Barker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Rare Seeds

1. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
u20 12 Pu re Se ed Bo ok ! www.rareseeds.com
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2. Dear Gardening Friends to school gardens and other non-profit organizations.
In 2011 we sent out well over 250,000 free packets to
Rosa, California. This event that we helped organize
was beyond our dreams, bringing the heirloom seed
We hope you have had an abundant harvest and were
non-profit groups, and it is our goal to get out even and small farming communities together like never
able to enjoy all the satisfaction a garden brings. Our
more this season. We must reverse the trend that made before, with 11,000 farmers and gardeners attending
gardens were plentiful this season, with an unbeliev-
America the most unhealthy nation in the developed from across America and beyond! It featured thou-
able variety of rare and unique vegetables and flow-
world, and there is no better way to do that than by sands of varieties of heirloom crops, animals, foods
ers. Even after 20 years of collecting seeds, I still
moving children back outside and into the garden, and over 70 of the foremost speakers in the “field” in-
cannot believe the diversity of seeds that we are still
getting sunshine and learning the benefits of good, cluding Dr. Vandana Shiva, Jeffrey Smith, Gary Paul
discovering--like the vast wealth of vegetables that we
wholesome food. Nabhan, Alice Waters, and the list goes on and on. It
have received recently from the former Soviet Union,
2011 was also a year for festivals and events. was an incredible event of diversity that sent a clear
including varieties of eggplants and tomatoes that ri-
val or surpass many of our American varieties. It is Besides the regular Spring Planting Festival, and Heri- message to the big agricultural establishment that
always so exciting to grow that newly rediscovered wa- tage Days that we host regularly at our Mansfield, Mis- Americans are waking up to demand food freedom
termelon, turnip or morning glory. With this catalog, souri, location, we also were involved in several other and our right to save seeds. Check out the events that
we hope to share our passion for these incredible seeds events! That includes the 200th anniversary celebra- are listed in the catalog and happening this season.
from our past, bringing them alive for future genera- tion at Comstock, Ferre & Co in Wethersfield, Con- Then come join us as we work to take back America,
tions, giving our children pure food instead of the necticut. We had 2,000 people at this event that was and move back to an America that supports the farmer
chemically laden, gene-altered crops that are offered not only celebrating 200 years of history, but also our and our right to real food.
by laboratories of multinational corporations and sold first year of operation there. But the big event this past Wishing you bountiful harvests and God Bless!
to us by supermarkets and politicians. year was the National Heirloom Exposition in Santa
It seems incredible that you hold in your Jere, Emilee and Sasha Gettle
hands our 15th annual catalog; so much has happened
in the last 15 years. This year brings several changes
and additions, including our larger catalog which now
has 196 pages, up from 128 last season. This year we
are printing 310,000 copies and now printing on re-
cycled paper. We also have an Ipad edition and an
improved website for you to check out! We hope you
enjoy all the new varieties and photos we have added
this year, including some of the best varieties we have
ever offered.
We feel blessed to be able to pursue our
passion for growing good, pure seed, seed that is con-
trolled and owned by the people; that is why every seed
in this catalog is open-pollinated and non-patented.
All these seeds are in public domain, meaning you
have the right to save your own seeds from any of the
varieties we offer, without interference from Monsan-
to, Dupont, or our government. We must all work to
preserve our right to pure food and to save seed, which
is why a number of companies, farmers and organiza-
tions, including ours, have brought a class action law-
suit against Monsanto, who has sued many farmers
for saving seed that was contaminated by Monsanto’s
patented, genetically-engineered varieties. Not only
were these farmers sued, but they also lost their ability
to save pure seed, and in many cases lost their market
for their crops. We must all fight to insure the univer-
sal right to pure, uncontaminated seed that is free of
corporate patents and control.
It was a very busy year for our family, with
gardening, travel, writing and more! Some of the proj-
ects included finishing our first book, The Heirloom
Life Gardener, which is a work about our life with
seeds, gardening methods, seed saving and much more.
It was a quite an undertaking for us as we worked to put
everything about heirloom gardening into one colorful
book. Right now we are working on our second book
with Hyperion, an heirloom vegetable cookbook. This
second book brings to life our recipes and the recipes
of our ancestors. Our other big news is that our maga-
zine, the Heirloom Gardener, which we have published
since 2003, has grown from 48 pages to 84 pages and
has become a more professional publication that is now
on the newsstands! You can find it at Whole Foods,
Barnes and Noble, Tractor Supply Co. and others. We
have had a wonderful response to this magazine and
hope to use it as a tool to spread the good food message
and encourage more gardening, coast to coast.
Our daughter Sasha is now four years old
and is becoming quite the little gardener, and she also
loves to spend time in our greenhouse on cold days,
watering the plants and talking to the quail that live
within. It is our goal to get more children interested
in gardening, which is the reason we offer free seeds 2

3. CATALOG INDEX Grains 48 Roselle 94
Amaranth 12 Greens Oriental 49 Salsify 94
Artichoke & Cardoon 13 Greens Salad Blends 50 Seed Collections 158
Asparagus 13 Greens Other 52 Sorghum 94
Beans 14 Heirloom Gardener Magazine 188 Spinach 96
Beetroot 21 Heirloom Life Gardener Book 6 Spring Planting Festival 192
Books 184 Herbs 159 Squash Summer 97
Broccoli 22 Kohlrabi 53 Squash & Pumpkins 102
Brussels Sprouts 22 Kale 53 Sunflowers 179
Cauliflower 22 Leeks 53
Swiss Chard 118
Cabbage 25 Lettuce 54
Tomatillo 118
Carrots 26 Melons 57
Tomatoes Green 121
Celery 28 National Heirloom Expo 10
Tomatoes Orange 122
Corn 28 Okra 71
Tomatoes Pink 124
Cowpeas 30 Onion 75
Tomatoes Purple 128
Cucumbers 31 Parsnips 78
Tomatoes Red 134
Eggplant 35 Peas 79
Peppers Hot 80 Tomatoes Striped 140
Endive 44
Peppers Sweet 86 Tomatoes White 144
Fennel 44
Radicchio 90 Tomatoes Yellow 147
Flowers 163
Fruit 44 Radish 91 Turnip 149
Gifts & Tools 186 Rhubarb 94 Watermelon 152
Gourds 47 Rutabagas 94 Wild Flowers 184
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4. About Our Company About Our Seeds
Jere Gettle always had a passion for growing All of our seed is non-hybrid, non-GMO,
things, and at age 3 he planted his first garden. non-treated and non-patented. We do not
Ever since that day, he wanted to be involved in buy seed from Monsanto-owned Seminis.
