. Toothed green leaves with a mild peppery taste for salads or garnishes.  
PERILLA PURPLE As above but with burgundy foliage. Chill all Perilla seed 7 days. Light for germination. Only light frost.  
PUMPKIN KUMI-KUMI Cucumis Sp. Old N.Z. classic. Green and ribbed. Use either fresh or for winter storage.  
PUMPKIN WHANGAPAROA CROWN Grey skinned standard storage pumpkin.  
RADISH FRENCH BREAKFAST Raphanus Sativus. Traditional French Radish. Rosy scarlet with a white tip. Crisp white flesh.  
RADISH WHITE ICICLE Favourite for generations. Mild flavoured long white tapered roots.  
SALAD MIXES Also know as Mesclun mixes which originated in the Provence region of France. Pick and eat when very young.  
MESCLUN PROVENCAL Arugula, Chervil, Corn Salad, Miners Lettuce, Rouge Di Hiver and other red and green lettuce. CODE B
MESCLUN ITALIAN Cilantro, Arugula, Chicory Puntarella, Corn Salad, Dark Lollo Rosso and Oakleaf lettuce. CODE B
MESCLUN TRADITIONAL Mizuna, Cabbage Tat Soi, Komatsuna, Red Mustard, Beet Bright Lights and Lettuce mix. CODE B
SHALLOTS ED'S RED Allium Cepa Purple-red interior rings. Essential in cooking. Perennial. CODE B
SILVERBEET - BEET BRIGHT LIGHTS Also known as Swiss Chard. Beautiful multicoloured stems including yellow, pink, orange, white and red. Easy to grow and delicious to eat - just lightly steamed. Grow for fantastic colour. Biennial.  
SPINACH - BLOOMSDALE Spinacea Oleracea. Heirloom with broad, slightly crinkled leaves. Great for winter growth.  
SPINACH HECTOR Tender, smooth dark green leaves. Can eat raw or cooked. Slow bolting.  
SPINACH NEW ZEALAND Trailing plant with succulent leaves for salads. Not as hardy as other types. Soak seed overnight.  
SQUASH SPAGHETTI Cucurbita Pepo. Heirloom. Oval fruit which is picked when yellow. Boil the whole fruit for about 30mins. Scoop out the whole strands and add your favourite sauce. Cheese and tomato is really nice.  
SQUASH WALTHUM BUTTERNUT Cucurbita Moschata. Heirloom with bottle shaped fruits. Sweet flavour. Stores well.  
SWEDE GILFEATHER Heirloom from Vermont. Delicate sweet flavour even when left to grow larger.  
TOMATO Lycopersicon Lycopersicum. There is nothing like a home-grown tomato.  
AMISH PASTE Developed by the Amish people in the 1800's. Heart shaped and a meaty rich red with little juice.  
BLACK KRIM Heirloom from the Black Sea area of Russia. Unusual colour - dusky red. Absolutely delicious flavour for a sandwich.  
BRANDYWINE An Amish heirloom that is full of flavour. Solid and meaty and great for eating.  
BRANDYWINE BLACK Heirloom sport of Brandywine which was developed in America in the 1800's. Highly productive with excellent flavour. Purplish brown medium size fruit.  
CHARLIE CHAPLIN Bright red round or globe shaped fruit. Unusual appearance but with a rich hearty flavour.  
DR WALTERS Vigorous beefstake variety with low acid fruit. Excellent variety. CODE B
EVERGREEN North American heirloom - the original 'fried green tomato'. Pick when bright green. Sweet enough for salads.  
MONEYMAKER Popular variety with globe shaped fruit. Large vigorous plants.  
MORTGAGE LIFTER Developed in the 1930's by M.C. Boyles, or as he was known, 'Radiator Charlie.' He used his own methods to develop this variety and gardeners would drive for miles for Charlie's plants. So named because it was rumoured that Charlie paid off his mortgage from selling these plants. Famous for its large pinkish fruit, high productivity and high disease resistance.  
OREGON SPRING Ideal for areas with short seasons. Compact plant producing juicy tender, almost seedless fruit.  
OXHEART Popular with home gardeners for years. Developed in 1925. Heart shaped sweet meaty fruit. Good cropper.  
RIESENTRAUBE East German heirloom, popular in America for the last 50 years. Large clusters of little red pear shaped fruit. Still produces well in low sunshine areas. Excellent salad tomato and great for snacks.  
SUPER ITALIAN Productive tomato bearing long oval shaped fruit with few seeds and very little juice. Use for sandwiches and sauces.  
TIGERELLA The same tomato is also known as Mr Stripey. A highly productive English heirloom with red fruit that has jagged orange stripes. Mild flavour and low in acid. Hopefully with any of the Tomatoes you grow there will be a surplus to give away to anyone. A kind thought is always appreciated.  
WATERCRESS Nasturtium Officinale. A hardy perennial from Europe and Northern Asia. You don't need running water to grow this. You do need a partially shaded damp area. Most of us have one or more of these! Use the young shoots in salads or cooking.  
WATERMELON MOON AND STARS Citrullus Lanatus. Heirloom from Missouri. Beautiful fruit with large and small yellow dots over the dark green surface of the fruit, looking like moons and stars. The leaves are also speckled with yellow. Bright red fruit with outstanding sweet flavour. Really worthwhile growing.  
ZUCCHINI BLACK BEAUTY Cucurbito Pepo. Popular variety, high yielding with smooth cylindrical fruit.  
ZUCCHINI GOLD RUSH F1 HYBRID Heavy yields of deep golden yellow fruit. An All American Selection Winner. Zucchinis are delicious lightly pan fried and really nice with mushrooms and tomatoes.