Vegetable Seeds A

AMARANTH TO ASPARAGUS

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Agati syn Vegetable Hummingbird Tree

AMARANTH - LEAF

Amaranthus tricolor

syn. Leaf Amaranth; Chinese Spinach, Tampala, bayam

A nutritious, leafy green for warmer areas. It is a fast-growing and best to harvest the whole plant as older plants get tough and bitter tasting. Successive sowings will provide greens over a long period. The leaves have a sweet, tangy flavour and are best cooked, raw leaves should not be eaten very often, as they are high in nitrates and oxalic acid. In China and Japan it is the main vegetable used as a cooked green. Leaf Amaranth prefers a fertile, well-drained garden soil, full sun to partial shade. Soil temperature needs to be at least 20°C to germinate seed, sow late spring and summer. Harvest is 30 days to baby leaf and 50 days to maturity, when they are about 20 cm tall. As they get older the leaves will get tougher. H

Amaranth ‘Mekong Red’

Mekong Red is a very attractive, nutritious, red leafy green for warmer areas.

SA107 500 seeds $3.50

SA114 25g $9.00

Amaranth ‘Red Calaloo’

Syn. Red Stripe Leaf

Red Calaloo has attractive green leaves with a red splash down the middle.

SA112 500 seeds $3.50

SA113 25g $9.00

AMARANTH - GRAIN
Amaranthus hypochondriacus
An ancient Aztec food grain that is higher in protein than wheat or rice; it is a rich source of the essential amino acid, lysine. It grows vigorously, tolerates drought and heat. It is pest-resistant. The flowers are vivid burgundy, feathery plumes, 1.5 - 3m high. The pale blonde amaranth grains are shiny, slightly larger than poppy seeds. It is delicious cooked as a cereal, can be ground for flour or popped like popcorn. It is a warm season annual and germinates best at 20 - 27°C soil temperature. Sow seed from late spring to summer in temperate areas. In subtropical and tropical areas, sow all year (avoiding frost periods). It takes 4 - 6 months for a grain crop. Harvest the seed head once a few seeds drop, lay on a tarp and dry in the sun for a week until the stems are dry. Separate the seeds from the stems and winnow in a light breeze.
SA119 450 seeds $3.50

SA120 25g $9.00

ANGLED LUFFA syn. Okra Vine, Okra Cee Gwa

Luffa acutangula

Angled Luffa is a fast growing, vigorous annual vine that requires a trellis to grow on. The young fruits are similar in flavour to zucchini but slightly sweeter, it is a good substitute for zucchini in humid areas as it does not suffer fungal problems. The stem tops, young leaves and flower buds can be steamed as vegetables and the seeds from mature fruit roasted with salt and eaten. Plant it in a rich soil in full sun. Sow seed in spring. H

Angled Luffa

SA109 12 seeds $3.50

SA110 25g $15.00

Angled Luffa 'Long Ridge'

This is an F1 hybrid so is not suitable for seed saving. H

SA106 8 seeds $3.50

SA108 25g $18.00

ARTICHOKE - GLOBE

Cynara scolymus

Globe artichoke is an herbaceous perennial to 1.5m high, suitable for temperate, Mediterranean climates. The edible flower buds are a delicacy, pick them before they start to open. The striking grey-green foliage and spectacular flowers add beauty to the garden. Globe artichoke has a restricted climatic range and prefers cool, moist summers and mild winters. Chilling is needed to produce buds. A deep, rich, well-drained, alkaline soil is required; artichokes will grow in a pH range of 6.5 - 7.5. Compost and manures are beneficial. Sow spring in temperate areas. Globe artichoke needs to be dug and divided every 3-4 years.

UNSUITABLE FOR TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL AREAS

Growing in humid, subtropical and tropical areas is very difficult. Unfortunately even if the plants grow well, insufficient chilling will make bud production unlikely or of very poor quality. High temperatures in spring will also cause the flower buds to open prematurely. Plants will be short-lived, often collapsing during periods of heavy rain. If artichokes are on your 'most desired' list then try the 'Imperial Star' variety as they begin cropping early. Enthusiasts in warmer areas dig the roots and put them in the fridge during the summer for planting in the autumn.

Excellent drainage is required, raised beds will help.

Globe Artichoke - Green Globe improved variety - 'Imperial Star'

‘Imperial Star’ is an improved variety adapted to a wider climate range than other artichokes, it crops well in the 1st year. The large flower buds are deep green faintly tinged with purple with solid hearts, between 7.5 and 12.5 cm wide.

SA102 10 seeds $3.50

SA117 10g $18.00

Globe Artichoke 'Violetto'

'Violetto’ is a gourmet vegetable, smallish buds are slightly elongated buds, violet, or green and violet-tinged; 7.5 cm wide by 12.5 cm long.

SA100 10 seeds $3.50

ASPARAGUS

Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus is a herbaceous ferny perennial to 1.5m high, asparagus has both male and female plants. Sow seed in seedling trays in early spring, 5 mm deep at 25°C soil temperature. Germination will take approx. 21 days. Plant out in full sun in a deep, rich, well-drained, soil, compost and manures are beneficial. The pH of the soil should be 6.5, lime if necessary. After the 1^st year, remove female berry-bearing plants as the berries will germinate and choke the bed if left. Care should be taken to avoid harvesting the first few years, to allow the crowns to build strength. More growing information........

Asparagus 'Mary Washington'

‘Mary Washington’ produces thick, straight, dark green spears tinged with purple at the tightly folded tips; wonderful flavour raw or cooked.

SA111 20 seeds $3.50

SA115 10g (approx. 300 seeds) $9.00

Mary Washington 2 year old crowns are available from July to September 2011

Asparagus 'Sweet Purple'

'Sweet Purple’ asparagus has large, deep-burgundy spears which are very tender with a mild, nutty flavour when cooked; it can also be enjoyed raw due to its sweetness.

SA103 10 seeds $3.50

SA118 10g (approx. 300 seeds) $25.00

= Organically certified

Seeds suitable for subtropical and tropical conditions are marked H for hot and humid!

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DISCLAIMER:

We guarantee our seeds to the value of the purchase price. We are happy to replace the seeds, give you a credit or refund, whichever you prefer. Other than our guarantee to the extent of the purchase price Green Harvest gives no other warranty expressed or implied. No liability will be accepted by Green Harvest, its owners or employees as to the accuracy of any information. No responsibility will be taken for damage to property or persons due to information given about a product or technique. No responsibility will be taken for the loss of a crop or income due to information given about a product or technique.