the seed industry. So at the age of 17, he print- We boycott all gene-altering companies.
ed the first small Baker Creek Heirloom Seed We are not members of the pro-GMO
catalog in 1998. The company has grown to
American Seed Trade Organization! We
offer 1300 varieties of vegetables, flowers and
herbs—the largest selection of heirloom variet- work with a network of about 100 small
ies in the U.S.A. farmers, gardeners and seed growers to
Baker Creek carries one of the largest se- bring you the best selection of seeds avail-
lections of seeds from the 19th century, includ- able! Many of our varieties we sell were
ing many Asian and European varieties. The collected by us on our travels abroad.
company has become a tool to promote and
preserve our agricultural and culinary heritage. We offer over 1300 fine varieties!
Our company and seeds have been featured in Unique seeds from 70 countries!
The New York Times, The Associated Press, Our Seed Site: www.rareseeds.com
Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart, and many Our Forums: www.idigmygarden.com
others. Gardeners can request a free 196-page
color catalog that now mails to 310,000 gar-
deners nationally.
Baker Creek started hosting festivals in 2000
as an idea to bring gardeners, homesteaders and
natural food enthusiasts together to exchange Visit Our Stores
thoughts, seeds, listen to speakers and enjoy
vendors, old-time music and much more. These
Mansfield, Missouri Headquarters
Come enjoy the beautiful Ozark hills and our farm
festivals gave birth to the idea for our pioneer
and pioneer village; shop seeds, see gardens, animals
village, Bakersville. Other projects include our
and village. Eat at our restaurant that is open for
trial gardens, seed collecting expeditions, our
popular online forums at idigmygarden.com lunch. Learn about what we do first hand.
and educational produce exhibits. DIRECTIONS - We are located 45 miles east of
Over the last several years, Jere Gettle and Springfield, Missouri. Take Hwy 60 to Mansfield, and
his wife Emilee have branched out into other at the 2nd exit, turn north on Hwy 5. Go 1-1/2 miles
related projects as well, including the nation- to London Road. Turn left on London Road, then
ally distributed, Heirloom Gardener magazine, follow signs. Hours: Sunday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm.
which is now in its eighth year of publication. Closed Saturdays & major holidays. Come enjoy all
They have also expanded to a location in So- the Ozarks region has to offer! Phone 417-924-8917
Visit our Petaluma, California Store!
noma County, California, in the beautiful town The location has proved to be a good choice
WePetaluma. Their most the West Coastis the
of invite our friends on recent project and as this area of California has an increasing
Petaluma, the country Store
visitors to that area to visit theof the Wethers-
restoration and preservation Petaluma Seed interestthe home gardening, sustainable agri- of
Stroll in streets in the quaint Victorian city
Bank. Connecticut landmark, Comstock, Ferre
field, Occupying the beautiful and ornate So- culture, organics, our unique seed and garden store,
Petaluma. Shop at self-reliance and heirloom
noma Countythe oldestBank Building that was
& Company, National continuously operating seed saving. It also servesa grand, old, former bank
that has found its home in as an excellent loca-
constructed in the 1920’s, the Seed Bank at- tion for our staff tooffer hundreds of locally an-
building. We also prepare for hosting the made
seed company in New England. They are now
tracts gardeners, foodies, shoppers, and tour- nual National Heirloom Exposition in nearby
writing several books with Hyperion, a division items! Then enjoy the best food in California at many
ists alike. Visitors to the store are awed by its Santa Rosa. eateries all up and down the street!
of ABC/Disney. These works will feature heir-
high hammered-metal ceilings, ornate lights
delicious local
loom vegetables and their work with seeds and DIRECTIONS - Come to Seed Bank, be sure to Stop by for a visit, we are on the corner of Peta-
and enormous windows. The building certainly After your visit to the Petaluma (30 minutes north luma and Washington, in the heart of downtown.
food. one of a time when foods were health-
reminds stroll the nearby and taketo enjoy the into town. We
of San Francisco) streets any exit west best food
They also work extensively to supply free
ier and were not genetically modified. are on the corner of Petaluma and Washington, (199
in California at many delicious local eateries,
seeds to many of the world’s poorest countries, Summer (PDT) Hours: we are open 9:30 am to
to view the fine N.) Open: Sunday - Friday. Closed
Petaluma Blvd. architecture of historic homes,
5:30 pm, Pacific Daylight Time, Monday through
At the Seed Bank, we offer over 1,400 varieties
as well as here at home in school gardens and as well as to major holidays. Phone 707-773-1336
Saturdays & browse the many antique stores,
other educational garlic, tools, books, and hun-
of heirloom seeds, projects. It is their goal to Friday. We are also open Sundays 9:30 am to 5:30
gift shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries pm. We are closed Saturdays and major holidays.
dreds of local hand-made gifts and food items. and a wide variety of& Company, LLC of
educate everyone about a better, safer food sup-
Remember—everything we offer is pure, natu-
Comstock, Ferre retail stores, many
ply and fight gene-altered, Frankenfood and the whichhistoric seed company isbuildings. the heart
This are housed in historic located in
ral and non-GMO. Winter (PST) Hours: We are open 9:00 am to 4:00
companies that support it. of old Wethersfield, the “most ancient” town in Con- pm, Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Fri-
You won’t want to miss our 3rd Anni-
Located just 30 miles north of San Francisco
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company day. We are also open Sundays 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.
in historic downtown Petaluma, we are on the versary Celebrationby the Gettle family and
necticut. It is being restored on June 10th.
