VEGETABLE SEEDS

Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis

Also known as asparagus bean and yard-long bean. Long bean is a delicacy, especially favored in West and Northwest Turkey. Typically grown for its fresh pods to make fresh salad and enjoyed in stir-fry recipes. 

Phaseolus coccineus

Runner beans are typically grown for their large seeds with buttery flavor. Plants are highly ornamental and have gorgeous flowers that show variation in color depending on the variety.

Allium cepa, Allium fistulosum Bulb onion seeds were domesticated in Central Asia, in the region where modern Turkey, Iran and Pakistan are today. Green onions, also known as scallion, were domesticated in Central and East Asia, particularly in China. Growing tips Need for sun: 12-15 hrs Planting depth: 1/4" Sprouts in 7-10 days Ideal Growing Temperature: 50-80F Plant Spacing: 4-6" Frost hardy: Yes for light frost Growth habit: Upward, compact growth Growing tips: Sow in seedling tray to transplant in compost-rich soil in early spring for a late summer harvest. Keep sowing every two weeks for successive harvests. Keep the planting area weed free to maximize bulb size and harvest yield. Water regularly especially during dry spells. Incorporate potassium into the growing area for better plant growth. In a mild climate, cold-hardy green onions can also be seeded in fall to be overwintered whereas in a cold climate, they can be seeded only in spring.

Brassica oleracea

Originated in the Mediterranean Region and Anatolia, kale is a biennial plant that has purple and green leaves without a head as opposed to cabbage. Kale is a popular as a salad green and in other kitchen applications such as kale chips and to accompany meals as a side dish in the U.S. Growing tips:

• Needs 8-10 hrs of full sun
• Planting depth: 1/4"
• Sprouts in 5-7 days
• Ideal Growing Temperature: 45-85F
• Plant Spacing: 8"
• Frost hardy: Yes for light frost
• Growth habit: Leaves branch out from the stem
• Growing tips: Sow kale seeds in seedling tray to transplant in early spring for a late spring/summer harvest or in fall for for a late fall/early winter crop. Transplant to well-drained, fertile soil rich with Nitrogen. Water regularly. Watch for aphids especially when the temperatures rise and remove them with organic pest control methods.

Cucumis sativus

Native to Asia, cucumber is used in various ways from pickling to slicing to salads, including the traditional accompaniment of cacık which is made from cucumber, mint, yogurt and garlic in Turkey. 

Growing tips:

• Cucumis sativus
• Needs full sun
• Planting depth: 1/2"
• Sprouts in 7-10 days
• Ideal growing temperature: 70-90F
• Plant spacing: 18"
• Frost hardy: No
• Growth habit: Vining
• Growing tips: Start cucumber seeds indoors in seedling trays or small seedling pots in seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it 3-4 weeks prior to last frost. Keep the soil moist for quick germination. Make sure to keep the young cucumber seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves. Transplant to garden or a pot with ample space for roots to spread after last frost in well-drained, fertile soil. Feed your cucumber plants with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Reduce water when the fruits are maturing to improve flavor and sugar content. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. You can trellis cucumber plants to decrease disease pressure and improve air circulation. Cucumber thrives in a hot climate and does best in sandy soil with good drainage. Alternatively, to start cucumber seedlings, you can direct seed in ground after last frost. Note that it is possible for cucumber seeds to rot when they are direct-seeded if the soil is cool and moist before they can sprout so make sure the soil temperature is over 70F.

Lactuca sativa

Wild relatives of lettuce are dated to 6,000 years ago in middle Asia, and the lettuce we eat today is known to have been domesticated in Egypt 4,500 years ago. Most lettuce varieties require cool temperatures to grow well. Succession planting helps for a continual harvest. Avoid growing in the heat of mid-summer unless the variety is noted to do well in heat. Plants can survive light frost and be grown in early winter, under row cover or cold frame.

Growing tips:

• Sow lettuce seeds in seedling tray to transplant in early spring or fall for full size heads.
• Use Nitrogen-rich fertilizer for the best leaf growth. Water regularly.
• Keep sowing every two weeks for successive harvests.
• Most lettuce seeds except Batavian-type varieties can't germinate well in high temperatures.
• Although there are bolt-resistant varieties, spring and fall are the best seasons to grow lettuce for the best eating quality.

Capsicum annuum, unless otherwise noted

Growing tips:

• Start pepper seeds indoors in seedling trays or small seedling pots with seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it, 6-8 weeks prior to last frost.
• Keep the soil moist for quick germination.
• Make sure to keep the young pepper seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves.
• Transplant after last frost in well-drained, fertile soil enrichened with compost and other amendments.
• Feed your pepper plants with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.
• Water regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease.
• Some pepper varieties are taller than others and may need to be tied to a stake so that fruits don't touch soil and rot.

Solanum lycopersicum, unless otherwise noted

Native to the Americas, tomatoes are perhaps the most popular plants to grow for home gardeners. We carry a very unique and diverse collection of traditional, heirloom tomato varieties that offer different colors, textures, shapes, sizes and flavors. Grocery store tomatoes are not even comparable in flavor to the ones you grow in your garden. We offer both indeterminate (long vines that need trellising) and determinate varieties (short vines but could still benefit from trellising) as noted in the seed description. Tomato seed is one of the easiest to save.

Growing tips:

• Start tomato seeds in seedling trays in seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it 4-6 weeks prior to last frost.
• Barely cover the seeds with soil and keep the soil moist for quick germination.
• Make sure to keep the young tomato seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves.
• Transplant after last frost in well-drained, fertile soil. Feed with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.
• Water tomato plants regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease.
• Trellis indeterminate varieties with long vines and prune leaves if the plant canopy becomes too thick for improved air circulation.

Cucurbita sp. (check for each variety's description for the species)

Native to Central America and Mexico, winter squash was brought to North America by Indigenous people for whom, along with beans and corn, is an integral part of their agricultural system. After European colonization, fruits were taken to Europe and eventually other parts of the world, including Turkey, through trade routes. The term "winter squash" refers to when the fruits are eaten, not when the plants are grown. Growing Tips:

• Direct-seed the seeds in compost-rich, fertile and well-drained soil after last frost in spring.
• Water regularly at flowering stage.
• Mulch at plant base to retain soil moisture during growth.
• Watch for squash bugs and vine borers. Moschata varieties are usually more tolerant to squash vine borers, thanks to their hard, difficult-to-penetrate vines.
• Vining varieties require a lot of space to crawl.
• Winter squash thrives in warm weather.