The common milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) is a perennial plant native to North America, known for its distinctive clusters of pink to purple flowers and its ecological significance. This plant typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and thrives in a variety of soil types, preferring well-drained, sandy loam. It is commonly found in fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas, making it an adaptable choice for gardeners looking to enhance biodiversity.

Blooms continuously summer through fall, providing migrating monarchs with nectar snacks for their long journey and a place to lay their eggs. Can be grown as an annual in cooler grow zones. Lovely and long-lasting in cut flower arrangements.

• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Bloom season: Summer, fall
• Attracts: Beneficial insects, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Dignity, freedom, rejection, remembrance, solitude

As a medicinal plant, Milkweed has been used internally to treat diarrhea, gonorrhea, intestinal parasites and worms, pneumonia, spleen inflammation, and stomach tumors, and externally to treat bleeding, boils, corns, dermatitis, eye infections, ringworm, skin parasites, snakebites, sores, warts, and wounds.

⚠️ Although Milkweed is known to be safe when used correctly, all parts of the plant are toxic and may even cause death to people, pets, horses, and livestock if ingested in large quantities. The milky sap is a skin irritant. Do not ingest while pregnant or nursing.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any plant medicinally.

NOTE: A parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), travels with monarchs and is deposited on every plant they visit. In warm grow zones where this non-native milkweed does not die back from a killing frost, the OE parasite can build up and harm the caterpillars that feed on the leaves and the butterflies they become. A continuously blooming milkweed may also encourage the monarchs to dally rather than migrate, which interrupts their reproductive cycle. It’s easy to eliminate both dangers, by cutting your plants to the ground at least once per season.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Asclepias curassavica
• Hardiness zones: 8-11
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 100-120 days
• Cold stratify: No
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep - Soaking seeds in warm water overnight aids germination.
• Spacing between plants: 1'-2' apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-70F
• Soil types: Clay, caliche, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, rich, dry, moist, wet
• Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Frost tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes

More facts about Milkweed:

• The beautiful monarch butterflies rely on milkweed to lay their eggs upon. Sadly, habitats that naturally support monarchs are becoming fewer in number each year. New urban development & chemically treated "big agriculture" are destroying habitats of milkweed all over the United States.
• Sow in early January for first year blooms.

Amaranthus tricolor, commonly known as Joseph's Coat, is a vibrant and visually striking flowering plant that is often utilized in ornamental gardening. This species is characterized by its broad, colorful leaves that can display a range of hues including red, yellow, and green. The plant typically reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet and can spread up to 3 feet wide, making it a prominent feature in garden landscapes.

One of the notable aspects of Amaranthus tricolor is its adaptability to various soil types. It thrives in well-drained soils and can tolerate poor soil conditions, which makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to enhance their landscapes with minimal maintenance. The plant prefers full sun exposure, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to achieve optimal growth and color vibrancy.

In terms of cultivation, Amaranthus tricolor is relatively easy to grow from seeds. The seeds should be sown directly into the garden after the last frost date, as the plant is sensitive to cold temperatures. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days under suitable conditions. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant, requiring watering only during prolonged dry spells.

From a nutritional perspective, Amaranthus tricolor is not only ornamental but also edible. The young leaves can be harvested and consumed in salads or cooked as a green vegetable, providing a source of vitamins A and C, as well as essential minerals. This dual-purpose nature enhances its appeal for gardeners interested in both aesthetics and food production.

Furthermore, Amaranthus tricolor attracts beneficial insects, such as pollinators, which can enhance the overall health of the garden ecosystem. The flowers, which are small and clustered, bloom throughout the summer and into the fall, providing a continuous source of color and attracting various species of bees and butterflies.

In conclusion, Amaranthus tricolor is a versatile and attractive addition to any garden. Its vibrant foliage, ease of cultivation, and nutritional benefits make it a valuable choice for both ornamental and edible gardening. Gardeners should consider incorporating this plant into their landscapes to enjoy its beauty and contributions to biodiversity.

Health Benefits of Amaranth

Do you have grey hair? Amaranth helps to prevent premature graying, mainly due to the minerals it contains. It helps to lower bad cholesterol and also can reduce inflammation and ease pain.   Especially important for people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.  Great for tackling high blood pressure and may even help prevent cancer.  Don't forget it is a wonderful source of protein.  