2278 Baker Creek Road Sign Come seeour amazing seed company with 11
staff. up for this online newsletter and Closed Saturdays and major holidays.
corner of Petaluma N. and Washington, (199
Petaluma Blvd. 65704 Phone 417-924-8917
Mansfield, MON). Petaluma’s well-preserved visit us on Facebook tofounder’s 1767 house! A
historic buildings and the keep up with the
www.rareseeds.com free catalog is available upon request. The Petaluma Seed Bank
historic city center, which includes many build- latest happenings. We schedule regular 199 Petaluma Blvd. North
ings that us on facebook and twitter!
Follow survived the 1906 San Francisco talks, workshops, or Wethersfield, CT.that 5
DIRECTIONS - Come to presentations (just
Petaluma, CA 94952
earthquake, is part of an extensive residential draw a good of downtown Hartford) We are on
minutes south crowd. Also, make plans
Phone 707-773-1336
and commercial heritage handed down to us
Printed on recycled paper, please to attend in“The National Heirloom
Main street Old Wethersfield, (263 Main St.) Open:
email: paul@rareseeds.com
by the early citizens pass this book on to1880’s,
recycle and of the prosperous friends!
Sunday- Friday. Closed Saturdays & major holidays.
Expo” in Santa Rosa, Sept 11-13, 2012!
1890’s and 1900’s, when Petaluma was the cen- online 860-571-6590 www.ComstockFerre.com
Phone at, www.theheirloomexpo.com
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ter of commerce for the North Bay counties.

5. 5 Follow us on Facebook!

6. 6

7. Why Grow Heirlooms? Anti-GMO Icon
Quality: Decades of modern breeding in vege- Percy Schmeiser to speak at
table crops has yielded some useful varieties, but The National Heirloom Exposition,
at a price: quality has been sacrificed to the pro-
in Santa Rosa, CA. Sept. 11-13, 2012
ducers’ convenience in harvesting and shipping.
Too often, crops have been bred for uniformity,
or to ripen all at once (to facilitate mechanical Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser didn’t
harvesting), or tough skins (to allow the produce set out to become an iconic symbol of the
to withstand rough handling and shipping, some- worldwide movement to defend biodiversity
times thousands of miles!). and farmers’ rights. Nor did he choose to
Quality, taste, and even nutritional value have play the heroic underdog in a David and Go-
been the casualties of this trend. Increasingly, liath battle with chemical and biotechnology
studies are showing that the nutritional values in giant, Monsanto Corporation. But life - and
factory-farmed produce are actually lower. Pro-
corporate power - does have a way of inter-
tein content in corn is one example. Old-style
open-pollinated field corn, the type grown for
fering with the best-laid plans.
feed or for milling into flour, often contains almost Along with his wife, Louise, Sch-
twice as much protein as the new hybrids. Stud- meiser had farmed in Saskatchewan for
ies have also shown higher levels of copper, iron over half a century. He ran a successful
and manganese in at least some open-pollinated farm equipment dealership, and served as
varieties. Mayor of his hometown of Bruno for nearly
Performance: Heirloom varieties are often twenty years. Then, in 1996, Monsanto was
the product of many generations of careful selec- allowed to introduce its Roundup Ready ge-
tion by farmers and gardeners who knew what netically modified canola seeds in Canada.
they wanted from their plants. If a variety has After three of their neighbors agreed to plant
been carefully nurtured and its seed kept by gen-
these GMO seeds, Percy and Louise soon
erations of a family or in a small geographic area,
it stands to reason that it must perform well in the
found their lives had been forever altered.
conditions under which it has been preserved. By In 1998 the family was informed by
taking some care to choose varieties from your Monsanto that, not only had the company’s
own area, or those that come from similar condi- GMO canola contaminated their crop, but
tions, it is quite possible to select varieties that Monsanto intended to sue them for “infringe-
will be very vigorous and productive in your own ment of patent,” unless they agreed to buy
garden. their seeds from Monsanto in the future.
Saving Seed: A great advantage of heirlooms Though their canola had been acciden-
is the fact that, provided precautions are ob- tally contaminated - either windblown from
served when growing a crop, seed may be saved their neighbors’ fields or dropped by pass-
for use in future years, and it will be true to type,
ing trucks - the Schmeisers were forced to
year after year! You can’t do this with hybrids; if
you save seed grown from hybrid parents, the
defend themselves all the way to the Su-
offspring will show a lot of variation and, in all preme Court, which ruled in Monsanto’s fa-
likelihood, be markedly inferior to the parents. In vor, though it declined to penalize the Sch-
fact, careful selection in your own garden can ac- meisers financially. In 2008, the family won
tually produce a unique strain of the crop grown, a second court battle - and an award of $600
resulting in even better performance under your - against Monsanto, three years after again
own unique conditions! finding GMO canola on their property.
Tradition and Continuity: Heirloom veg- Percy Schmeiser’s case made
etables represent a priceless legacy, the product worldwide news as it was among the first to
of centuries of work by countless generations of involve a company claiming to own a patent
farmers around the globe. When we grow heir-
upon life itself. In 2007, Percy and his wife
looms, we are the living link in a chain stretching
back sometimes many hundreds of years. We
received the Right Livelihood Award - the
are taking our turn in a succession of growers, Alternative Nobel Prize - and have since be-
each generation of which cherished their favorite come worldwide leaders in the battle for the
crops and varieties and lovingly preserved fresh rights of farmers to save seeds and prevent
seed for coming seasons. As the current custo- GMO contamination. By Chris Fisher
dians, we are endowed with the opportunity to
make our mark, as well, because like previous We are excited to have Percy join us
generations, we maintain the varieties that we at The National Heirloom Exposition.
love the most. Heirloom seeds are our living leg-
acy, bequeathed to us from the past, and passed
on, in turn, to the future. www.theheirloomexpo.com
By Randel A. Agrella, An heirloom seed saver www.percyschmeiser.com
since 1982, he offers heirloom plants in season
on his website, www.abundantacres.net. He
7 also manages our seed growing program.

