Heirloom Vegetable Garden

Daucus carota

Oxhart Carrots

Short, oxheart-shaped, 6" long by 4" wide. This uniquely shaped heirloom was introduced from France prior to 1884.

Brassica oleracea

Nero Di Toscana (Black Palm Tree Cabbage)

This loose leaf Italian heirloom cabbage dates back to the early 1800's at least. It has beautiful, deep black-green leaves that can reach 24" in length. It is popular in Tuscany for use in soups and stews.

Brassica oleracea

Mammoth Red Rock Cabbage

A large heirloom cabbage dating from 1889 with colorful, deep red heads.

Brassica oleracea

Early Purple Vienna Kohlrabi

This pre-1860 heirloom has purple skin and sweet, white flesh.

Solanum

Rosa Bianca Eggplant

Colorful, light pink-lavendar fruit with white shading. No bitterness.

Capsicum annum

Corno Di Toro Rosso Pepper

A traditional Italian heirloom. The fruits of this sweet pepper are a deep, glowing red.

Capsicum annuum

Black Hungarian Pepper

This mildly hot pepper has unique, black colored fruit the shape of a jalepeno.

Capsicum annum

Quadrato D’Asti Giallo Pepper

Another Italian heirloom, this sweet pepper has large yellow fruit.

Cucumis sativus

Chinese Yellow cucumber

This beautiful, yellow-orange cucumber is a very rare Chinese heirloom.

Citrullus vulgaris

Golden Midget Watermelons

Developed by the late Dr. Elwyn Meader, these unique miniature watermelons have been around since 1959. The rind turns a lovely golden yellow when ripe.

Phaseolus multiflorus

Jack & the Beanstalk Beans

Runner bean type. Polish heirloom that can grow 20' tall. Green pods make a superb snap bean and white seeds can be dried.

Cucumis melo

Plum Granny Melons (Queen Anne's Pocket)

These beautiful yellow melons with deep orange stripes are only 2"-3" long. Grown for their wonderful fragrance rather than their bland flavor, they were very popular in Victorian gardens.

Cucurbita maxima

Turks Cap Squash (Turban)

A very old variety from France that dates back prior to 1820. It is a beautiful squash striped in red, orange, green and white.

Cucurbita pepo

Yellow Scallop Squash (Golden Custard)

This is a rare, native American squash that likely predates Columbian times.

Cucurbita pepo

Patissons Panache Blanc Et Vert Scallop Squash

A pre-1885 French heirloom. White scallop with deep green radial streaks.

Lycopersicon esculentum

Thai Pink Egg Tomato

A delicious grape tomato from Thailand.

Ricinus communis

Castor Oil Beans 'Carmencita'

Although they are used commercially to produce castor oil, this variety was popular as an ornamental in Victorian times and was planted on either side of a front entrance. They were called 'Palma Christi or Palm of Christ in the 1800s.

Raphanus stivus

Round Black Spanish Radishes (Noir Gros Ron D'Hiver

Large, 5" winter type radish that has been around since the 16th century. Near black skin and white flesh.

Beta vulgaris

Chioggia (Bassano) Beet (Bulls Eye Beet)

Pre-1840 Italian heirloom beet, this variety arrived in the USA prior to 1865. They have a light red skin and beautiful red and white rings inside. Named after an Italian fishing town.

Lactuca sativa

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce

Oak leaf shaped leaves turn a deep burgundy as they mature. Somewhat heat resistant.

Anethum graveolens

Dill-Bouquet

This herb was considered a basic. Used to flavor pickles and other foods.

Beta vulgaris

Rainbow Chard (Five color Silverbeet)

A beautiful chard with pink, yellow, orange, red and white colors. This chard originated in Australia.

Lycopersicon esculentum

Yellow Pear Tomatoes

Grown first in the late 1800's, this tomato is still popular today for it's tender yellow pear-shaped fruits.

Lycopersicon esculentum

Yellow Brandywine Tomatoes

More orange than yellow, this heirloom is a gorgeous version of the pink Brandywine.

Phaseolus multiflorus

Scarlet Runner Beans

This runner bean was used by native Americans. Flowers are very ornamental in the brightest red. Good to cook as snap, shell or dry beans.

Lycopersicon esculentum

Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes

This variety with it's large, pink fruit was developed by M.C. Byles of Logan, West Virginia and intoduced in the 1940's. He named it after he sold plants for $1 each and paid off the $6,000 mortgage on his house.