Christmas bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris 'Christmas,' is a delightful and unique variety of green bean that adds a festive touch to holiday meals. This particular bean cultivar has a fascinating history dating back to the early 20th century when it was first developed by dedicated plant breeders. Its name, "Christmas bean," is derived from its vibrant red and green coloration, reminiscent of traditional holiday colors. In terms of taste, Christmas beans are known for their tender and crisp texture, making them a delightful addition to a variety of dishes. Their flavor is mildly sweet with a subtle nuttiness, making them a versatile choice for both cooking and salads. The beans typically mature in about 80 to 90 days, making them a relatively quick-growing option for gardeners. The pod size is medium to large, with an average length of 6-7 inches, perfect for harvesting when they are young and tender. Christmas bean plants need staked and can grow up 10' and higher! They are known for their disease resistance, particularly against common bean diseases such as rust and bean mosaic virus. When properly cared for, Christmas bean plants can yield an abundant harvest, with each plant producing a substantial number of pods. For optimal growth, they require well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and regular watering. Plant spacing should be about 4-6 inches apart in rows, and they thrive in a variety of climates, making them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a festive touch to their holiday season while enjoying a bountiful harvest of delicious, colorful beans.
The Lemon cucumber is very tender, clean, crisp and sweet taste that is never bitter! This variety is a great cucumber for salads and pickling. Don't be fooled by this heirloom's unusual shape, these bright yellow balls are excellent for salads and pickling! This plant produces regular-sized vines that yield heavily and for a long time.
The Muncher cucumber is a favorite low acid slicer that is very prolific and tender. This cucumber plant variety produces a smooth nearly spineless, medium green cucumber that is crisp and delicious. Muncher can be pickled when young or eaten fresh when it reach 8-10" long and 2-3" wide. This cucumber's skin is thin and tasty, as it is easily eaten. The Muncher is non-bitter burpless cucumber that produces heavy yields and definitely a favorite!
The Sumter Cucumber is a favorite amongst many home gardeners and market growers for being a great slicer and pickling cucumber. This cucumber variety is a blocky medium-green fruit with white spines. The Sumter is well adapted for many different climates. This organic favorite is disease resistant.
Fordhook 242 beans are a popular variety of lima beans known for their smooth texture and rich, buttery flavor. These beans are characterized by their large, flat, greenish seeds that mature to a creamy, pale yellow when harvested. The Fordhook 242 variety is prized for its resilience and productivity, thriving in both home gardens and larger agricultural settings. With a growing season of about 70 to 80 days, these beans are often used in a wide range of culinary dishes, from soups and stews to side dishes and casseroles. Their versatility, coupled with their excellent taste, makes them a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike.
Mexican Sour Gherkin cucumber seeds produce small, grape-sized fruits that resemble miniature watermelons but have a refreshing cucumber-like taste with a tangy, citrusy twist. Also known as cucamelons or mouse melons, these vigorous, vining plants thrive in warm climates and are resistant to pests and diseases. They are easy to grow, requiring a trellis for support, and yield an abundant harvest throughout the season. Perfect for fresh snacking, pickling, or adding a unique touch to salads, Mexican Sour Gherkins are a delightful and eye-catching addition to any garden. These been around since pre-Columbian times, but were not brought into botanical classification until the mid-1800s. Despite being a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, they're only distantly related to the cucumber and will not cross with other cucumber varieties. This variety is also said to be the most cold-tolerant of all cucumbers, and will continue to fruit until the first frost.
Provider beans are a popular bush bean variety that has garnered attention for its reliable performance and ease of cultivation. Developed in the United States, Provider beans have a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century, when they were bred for both home gardens and commercial production. These beans are characterized by their compact growth habit, typically reaching about 18 to 24 inches in height, which makes them perfect for small spaces and easy to manage without staking. The pods are smooth and a vibrant green color, generally growing to about 5 to 6 inches long. Known for their excellent flavor and crisp texture, Provider beans are ideal for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. Harvesting is best done when the pods are young and firm, usually in mid to late summer, ensuring the best taste and quality. The plants are vigorous and produce high yields, demonstrating good resistance to common diseases. With their dependable growth, delightful flavor, and adaptability, Provider beans remain a favorite choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
The Sugar Magnolia Pea is a beautiful deep purple colored sugar snap pea that is the result of over 15 years of development! This spectacular beauty has a very sweet flavor and is best before the pods get too fat. Make sure that this climbing variety has a trellis, as its sturdy vines reach to be 6-7 feet tall. Add the Sugar Magnolia to fresh salads or as a steamed side dish for a pop of color!