8. Northern Seeds!
Visit Comstock, Ferre & Company, LLC Old Wethersfield is a charming, historic Con-
necticut River town founded in 1643. Along
This historic seed company is located in a cluster
Main Street, many of the homes are more than
of antique buildings in the heart of Old Wethers-
field, the “most ancient” town in Connecticut. 200 years old, often with placards indicating
Comstock, Ferre is the oldest continuously op- their establishment dates. Fifty houses in the vil-
erating seed company in New England. It first lage predate the Revolutionary War, while one Request our Free Catalog of
hundred others predate the Civil War. In addition
to the white-steepled Congregational Church historic and hardy New Eng-
offered seeds by James Lockwood Belden, as
the Wethersfield Seed Company, in the Hartford that George Washington occasionally attended, land varieties of vegetables,
Courant in 1811 . The original tin signs adorn the
one will find the grave sites of Revolutionary War
buildings to this day. In more than a century and
heroes buried in the historic cemeteries just pac- fruits, flowers and herbs!
a half of business, the company has seen severales from the seed company. Be sure to walk the
transitions from local garden supplier to whole-tree-lined streets surrounding Comstock Ferre & Because the area is rich with deep fertile soil,
saler and back to a wider retail operation underCompany and visit the historical museums, Hart it was a natural location for seed companies to
the Gettles' entrepreneurship. Seed Co, antique shops and specialty boutiques. thrive a century and a half ago. While Comstock
Ferre & Company, Hart Seed Company, and
Come shop for seeds, gifts, tools, plants, and sundries! seven other seed companies set up shop here,
only Comstock and Hart remain in business
Come to our 2nd annual Comstock, Ferre. & Co. today—just one block apart. Comtock Ferre &
“Heirloom Festival”
Company is known for popularizing such veg-
263 Main St. etable standards as the Wethersfield red onion,
June 3, 2012 (10am-6 pm) Wethersfield, CT. 06109 which it still carries today. In addition to sell-
ing more than 250 varieties of the store's name
Wethersfield, Connecticut brand heirloom garden seeds, we also offer
Phone (860)571-6590 Baker Creek heirloom seeds, which are open-
Join us for a full day of speakers, demonstra- pollinated, pure and natural, and non-GMO.
tions, music, garden vendors as we celebrate sales@comstockferre.com Thus, Comstock Ferre & Company now offers
being in the seed business for 201 years! one of the broadest choices of old seed variet-
Last year we had 2000 guests come from www.ComstockFerre.com ies in the country.
across the North East and beyond, 8

9. Organic Producers Fight FRANKENFOOD NEWS Protect Your Seeds and
Back Against Monsanto Go GMO-free in 2012! Your Food from GMOs
This past spring a lawsuit was filed against In case you missed it, the most radical change in
Monsanto, preemptively seeking legal relief the history of our food and seed supply took place
from the strong-arm tactics for which the in the mid-90s, and it may now be wreaking havoc
firm has become famous. with our health and environment. Companies like
The suit, filed March 29, 2011, in United Monsanto inserted genes from bacteria and vi-
States District Court, Southern District of ruses into the DNA of soybeans, corn, and other
New York, in Manhattan, seeks a declara- food crops. They promised that their genetically
tory judgment against Monsanto. If granted, modified organisms (GMOs) would be safe, feed
the judgment will prohibit Monsanto from su- the world, increase yields, and reduce agricultural
ing for patent infringement in the event that chemicals. They were wrong on all accounts.
its patented genes, such as the glyphosate Industry sleight of hand also played a key
tolerance gene, should turn up in seeds or role in the approval process. Monsanto’s former at-
plants grown by organic or heirloom farm- torney was in charge of FDA policy, which falsely
ers. A number of seed companies, includ- claimed that the agency was unaware of informa-
ing Fedco Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed tion showing that GMOs were substantially different.
Exchange, Comstock, Ferre Seed Co., and Therefore, not a single safety study was required.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. joined with Monsanto, who told us their toxic PCBs, Agent Or-
organic trade associations, other compa- ange, and DDT were safe, could determine whether
nies, and dozens of individual farmers in their gene-spliced wonders were safe.
filing suit against the gene-splitting giant, FDA memos released years after the
Monsanto Corporation. policy went into effect revealed the fiction. The
The suit alleges that Monsanto’s aggres- “Like I said before, I would rath- agency’s own scientists had repeatedly warned
er be fishing with my grandkids
sive tactics have, in the past, resulted in un- that GMOs might create allergens, toxins, new
due hardships on small operations who in- diseases, and nutritional problems. But they were
advertently experienced contamination from than fighting this but, by golly, ignored by Monsanto’s former attorney, who later
GMO crops, especially those containing somebody, somewhere, some- became Monsanto’s VP, and is now back at the
FDA as the nation’s Food Safety Czar.
the glyphosate tolerance gene (commonly
known as the “Roundup-ready” gene) as ex- time has to take a stand.” The concerned FDA’s scientists have
emplified in the well-known Percy Schmeiser -Percy Schmeiser now been vindicated. The physicians group
case. In that case, Schmeiser, a canola American Academy of Environmental Medicine
farmer, was accused of patent infringement says that the GMO feeding studies show repro-
2.) Monsanto’s patents are not infringed ductive disorders, immune system damage, ac-
because Monsanto-owned genes turned up Since there is no intention on the part of
in his fields, in the absence of any license celerated aging, organ and digestive problems,
contaminated farmers to infringe patents, and dysfunctional regulation of insulin and cho-
from Monsanto. there can be no patent infringement. In- lesterol. They urge all doctors to prescribe non-
The suit was filed by the Public Patent stead, contamination is in fact a trespass, GMO diets to everyone.
