Basil

Ocimum basilicum

When to grow: Summer (direct seeding), Spring (transplanting)

Where to Grow: USDA zones 10-11

Germination: 7-10 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 10- 12 inches

Water: moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer to Fall

Year saved/received: 2018

Saved by UIC Heritage Garden

Bean

Scarlet Runner Beans

Phaseolus coccineus

When to grow: Late spring or early summer

Where to Grow: USDA zones 3-11

Germination: 4-7 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 4-8 inches

Water: Deeply

Harvest/maturity: Summer to Fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

When to grow: Late spring or early summer

Where to Grow: USDA zones 9b-11

Germination: 7-14 days

Light: Sun/Part shade

Spacing: 6-12 inches

Water: moderate

Harvest/maturity: Late summer to Fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

Collards

Champion

Brassica oleracea

When to grow: Early spring to mid summer

Where to Grow: USDA zones 8-10

Germination: 6-8 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 18-24 inches

Water: moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer to Fall/winter

Year saved/received: 2019

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

corn

Bear Island Chippewa Accession 131739

Zea mays

When to grow: late spring to mid summer

This corn has ties to the Ojibwa people and is named after the inland where it originated. Read more here.

Year received: 2021

Seeds donated by Blake Lenoir.

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

When to grow: Late spring or early summer

Where to Grow: USDA zones 4-9

Germination: 7-14 days

Light:

Spacing: 4-6 inches

Water: moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/Fall

Year saved/received: 2020/2019

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden

Hyacinth Bean

Ruby Moon

Dolichos lablab

When to grow: After last frost (can also transplant)

Where to Grow: Hardiness Zone 9-10

Germination: 5-12 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/Fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

When to grow: Spring

Where to Grow: USDA zones 4-9

Germination: 10- 14 days

Light: Sun/Part shade

Spacing: 24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/Fall

Year saved/received: 2019/2020

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden

Marigold

Tagetes

When to grow: April to June

Where to Grow: USDA zones 3-10

Germination: 7-10 days

Light: Full sun

Spacing: 2-3 inches

Water: Twice a day and at the base

Harvest/maturity: Spring, summer, fall

Year saved: 2019

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden

Marsh Mallow

Althaea officinalis

When to grow: Late summer/Early Fall (cold period helps germination)

Where to Grow: USDA zones 3-9

Germination: 14-21 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12 inches

Water: Moist

Harvest/maturity: Summer/Fall

Year saved: 2019/2020

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden Shikaakwa Garden Satellite

Mexican Mint Marigold

Tagetes lucida

When to grow: After last frost if outside

Where to Grow: Hardiness Zones 8-11

Germination: 5-15 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

Nasturtium

Kaleidoscope Mix OG

Tropaeolum majus

When to grow: Spring

Where to Grow: As annuals in zones 4-8, as perennials in zones 9-11

Germination: 7-14 days

Light: Sun/Part Shade

Spacing: 8-12 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Organic

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

Peas

Sugar Snap Peas

Pisum sativum 'Macrocarpon Group

When to grow: Spring and fall

Where to Grow: USDA Hardiness zones 3-11

Germination: 7-10 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 1-2 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/fall

Saved by/Source: unknown

Pepper

Red Chilli Pepper

Possibly cross pollinated with other peppers

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside in mid-late May

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Summer/fall

Year saved/received: 2018

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden

Pepper

Ancho Gigantea

aka Poblano

Capsicum annuum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 90 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Chocolate Beauty

Bell Pepper

Capsicum annuum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 70-75 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Fatalii

From the Central African Republic

Capsicum chinense

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 90 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Jalapeño Traveler Strain

Capsicum annuum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 70-90 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Joe’s Long Cayenne

Variety from Calabria, Italy originally, passing by Canada before NY.

Capsicum annuum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 85 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Red Habanero

Variety from the Caribbean.

Capsicum chinense

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 90-100 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Shishito Pepper

Japanese heirloom pepper

Capsicum annuum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 80 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Thai Hot

C. annuum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 85 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Pepper

Yellow Peru

Capsicum baccatum

When to grow: Summer or 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside after last frost

Where to Grow: USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, but can plant as annuals in colder zones if enough frost free dates to mature.

Germination: 14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 12-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: 100-120 days from transplant

Packed for 2021

Open pollinated non GMO

Saved by/Source: Seed Savers Exchange

Radishes

Sora

Raphanus sativus

When to grow: Spring to Fall

Where to Grow: any zone

Germination: 4-5 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 3-4 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: less than a month

Year saved/received: 2019

Organic

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

RattleSnake Master

Eryngium yuccifolium

When to grow: Fall (needs cold period)

Where to Grow: USDA zone 3-9

Light: Full Sun

Spacing: 18-24 inches

Water: Moderate

Harvest/maturity: Fall

Year saved/received: see seed packet

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden

Sunflower

Arikara Accession 121022

Helianthus annuus

When to grow: Summer

This sunflower has ties to the Arikara Nation. Read more about this Nation here.

Year received: 2021

Seeds donated by Blake Lenoir.

Squash

Walthman Butternut

Cucurbita moschata

When to grow: Summer

Where to Grow: USDA zones 3-9

Germination: 10-14 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 24-48 inches

Water: moderate

Harvest/maturity: Fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

When to grow: Summer

Where to Grow: USDA zones 3-11

Germination: 3-10 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 2-3 feet

Water: Well Watered

Harvest/maturity: Early Fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Organic

Saved by/Source: UIC Heritage Garden

Zinnia

Golden Yellow Giant Dahlia Flowered

Zinnia elegans

When to grow: Late Spring

Where to Grow: USDA Zones 2-11

Germination: 3-7 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 9-12 inches

Water: Moist

Harvest/maturity: Late summer/Fall

Year saved/received: 2015

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company

Zinnia

Jim Baggetts Choice Mix

Zinnia elegans

When to grow: Late Spring

Where to Grow: USDA Zones 2-11

Germination: 5-7 days

Light: Sun

Spacing: 9-12 inches

Water: Moist

Harvest/maturity: Late summer/Fall

Year saved/received: 2019

Open Pollinated

Saved by/Source: Johnny’s Selected Seeds company