Category = seeds

Probably originating from southern Europe , this mixed kohlrabi brings together up to five varieties in a range of hues , from tender green to deep purple , creating a vegetable garden that is as colorful as it is bountiful . Its swollen part, emerging from the stem, forms a fleshy head that sits just above the ground, while its vigorous foliage can also be harvested.

A hardy, quick-maturing biennial plant, kohlrabi adapts well to short growing seasons . Its compact shape , early growth , and discreet flowering make it an ideal crop from spring to autumn , particularly in communal and shared gardens .

At Jardins de l'écoumène , this blend is carefully produced despite the challenges of seed production in cold climates. Each seed is the fruit of patience nurtured by a passion for life.

Originating in temperate regions, the 'Reine des Glaces' head lettuce is distinguished by its vibrant freshness and mild flavor. Following the tradition of lettuce-based varieties, it embodies an admirable balance between crisp texture and delicate taste, making it ideal for organic gardens and diverse vegetable patches.

In the garden, it stands out for its relative heat resistance and rapid growth, producing tightly packed, bright, almost translucent heads. It integrates perfectly into a leafy vegetable arrangement, bringing vitality and freshness to summer and autumn harvests.

Originating from the Mediterranean region, Fino fennel is a refined variety, renowned for its delicate, aniseed aroma. It is distinguished by its flattened white bulbs and slender silhouette, which adds lightness and elegance to the garden.

Easy to grow in our latitudes, this fennel exhibits good resistance to bolting, making it a reliable choice for climates like Quebec's. Its airy flowers attract numerous pollinating insects, and its fragrant foliage acts as a natural repellent for certain pests, making it a beneficial companion plant. Robust yet graceful, it integrates perfectly into a productive and biodiverse garden, in full sun and loose soil.

The Prague Giant celeriac is an heirloom variety renowned for its impressively large root and high-quality flesh. It forms a large, uniform, and dense bulb with a fine texture and fragrant flavor, becoming less fibrous when its growth is properly controlled. Its flavor, both mild and pronounced, makes it a benchmark for celeriac enthusiasts.

Originating in Central Europe, this variety was selected for its hardiness and ability to produce large roots without compromising flavor. Its abundant and vigorous foliage complements the slow but steady development of the root, the true heart of the plant.

In the garden, the Giant Prague celeriac requires attention and consistency. It thrives in deep, rich, and consistently moist soil, as well as with steady growth. Any variation in water or nutrients directly affects the texture of the root. When properly cultivated, it yields abundant and uniform harvests, ideal for preserving.

The “Mémé de Beauce” tomato has a story as mysterious as it is touching. In 1995, nearly 300 unidentified tomato seeds were discovered in a house that had been abandoned for several years in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce . Neighbors confirmed that no vegetable garden had been cultivated at that address for over 60 years . These dormant seeds thus survived the years, untouched, in the shadows.

The seeds were entrusted to Mr. Gérard Parent , who germinated three of them. Despite the intervention of specialist Antoine D'Avignon , the variety could not be identified. It was thus named “Mémé de Beauce,” an implicit homage to the gardeners of yesteryear, silent guardians of seeds and knowledge.

In the garden, this tomato stands out for its impressive production of giant fruits , frequently reaching nearly 1 kg , sometimes even more. The fruits are fleshy, multi-locular , and covered with a thin pink to red skin . At full maturity, their flesh becomes very tender, almost melting, making it a remarkable tomato for juices and sauces.

The plant, with indeterminate growth , can reach 1.4 to 2 meters in height . Its vigor and the exceptional weight of its fruit require sturdy support , otherwise the stems may break. It exhibits good resistance to powdery mildew, which contributes to its consistent performance in cultivation despite its unusual characteristics.

In the ecumene, “Mémé de Beauce” is perceived as a tomato of resilience and transmission . It embodies the ability of seeds to cross decades and reappear when someone takes the time to observe, sow and accompany life.

The Early Cherry tomato, a determinate cherry variety, has been selected to thrive even in cool and unpredictable climatic conditions . It naturally finds its place in a vibrant garden or a sheltered spot , where warmth is limited and the seasons are short.

Its small, round or slightly oval red fruits ripen very early— as soon as 60 days after sowing —forming an abundant cluster of sweetness . Its slightly lobed foliage, reminiscent of potato leaves, testifies to its hardiness. It grows easily and consistently , whether in the ground or in containers, and is suitable for both novice gardeners and enthusiasts eager to experience the pleasures of vegetable gardening.

