Category = seeds

The Rocquencourt Butter dwarf bean is a heritage variety of French origin, renowned for its reliability and the remarkable quality of its pods. The compact plants, with their upright growth habit, quickly form neat and easy-to-maintain rows, typical of well-structured dwarf beans.

They produce tasty, smooth, uniform, golden-yellow beans, generally measuring 12 to 17 cm in length. These pods are free of parchment, the tough fiber sometimes found on certain beans, giving them a particularly tender and pleasant texture, even at a slightly later stage of harvest.

In the garden, Beurre de Rocquencourt stands out for its exceptional performance, even under more demanding growing conditions. This variety demonstrates good tolerance to humid and relatively cool climates, where other beans may struggle to produce. This hardiness makes it a reliable choice for unpredictable seasons or vegetable gardens subjected to prolonged periods of rain.

Harvested regularly, it offers a generous and consistent production, ideal for gardeners looking for a reliable, tasty butter bean that is easy to integrate into a vegetable rotation.

In the local area, the Rocquencourt Butter bean is seen as a reliable plant. It embodies the qualities of well-selected heritage varieties: consistency, adaptability, and the simple pleasure of successful harvests, even when conditions are not ideal.

The Lebanese Green Finger cucumber is a variety prized for its delicate flavor, sweetness, and uniformity. It produces elongated, slender, and straight fruits with smooth, dark green skin, almost seedless when harvested young. Their flesh is crisp, juicy, and free of bitterness, making it a very pleasant cucumber to eat fresh.

The plant is vigorous and productive, offering a continuous harvest when the fruit is picked regularly. It can be grown on the ground or trained on a trellis, which facilitates aeration, fruit cleanliness, and harvesting. Green Finger particularly thrives when grown vertically.

In the garden, this variety thrives in warm, sunny locations and rich, well-drained soil. Regular growth, without water stress, results in uniform fruit of consistent quality. Its tolerance and productivity make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and flavorful cucumber.

The King of the North pepper is a North American heirloom variety renowned for its reliability in cool climates. Specifically bred for short-season regions, it has become a go-to choice for gardeners in northern areas.

At Jardins de l'écoumène, the first trials conducted as early as 1998 quickly confirmed its potential. From then on, King of the North won over our desire to be Guardians of Seeds, establishing a relationship of trust and loyalty that has continued for more than 25 years.

The plants are robust, well-branched, and relatively compact. They produce medium to large-sized fruits, initially green and then red when fully ripe. The flesh is thick, juicy, and sweet, without bitterness, making it a versatile and enjoyable pepper in cooking.

In the garden, King of the North stands out for its earliness and consistency. Its generous, sometimes demanding, nature has prompted us to refine our cultivation techniques. Unlike its cousin the chili pepper, the bell pepper requires careful attention—warmth, fertility, watering, and pruning—to fully express its potential. In return, it offers reliable and sustained production.

Despite these requirements, King of the North demonstrates great adaptability. It grows equally well in containers or in the ground, in greenhouses or gardens, but is best suited to gardeners with some experience . When given the necessary attention, it becomes a reliable and generous ally, capable of producing bountiful harvests even in cooler climates.

Originating in temperate regions, the Danvers 126 carrot is an old variety renowned for its hardiness and mild flavor. Thanks to its ability to thrive in clay, compact, or shallow soils , it has earned a prominent place in organic vegetable gardens where conditions are not always ideal.

In the garden, its distinctive conical shape and dense, deep orange flesh make it a reliable and generous root vegetable, prized as much for its consistency as for its culinary qualities. Easy to grow, it offers an abundant harvest where other varieties struggle to take root.

This carrot embodies a beautiful balance between hardiness and productivity , ideal for gardeners who wish to cultivate simply, meaningfully, while working with nature rather than against it.

The Dark Green courgette is a classic and reliable variety, known for its productivity and the uniformity of its fruit. It produces elongated, smooth courgettes of a uniform dark green color, with firm and tender flesh when harvested young.

The plant develops a vigorous, bushy habit, quickly producing numerous flowers followed by abundant fruit. This prolific yield makes it an ideal zucchini for family vegetable gardens, where harvests follow one another throughout the summer season.

In the garden, Dark Green thrives in warmth, full sun, and rich, well-drained soil. Steady growth, supported by consistent watering, results in straight, flavorful fruit with no bitterness. Frequent harvesting encourages continuous production and maintains fruit quality.

In the ecumene, the Dark Green courgette is seen as a plant of abundance and sharing. It embodies the quintessential summer vegetable garden, one overflowing with harvests and inviting cooking, preserving, and giving away.

This mix of colorful carrots brings together a carefully selected blend of heirloom and modern varieties from different regions of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East , where carrot cultivation took root and flourished over time. It offers a vibrant palette of hues —sunny yellow, deep orange, wine red, intense purple, or pearly white—and a diversity of shapes and textures, from tapered tips to swollen necks.

