Wheatgrass

The Onion Bunching White Sweet Spanish, 'Allium fistulosum', has delicate stems and juicy sweet tops that onion lovers can't resist. The White Sweet Spanish Valencia also forms a small, globe-shaped white onion. A scallion is an onion harvested before it has the chance to bulb. Bunching onion varieties such as this one can produce small or no onion bulbs but are milder, juicier, and sweeter tasting scallions than scallions of regular, full size bulbing onions. Scallions can be harvested any time during the growing season before they begin to bulb.

The Dill Bouquet, 'Anethum graveolens', is the most widely grown dill. Bouquet Dill produces early, large seed heads that make this plant excellent for pickling. The Bouquet foliage is also superior sprinkled on new potatoes, tomatoes, grilled salmon, spinach, green beans, cucumbers, squash, and lamb chops. The 30 to 36 inch tall plant is very aromatic. Successive plantings every 2 to 3 weeks will assure a continual fresh supply of foliage. Dill prefers fertile well drained soil with lots of organic matter.

The Broccoli Raab Rapini, 'Brussica rapa (ruvo group)', is known at Italian broccoli. The Raab Rapini has delicate, tender shoots with a spicy but wonderful broccoli-like flavor. Raab is grown for the asparagus-like spring shoot. There is a reason the Europeans love Broccoli Raab, it is a connoisseur's delight. Broccoli Raab Rapini prefers light, loamy, well drained soils. To harvest, cut the budding shoots just before the flowers open. Harvest until shoots are too small and tough.

The Bachelor Button Dwarf Blend, 'Centaurea cyanus', is a blend of purple, light blue, pink, and white flowers that will impress you. In addition to the wonderful blend of colors, Bachelor Button Dwarf Mix has other admirable traits including drought tolerance. Bachelor Button is also known as Cornflower. The flowers can be used as dried or cut flowers. Bachelor Button prefers full sun but they will withstand some light shade. Bachelor Button will perform the best in relatively dry soils.

The Watermelon Moom & Stars, 'Citrullus lanatus', is an old Amish heirloom recently rediscovered in rural Missouri. The yellow dots look like stars scattered among larger moons on a very dark green rind and on the foliage. This genetic defect in the pigmentation makes it the most interesting looking watermelon around and has no effect on the very sweet, red, and absolutely delicious flesh. Watermelon ripens in about 35 days after the flowers are pollinated by bees. Fertilize lightly every 4 to 6 weeks.

The Cilantro Coriander Cal Long Standing, 'Coriandrum sativum', is one of the most useful and tasty herbs available. Both the foliage (cilantro) and seed (coriander), make this herb very versatile. Cilantro is also called Chinese parsley. Cilantro has a thousand uses from as simple as a sprig in chicken soup to chopped in Mexican food. The seed, Coriander, has a strong citrusy, lemon flavor. Senna tea is made from crushed Coriander. Plant in the spring after the last average frost date.

The Cucumber Slicing Straight Eight, 'Cucumis sativus', is a very vigorous and productive open pollinated cucumber that is excellent for salads, slicing, or for making dill pickles. There is nothing more refreshing than a cucumber. This older, open pollinated variety is still around because it is simply a great variety. Cucumbers have a shallow root system and therefore require regular moisture. Do not let cucumbers get too big because the vines stop producing if over mature cucumbers stay on the vine.

The Carrot Danvers 126, 'Daucus carota var. sativus', is excellent in heavy soils. In addition to the nice flavor, it is resistant to cracks and splits. The Danvers 126 worked wonderfully when interplanted with onions and worked particularly well in the heavy soils because of it's higher fiber content. The single most important factor in growing carrots is to have a deep, clod and rock free, well drained soil. A 50% peat moss mix with the soil is ideal. Even moisture is essential.

The Carrot Scarlet Nantes, 'Daucus carota var. sativus', is an old standard that has a reputation for sweet flavor and crisp texture. The bright orange-red roots are 6 to 7 inches long. The open pollinated Scarlet Nantes deserves to be and old favorite because of the sweet flavor, crisp texture and an inconspicuous core. The dye from carrots is used to color butter. A 50% peat moss mix with the soil is ideal. Even moisture is essential.