Most of our seeds are provided by a generous annual donation from the Herman's Garden Program at Seed Saver's Exchange. You may also find seeds saved and donated by community members! Not all seeds shown here may be available in the free seed library, others may be available that are not pictured. The alphabetical growing guide is intended to give cultivation advice once seeds have been selected from those available in person.

Gardening, like life, always carries with it an element of uncertainty. We cannot guarantee germination or varietal purity, but we do chat with all our community members when accepting donations to encourage best practices. Through trial, error, and sharing knowledge, we continue the millennia-long tradition of seed saving!

aka Preacher Bean) Distinctive dark green pods streaked with purple grow up to 8" long. Light buff seeds splashed with dark brown, resembling a rattlesnake’s coloration. Very fine flavor. Vines grow vigorously to 10'. Good resistance to drought.

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• Direct Seed: 2" Apart

• Seed Depth: 1"

• Support: Trellis, tepee, or fencing

• Light: Full Sun

Native to the eastern half of the U.S. where it thrives in most any-well drained soil, this familiar milkweed species, also known as butterfly flower, produces clusters of stunning, sweetly scented, nectar-rich flowers in shades of pink on 3-4’ plants. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed plants for forage and to lay their eggs, making this a natural choice for habitat gardens or any border where butterflies are enjoyed.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats 1/4" deep, moisten soil, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 10 days. Thereafter, provide light and 50-75°F. This moist stratification is not absolutely necessary, but will help to increase germination.

• Start Indoors: 8-10 weeks before planting out

• Germination: 10-15 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 12-24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

Gorgeous finely curled blue-green leaves hold their color even in severe cold. Uniform low-growing plants are 15" tall with a 20-35" spread. Very hardy; will overwinter with mulch in zones 4-5. Ornamental and delicious. High in vitamin A.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Kale is most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest can continue even after snow.

• Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

• Germination: 3-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

Vibrant light green, finely curled leaves on robust 18" plants. This North German staple is tasty eaten fresh and can be harvested well into the early winter.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Kale is most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest can continue even after snow.

• Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

• Germination: 3-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

(aka Dinosaur, Nero di Toscana) Italian kale which reportedly dates back to the 18th century. Blue-green strap-like leaves are 3" wide by 10-18" long with a heavily savoyed texture. Excellent flavor that is enhanced by frost. Best eaten when leaves are small and tender.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Kale is most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest can continue even after snow.

• Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

• Germination: 3-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

Remarkably attractive dark green kale with red veined, frilly, tightly curled leaves. A vigorous performer with good cold tolerance. Leaves darken to deep scarlet in late season. Begin harvesting leaves when young, and allow plant to grow well into the early winter.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Plant out just before the last frost. Kale is most tender and delicious after a frost. Harvest can continue even after snow.

• Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

• Germination: 3-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

A butterhead lettuce bursting with bright green leaves that tolerates both cold and heat. This variety was donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Nestor Keen, who received seeds from his Aunt Mae in 1937.

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Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

• Direct Seed: 1" Apart

• Seed Depth: 1/4"

• Germination: 7-14 Days

• Thin: 6-8" Apart

This flavorful, decorative lettuce variety looks as great as it tastes and also tolerates heat! Sweet, crunchy, and not the least bit bitter, it dates from the 1500s and was reintroduced into the modern seed trade by Dr. Alan Kapuler of Peace Seeds, a Seed Savers Exchange lifetime member from Corvallis, Oregon. A unique star-shaped rosette of pointed, long, slender leaves makes this lettuce stand out wherever it’s planted—in a field, garden bed, or container.

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Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

• Direct Seed: 1" Apart

• Seed Depth: 1/4"

• Germination: 7-14 Days

• Thin: 10-12" Apart

(aka Craquerelle du Midi) Bred in England. Large dark green curled leaves form upright 8-10" heads. Sweet, crisp, and succulent. Slow to bolt in summer heat yet also cold tolerant.

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Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

• Direct Seed: 1" Apart

• Seed Depth: 1/4"

• Germination: 7-14 Days

• Thin: 10" Apart

Traditional Italian variety. Beautiful long bottle-shaped bulbs, attractive color. Flavor is mild and sweet. Best for fresh eating. Can be sown in spring and fall in milder climates. Long-day type.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats ¼" deep and space 1" in all directions. Transplant outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Keep onions well weeded with shallow cultivation.

• Start Indoors: 4-6 weeks before transplanting

• Germination: 4-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 4-6” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

(aka Dark Red Beauty) Listed as Large Red in 1834 by Hovey & Co. of Boston. By 1850, the name Wethersfield was in use by such companies as Comstock, Ferre & Co of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Large flattened globes with purple-red skin. Mildly pungent flesh with red concentric circles. Best used for salads and garnishes, not for extended storage. Long-day type.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats ¼" deep and space 1" in all directions. Transplant outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Keep onions well weeded with shallow cultivation.

• Start Indoors: 4-6 weeks before transplanting

• Germination: 4-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 4-6” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

Large, round bulbs boast sweet, mild, juicy flesh. Famous for its mild flavor, this long-day sweet onion is the only northern onion ever to match the quality of the popular Vidalia types. Well-grown bulbs can reach 2 pounds apiece and will store 2-3 months

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats ¼" deep and space 1" in all directions. Transplant outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Keep onions well weeded with shallow cultivation.

• Start Indoors: 4-6 weeks before transplanting

• Germination: 4-10 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 4-6” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

Hungarian heirloom brought to Beaver Dam, WI in 1912 by the Joe Hussli family. Florence Hussli recommends adding crisp sliced rings to a cheese and bologna sandwich, or using for stuffed peppers. Fruits are mildly hot when seeded.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm.

• Start Indoors: 8 weeks before last frost

• Germination: 14 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 12-24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

The hottest pepper Seed Savers Exchange offers, from the Central African Republic. Habanero-type peppers with delicious citrus flavor and few seeds. Golden-orange 3" long fruits are borne in abundance on sturdy 30" plants. A great choice for pots and can be overwintered inside.

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Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm.

• Start Indoors: 8 weeks before last frost

• Germination: 14 Days

• Plant Outdoors: 12-24” Apart

• Light: Full Sun

An American institution, listed in some of our first seed catalogs from the early 1800s. Bush plants produce copious amounts of yellow summer squash with warted rinds that are best harvested and eaten young; at maturity the fruits are very ornamental.

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Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

• Direct Seed: 1" Deep

• Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds

• Thin: To 3-4 Plants

• Light: Full Sun

This butternut, an AAS winner in 1970, was the result of years of patient refinement and selection by Professor Robert Young of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station in Waltham. Prized for its straight necks, rich dry yellow-orange flesh, nutty flavor, and high-yielding vines. Fruits are 3-6 pounds and exceptional keepers. One of the most popular types of baking squash.

 

Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

• Direct Seed: 1" Deep

• Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds

• Thin: To 3-4 Plants

• Light: Full Sun