Ways to Consume Amaranth

Amaranth is a lot like quinoa as far as being a "protein packed" seed.  You can roast, pop, or boil these seeds.  Use as a breakfast cereal, or combine it with other grains.  Amaranth is a wonderful soup thickener because of it's gelatinous quality when cooked.  Cook the leaves of the Amaranth plant, similar to how you would cook/use spinach leaves. 

See Amaranth Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

This Summer Carnival Mix (Alcea rosea) produces towering spikes that can grow to 9' tall with saucer-sized blooms in all sorts of different colors.

Heat and cold-tolerant, this biennial blooms its first year. Prefers full sun, but can tolerate part shade, even under a Black Walnut tree. The leaves, buds, and petals are edible.

• Life cycle: Biennial
• Bloom season: Summer, fall
• Attracts: Birds, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Abundance, ambition, femininity, fertility, fruitfulness

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Alcea rosea
• Hardiness zones: 2-10
• Planting season: Summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 2nd year
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Depth to plant seeds: Surface sow
• Spacing between plants: 18"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-70F
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, chalky, rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes

Each shallot can typically yield about 5-10 shallots per harvest.  Best time to plant is usually in the Fall (Sept. - Nov.)

Quick Overview:

• Semi-long with red papery skin
• Pungent flavor
• Creamy inside
• Easy to peel
• Easy to grow
  
• Stores very well
  
• Excellent flavor

How to Plant:

Plant the pointy side of the shallot facing up with no more than 1/4" of soil covering the shallot. Make sure your have 7-8 inches of soil to allow the roots to grow freely.  Space each bulb 10" - 12" apart from each other.

Green Shiso (Perilla frutescens), also called Perilla Leaf and Japanese Basil, is an herb in the mint family with large, bright green, wrinkled, serrated leaves. Not as spicy as Red Shiso. Used extensively in Japanese cuisine, it has a fresh minty-basil flavor with notes of clove and cumin, and a bitter, astringent finish. Pairs well with fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables, especially cucumbers. Also a medicinal herb with antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Its rhizome root can become invasive, so best grown in a container.

• Mint-basil-clove-cumin flavor
• Full sun
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Days to maturity: 80-85 days

Good companion plants: Arugula, Basil, Bok Choy, Parsley, Tomato

The Lunaria Silver Dollar (Lunaria annua) is a most unusual biennial. Also called Money Plant, Honesty Plant, and Moonwort, it produces small, fragrant lavender blossoms with a separate seed pod in the form of a flat, translucent disk membrane. When immature, the disk is green. As the plant dies, the seed pod turns as silvery and shimmery as a full moon or silver dollar coin. Grows 2'-3' tall on thin, hairy stems with serrated, heart-shaped foliage. Fantastic in dried floral arrangements or wreaths.

• Life cycle: Herbaceous biennial
• Bloom season: Spring
• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Honesty, money, sincerity

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Lunaria annua
• Hardiness zones: 5-9
• Planting season: Summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 2nd year
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-70F
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, rich, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: No

Sweet Woodruff (Botanical name: Galium odoratum) also called Sweet-Scented Bedstraw, is a fast-growing, mat-forming herb and ground cover with dark green leaves and small, white, waxy, star-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. When crushed or cut, and especially dried, it has a grassy vanilla fragrance. Prefers partial to full shade, even under a Black Walnut tree. Add the leaves to fruit salads, jellies, and herbal teas, and use the flowers as an adorable and edible garnish. Reseeding and shallow runner roots enable it to spread easily.

A delightful shade-loving perennial herb that transforms shaded garden corners into fragrant, flowering ground cover. Sweet Woodruff's delicate white star-shaped blooms and soft green foliage create an enchanting spring display while its distinctive grassy vanilla scent develops when leaves are crushed or dried.

This versatile herb thrives in partial to full shade—even beneath challenging Black Walnut trees—making it perfect for difficult garden spots. Its shallow runner roots and natural reseeding habit allow it to spread gracefully as a living carpet, while attracting pollinators throughout the season.

Harvest fresh leaves for fruit salads, jellies, and herbal teas, or use the charming edible flowers as garnish.

Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, Sweet Woodruff has supported wellness practices for centuries. Plant in spring, fall, or winter for a hardy perennial that requires minimal care and rewards you with beauty and fragrance year after year.

• Grassy vanilla fragrance
• Culinary and medicinal
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

As a companion plant, it attracts all sorts of friendly pollinators to the garden.