foundation, or PUBPAT, a New York-based causing damage to the affected farmers. Since the government is not listening
legal firm specializing in aspects of patent The complaint contends that it is “perverse” to scientists or doctors, we have to take action
law pertaining to the public’s interest in such that farmers whose crops have been con- ourselves. The Institute for Responsible Technol-
regulation. In a press release, PUBPAT said, taminated should also be subject to litigation ogy educates consumers about the dangers of
“The organic plaintiffs were forced to sue for patent infringement. GMOs and is engineering a tipping point of con-
preemptively to protect themselves from be- 3.) Monsanto’s patents are not enforce- sumer rejection. This will force GMOs out of the
ing accused of patent infringement should able US food supply—like it did in Europe. Visit www.
their crops ever become contaminated by If both previous arguments fail and patents ResponsibleTechnology.org to learn more, watch
Monsanto’s genetically modified seed.” If are still admitted by the judge as being valid free videos, sign up for a free newsletter, and get
the plaintiffs prevail, future situations like the and infringed, PUBPAT intends to demon- involved. To learn how to avoid GMOs, visit www.
Schmeiser case would not happen, at least strate that they are not enforceable because
in the United States, as Monsanto wouldn’t NonGMOShoppingGuide.com, or download the
they are being misused to gain undue con- iPhone app ShopNoGMOs.
have grounds to sue when the intention of trol over the market.
the farmer was to raise GMO-free crops. 4.) Monsanto is not entitled to any rem- Safe eating.
(The Schmeiser case happened in Canada; edy
this ruling would affect only American farms.) Since the farmers in the group are seeking Jeffrey Smith
PUBPAT cited four grounds for the suit, to produce only GMO-free crops, and GMO
any one of which, if proven, should be suffi- contamination destroys the value of such Jeffrey M. Smith is the author of Seeds of Decep-
cient to cause the court to issue the declara- crops, Monsanto has not lost revenue due tion, the world’s bestselling and #1 rated book on
tory judgment: solely to the production of the contaminat- GMOs. His second book, Genetic Roulette, docu-
1.) Monsanto’s patents are invalid ed crops. Consequently, it is not entitled to ments 65 health risks of the GMOs Americans eat
By law, patents must be new, non-obvious damages. everyday. Mr. Smith is the Executive Director of
and useful. The suit asserts that not only are To be successful, the plaintiffs need only the Institute for Responsible Technology.
GMO’s not useful, but they may actually be successfully prove any one of the four bases
harmful to public health, the environment and for the suit. Monsanto, on the other hand, PS, I Will be speaking at The Spring Plant-
society as a whole. Moreover, they are obvi- must successfully refute all four of the claims ing Festival, in Mansfield, MO and at The
ous since they derive from gene sequencing. to prove its case. By Randel A. Agrella National Heirloom Expo, in Santa Rosa,
The complaint cites a number of studies and CA. See you there!
9
cases to support this claim.

10. The National Heirloom Exposition was con- on non-GMO issues, all of whom were in-
ceived to create awareness on issues sur- credibly well received. The Great Pumpkin
rounding “pure food.” We could not think Patch from Illinois had the largest pump-
of a better venue to showcase all elements kin display in the US as a centerpiece at the
the Expo has to offer than Sonoma County, event, and will be doing the world’s largest
California, with its deep roots in agricul- display at the 2012 event!
ture and the overall passion there for good
food. The event is operated as a “not-for-profit,”
whereby any funds generated over and
There were multiple components to the above the costs go to school gardens and
2011 Expo, including over 70 educational other food programs. It is the intent to
speakers operating concurrently from maintain the event as affordable to all par-
three speaking locations; several thousand ticipants: vendors, exhibitors and attend-
varieties of produce on display to show- ees alike. As this is primarily an educational
case the diversity our country has to offer; event, we wish to keep admission free for
over 200 like-minded vendor booths; back- ages 17 and under. The National Heirloom
to-back educational food, farm and garden Exposition encourages school groups to
related movies; a kids day packed with fun grow for, and attend the event, and we had
and educational activities; heritage breeds almost 800 school kids bussed in for the
of poultry and livestock on display; chef 2011 Expo kids day on Sept. 14th, 2011
demonstrations; a farmer’s market and “...I will be coming to the
‘healthy’ fair food vendors. Almost 11,000 passionate “pure food” en-
thuisiasts descended on Sonoma County
National Heirloom Expo-
The Expo’s keynote speakers were Dr. in 2011! It was featured on the Martha sition, because it is de-
Vandana Shiva from India, nationally re- Stewart Show as well as on dozens of oth- fending our future...”
nowned chef and author Alice Waters, and er media outlets.
Dr. Vandana Shiva 10
Jeffrey Smith, the nation’s top authority

11. The World’s Largest Heritage Food Event! 3000 varieties, 300 exhibitors, 3 days!
Join the World’s Premier Gardeners, Speakers, Farmers, Seedsmen, Chefs and Food Activists!
Enjoy over 75 food, farm and garden speakers, including...
The 2012 National Vandana Shiva Jim Long
Heirloom Exposition One of the world’s leading supporters of the pure food Founder of Long Creek Herbs and popular herbalist.
movement. Dr. Shiva drew over 1200 people to her He as written many books on the subject.
is scheduled for Tues. – Thurs. talk last year. Jeffrey Smith
September 11, 12 and 13, at the Percy Schmeiser Best-selling author and founder of the Institute for Re-
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, A long time farmer who was sued by Monsanto after
his crop was contaminated by their GMO canola. He
sponsible Technology. A leading GMO-free activist.
Bryant Terry
Santa Rosa, California. has became the face of the GMO-free movement An eco-chef, food justice activist, and author.