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. The pods are typically long, smooth, and bright green, growing up to 7 inches in length. Known for their rich, buttery flavor and tender texture, these beans are perfect for fresh eating, canning, or freezing. Harvesting is best done in mid-summer to early fall when the pods are still young and firm to ensure optimal taste and quality. The plants are not only prolific but also exhibit good disease resistance, making them a reliable choice for gardeners. With their delightful flavor, impressive yield, and historical significance, King of the Garden beans continue to be a favorite among home gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike.
The Burpee Improved Bush Lime bean plants produce large pods, high yields, and perfectly shaped beans. Burpee Improved beans are both larger and thicker than normal lima beans. The growth is even more vigorous, with heavier foliage. The plants are uniformly upright.
The Blue Lake FM-1K Pole is a stringless pole bean that is very tasty! Blue Lake beans are known for reliability, disease resistance, flavor and high yields. This is the pole version of the popular bush type that is widely planted for the canning industry. These bright green beans are straight and reach up to 7'. Perfect for those who are tired of bending over to pick beans, but still want the high yield of a bush bean.
Boston Pickling cucumbers are a high yielding plant with a continuous harvest! Just like its name, the Boston Pickling is great for making pickles! This cucumber will grow to 3" long and smooth with black spines.
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. Its flavor profile is noted for a rich, nutty taste with a creamy texture, making it a favored choice in various traditional dishes. The plant itself is a vigorous climber, known for its adaptability to different soil types and growing conditions. It typically blooms in mid-summer, producing small, pale flowers before setting pods that are ready for harvest in late summer or early fall. The Hidatsa Shield bean's resilience and ease of cultivation, coupled with its historical significance, continue to make it a valued crop among gardeners and food enthusiasts.
The Sugar Snap Pea is a garden staple pea that has unmatchable taste! This variety has tall vines that with support can grow up to 6 feet plus! The Sugar Snap Pea plant produces 3" long pods that are a 1/2" across, and bear over a long picking period. This is pea is so tasty that people will eat it directly after picking! Sugar Snap yields well in both hot and cold weather.
Scarlet Runner beans are a striking heirloom variety with a rich history that traces back to indigenous cultures in Central and South America. Introduced to Europe in the 17th century, these beans quickly gained popularity for both their ornamental beauty and culinary qualities. Characterized by their vigorous growth habit, Scarlet Runner plants can climb up to 10 feet or more, making them ideal for trellises or fences. The most notable feature of this variety is its vibrant scarlet flowers, which attract pollinators and add a stunning visual appeal to gardens. The pods are long and flat, typically green, maturing to a reddish hue, and are best harvested while still young and tender. Known for their rich, earthy flavor and creamy texture, Scarlet Runner beans are delicious in a variety of dishes, from stews to salads. Harvesting usually occurs in late summer to early fall, ensuring that the beans are picked before they dry out. With their ornamental charm, exceptional taste, and high productivity, Scarlet Runner beans remain a beloved choice for gardeners looking to combine beauty with culinary excellence.
Sugar Ann is a 1984 All America Selections winner! This snap pea variety has an edible pod that offers earliness, productivity, and a compact growth habit. The crisp, sweet succulent 3 inch pods are ready to eat in just 10 to 14 days ahead of the original Sugar Snap, and remain in prime eating condition for days.
A beautifully bright and vibrant green bean that grows extra long when mature! Matures quick and has a delicious and crisp bite.
Asparagus Red Podded beans are a unique and vibrant variety of snap beans known for their striking appearance and delicious flavor. Characterized by their deep red pods, these beans stand out in the garden and on the plate. They grow well in warm climates and can be harvested when young and tender for a delightful crunch in salads or stir-fries. In addition to their eye-catching color, they are rich in nutrients, providing a good source of vitamins A and C, fiber, and protein. The beans are not only visually appealing but also offer a sweet, earthy taste that complements a variety of dishes, making them a favorite among home gardeners and chefs alike.