As a medicinal herb, Sweet Woodruff has been used internally to treat congestion, insomnia, migraine headaches, nerve pain, and water retention, and externally to treat burns, wounds, and swelling.

⚠️ Contains naturally occurring coumarin and should not be ingested in large quantities if you are taking medication for circulatory disorders or are pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Galium odoratum
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Planting season: Spring, fall, winter
• Days to maturity: 90-120 days
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-200 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 8"-12" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 4.3-8.3
• Sun needs: Full shade, part shade
• Water needs: Average
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: No
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes

Rapeseed is also used as a cover crop in the US during the winter as it prevents soil erosion, produces large amounts of biomass, suppresses weeds and can improve soil tilth with its root system.

Rapeseed is the third-largest source of vegetable oil.

Rapeseed is the second-largest source of protein meal in the world.

Rapeseed oil is used as diesel fuel, either as biodiesel, straight in heated fuel systems, or blended with petroleum distillates for powering motor vehicles.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus subsp. napus), is a bright-yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family), cultivated mainly for its oil-rich seed, which naturally contains appreciable amounts of toxic erucic acid.

Rapeseed is the third-largest source of vegetable oil and second-largest source of protein meal in the world.

Source and Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed

The Violet Star Artichoke is a dramatic alternative to the traditional Green Globe Artichoke. It produces a vibrant purple flower bud with a nutty flavor and creamy texture. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with lots of room for this dark beauty to grow. Artichokes are perennial plants that keep coming back bigger and more productive every year.

• Heat tolerant
• Drought tolerant
• Usually produces in 2nd year
• Perennial

• The Walla Walla Sweet Onion variety will produces a globed shaped white onion
  
  - Bulbs can reach 2 lbs
  
  - This is one of the most popular Long day onion varieties available  
  
  - Easy to grow 
  
  - Perfect for beginners
  
  - Grows well in containers and tight spaces
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 110-120 days
  
  Onion Seeds | Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows.
  
  Click here for complete Onion grow guide

Hybrid

Mint, Peppermint

• Peppermint is typically used in teas, jellies, deserts, and salads.
  
  - Extremely fragrant.
  
  - Sweet smelling.
  
  - Acts as a natural wasp repellant.
  
  - Perennial.
  
  - Can be used as a garnish on ice cream and drinks.
  
  

Click here to see 7 Awesome Mint Drink Recipes HERE

 Follow SeedsNow.com's board Mint on Pinterest.

The Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper is so named because its defined lobes resemble a Scotsman’s tam o’ shanter hat. Also called the Caribbean Red Pepper, the stout little fruit is sweeter and fruitier than its cousin, the Habanero, and hot enough to make a bird fly north for the winter. The plant puts out loads of 1"-2" green waxy fruits with thin skin that ripen through yellow, orange, and red. Its extreme heat and unique flavor is traditionally used in Caribbean hot sauce and jerk seasoning, but will be just as tasty and burn just as hot in any of your recipes.

• High yields
• Fresh, fruity flavor
• Harvest any color
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Capsicum chinense
• Pepper length: 1"-2"
• Scoville heat units (SHU): 100,000-350,000/hot
• Plant support: Tomato cage or stake
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 18"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 90-120 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Carrot, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Rosemary, Sage, Squash, Tomato

The White Habanero Pepper produces lots of small 1"-2" fruits, all of them infused with smoky, sweet flavor and a heat like white lightning. These little thunderbolts start out green and ripen to a glossy pearl. Use them to wake up a pot of white bean chicken chili or add a flash of fire to a jar of mayonnaise.

• Very high yields
• Sweet, citrusy flavor
• Hot enough to make a monkey cough
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Capsicum chinense
• Pepper length: 1"-2"
• Scoville heat units (SHU): 100,000-300,000/very hot
• Plant support: Tomato cage or stake
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 18"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-30 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 5.0-6.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 85-105 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Carrot, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Rosemary, Sage, Squash, Tomato

Monstrous Viroflay spinach is a variety of spinach known for its large, dark green leaves and delicious flavor. It is a popular choice among gardeners and spinach enthusiasts due to its impressive size and nutritional value.

This variety of spinach is named after the town of Viroflay in France, where it was first cultivated. It is known for its vigorous growth and ability to produce abundant harvests.

Monstrous Viroflay spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber. It is a nutrient-dense leafy green that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including salads, sautés, and smoothies.