Anna Lappe Daniel Ravicher
For more information A widely respected author and educator, renowned Attorney that is committed to protecting citizens from
www.theheirloomexpo.com for her work as a sustainable food advocate. She is a unsound patent policy. He is the lead attorney in the
founding principal of the Small Planet Institute. recent farmers vs. Monsanto lawsuit.
or call (707) 773 1336. Eric Holt-Gimenez Sandor Katz
Executive director of FoodFirst/Institute for Food and Culinary author and food activist who is America’s
Development Policy. food fermentation expert.
Join thousands of people from around the world
at the National Heirloom Exposition to celebrate
traditional crops, foods, seeds, poultry & animals.
11

12. HUBEI #AM120 MIRIAH #AM125
Amaranth
100-200 seeds per packet. Warm-season, New World native
Attractive red flowers on short, sprawling plants that can
reach 4’ across. We received our seeds for this variety from
our Australian friend, Rose-Marie Lacherez. She received
the seeds in 1995 from a Chinese researcher (Bi Jihuan)
This variety is a good producer of green leaves. Popular in
Asia eaten as a delicious spinach substitute; great cooked
or pickled. Ornamental plants grow 5’-6’ tall and produce a
flashy, golden-brown seed head. Very rare. Pkt $2.25
adds lots of color to the garden. This crop is easy to grow, and
makes delicious greens and grain. A good ornamental plant for
who, at the time, was the director of the agricultural college MOLTEN FIRE #AM127
landscaping. Amaranth seed is one of the most complete pro- of Hubei, China. Pkt $2.50 Simply stunning, this old favorite produces leaves that are a
teins available from any plant. Direct-sow the tiny seeds when JOSEPH’S COAT “PERFECTA” #AM130 fire-crimson color, so intense and beautiful! One of the best
soil is warm, barely covering, and thin to 1-2 feet apart. Can Wavy-margined leaves in bright orange and yellow are varieties for edible landscaping as the young leaves are
also be started indoors and transplanted. reminiscent of lava spouting from a volcano! Plants reach quite tasty and nutritious when cooked. Pkt $2.25
GOLDEN GIANT #AM117 3 ft in height. Makes a spectacular temporary hedge. Native OPOPEO #AM102 60 days
Attractive golden-colored flower heads produce up to 1 lb to Asia, where it is cultivated for its leaves. This variety was Beautiful, large, red, upright flower spikes and bronze-green
of white seed per plant, making this a very heavy producer. favored by Thomas Jefferson, as well as many others of that foliage make this Mexican heirloom a real knockout in the
Plants grow to about 6’ and are easy to grow. Pkt (50 seeds) period. Pkt $2.50 vegetable garden. Tasty leaves are tender when picked
$2.50 KERALA RED #AM122 young. Easy to grow from seed. From Opopeo, Mexico. Pkt
GREEK GIANT #AM124 A beautiful red amaranth from the Indian state of Kerala, $2.25
Seed sent to us by Dr. Joseph Philip of Pennsylvania. He where amaranth is a popular garden crop, making great ORANGE GIANT #AM121
collected seed originally near the town of Herakleion, stir-fried and steamed greens. This variety has pretty stems, Ornamental 6’-8’ tall plants produce giant, golden-orange
Crete, years ago and has grown it ever since. Entire plant is foliage and flowers. Harvest leaves young when still tender. heads, with the stems golden as well. Each plant can pro-
reddish-pink, reaching only 3 ½ feet tall in most situations, Pkt $2.50 duce up to 1 lb of seed; a beautiful variety that is tasty and
but may approach 5 feet in very rich soil. Plants branch rela- LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING GREEN #AM113 productive. Pkt $2.50
tively little for an amaranth, and produce most of the red A wonderful green version of the lovely “Love-Lies-Bleed- POINSETTIA MIX #AM132 New!
seed heads at the top of the plant. Very attractive! Pkt $2.50 ing” with long flower-ropes that are lime green; attractive Incredible range of foliage colors really lights up the gar-
GREEN CALALOO #AM126 and easy to grow. A must to blend with the red. Pkt $2.00 den! This is a formula mix of Amaranthus tricolor colors:
A popular green vegetable in many countries, including LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING RED #AM103 60 days green with creamy top leaves, rose-red to chocolate brown,
many islands of the Caribbean where this plant is famous Tall 3’- 4’ plants are covered with very long rope-like flowers and brilliant red-orange to yellow. Superb in the border,
for Calaloo Seafood Soup. Light green leaves are great in that are a deep, brilliant red color. One of the most striking where it reaches about 2 feet in height. Pkt $2.50
stews, stir-fries and soups, having a tangy, spinach-like fla- plants for any garden and so easy to grow. Amaranth is one THAI RW TENDER #AM118
vor. Easy to grow in warm weather. Pkt $2.00 of our favorite crops! A good seed producer, too. This is a A popular plant that is grown in Thailand, used as a salad
very old heirloom, a pre-1700 variety, that was very popular. and cooking green; popular in soups, curries and stir-fries.
“And God said, Behold, I have given you ev- Leaves are tasty as cooked greens. Pkt $2.50 or 1 oz $8.50 Smallish plants produce round, medium green-colored
MERCADO #AM131 leaves. Pkt $2.00
ery herb bearing seed, which is upon the Traditional grain type from southern Mexico. (“Mercado”
face of all the earth, and every tree, in the means market in Spanish.) Apple-green seed heads give “Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from
which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to way to delicious, tan grain. This lodge-resistant variety is people who have the habit of making excuses.”
you it shall be for meat.” -Genesis 1:29 rather long-season for an amaranth, requiring 125 days to -George Washington Carver
yield mature seed. Pkt $2.25
Molten Fire Golden Giant Kerala Red 12

13. Joseph’s Coat
Artichoke and mental plants, especially when the buds open. Rare
outside Europe. Pkt (25 seeds) $2.50
PURPLE OF ROMAGNA #AR105
Cardoon
Large, round-headed purple chokes, tender and tasty,
perfect for warm season areas, or grow with shelter.
