Heirloom Seeds

The Tres Fine Maraichere Olesh is an old French heirloom frisée endive that is tres fine! This variety forms a heart of finely cut, frilly leaves that are mildly bitter, and deliciously crispy in gourmet salad mixes. Tie the heads closed one week before harvest to blanch the center to a creamy white color. Tres Fine Maraichere Olesh does best in spring or fall under cooler conditions.

Wando pea seeds are a popular heirloom variety known for their cold tolerance and early harvest. They produce vibrant green, sweet-tasting peas that are perfect for fresh eating, freezing, or cooking. The seeds grow into plants that are typically 18-24 inches tall, making them ideal for small gardens or containers. Wando peas are well-suited for cooler climates, as they can withstand light frosts and thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. Their resilience and ease of growth make them a favorite among both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Red Plume Atriplex, also called Red Orach or Mountain Spinach, is an heirloom leafy green with deep red to magenta foliage. Upright plants can reach 4–6 feet, adding ornamental height while providing tender edible leaves. Young leaves are excellent raw in salads, while mature leaves can be cooked like spinach and retain much of their color. This heat- and drought-tolerant plant performs well in full sun and well-drained soil.

The Golden Beauty Casaba Melon has a creamy white aromatic spicy flesh! This heirloom melon, also known as the "Casaba Fruit," has a rind that matures gold. Golden Beauty Casaba is an 8 lb. variety that is very heat tolerant.

Costoluto Genovese tomatoes are a classic heirloom variety celebrated for their historical significance and distinctive characteristics. Hailing from Genoa, Italy, this variety has been cherished since the 19th century for its unique ribbed, fluted shape and rich flavor. The tomatoes are typically deep red, with a strikingly irregular, somewhat lobed appearance that makes them visually appealing. Known for their bold, tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness, Costoluto Genovese tomatoes are highly prized for making robust sauces, salsas, and fresh salads.

Kentucky Wonder Pole beans are a classic heirloom variety with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Originally developed in the United States, these beans have become a staple in gardens across the country due to their reliability and exceptional flavor. Characterized by their vigorous climbing growth habit, Kentucky Wonder Pole beans can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet, making them well-suited for trellises or fences.

This aromatic heirloom herb can be grown as a perennial ground cover and tolerates light foot traffic once established. It forms a low, spreading mat through creeping rhizomes, making it well suited for paths and garden edges. While it produces fewer blooms than annual chamomile types, it shares many of the same traditional culinary, tea, and medicinal uses. The flavor and aroma are notably fruity and milder, with less bitterness than German chamomile. Grown as an annual ornamental in many regions, it performs best in bright, sunny locations and well-drained soil.

Pink Xocoyul is a rare heirloom corn from the mountainous regions of Oaxaca, Mexico. Dense pink kernels have a rich, nutty flavor and are traditionally used for atole dulce, quesadillas, tamales, and other masa preparations. Plants are adapted to high-altitude, temperate growing conditions. This open-pollinated variety is excellent for seed saving and helps preserve the vibrant color, culinary traditions, and agricultural heritage of Oaxacan corn.

King of the Garden beans are a classic heirloom variety cherished for their robust growth and exceptional flavor. Developed in the early 20th century, this variety has a rich history in American gardens, particularly noted for its productivity. King of the Garden lima beans are characterized by their vigorous pole growth habit, often reaching heights of 6 to 8 feet, making them ideal for trellises or fences.

Tolli's Sweet Italian produces large, dependable yields of 5" long and red sweet peppers. An excellent variety for fresh eating, frying, and canning. Dependable Italian sweet pepper produces generous five-inch fruits. Long pods mature to an appetizing red. High yields make preserving especially worthwhile. Excellent fresh, fried, canned, or roasted.

Jackson Wonder bush lima beans are a treasured heirloom variety with deep roots in Southern agriculture, particularly celebrated in the early 20th century. Known for their compact, bush-type growth habit, these beans typically reach heights of 18 to 24 inches, making them ideal for small gardens and easy to manage without support. The beans are characterized by their creamy white color, often with subtle greenish hues, and they grow in smooth, straight pods.

Suyo Long cucumber is an old Burpless Asian heirloom variety and just like its name, is a very long cucumber! This cucumber can grow up to 15" long! The Suyo Long has an interesting look as it grows with a curl and has a sweet, crisp flavor. Eat the Suyo Long fresh or pickled! This seed is certified organic.

The Pink Brandywine Tomato is our favorite heirloom beefsteak for home gardens and a customer favorite for its sweet taste! This large, beefsteak-shaped tomato fruit grows upright on large leaved plants. This favored tomato contains few seeds and meaty flesh! The indeterminate tomato will ripen later than most, but will produces 10-20 ounce tomatoes until the first frost of fall.

A golden-hued variant of the traditional Jacob’s Cattle bean, this heirloom variety features beautiful tan seeds with maroon speckles and splashes. Renowned for their creamy texture and rich, slightly sweet flavor, Jacob’s Cattle Gold beans are ideal for baking, soups, and slow-cooked dishes. They perform well in a range of garden soils, thrive in full sun, and offer consistent yields, making them a favorite among home gardeners and heirloom collectors.

Thomas Laxton is an heirloom pea plant that is big and productive. At Urban Farmer we have trialed these a few times and they are always are favorite shelling pea. The peas are always sugary and delicious. This pea variety is named after the famous pea breeder, Thomas Laxton. This old heirloom pea is over a century old and has withstood the test of time. Each pod contains at least 8 peas and often up to 10! Make sure to support the Thomas Laxton's 3' vines with a trellis.

