Once properly cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as 'Birdhouse', can last for decades and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood, for hundreds of craft projects. 'Birdhouse' gourd of course makes a great birdhouse—leave natural or paint any color you want. Grow 10'–16' vines on the ground or up a very sturdy trellis to produce mature gourds in 80 to 140 days. Also attracts hummingbirds!

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°F.

When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, recommended for areas with short growing seasons. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground.

Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 days

Seed Depth: 1"

Seed Spacing: 4 seeds per mound

Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 3 per mound

Jazz up your front walkway border with the ruffled explosion of color from peony poppies! These fully double, 3"-5", colorful flowers with soft, blue-green foliage will reward you with a bounty of blooms that pollinators love. The seed pods are quite interesting in dried flower arrangements.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date or as soon as soil can be worked; or early to mid-fall for bloom the following spring. Mild Climates: Only fall sowing is recommended.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended; roots are sensitive to disturbance.

Days to Emerge: 10–15 days

Seed Depth: Scatter and rake in lightly

Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 8"–10"

Not only Irish eyes will smile at this unusual plant. Its bright green bells with their tiny white "clappers" are always a conversation piece. Turns straw-colored when dry—a very valuable, long-lasting dried flower. The strain in this packet was selected for its superior cut and/or dried flower use. Reseeds, often producing new plants the following year from self-sown seeds.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMEDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date for chilling period. Seeds will germinate when soil temperature is above 50°F.

When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Sow in 3" biodegradable pots; roots sensitive to disturbance.

Days to Emerge: 15–35 days

Seed Depth: Press into surface

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"

Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 plant every 12"

Chinese lantern, also known as winter cherry, is a very popular plant for dried arrangements, and for good reasons—brilliant color, unique shape, easy to grow, and long-lasting. A striking backdrop to fall/winter decorations, as well as late summer color for borders, beds, and containers. Though perennial in USDA zones 3–9, it is often grown as an annual because it heartily spreads by self-sowing or by underground roots. Caution: Most parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.

When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date, or in summer up to 2 months before your average first fall frost date.

When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date.

Days to Emerge: 20–25 days

Seed Depth: ⅛"

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"–18"

Thinning: When 4" tall, thin to 12"–18" apart

A beauty like no other, 'Candystripe' has a golden center flanked by white petals with rosy edges and striping, making one sweet cut flower! Once established, cosmos are drought tolerant; neglect is the kind of care they prefer. They reseed readily, making them ideal for wildflower or naturalized areas.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F.

When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date.

Days to Emerge: 5–10 days

Seed Depth: Barely cover

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"

Thinning: When 1" – 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"

You can grow breathtaking dahlias from seed and enjoy them year after year. This very tall blend of eye-popping colors is especially suited for the back of the garden, and the long, sturdy stems make them great for cut flowers. Blooms appear about 90 days from sowing, so you can enjoy beautiful blooms come summer. Perennial in USDA zones 7–10; in colder climates, at season's end, tubers can be lifted and stored indoors over winter. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Use the edible, mild-flavored petals to garnish salads, desserts, and drinks. (The flower's central disk, while edible, can be bitter.) Dahlia pinnata tubers are edible, with a flavor somewhat similar to raw jicama. The flavor of the crisp, juicy tubers is bland to mildly sweet.

When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date.

When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 65°–70°F. Sow in biodegradable pots; roots are sensitive to disturbance.

Days to Emerge: 5–20 Days

Seed Depth: ¼"

Seed Spacing: 3 seeds every 18" to 24"

Thinning: When 2 sets of leaves, thin to 1 every 18" to 24"

One of the most popular hollyhocks of all time, 'Chater's Double' was named after the English horticulturist, Chater of Essex, who developed this variety in 1880s. Colors include golden-yellow, rose, maroon, salmon-pink, scarlet, and white. Flowers have a long bloom period and are edible! Fairly drought tolerant but performs best with ample moisture and rich soil.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, or 2 months before your average first fall frost date.

When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted in the ground.

Days to Emerge: 10–14 days

Seed Depth: Press into surface

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 24"–36"

Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 1 every 24"–36"

No flower is quite as lovely as Iceland poppy when the sun shines through the chiffon petals. These orange, pale pink, yellow, and white blossoms will light up your garden in spring. They're fairly drought tolerant, too!

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, or early to mid-fall for bloom the following spring. Optimal soil temperature is 50°- 60°F. Mild Climates: Late summer to early fall for winter and spring bloom.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended. 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Does not transplant well; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground.

Days to Emerge: 10–15 days

Seed Depth: Press seeds into surface

Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6"

Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 6"

Imagine what a sight it was for early explorers and settlers when they first laid eyes on the California hillsides massed with golden-orange flowers fluttering in the breeze. This drought-tolerant heirloom, the state flower of California, attracts pollinators and is an ideal plant for naturalized, wildflower areas. Reseeds readily.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost, when soil temperature is 50°–60°F, or early to mid-fall for bloom the following spring. Mild Climates: Late summer to early fall for winter and spring bloom.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended; roots are sensitive to disturbance.