One of the key features of Monstrous Viroflay spinach is its size. The leaves can grow up to 10 inches long, making them perfect for salads or as a side dish. The large leaves also make it easier to harvest and prepare the spinach.

When growing Monstrous Viroflay spinach, it is important to provide it with well-drained soil and ample sunlight. This variety thrives in cool weather and can be planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.

Monstrous Viroflay spinach is a versatile and nutritious addition to any garden or kitchen. Its impressive size, delicious taste, and health benefits make it a favorite among spinach lovers.

• How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather.  Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South.  Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 45 days

Echinacea, also called Purple Coneflower, is an easy care perennial in the daisy family. Blooms bunches of blossoms with lavender petals skirting a brown spiky cone center atop sturdy stems that can grow 2'-4' tall. The leaves, flowers, buds, stems, and roots have been used medicinally for centuries, both dried and fresh, as an herbal tea, tincture, and oil infusion. Plant a deep pot, a small plot, or an entire lot!

• Immune system booster
• Attracts pollinators
• Long-lasting cut flower
• Good for containers

As a medicinal herb, Echinacea supports the immune system and has been used internally as a preventative against colds, flu, and chest congestion. It has also been used internally to treat anxiety, arthritis, asthma, colds, constipation, cough, depression, diphtheria, headache, inflammation, pain, rheumatism, sore throat, stomach cramps, strep throat, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. Externally, Echinacea has been used to treat insect bites and stings, burns, dry or wrinkled skin, tired eyes, toothache, and wounds.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness zones: 3-9
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 2 years; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-30 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, shallow, poor, rich, dry, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.5-7.2
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Low - do not overwater
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

Dukat dill is a premium herb variety prized for its exceptional flavor and robust, dark green foliage. This annual plant produces large, full heads perfect for fresh use or drying. Ideal for homemade dill pickles, culinary dishes, and herbal remedies, Dukat thrives in full sun across containers, raised beds, or garden plots.

With a rich history spanning over 2,000 years, dill seeds have long been valued for supporting digestive health and relieving common discomforts. Whether you're harvesting fresh sprigs for the kitchen or preparing traditional infusions, Dukat delivers outstanding flavor and versatility to any herb garden.

• Dukat dill is a particularly fine plant with amazing flavor and large heads.  If you like dill you will love to try this new variety in your garden.
  
• This variety is darker than most other dill varieties.
  
• Excellent fresh or dried.
  
• Great for homemade dill pickles.
• Can be grown in containers, raised beds, and any other location in full sun.
  
• Annual plant.
  
• Adds great flavor and color to many culinary creations.
  
  

Additional Details

Dill has a very long history of herbal use going back more than 2,000 years. The seeds are a common and very effective household remedy for a wide range of digestive problems. An infusion is especially efficacious in treating gripe in babies and flatulence in young children. The seed is aromatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic.

Other Medicinal Properties

Dill is also used in the form of an extracted essential oil. Used either in an infusion, or by eating the seed whole, the essential oil in the seed relieves intestinal spasms and griping, helping to settle colic. Chewing the seed improves bad breath. Dill is also a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, it can be used with antispasmodics such as Viburnum opulus to relieve period pains. Dill will also help to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers and will then be taken by the baby in the milk to help prevent colic.

See Dill Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

• The Moon & Stars Watermelon dark green rind and bright yellow spots
  
  - Yellow spots are very unique and can be small or large in size
  
  - All American classic heirloom watermelon
  
  
• Deep yellow flesh
  
  
• Grows over 40 lbs
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

Carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.


 

Carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.


 

Semi-trailing plant with fragrant flowers that come in a variety of shades and colors.

Fragrant, colorful mix of dwarf flowers in a compact plant usually getting no taller than 12 inches. 

• Nasturtium flowers are one of the most popular edible flowers grown in home gardens. The petals have a slight peppery taste, and the seeds and leaves are also edible! You can even use the seeds as an alternative to capers.

• Not only are the flowers pretty, Nasturtiums are great companion plants! They are also known to deter aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles & more. Learn more >

• Nasturtiums should be planted in the spring for a "summer show". Plant in full sun, and in sandy, well drained soil. Generally, the poorer the soil quality, the more flowers the plant will produce! Deadhead your plants regularly to encourage new blooms, all season long. These flowers will self-seed resulting in more flowers for years to come!

• These are PERFECT for beginner gardeners! These annuals are very easy to grow from seed and can be grown just about anywhere, even places that are susceptible to drought.

