‘Cerise’ Millet
Rare edible millet.
This variety of grain millet, selected by Bob Reid has large weeping purple seed heads containing many seeds on darker green/purple stems. It flowers and sets seeds early, so is very suitable for grain production for the keen home gardener. Sow seeds in fine good well drained soil in rows 20cm apart 5mm deep, no more, in late Spring early Summer soil temps about 17 degrees Gluten free grain, very high in nutrients, sprinkle seed on cereals, in soup, stews or sauces .It is very desirable for gluten free flour in larger quantities.
The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees, This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.
‘Golden German’ Millet
Rare foxtail millet.
This variety of millet has been selected by Bob Reid for cool climates, it has large weeping plump golden brown weeping seed heads containing many seeds, info can be found on other web sites. It is particularly useful as a forage crop, but the seeds can also be used for chicken feed, caged birds, and human consumption as a grain.
Very useful as a Summer green manure as it tolerates hot dry conditions, swamps out weeds, has fine fibrous roots which break down easily and the top growth can be dug in or used as a mulch for late Summer Autumn sowing or planting. Sow as for Indian barnyard millet.
‘Mung Da’ Millet
Rare foxtail millet.
This variety of foxtail millet has been selected by Bob Reid it has large plump green to yellow seed heads, containing many seeds, the classic millet stick used for caged birds.
The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees. This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.
‘Salt Spring’ Grain Amaranth
Rare edible bright red flowers.
This is an exciting selection of the tall large leafed flowering amaranthus, by Bob Reid, it can be used as a decorative annual ornamental in the flower garden getting to about 2m tall with huge colourful heads, or as a Summer green manure, or for the keen home gardener as a grain crop, the seeds are sown about 5mm deep, no more, in 20cm rows in good well drained soil in late Spring early Summer. Seed heads form mid to late Summer. Harvest seed by rubbing hands gently over the bottom most seed heads first into a paper bag, as the heads mature break them off and hang upside down in a dry shed over a clean tarpaulin.
The seeds are sprinkled over breakfast cereals, in soups or stews. It is a grain amaranth, the leaves on this variety are bitter.
‘Sari’ Millet
Rare edible millet.
This variety of grain millet, selected by Bob Reid, has large weeping golden seed heads containing many seeds. It flowers and sets seeds early, so is very suitable for grain production for the keen home gardener. Sow seeds in fine good well drained soil in rows 20cm apart 5mm deep, no more, in late Spring early Summer soil temps about 17 degrees Gluten free grain, very high in nutrients, sprinkle seed on cereals, in soup, stews or sauces. It is very desirable for gluten free flour in larger quantities.
The other main use which we recommend is as a Summer green manure this variety grows quickly from seed when sown in late Spring early Summer, soil temps about 17 degrees. This will tolerate hot dry conditions and some drought, swamps out weeds and keep soil moist under the leaf canopy, cut down before flowering.
‘Sioux’ Grain Amaranth
Rare edible pink flowers.
This is an exciting selection of the tall large leafed flowering amaranthus, by Bob Reid, it can be used as a decorative annual ornamental in the flower garden getting to about 2m tall with huge colourful heads, or as a Summer green manure, or for the keen home gardener as a grain crop, the seeds are sown about 5mm deep, no more, in 20cm rows in good well drained soil in late Spring early Summer. Seed heads form mid to late Summer. Harvest seed by rubbing hands gently over the bottom most seed heads first into a paper bag, as the heads mature break them off and hang upside down in a dry shed over a clean tarpaulin.
The seeds are sprinkled over breakfast cereals, in soups or stews. It is a grain amaranth, the leaves on this variety are bitter.
Acorn Pumpkin
Early, 25 cm, dark green ribbed, acorn shaped, bush variety. Creamy interior, small seed cavity. Lovely flavour when stuffed or baked. Sow seed in pots for early start in warmth or hothouse mid Sep. Direct sow mid to late Nov, 2 cm deep, 60 cm apart. Soil must be warm for germination (20°C+). Prefer damp soil, lots of sunshine, NE facing. Will start to produce fruit from late Dec to mid Jan. Harvest when dark green and store in dry conditions.
African Premier
Developed in Kenya, pink flowers early January followed by mottled red green beans. Sow 1cm deep mid-November after last frosts, 20cm apart 30cm in between the rows, feed with COF and liquid feed with fish emulsion to keep nitrogen available. Water well throughout the growing season.
Ailsa Craig Tomato
We are proud to offer this heirloom variety from 1925, named after the Scottish Island. A very productive perfect round tomato, produced in high yields in late January about 4cm round. Beautiful flavour, a tomato that has stood the test of time.
Anastasia Soy
Early/mid season variety , 45cm strong bush, producing high yields of beans early/mid February. Harvest mid/end March. This black seeded soy is loaded with anthocyanins and research conducted in Japan over the last 15 years has shown that these compounds have an anti-cancer quality. This cultivar is easy to grow in most cool climates as it matures early. It can be used as a green vegetable but better utilised as a dry bean.