So popular with chefs, and is a sure seller at the finer
Originated in the Mediterranean region. Long-season plants markets. We are proud to introduce this regional Ital-
that won’t overwinter reliably north of Zone 7. To get a crop of ian favorite. Pkt (25 seeds) $2.50
artichokes in one year, start seeds indoors in pots 2-3 months ROUGE D’ALGER #AR106
before last frost date in spring. Move the pots outdoors This exciting heirloom Cardoon was developed in
when four leaves have developed, when temperatures are Algeria, hence the name. It has big, edible and or-
occasionally freezing, protecting them if temps fall below namental stalks that are blushed in red, which is so
below 29 degrees. 2-4 weeks of exposure to cool temps striking against the blue-green leaves. The flowers
“vernalizes” young seedlings, preparing them to bloom later in are also beautiful and can be cooked before the buds
the season after plants have grown large. Cardoon may also open, like a small artichoke. One of the prettiest his-
be started early indoors but vernalizing isn’t necessary. Both toric varieties you can plant. Pkt (25 seeds) $3.00
kinds are then grown on in very rich soil, in full sun. They need
Asparagus
excellent drainage but ample moisture. They may benefit from
some mid-afternoon shade in hot-summer areas.
GOBBO DI NIZZIA #AR103
A rare cardoon from Italy, its broad white stalks are Beloved early-spring crop in Europe since ancient times,
eaten fried, sauteed, pickled and in soups. Italians eat asparagus is a perennial plant that starts slow but
it raw, dipped in olive oil. The root is also edible, tasty, yields for many years. The best way to grow from seed
and can be used like parsnips. The plant is similar in is to start indoors 2-3 months before last frost. Be sure
culture and appearance to artichokes. Cardoons have that the young seedlings receive bright light, to make
been popular in Europe since ancient Rome. Beautiful the strong growth. Set young plants outdoors when
ornamental plants. Pkt (75 seeds) $2.50 weather is warm, growing them in a nursery bed of your
GREEN GLOBE #AR101 finest soil, where they will receive attentive care. In fall,
Tasty; needs a fairly long, mild growing season, or grow as or the following spring, set the plants into their final
garden location—spacing them 2 feet or more from
an annual. A colorful plant that makes a great ornamental. their neighbors. Modest yield may be taken the third
Pkt (75 seeds) $2.50 or 1 oz $7.50 year, and a full harvest every spring thereafter.
VIOLETTA PRECOCE #AR104 MARY WASHINGTON #AS101
Lovely, pointed, purple artichokes. Purple varieties
Popular variety, long green spears. Pkt (100 seeds)
have been popular in Italy for hundreds of years and
$2.00 or 1 oz $7.00
are more tender than green types. Needs a mild cli-
mate. We are glad to introduce this heirloom to the PRECOCE D’ARGENTEUIL #AS102
USA. Pkt (25 seeds) $2.50 An old traditional heirloom, this gourmet variety is
VIOLET DE PROVENCE #AR107 highly esteemed in Europe for its delicious stems with
This French heirloom is noted for its fine flavor and rose-colored buds that can be blanched white. Italian
13 pretty purple buds that are lovely on the big, orna- Seed. Pkt (75 seeds) $2.50

14. season; these must be started very early in all areas
except the deep South. Caution: The seeds and
pods are poisonous, but the small pods are cooked
in the Philippines. Pkt (25 seeds) $2.50
Beans
(Phaseolus vulgaris) 40-60 seeds per packet. An ancient
staple crop grown throughout North and South America.
BOLITA #BN133
This bean was one of the original varieties brought by
the Spanish as they settled New Mexico. It is still grown
by a few Spanish farms to this day, due to its dry bean
rich flavor and creamy texture. Better than the Pinto
bean, this small, creamy-tan bean cooks fast and is the
tastiest part of several centuries of NM history. Vines
produce very early. Pkt $2.50
CHEROKEE TRAIL OF TEARS #BN134
This heirloom was brought from Tennessee by the Cher-
okee people as they were marched to Oklahoma by the
Federal Government in 1839 over the infamous “Trail
of Tears” that left so many dead and suffering. This pro-
lific variety is good as a snap or dry bean and has shiny,
black beans. Hardy, vining plants. Pkt $2.75
CONTENDER (BUFF VALENTINE) #BN102 50 days
A superb bush bean with huge yields of excellent-quality
pods. Earlier than most others & perfect for market. Intro.
1949. Pkt $2.00
BEURRE DE ROCQUENCOURT #BN128
A productive heirloom wax bean named for Rocquen-
Asian Beans
Hyacinth Bean “Moonshadow” court, France, a town in France’s rich farming country.
Wax beans were introduced to France in the 1840’s
from Algeria, and this variety is surely a descendant
A diverse group of many relatives of the common of those early beans. The bush plants set good yields
bean. Many grow much better than common early and produce well in most climates. These beans
beans in warm weather, and most tend to be more are favored by cooks for their fine-flavored pods that
disease-resistant. are a bright waxy-yellow in color. This variety was list-
ASIAN WINGED BEAN #AB112 ed in Mother Earth News as a favorite of well-known
(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) This is one of the writer William Woys Weaver. Pkt $2.75
most unique beans; it produces delicious pods BLUE LAKE BUSH 274 #BN119 60 days
with four winged edges, the leaves are cooked like This dark-green bean has been a standard for over 40
spinach and the roots have a delicious, nutty flavor. years. The bush plants set heavy yields of flavorful pods
This high-protein bean is an excellent crop and is so that are tender and crisp. Developed in 1961 from the
useful in the kitchen. The plants are tropical and do Pole Blue Lake. Pkt $2.00 or 1/2 lb $5.50
best in warm areas. They will not produce well when DRAGON TONGUE #BN126
the days are long, so it may not yield until fall. Soak This famous Dutch heirloom bean has an incompara-
seeds 24 hours before planting. We have had a hard ble flavor. The tender and superbly delicious 7” pods
time keeping any winged beans on the shelf ever are yellow with amazing purple streaks! Also makes a
since Mother Earth News ran an article on this bean. tasty shelled bean. Popular with chefs and gourmets.