The Ring of Fire pepper is a Cayenne-type variety known for its intense heat and high reliability in northern climates. It produces glossy, red, relatively short fruits, measuring about 10 cm in length, with thin, very hot flesh.

Selected for its earliness, this cultivar is distinguished by its ability to reach maturity quickly. Even in cool, wet summers, the fruits ripen in about 60 days, making it a reliable choice for gardeners in regions with shorter growing seasons.

The plants are vigorous, well-branched and productive, offering a regular harvest throughout the season. The fruits are harvested green or red depending on the use, but they express their full intensity when fully ripe.

In the ecumene, Ring of Fire is perceived as a variety resulting from human selection work, rooted in the vast genetic heritage of Mesoamerican peppers, but shaped to meet the constraints and needs of contemporary vegetable gardens.

Native to the Mediterranean basin, borage (Borago officinalis) has long been a prized companion plant, valued for both its beauty and its traditional culinary and medicinal uses. Its star-shaped blue flowers attract bees, creating a vibrant display in the heart of the garden, hence its nickname, "the star of the garden."

In the garden, its hardiness and bushy habit make it a valuable ally for enriching biodiversity while offering edible foliage and flowers with a slightly briny fragrance. Its flowering period extends from spring to late summer, bringing color and life to mass plantings or borders. Borage, a faithful companion, integrates naturally into a garden that provides sustenance and respects ecological balance.

Native to North America, the Black Valentine dwarf bean is a heritage variety that combines refinement and efficiency in the garden. Prized for its glossy black beans, resembling small ebony pearls, it evokes both the aesthetic simplicity and the bounty of traditional vegetable gardens.

Its bushy, compact, and elegant habit makes it a wise choice for small spaces, containers, or mixed planting borders. It offers discreet flowering followed by short, light green pods containing shiny seeds when ripe. Early-maturing and robust, it tolerates varying conditions well and is easy for gardeners to grow without staking. Its ability to fix nitrogen also makes it a valuable ally for naturally enriching the soil.

Originally from the Americas but deeply rooted in Central European cuisine, the Hungarian paprika (a variety of Capsicum annuum ) immediately evokes images of slow-cooked dishes, colorful stews, and the age-old practice of hanging the fruits to dry. Its red fruits, rich in pigments, are perfectly suited to the production of paprika powder, which has made Hungarian cuisine famous.

In the garden, this sweet or moderately hot pepper thrives in warm, well-drained soil. In a supportive vegetable patch, it follows the cycle of the seasons: sown early indoors and transplanted into welcoming soil once the nights have warmed up, it offers a generous harvest of colorful fruits in summer and early autumn. Well integrated into a vibrant and diverse garden, it helps transform the vegetable patch into a truly nourishing space, where both flavor and a connection to nature are cultivated.

Originating in the warm regions of Asia, the Diamond Eggplant has quickly become a favorite variety among organic gardeners for its glossy, uniform fruit. Its smooth, purple skin is enhanced by an almost diamond-like sheen, hence its evocative name.

In the garden, this bushy variety is distinguished by its generous summer production, offering numerous fruits with tender, sweet flesh. Its cultivation benefits from a soil-friendly approach and careful attention to its warmth requirements, making it a valuable companion in vegetable gardens in warm temperate climates.

A familiar companion to European grain fields, cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus ) has carved out a place of honor in organic gardens. In its mixed form, it offers a palette of simple flowers in shades of blue, pink, white, or purple, like a swarm of butterflies alighting on the vegetable patch. Its finely cut, grey-green foliage allows the delicate flower heads, which shimmer in the breeze, to take center stage.

In a harmonious garden, this annual self-seeds readily and accompanies the seasons with remarkable consistency. It thrives in welcoming, well-drained soil, is undemanding, and attracts a multitude of pollinators that enrich the garden. Whether planted along the edge of a vegetable patch, in a quiet corner, or as part of a flower border, it becomes a welcome presence, both ornamental and useful.

Developed through selective breeding for cooler climates, the Siletz tomato belongs to those standard varieties that easily find their place in a productive garden. Like all tomatoes, it descends from Solanum lycopersicum , native to the Andes and Mexico, and thus carries the legacy of a long association with gardeners.

In the vegetable garden, a standard tomato typically forms a compact, determinate plant, covered in medium-sized, round fruit. In a harmonious garden, it thrives in warm, fertile soil and responds remarkably well to consistent growth when provided with warmth, light, and regular watering. Its presence supports a vibrant and diverse growing environment, where the cycle of the seasons is followed from sowing to the first sun-warmed slices of tomato.