Andersons Wonder
50cmx50cm early variety with pink flowers followed by an abundance of 10cm green beans in late January, beautiful rich bean flavours when cooked, recommended.
Anto Nearly Round
50cmx40cm, mid season, flowers late January.
Antohi (sweet) Capsicum
Rich, sweet, crisp and thick walled, heart shaped, pointed fruit about 100mm long, 50mm across top. Form profusely on average sized bushes. Sow under glass in propagator with bottom heat (25 deg C.) in seed trays or pots. Plant out November. Sow seed outside mid November after last frosts, 19ºC constant soil temp. and warm night temps. They will make fruit by end of January.
Aquadulce Broad Bean
vicia faba untreated seed
An early long podded broad bean, good taste, dark green, 15 cm pods, filled with 6 -8 bean slightly flattened. Tall plants.
Sow Autumn through to early Spring. Winter sowing in mild conditions only. For sweeter beans harvest when pods are slightly shorter and colour more mild.
Asparagus UC157 (f2)
asparagus officinalis
Exceptional flavour and high yield. 70% are male.
Cultivation: Direct seed in mid Spring, no more than 5mm deep, 20cm apart and 30cm apart in the row, or sow 5mm in seed trays for transplating about 60-90 days before you expect the last frost. Keep at 16-20º C for germination (up to 21 days).
In the meantime prepare a bed by digging to at least 30 cm deep and adding bulky organic compost, manure or seaweed.
After the frosts, plant seedlings 20-30cm apart in a 20mm deep trench and gradually fill the trench as the plant grows. Two years until full maturity.
Avalanche
35cm tall with early white flowers followed by masses of green beans with round pods mid-January. Sow 1cm deep mid-November after last frosts, 20cm apart 30cm in between the rows, feed with COF and liquid feed with fish emulsion to keep nitrogen available. Water well throughout the growing season.
Beaverlodge Tomato
45cm diametre low spreading plant, slightly raised branches supporting large numbers of strong orange/red soft skinned sweet tangy flavoured, thirst quenching 3cm fruit by early January, production slows down after the first fruiting and picks up again steadily throughout late January into mid February and then slows down. Excellent for containers or small gardens.
Beetroot ‘Baby’
Excellent variety, dark red interior, strong growth, resistant to bolting and disease. Lovely sweet flavour. Suitable for Tasmanian growing conditions.Sow in well prepared seed bed with a Complete Organic Fertiliser raked in. Sow from September to March, in shallow dills, 1 cm apart and with 30 cm between rows. Thin out when 4 – 5 cm tall. 74 day maturity. Trace elements are beneficial for crops.
Beetroot “Burpees” Golden Beet
Tender golden beetroot that does not bleed like red beet. Tops are great in salad and taste as good as spinach when boiled as greens. Use fresh or pickled.
CULTIVATION: Sow seeds early Spring or late Summer about 1.5cm deep in rows 30cm apart. When seedlings reach 5cm tall thin to 8cm apart. Germination is 4 – 10 days at 7-21º C. Severe temperature stress, lack of water or over watering can cause bolting.
Bicolour Sweet Corn f1 Hybrid
Strong vigorous bicolour, medium sized well filled cobs, great colour, superb sweet eating quality. Good storage life. Superior variety for cool climates. Sow after last frosts are expected, mid Nov- mid Dec. Soil temperature around 16ºC. Plant in blocks 40 cm apart, 2 cm deep. Rows about 1m apart. Sow 2 seeds per hole. HARVEST when the silks turn brown and husks are plump.
Big Bend
50cmx50cm, mid season, flowers late January, good yields end February. Named after a river in the USA. One of the best dry kidney beans, not only very tolerant of dry conditions but an excellent eating bean. Great for those folk who like Mexican cooking or Tex-Mex.
Black Cabbage
Rapa Pekinensis group
Dark green baby leaves, excellent for combining with other salad greens.
Cultivation: Sow from early September to late October and February-April. Prior to sowing add a good layer of mushroom compost and rake in complete organic fertiliser.
Sow seed 1 cm apart in 5 mm deep furrows about 60 cm apart. Thin the plants to about 8 cm in the row. Autumn sown plants can stay in the ground and be harvested several times.
Black Coco
Opinions differ on the culinary qualities of this black seeded type. It is certainly a vigerous grower and can be used as a green bean or harvested as a dry bean. It has a somewhat nutty flavour and is obviously loaded with anthocyanins. Being adapted to cool growing conditions no doubt it will become very popular.
Black Corn
A variety selected by Bob Reid from crops grown by indigenous farmers for centuries. Early/midseason 90 day corn which produces two to three cobs per plant, can tiller and have more in a good long Summer. A very sweet tasting variety which we have to include in our catalogue, the black colour makes this variety high in nutritional value. Sow in the open ground at 2 cm deep, cool regions about mid November after last frosts, soil temperature must be about 19 degrees C and air temperature warm at night, can be sown as late as early December. When plants are about 10cm tall, base dress each plant with about a quarter cup of COF, water the plants well throughout the Summer, harvest when the cobs are firm and full and tassles are turning dark brown, usually about end February or early March.