• The bright flower petals will liven up any garden, with very little effort! They are also GREAT for planting in hanging baskets or containers.

This variety includes a mix of gold, salmon, orange, and deep red/purple colored flowers. 

• Nasturtium flowers are one of the most popular edible flowers grown in home gardens. The petals have a slight peppery taste, and the seeds and leaves are also edible! You can even use the seeds as an alternative to capers.

• Not only are the flowers pretty, Nasturtiums are great companion plants! They are also known to deter aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles & more. Learn more >

• Nasturtiums should be planted in the spring for a "summer show". Plant in full sun, and in sandy, well drained soil. Generally, the poorer the soil quality, the more flowers the plant will produce! Deadhead your plants regularly to encourage new blooms, all season long. These flowers will self-seed resulting in more flowers for years to come!

• These are PERFECT for beginner gardeners! These annuals are very easy to grow from seed and can be grown just about anywhere, even places that are susceptible to drought.

• The bright flower petals will liven up any garden, with very little effort! They are also GREAT for planting in hanging baskets or containers.

The Ghost Chili Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) may look like a little wrinkled whoopee cushion, but this pepper is no joke. Native to India, it’s one of the hottest peppers in the world. This 2"-3" conical fruit ripens from green to orange to red, with a sweet, fruity flavor that you’ll be able to taste for about 30-45 seconds until the heat creeps in and lights your mouth on fire. And then it gets really hot for 10-15 minutes, finally subsiding after 30-40 minutes. Take care when handling, as the thin skin tears easily. 

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Capsicum chinense
• Pepper length: 2"-3"
• Scoville heat units (SHU): 800,000-1,000,000!/smear-it-on-a-fence-to repel-wild-elephants HOT!
• Plant support: Tomato cage or stake
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 18"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-28 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH 
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 90-110 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Carrot, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Rosemary, Sage, Squash, Tomato

• HYBRID - Open-Pollinated/Non-GMO

The Bradley Tomato is a sweet little pink tomato. By sweet, we mean lightly sweet and slightly acidic. By little, well, that’s just what you say when you describe something darling; it’s a medium-sized fruit. As for pink, it’s a dark pink. To be precise, it’s a lightly sweet and slightly acidic medium-sized dark pink tomato. A reliable producer with good-old fashioned tomato flavor.

• Well-balanced flavor
• Dark pink color
• Reliable producer
• Good fresh or cooked

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

Tatsoi mustard is a versatile, fast-growing leafy green perfect for your garden. Known for its mild, slightly mustardy flavor, Tatsoi adds a fresh, nutritious boost to salads, stir-fries, and soups. Its compact rosette form fits well in small spaces or containers, making it ideal for gardeners of any size plot. Easy to grow and harvest, Tatsoi thrives in cooler weather, ensuring a steady supply of crisp, tender leaves throughout the season. Enhance your garden’s variety and enjoy flavorful, wholesome greens with Tatsoi mustard.

• Produces dark green spoon shaped leaves.
  
  
• Popular oriental green.
  
  
• Excellent for hydroponic systems.
  
  
• Highly resistant to cold and grows well during the winter months.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 55 days
  
  

📚 Click here for our complete Mustard grow guide

Additional Details

Mustard is high in Vitamin A, B, and C. Mustard greens are very popular in the southern U.S. where they are generally slow-cooked with ham hocks or other smoked-pork products. Asian cuisines generally use mustard greens pickled or stir-fried.

Mammoth Dill is a tall annual herb reaching 3 feet with strongly aromatic foliage, stems, and seed heads. Matures in 40–65 days and delivers robust dill flavor perfect for fresh pickling, culinary dishes, and herb gardens.

Beyond the kitchen, dill has been valued for over 2,000 years in herbal traditions. The seeds support digestive comfort, help soothe occasional colic and gas, and may ease cough and cold symptoms.

Chewing seeds freshens breath, while nursing mothers have traditionally used dill to support milk flow. A versatile herb that combines culinary appeal with time-honored wellness benefits.

• Annual plant.
• Adds great flavor and color to many culinary creations.
• 3 ft. plant with strongly aromatic foliage, stems, and heads.
  
• Excellent for fresh pickling.
  
• Days to Maturity | 40 - 65 days
  

Additional Details

Dill has a very long history of herbal use going back more than 2,000 years. The seeds are a common and very effective household remedy for a wide range of digestive problems. An infusion is especially efficacious in treating gripe in babies and flatulence in young children. The seed is aromatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic.

Other Medicinal Properties

Dill is also used in the form of an extracted essential oil. Used either in an infusion, or by eating the seed whole, the essential oil in the seed relieves intestinal spasms and griping, helping to settle colic. Chewing the seed improves bad breath. Dill is also a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, it can be used with antispasmodics such as Viburnum opulus to relieve period pains. Dill will also help to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers and will then be taken by the baby in the milk to help prevent colic.

See Dill Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

Silky Deep Red Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), also called Blood Flower, is striking in the garden and is a vital host plant for the endangered monarch butterfly. This easy care bushy perennial reseeds easily, isn’t fussy about soil or water, and can grow just about anywhere. Puts out bright, showy 2"-4" flower clusters in brilliant red-orange with yellow centers on slender stems that grow 2'-3' tall. Blooms continuously summer through fall, providing migrating monarchs with nectar snacks for their long journey and a place to lay their eggs. Can be grown as an annual in cooler grow zones. Lovely and long-lasting in cut flower arrangements.

• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Bloom season: Summer, fall
• Attracts: Beneficial insects, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Dignity, freedom, rejection, remembrance, solitude

As a medicinal plant, Milkweed has been used internally to treat diarrhea, gonorrhea, intestinal parasites and worms, pneumonia, spleen inflammation, and stomach tumors, and externally to treat bleeding, boils, corns, dermatitis, eye infections, ringworm, skin parasites, snakebites, sores, warts, and wounds.

⚠️ Although Milkweed is known to be safe when used correctly, all parts of the plant are toxic and may even cause death to people, pets, horses, and livestock if ingested in large quantities. The milky sap is a skin irritant. Do not ingest while pregnant or nursing.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any plant medicinally.

NOTE: A parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), travels with monarchs and is deposited on every plant they visit. In warm grow zones where this non-native milkweed does not die back from a killing frost, the OE parasite can build up and harm the caterpillars that feed on the leaves and the butterflies they become. A continuously blooming milkweed may also encourage the monarchs to dally rather than migrate, which interrupts their reproductive cycle. It’s easy to eliminate both dangers, by cutting your plants to the ground at least once per season.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Asclepias curassavica
• Hardiness zones: 8-11
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 100-120 days
• Cold stratify: No
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep - Soaking seeds in warm water overnight aids germination.
• Spacing between plants: 1'-2' apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-70F
• Soil types: Clay, caliche, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, rich, dry, moist, wet
• Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Frost tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes

More facts about Milkweed:

• The beautiful monarch butterflies rely on milkweed to lay their eggs upon. Sadly, habitats that naturally support monarchs are becoming fewer in number each year. New urban development & chemically treated "big agriculture" are destroying habitats of milkweed all over the United States.
• Sow in early January for first year blooms.

Can a tomato be a celebrity? Ask the San Marzano Tomato—if you can get past its bodyguards. One commercial grower proclaims it the “gold standard for taste.” Martha Stewart devoted an entire blog post to it. Certified tomatoes from Italy are regulated. It even has its own Wikipedia page. But at the end of the day, it’s still just a tomato. One that’s longer and thinner than other plum/paste tomatoes, with exceptional tomato flavor, meaty and thin skinned for slicing, few seeds and fleshy for saucing, and very high yields. We’ve joined the fan club. How about you?

• Sweet, intense flavor
• Very high yields
• Compact plant
• Good fresh or cooked

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-90 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

NOTE:  We do not use chemicals to prevent our potatoes from sprouting. So the seed potatoes you order may have already begun to sprout when they arrive. This is okay-in fact some consider it desirable.

About this variety: 

• Early-season 60-80 to maturity.

  
  King Edward is an early season potato. It has white flesh with moist, waxy texture.
  
  

  - This is a good storage potato.
  
  

  - The "Edward" leaves repel bugs, such as Colorado Potato Beetles, Flea Beetles, and Potato Leaf Hoppers.
  
  

  - Late blight resistant.

  
  

NOTE:  We do not use chemicals to prevent our potatoes from sprouting. So the seed potatoes you order may have already begun to sprout when they arrive. This is okay-and in fact some consider it desirable.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a hardy perennial herb that reaches maturity in about 85 days. This fragrant plant produces beautiful aromatic leaves traditionally used in herbal tea preparations. Mugwort has been valued for supporting women's health, particularly during menstrual and menopausal transitions. The herb is also known for its potential to enhance mental clarity and memory function. Easy to cultivate in most garden conditions, mugwort thrives with minimal care, making it an excellent choice for both experienced and beginning gardeners seeking a versatile medicinal herb. 

• 85 days to maturity.
  Artemisia vulgaris. 
• Perennial.
• Plant produces beautiful fragrant leaves.
• Used to make tea to treat menstrual and menopausal problem.
• Stimulates and improves memory.
• Easy to grow.

Each shallot can typically yield about 5-10 shallots per harvest.  Best time to plant is usually in the Fall (Sept. - Nov.)



Quick Overview:

• Copper Red
• Easy to grow
  
• Rare heirloom variety - hard to find
• Stores very well
• Excellent flavor

More Details:

A coppery red outer skin peels easily to reveal a reddish-purple flesh. Excellent flavor, great in sauces. This one can produce tenfold!! Contains potassium and vitamins A, B-6 and C

How to Plant:

Plant the pointy side of the shallot facing up with no more than 1/4" of soil covering the shallot. Make sure your have 7-8 inches of soil to allow the roots to grow freely.  Space each bulb 10" - 12" apart from each other.

Note: Each shallot can typically yield about 5-10 shallots per harvest.  Best time to plant is usually in the Fall (Sept. - Nov.)

• Luffa Gourds are an all-time favorite variety for many gardener's
  
  
• If you know what a gourd is and you like to use a luffa then you're going to love growing your own
  
  
• You can grow your own luffa gourds and do all these great things with them: exfoliate skin; make your own luffa slippers for the beach; use it to scrub glassware & non-stick pans
  
  

• The Rapini (raab) broccoli produces excellent yields of large dark green broccoli raab.
  
  
• It has no central head like regular broccoli, but instead has side broccoli shoots.
  
  
• Excellent for stir fry, salads, and many other culinary creations.
  
  
• Extremely healthy with tons of health benefits: high in vitamin A and C.  It's said to be very good for your heart.
  
  
• Plant early in the spring and harvest before the weather gets too hot. 
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  

• These New Zealand spinach seeds will produce very flavorful medium triangular-shaped green spinach leaves
  
  
• This is one of the few spinach varieties that produces continuously all year, from spring to fall. The more you cut and use the more it will continue to grow
  
  
• New Zealand spinach is a large growing plant and needs 2 foot rows, 1 foot between plants

• And ... unlike the other spinach varieties, the New Zealand is one that can survive through the hot summers
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 75 days
  
  

If you’ve ever wondered if the sun has a flavor, the Yellow Scotch Bonnet Pepper is your answer. This deeply lobed fruit that resembles the folds of a Scottish cap is sweet and fruity, and hot enough to break a wild horse. The generous plant produces 1"-2" fruits that ripen from green to yellow to yellower. This sunny little pepper is a key ingredient in Jamaican foods for unique flavor and scorching heat, and can easily ignite all of your recipes.

• High yields
• Sweet, fruity flavor
• Harvest any color
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Capsicum chinense
• Pepper length: 1"-2"
• Scoville heat units (SHU): 100,000-350,000/hot
• Plant support: Tomato cage or stake
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 18"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 90-120 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Carrot, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Rosemary, Sage, Squash, Tomato

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a vigorous perennial herb prized for its mild, refreshing flavor and aromatic foliage. This cold-hardy plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil conditions, though it prefers consistently moist, well-draining earth. Spearmint spreads readily via underground runners, making it ideal for container cultivation or designated garden beds. Harvest leaves throughout the growing season for fresh teas, culinary dishes, and natural pest deterrent properties. Extremely low-maintenance once established, spearmint requires minimal fertilization and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. Perfect for gardeners seeking a reliable, productive herb that returns year after year with minimal intervention.

• Spearmint ( Mentha spicata) is typically used in teas, jellies, deserts, and salads
• Extremely fragrant
• Sweet smelling
• Acts as a natural wasp repellant
• Perennial
• Can be used as a garnish on ice cream and drinks
• 85 days to maturity
  

Click here to see 7 Awesome Mint Drink Recipes HERE

 Follow SeedsNow.com's board Mint on Pinterest.

The Tiny Tim Tomato could not be more adorable. This dwarf variety grows to only about 12"-18", and thrives in the coziness of a small pot or window box, even indoors in a sunny spot. At 1", the adorable red fruit is smaller than a cherry tomato, so you can get more in a handful. It doesn’t even take much time to produce an adorable harvest—only about 45 days. And the flavor. A little sweet, a little tart. Just so very adorable.

• Early producer
• Sweet, tart flavor
• Good for small spaces
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING INFO

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Determinate, tomato cage support, no pruning 
• Tomato size: Small
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/8" deep
• Spacing between plants: 6"-12" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 45 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

Crackerjack Marigold flowers deliver bold, vibrant blooms that brighten any garden. These easy-to-grow annuals thrive throughout summer and reach approximately 36 inches tall, making them ideal for borders and back-of-garden displays. Known for attracting butterflies, bees, and beneficial pollinators, Crackerjack marigolds support a healthy garden ecosystem. Their large, colorful flowers are perfect for cutting and arranging indoors, while their drought tolerance means less watering required once established. Plant in full sun and enjoy continuous blooms from spring through frost. A reliable choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance color and pollinator appeal.

• Crackerjack Marigold flowers are big, bright, bold, and beautiful
• Most popular for attracting butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators
• Crackerjack is easy to grow and will grow all summer
• Great for cut flowers and floral arrangements
• Drought tolerant
• Estimated Mature Height is appx. 36" tall.

Yarrow, Medicinal Herb (100% Heirloom/Non-Hybrid/Non-GMO)

• Yarrow has a high reputation and is widely employed in herbal medicine, administered both internally and externally. It is used in the treatment of a very wide range of disorders but is particularly valuable for treating wounds, stopping the flow of blood, treating colds, fevers, kidney diseases, menstrual pain etc.
• Day to Maturity | 65 days

The Roma Tomato is the quintessential plum/paste tomato. Light on seeds and juice, it has thick fruit walls and dense flesh that holds onto seasonings and spices. Ever so good cooked into a thick sauce or paste, canned, or pureed. Compact plants produce meaty, egg-shaped fruits that are sweet and tangy. Skip the flavorless ones at the grocery store and grow your own Romas this summer.

• Plum/paste tomato
• Sweet, tangy flavor
• Small seed core
• Not juicy
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Determinate, tomato cage support, no pruning
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-85 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

• Plant spreads to form attractive 8 to 12 inch high mounds
  
  - Aromatic and flavorful leaves
  
  - Used to flavor meats, dressings, soups, and stews
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 80 days

Additional Details

Before the advent of modern antibiotics, Thyme was used to medicate bandages. It has also been shown to be effective against the fungus that commonly infects toenails. It can also be found as the active ingredient in all-natural, alcohol-free hand sanitizers.

• The Rainbow Swiss Chard is a popular plant that  produces some of the most amazing looking swiss chard leaves in shades of red, orange, purple, yellow, and white
  
  - Perfect for salads or steamed greens
  
  - One of this years most popular varieties to grow
  
  - A heirloom variety from Australia
  
  - Extremely healthy
  
  - Easy to grow
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days

Additional Details

Swiss chard is high in vitamins A, K and C, with a 175g serving containing 214%, 716%, and 53%, respectively, of the recommended daily value. It is also rich in minerals, dietary fiber and protein.

 

Bloomsdale Spinach is a cold-hardy heirloom variety prized by gardeners for its tender, nutrient-rich leaves and savory taste. The deeply savoyed foliage resists bolting in cool seasons, making it ideal for succession planting throughout spring and fall. This vigorous grower produces abundant harvests whether you pick individual leaves or cut entire plants. Perfect for fresh salads, cooking, or storage. Germinates quickly in cool soil and adapts well to containers or garden beds.

• Produces heavy, glossy, dark green leaves.
• Excellent flavor.
• Extremely easy to grow.
• How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather.  Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South.  Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost.
  
• Days to Maturity | 45 days

Overall, Bloomsdale Spinach produces heavy, glossy, dark green leaves with excellent flavor. This extremely easy-to-grow variety thrives in cold weather, making it perfect for winter gardening in the South and early spring or late summer planting in the North. Plant seeds about four weeks before your area's last frost date. Ready to harvest in 45 days.

• Sage is an aromatic perennial plant that is actually part of the mint family.  The plant produces grayish-green leaves that are used in many popular food dishes, most notably in the preparation of sausages
  
  - Natural mosquito repellent
  
  - The leaves can also be used as a digestive and nerve tonic
  
  - Excellent as a border plant around the garden
  
  - Grows well in containers
  
  - Easy to grow from seed and can be sowed directly in the garden
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 75 days