Originally from the Americas, the pattypan squash has become a cheerful and generous companion in our vegetable gardens. Its saucer-shaped fruits, often yellow or green, herald summer and its delicious bounty. The pattypan squash, also called "pattypan squash zucchini," is prized for its tender, slightly sweet flesh, which reveals its full finesse in cooking.

In the garden, this variety displays a compact and vigorous habit, thriving in generous sunshine with leaves that are sometimes finely cut. A robust plant, it offers a regular harvest that delights gardeners with its ease of cultivation and abundance.

An ideal companion for organic vegetable gardens, it supports biodiversity by attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, while blending harmoniously with other crops thanks to its protective foliage.

The giant Mammoth sunflower , Helianthus annuus, is one of those companions that transforms the vegetable garden into a true landscape. With its imposing stature and large golden inflorescences, it creates a vertical landmark in the living garden, visible from afar and appreciated by both humans and small wildlife.

Throughout the changing seasons, this sunflower silently follows the light, first offering broad, inviting foliage, then large flower heads adorned with thousands of blossoms that attract pollinators. In late summer, the seed-laden heads become a sought-after food source for birds, extending its beneficial presence in the garden's ecosystem.

Native to North America, the Rattlesnake climbing bean has earned a prominent place in vegetable gardens for its long, green pods streaked with purple. In a thriving garden, it quickly grows tall, twining steadily around its supports to form a nourishing curtain that peacefully accompanies the cycle of the seasons.

Its beautifully mottled, drooping pods immediately stand out in the privacy of the vegetable garden. Harvested young like string beans, they offer a generous contribution to the kitchen; left to mature, they yield flavorful dried beans. This is a reliable, productive, and adaptable variety that integrates naturally into a diverse growing environment, where each plant participates in a harmonious relationship with the soil, wildlife, and the gardener.

Originally from Asia, the lemon cucumber is striking for its round shape and sunny yellow hue , reminiscent of a vibrant fruit fallen from the sky. Less common than its elongated green cousins, it is prized for its sweet and refreshing flavor , without the bitterness found in many classic cucumbers.

In the garden, it truly shines when grown vertically: its vigorous climbing habit benefits from being trained on a trellis, which showcases its round, bright, and easy-to-pick fruit. A generous, playful, and nutritious variety, it finds its place in diverse vegetable gardens, attracting attention and sparking curiosity both on the plate and on the vine .

Born on the sandy soils of the Île d'Oléron, the Saint Turjan is an ancient and precious onion variety, also known as the "rose of the sands." This evocative name perfectly illustrates its maritime origins and its delicate pinkish-purple skin, which captures the light like a pebble polished by time. Inherited from generations of Breton market gardeners and passed on today thanks to the Kaol Kozh Association, this heritage bulb embodies a living link between the practices of the past and the garden of today.

In the garden, the Saint Turjan embodies the unwavering consistency of a reliable plant. Its growth is steady, its upright foliage signals peaceful maturity, and its fleshy bulbs form readily in light, deep, well-drained soil. It particularly appreciates sunny spots and sandy soils, where it fully develops its potential. Resilient, adaptable, and hardy, it is a dependable companion for gardeners seeking to ground their practices in respectful and deeply rooted cultivation.

Versatile, it is equally suited to growing in bunches for summer harvests and to extended winter storage. Its thin, dry skin ensures excellent preservation after harvest. Cultivating it means contributing to the preservation of a threatened culinary heritage and reviving a variety that combines beauty, memory, and taste.

Originating in Europe, Black Seeded Simpson leaf lettuce is an heirloom variety prized for its finely serrated leaves and rapid growth. It is distinguished by its light green leaves with a delicate texture and its spreading habit, offering an early harvest ideal for temperate climates.

In the garden, this lettuce is generous and easy to grow, perfect for topping salads and fresh plates. Its early maturity and tenderness make it a favorite variety among gardeners looking for delicate flavors right from the start of the season.

Native to the Americas, the Delicata squash is as charming for its elegant appearance as for its sweet and comforting flavor . Its thin skin, striped with cream and olive green , reveals a golden-yellow flesh with a subtle nutty taste . Prized in traditional vegetable gardens for its earliness and unique aromatic profile , it is now making a strong comeback in kitchen gardens seeking hardy and compact varieties.

In the garden, Delicata has a compact, creeping habit , perfect for ground cover or as part of a companion planting scheme. Its rapid growth and short growing cycle allow for harvests from late summer until the first frosts. It adapts well to temperate climates and is easy to grow even in small spaces. Its dense foliage suppresses weeds, and its abundant flowering attracts bees and other pollinators.