Days to Emerge: 7–14 days

Seed Depth: Scatter and rake in lightly

Thinning: When 1' tall, thin to 1 every 4"–6"

Popular in Japan for their hot and spicy flavor, 'Santaka' peppers are only 2" long, but pack a punch. Use fresh peppers in a variety of Asian dishes, such as stir-fries and soups. Peppers can also be dried. 40,000-50,000 Scoville heat units (hot).

When to Sow Outside: For Mild Climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.

When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–90°F. Transplant seedlings outside 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Mild Climates: May be sown in late summer for fall/winter crop.

Days to Emerge: 10–25 days

Seed Depth: ¼"

Seed Spacing: Start indoors

Row Spacing: 24"–36"

Thinning: Start indoors, plant seedlings 18" – 24" apart outside

Want to try something new in your garden? This is it! Armenian cucumber with handsome, light green, thin skin is burpless, nearly seedless, and more tolerant of heat than most cucumbers. Sometimes called serpent cucumber or yard long, it is technically a variety of melon! A long production period means harvesting right into fall.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°–90°F.

When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Cucumbers are sensitive to root disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots.

Days to Emerge: 5–10 days

Seed Depth: ½"

Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"

Thinning: When 3 leaves, thin to 1 plant every 12"

Introduced by D. M. Ferry in 1898 but attributed to J.J. Harrison of Storrs & Harrison Co. of Painesville, Ohio. Starchy, nutty, fine-grained flesh—good for baking and roasting. Fruits are 8-12 pounds and store well. An all-time American favorite.

Growing Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

• Direct Seed: 1" Deep
• Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds
• Thin: To 3-4 Plants
• Light: Full Sun

Well-balanced mixture of lupines with a full color range. Perennial lupines are found growing wild from California to British Columbia. Steady improvements of the wild strains have been in progress by breeders for centuries. A great example of how flower breeders have taken a native species and selected for many different color combinations. Short-lived perennial, 3-4' tall.

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors 1/8" deep. Transplant outdoors after last frost. Can also be sown outdoors in early spring when soil is cool and a light frost is still possible, or in early autumn where winters are mild.

• Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost
• Germination: 14-21 Days
• Plant Outdoors: 24-36” Apart
• Light: Sun/Partial Shade

• Organic
• Winner of SSE’s 2013 Tomato Tasting
• Red, plum-shaped fruits grow to 1 inch
• Addictive sweet-spicy flavor
• Great fresh or dried
• Very productive
• Fruits hold well for extended periods
• Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season
• 75-80 days from transplant
• Contains 25 seeds

• Mix of many varieties in multiple colors
• Nice addition to floral arrangements
• 100-110 days
• Contains 100 seeds

This historic variety originated in Japan and was introduced to the United States by the mid-1930s by seedsmen such as Henry A. Dreer of Philadelphia. Plants bear cream-colored, cylindrical-shaped fruits filled with spaghetti-like strands of delicately flavored flesh.

Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.

• Direct Seed: 1" Deep
• Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds
• Thin: To 3-4 Plants
• Light: Full Sun

This dark-pink beefsteak tomato boasts a great, moderately sweet flavor. Borne singly or in pairs, fruits mature mid-season, have a medium acidity and very thin skin, weigh from a half to full pound, and measure 3-5"" wide. Tall, leafy, indeterminate plants grow 5-6' tall. Betty Moore of Stow, Ohio, has stewarded this variety since 1983, when she received it from her mother, Oma Rachel Lively Miller, who bought it at a greenhouse in Fredericktown, Ohio, in 1943.

• Organic
• From the Collection 2021
• Indeterminate - Fruit ripens throughout the season
• Dark pink fruits weigh from 1/2 to 1 lb
• Medium acidity and thin skins

This variety works for:

• Fresh eating
• Sauce
• Paste
• Canning

This stunning ornamental pepper makes a splash in both borders and containers. Bushy plants produce a dense canopy of dark-purple leaves and myriad small, conical peppers that ripen from purple to orange to dark red. The peppers measure about 3/4" long and stand erect on the plant; they are edible but very pungent and somewhat bitter. 

Instructions: Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm.

• Start Indoors: 8 weeks before last frost
• Germination: 14 Days
• Plant Outdoors: 12-24” Apart
• Light: Full Sun

The great meaty texture is paired with tangy, sweet flavor that make it an ideal sauce tomato. Fruits measure 2½-3¾". At Seed Savers Exchange (zone 4B), it was a bit later maturing but had above average productivity. Grown by Charles Salvaterra since the early 1980s, this heirloom tomato has been shared within the Hazleton, Pennsylvania community since the 1950s.

• 70-80 days from transplant
• Organic

• Annual plants grow to 12-24 inches
• Velvety, striped flowers grow to 2 inches
• Blossoms in a wide range of colors

(Salpiglossis sinuata) Spectacular Chilean relative of the petunia, introduced in 1824. Branching 12-24" stems with 2" striped trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of almost metallic colors. Salpiglossis comes from two Greek words meaning trumpet and tongue, referring to the velvet-like blossoms. Annual.