In the garden, each sowing becomes a nourishing surprise , bringing resilience, beauty, and biodiversity beneath the soil surface. Ideal for loose, deep, and well-drained soils , this mix adapts easily to ecological conditions and integrates perfectly into a balanced crop rotation . Its abundance makes it an excellent choice for food crops , family gardens, or community gardens.

Genovese basil is the undisputed champion of culinary basil. Recognizable by its large, tender green, slightly crinkled, and highly aromatic leaves, it embodies the freshness of summer both in the garden and in the kitchen. Its clean and balanced flavor, both sweet and peppery, makes it a cornerstone of Mediterranean traditions.

In the garden, it quickly forms a compact, flexible clump, easy to incorporate into the vegetable patch, as a border plant, or in containers. It thrives in sunny locations, rich, well-drained soil, and with regular, but not excessive, moisture. With careful cultivation, it provides a continuous supply of tender leaves throughout the summer.

Genovese basil responds very well to regular pruning. Pinching the tips and delaying flowering encourages branching and prolongs the harvest. Allowing it to flower attracts pollinators and signals the end of its optimal harvest period.

Originating from the large onion family, the Parade bunching onion has carved out a prime spot in kitchen gardens for its long, hollow, straight, and upright leaves. It is cultivated not for the bulb, but for its glossy green foliage, with its distinct fresh onion flavor, which is harvested in bunches throughout the season.

In the garden, Parade grows in tight, even clumps, easy to tuck into a corner of the vegetable patch or along an edible border. Sown in several waves, it accompanies the entire cycle of mild seasons and offers a discreet yet constant presence in the harmonious garden. Its slender shape blends well with other vegetables, and its soil-friendly cultivation makes it a reliable plant in a diverse, edible space.

Originating in the United States, the Touchstone Gold beet is a remarkable American variety with a bright yellow flesh that illuminates plates like a ray of sunshine. It has long been prized for its natural sweetness and milder flavor compared to traditional red beets, making it a delightful addition to both the kitchen and the garden.

In the garden, Touchstone Gold proves to be generous, robust, and easy to grow, offering a harvest of firm, round roots. Its vibrant yellow color adds a touch of brightness among classic root vegetables.

This beetroot fits perfectly into a food garden, contributing to food and visual diversity, and it plays the role of a versatile root vegetable, ideal for gardeners looking for mild flavors and simple cultivation.

The Dolciva carrot is a variety prized for its very sweet flesh and fine texture. It forms regular, well-rounded, bright orange roots that develop harmoniously when the soil is well-prepared. Its mild and balanced flavor makes it a sought-after carrot, both raw and cooked.

In the garden, Dolciva stands out for its consistency. It prefers light, deep, and well-loosened soils where it can spread out freely. Grown under good conditions, it produces uniform roots that are not prone to deformation. Its growth is gradual, requiring patience and attention during the first few weeks.

This variety adapts well to cool to temperate climates. It tolerates cooler spring and autumn temperatures, allowing for staggered sowings and successive harvests. Harvested young, it is crisp and very sweet; left to mature, it develops a deeper flavor, ideal for cooking.

Originating in the United States, the Marketmore 76 cucumber is an heirloom variety renowned for its hardiness and ability to withstand cool temperatures. Prized for its vigorous growth habit and consistent fruiting, it has become a staple in the organic vegetable garden.

This cucumber is distinguished by its elongated, dark green, slightly ridged fruits, which are easy to harvest and retain their crispness. In the garden, it plays a valuable role by providing an abundant harvest even in temperate climates, bringing freshness and deliciousness to summer tables.

Its hardiness makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a reliable and generous crop while respecting the principles of biodiversity and the natural cycle of the garden.

Cascadia peas are a must-have variety for snap pea lovers. They are distinguished by their very fleshy, juicy, and crisp pods, containing flavorful little peas. Completely stringless, they offer a simple and enjoyable harvesting and eating experience.

The plants form vigorous vines reaching approximately 90 cm in height. Production is abundant and consistent, facilitating frequent harvests over a concentrated period. Highly disease-resistant, this variety proves reliable even under less than ideal growing conditions.

In the garden, Cascadia is prized for its earliness and consistency. It reaches maturity in about 60 days and is perfectly suited to early-season vegetable gardens. Light support allows the plants to develop harmoniously and facilitates harvesting.

In the local area, the Cascadia pea is perceived as a plant of freshness and efficiency. It embodies those well-selected modern varieties capable of quickly offering a generous and tasty harvest, while remaining easy to grow.

Originating in the warm temperate regions where the pepper (Capsicum annuum) evolved under the watchful eyes of gardeners of yesteryear, the Gourmet Pepper perpetuates a tradition of flavor and bounty. This sweet variety, well-suited to Quebec vegetable gardens , produces squat fruits with thick, crisp flesh, which develop on compact, upright plants.

In a welcoming soil and a sunny corner of the garden, this plant thrives alongside tomatoes, basil, and other summer vegetables. Its steady growth, natural tolerance, and ability to provide a continuous harvest make it a reliable companion for both novice and experienced gardeners. With its deep roots and sensitivity to the seasons, the Gourmet Pepper helps transform the garden into a bountiful, tranquil, and flavorful space.