Long, ribbed, dark green fruits grow up to 18 inches and offer a mild, sweet, burpless flavor—one of our favorites for fresh eating. This productive and eye-catching heirloom from northern China produces heavy yields on vigorous 5' vines. A parthenocarpic variety, it sets fruit without pollinators, making it an excellent choice for greenhouse growing. Expect tender, crisp cucumbers with thin skin and few seeds. Trellis for straighter fruit. Heat tolerant and disease resistant, it’s a dependable and delicious addition to any garden.

The hearty Cannolini Bush is a rich and meaty bean, making it equally delicious as it is satisfying. This Italian heirloom is a favorite amongst chefs for its smooth nutty flavor. Not only is this bean tasty in various soups, but it is also popular in other Italian dishes. The Cannolini Bush thrives in full sun and can be enjoyed in the summer or fall. This seed is certified organic.

Craig's Grande Jalapeno peppers are a popular, large-sized variety of jalapeno known for their mild to medium heat and excellent flavor. Typically measuring 4 to 5 inches in length, these peppers are thicker and fleshier than standard jalapenos, making them ideal for stuffing, grilling, or adding to salsas and sauces. They have a crisp, slightly sweet flavor with a noticeable but not overpowering heat, usually ranging between 3,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat units.

One Sucker is a dark air cured heirloom tobacco. It grows 4-5' in height with dark green leaves. Long leaves that can reach upwards of 3'. It produces 15-16 leaves on average, frost resistance and excellent wind resistance.

The China Rose Radish is a tasty rose colored radish with peppery undertones. This long radish variety with 5 inch long roots is one of the oldest heirloom radishes around. The China Rose is a very hardy type that can be grown year round.

The Rosa Bianca eggplant is a light pink and white marbled eggplant with an excellent flavor! This eggplant is an old Italian heirloom that is 4-5" round with a mild flavored creamy flesh that This variety is adapted to warm nights. The Rosa Bianca is a great cooking variety, making it a wonderful addition to roasts or stews! This seed is certified organic.

An heirloom tobacco that originates from Maryland. A high yielding crop with sharp pointed leaves. Catterton will grow to over 30" tall and 16" wide when mature. Air cures easily to a rich reddish brown color. A medium flavored smoke which is excellent for cigarettes alone, or as a blend. Also used in cigars and pipe tobaccos.

The Banana Melon gets its name for being a banana-shaped fruit with smooth yellow skin and even a mouth-watering banana smell! This melon variety has a sweet, spicy salmon flesh that is delicious. This heirloom is an all time favorite for being very sweet and perfect for specialty markets.

The Hidatsa Shield bean, an heirloom variety with deep cultural roots, traces its origins to the Hidatsa people of the northern Great Plains in the United States. This ancient cultivar was cherished for its hardiness and flavor, embodying a vital part of the Hidatsa diet for centuries. The bean is named for its distinctive shield-shaped markings, which can range from mottled browns and reds to purples, giving it a striking appearance.

Tall Utah celery, developed in the early 20th century in Utah, is renowned for its tall, sturdy stalks and exceptional flavor. This variety features vibrant green, crisp stalks that can reach heights of 18-36 inches, making it a standout in gardens. The taste is mild and slightly sweet, perfect for fresh eating or cooking in a variety of dishes. Tall Utah celery thrives in cool climates and requires consistent moisture, making it a favorite for both home growers and commercial producers.

Pencil Cob corn seed is a unique variety of corn known for its small, tightly packed cobs that resemble a pencil's shape. This heirloom variety is prized for its high-quality kernels, which are often used in specialty food products, such as popcorn or cornmeal. Its robust growth and adaptability make it suitable for various climates, particularly in regions where space might be limited.

Henderson Lima beans, often referred to as Henderson's Bush Beans, are a renowned heirloom variety with a rich history and notable characteristics. Originating in the early 20th century, these beans were developed by the Henderson Seed Company, a notable seed supplier based in the United States. Henderson beans are appreciated for their compact, bushy growth habit, making them well-suited for smaller gardens or container planting.

The Large Leaf Basil gives off a delicious tangy aroma and flavor that is excellent for fresh pesto! This plant variety will grow to be 24-30 inches tall. This fragrant heirloom basil is heat-loving and thrives in full sun. The Large Leaf's shiny dark green leaves can grow up to 4 inches long and is perfect for a home garden or in a windowsill container! This seed is certified organic.

The Cincinnati Market Radish is a uniquely skinny and elongated pink to red radish that is a fresh-from-the-garden-favorite! This six inch variety has a delicately mild taste with a very tender and crisp texture, making it perfect for fresh eating. The early maturing radish has been an heirloom garden favorite since 1885. You can enjoy the delicious Cincinnati Market from spring to fall.

First released in 1909 by H. Hartmann & Company, this historic Danish cabbage has earned its reputation as a dependable garden classic and a benchmark for many modern varieties. It forms dense, well-wrapped heads measuring about 6–8" across and weighing 3–4 pounds, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens. Plants mature quickly, adapt well to a wide range of growing conditions, and show strong resistance to splitting. Once harvested, the firm heads store exceptionally well—often lasting up to six months—adding to the long-standing appeal of this time-tested heirloom.

Burley 21 is heirloom Burley variety that is a long time favorite of growers. Its history dates back over 200 years. It grows to 6-7 feet and is a reliable producer of large heavy leaf. The leaves make a strong full flavored smoke that is commonly used as a blend in cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobaccos.