Almost all of the veggies in the garden were grown from seeds. Our supplier is a seed cooperative based in Maine, FEDCO. They specialize is cold weather hardy cultivars for the North East. They also have a wide variety of certified organic and heirloom varieties. They do not sell genetically modified seeds.
Modern industrial farms tend to grow huge numbers of only one species of plant. This is referred to as a monoculture. These chosen few species are selected for their high yield and immunity to pests. It is far more efficient to grow one species over a large area since you can develop uniform growing and harvesting requirements. Heirloom plants are loosely defined as plants that are openly pollenated and grown in an earlier era. Many growers who choose to grow heirloom plants do so to help preserve genetic biodiversity.
Red Russian, White Russian, and Rainbow Kale!
It was one of the first vegetables to come in this season and has become a staple of my summer diet.
FEDCO Seed Descriptions
Red Russian (60 days) B. napus (pabularia group) Open-pollinated.
Called Buda Kale by Fearing Burr in 1863, Ragged Jack by Vilmorin-
Andrieux in 1885, and Communist Kale in 2006 by workers at Darthia Farm
in Gouldsboro, ME. Russian traders brought this Siberian heirloom to
Canada in the 19th century. It has undergone a rousing revival in the last
dozen years. Its oakleaf foliage colors after fall frosts. Red and purple leaves
change to dark green when cooked. Use soon after picking, or chill leaves in
cold water; otherwise wilts quickly. Vigorous edible landscape plant has
proven a big hit with customers for its unsurpassed tenderness and delicate
flavor. Tolerates outside temperatures of 14˚ double-covered under Agribon
3459WO White Russian OG (60 days) B. n. (pabularia group) Open-
pollinated. A flat-leaf Siberian type, silvery green with white veining.
Similar to Red Russian, but a few inches taller, a third more productive, with
larger, more serrated leaves. Also, much hardier than Red Russian, will hold
into November without protection and thrive in an unheated greenhouse,
even if temperatures go down to 0˚. Gene has harvested White Russian
outdoors in Waterville out of the January snow. If season is extended, White
Russian will produce new clusters of smaller tender secondary leaves from
old axils. As with other Siberian kales, flavor gets sweeter with frost. ❄ OT-
certified. ➀
3466LO Rainbow Lacinato OG (61 days) Who but
Frank Morton would think to cross Lacinato with
Redbor? The result? A stunning new kale that
combines some of the best features of both. It looks
like Dinosaur kale overlaid with reds, blues and
purples. In addition to its color, Redbor lends its
productivity, super cold hardiness and reluctance to bolt
to this heavenly combination. Curly edges, red
veins, purple leaves, blue-green
leaves, what a banquet of diverse
shapes and colors! ❄ OT-certified. ➀
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