Native to North America , the Ponca Baby Butternut squash is a variety of butternut squash prized for its small size, vigor, and naturally sweet flavor . Named in honor of the Ponca people , it embodies a cultural heritage rooted in the subsistence gardens of the Great Plains. Its compact shape , smooth beige skin , and melting orange flesh make it a valuable food source in climates with short growing seasons.

In the garden, it exhibits rapid and robust growth , adapting well to both open spaces and small vegetable patches. One of the most appreciated traits of this variety is its natural diversity of sizes : small, medium, and large fruits coexist on the same plant , allowing for harvesting as needed—for a daily meal or for preserving. This advantage makes it a versatile variety , well-suited to the needs of families , whether for a quick meal or for winter storage.

Easy to grow, the Ponca offers a generous and early harvest , ideal for organic vegetable gardens. Roasted, in a gratin, in soup, or mashed, its dense, sweet flesh fully reveals the warm flavors of autumn. Its good winter storage capacity makes it a valuable ally for self-sufficient kitchens.

Originating in France, the 'Red Cored Chantenay' carrot is an heirloom variety distinguished by its light red core and sweet flesh. Traditionally cultivated for its hardiness and pronounced flavor, it now finds its place in organic vegetable gardens, where its stocky shape and contrasting color attract attention.

In the garden, this carrot offers a generous and reassuring character: it adapts to heavy soils and provides a reliable harvest in late summer. Its compact habit and dense foliage make it an ideal companion plant for diversifying crop rotations. Its color appeals to both gourmets and gardeners who appreciate natural beauty.

Originating in Italy, the Yellow of Parma onion is an old, guard variety known for its perfectly round bulbs with a golden-yellow skin. In a thriving vegetable garden, it provides a discreet yet essential presence: a reliable, consistent plant that accompanies the gardener throughout the seasons.

In the garden, its upright foliage forms neat rows that structure flowerbeds. The mature bulbs, with their dry, golden skin, then grace the kitchen for many months, extending the bounty of the welcoming soil well after the first frosts. It's a reliable variety for those seeking a storage onion, rooted in respectful and self-sustaining cultivation practices.

Originating in Russia , the Early Russian pickling cucumber is a traditional and hardy variety , prized for its small, firm, crisp, and non-bitter fruits , which can be enjoyed from the first weeks of summer . Renowned for its early maturity , it is among the first cucumbers to be harvested from the garden , offering abundant yields even at the beginning of the season.

When young, it can be eaten fresh, in salads or simply eaten raw , revealing a tender, juicy flesh with no bitterness whatsoever. It is also perfect for pickling , thanks to its compact size and slightly pungent skin which retains aromas well during fermentation or pickling.

In the garden, it stands out for its vigorous growth , dense foliage, and resilience to the variable conditions of a temperate climate. Compact in size, it integrates easily into an organic vegetable garden , contributing both to summer abundance and the preservation of culinary traditions.

Native to Central America, the Monte Gusto climbing bean embodies the ingenuity of vertical gardening, where every square meter is showcased with artistry. This variety is distinguished by its vigorous, slender growth habit, its stems twining securely around supports, and its long, golden-yellow pods measuring up to 20 cm. The dense foliage and discreet flowers create a microclimate favorable to pollinators and beneficial insects in the garden.

Resilient, productive, and generous, Monte Gusto adapts easily to both small spaces and large vegetable gardens. Its rapid growth and continuous flowering make it an excellent choice for extended harvests until the first frosts. It also adds a vertical and luminous touch to ecological landscaping, actively contributing to soil fertility through natural nitrogen fixation.

Originating from temperate regions, this lettuce mix creates a symphony of leaves—wavy, curly, smooth, or serrated—ranging from tender green to deep red . Each variety finds its place, contributing texture, color, and depth to a leafy carpet that is as pleasing to behold as it is to harvest.

Easy to grow, mixed lettuce can be sown in rows or broadcast, offering a quick harvest from early spring. With successive sowings every 2 to 4 weeks , it ensures a continuous lettuce production . It prefers cool, well-drained soil and partial shade during warmer periods. Its low-growing habit limits weeds and attracts beneficial insects that promote healthy soil .

Native to the Andean regions of South America, the Jewel nasturtium is a vibrant and abundant variety, renowned for its luminous flowers and delicately veined, rounded leaves. Traditionally used for both its edible properties and its ornamental role, this nasturtium has become a staple in natural gardens as a plant that is both decorative and useful.

In the garden, it develops a creeping or trailing habit, perfect for adorning borders or slopes where it acts as an effective ground cover. The Jewel nasturtium attracts numerous pollinators, especially bees, providing valuable support to local biodiversity while beautifying the space with its hues ranging from bright orange to deep red.

Its robust and generous nature also makes it a recommended companion for repelling certain pests, thus contributing to the natural balance of the garden. It is a cheerful presence that brightens every corner, inviting curiosity and creative gardening.