Limited quantities. Pkt (15 seeds) $3.00 Compact plants set high yields. Pkt $2.75
HYACINTH BEAN - “MOONSHADOW “ #AB106 FEIJAO FIDALGO #BN139 New!
(Dolichos lablab) Beautiful purple pods are used Interesting new addition to the garden, supplied
in Asia as a curry and stir-fry vegetable. Pick when originally by our Portuguese friend, Joao Barroca.
small and tender, as old pods and dry beans may Bush plants produce loads of very straight, long, flat,
be poisonous! The long, rambling vine is also very stringless pods that are great for snaps. Pkt $3.50
ornamental with lilac-colored blossoms and purple GOLDEN WAX #BN104 55 days
stems. Thomas Jefferson planted this fine bean at Delicious golden-yellow pods are stringless and are of
Monticello. Pkt (25 seeds) $3.00 good quality with extra-fine rich flavor. This old-time
HYACINTH BEAN - “RED LEAVED” #AB115 favorite has bush plants. Pkt $2.00 or 1/2 lb $5.50
Here is one of the most beautiful and lovely of all le- HENDERSON’S BLACK VALENTINE #BN103 53 days.
gumes. Vines display pretty crimson-red-tinged foli- Introduced in 1897 by Peter Henderson & Co., this
age! A perfect display of brilliant color and these also excellent fresh snap bean has tasty pods. Also makes
produce lovely, deep purple flowers and pods. One a fine dry soup bean. Great yields! Any seed that has
of the most fascinating plants for ornamental land- “Henderson’s” name on it just has to be good­ that’s
—
scaping. These will amaze your friends. If pods are why we offer so many of his fine varieties throughout
eaten they must be picked when small, as old pods our catalog. A perfect all-purpose pole bean! Pkt $2.00
and seeds can be poisonous. Pkt (20 seeds) $3.25 JACOB’S CATTLE #BN115
KABOULI BLACK GARBANZO #AB111 An old-time bean from the New England states, the
This unique heirloom variety was collected in Kabul, white and maroon-mottled beans have long been a
Afghanistan. The 2’ plants produce unusual dark staple for baking and soups. This early, bush variety is
purple beans. The purple color comes from a pig- also good as a snap bean. Pkt $2.50
ment called anthocyanine, which enables seeds to MAYFLOWER #BN111
sprout in cool soil, making this variety perfect for This is the bean that is said to have come to America
short season areas. Perfect for hummus and other with the Pilgrims in 1620. This old cutshort green bean
Middle Eastern dishes. Pkt $3.00 has great flavor and the red/white beans are quite
JICAMA OR YAM BEAN #AB105 120 days tasty. A long-time staple in the Carolinas. Pkt $2.50
(Pachyrhizus erosus) Long vines can grow twenty MCCASLAN 42 POLE #BN108 62 days
feet long and produce delicious tubers. These have Winged Beans This is a selection of the old McCaslan bean that was 14
become very popular in the last few years. Very long

15. grown by the McCaslan family of Georgia before 1900.
This strain was selected by the Corneli Seed Company
of Saint Louis in 1962. The dark-green pods are string-
less and full of flavor. The white seeds are also great
for a dry bean. Extra productive and hardy. Pkt $2.00
MISSOURI WONDER #BN112 70 days
Old-time cornfield type. Vines produce flavorful pods
even under stress. The dry beans look like pintos. In-
troduced around 1931 and grown in corn fields, as
corn stalks support them quite well. Pkt $2.50
OJO DE CABRA #BN140 New!
(pole) The name means “Eye of the Goat” and the
lengthwise brown stripes that some of the seeds ex-
hibit are certainly reminiscent of the vertical pupil of
a goat’s eye. There are a number of native varieties of
this name; ours appears to be the Tarahumara Indians
landrace type, since it throws a few dark purple beans.
A favorite variety in Baja California and northern Mex-
ico, this unusual bean cooks up firm and sweet and
keeps its rich color. Pkt $3.00
OLD HOMESTEAD (KENTUCKY WONDER POLE) #BN105
65 days. This homesteaders’ heirloom was first men-
tioned in The Country Gentleman magazine in 1864
under the name of Texas Pole. It was not until 1877
that it was introduced as Kentucky Wonder by James
J.H. Gregory & Sons and has been popular ever since. It
is a pole bean with 6”- 8” green pods that are very ten-
der when cooked and have a great flavor. In 1896 Pe-
ter Henderson & Co. said, “This we regard as far ahead
Purple Podded Pole
of any other green Pole Bean.” They also said it was 10
days earlier. Pkt $2.00 or 1/2 lb $5.50
PURPLE PODDED POLE #BN114
This delicious heirloom was discovered in the Ozark
mountains by Henry Fields in the 1930’s and is still re-
quested by many old-timers of this region. The pods
are bright purple, stringless, and tender. Plants grow
to 6’ and produce heavy yields. Pkt $2.75
RATTLESNAKE POLE #BN109 New!
This pole bean is easy to grow and produces lots of
green pods that have purple streaks. Good flavor and
very tender; the speckled seeds are popular in soup.
This variety is great for hot, humid areas. Pkt $3.00
ROMA II #BN107 55 days
This is an improved Romano, bush-type, green bean
that produces loads of 6” to 7”-wide pods that are very
flavorful. Pkt $2.00 or 1/2 lb $5.50
ROYALTY PURPLE POD #BN101 56 days
Tender, bright purple pods turn green when cooked.
Very ornamental, beautiful and tasty. A good home
garden variety. Bush plant. Pkt $2.00 or 1/2 lb $5.50
SAINT-ESPRIT À OEIL ROUGE #BN135
This unique dry bean name “Holy Spirit in Red Eye” is due
to its unique markings near the bean’s eye that resemble Blue Lake Bush Golden Wax
an angel, dove, soldier or nun, depending on a garden-
er’s point-of-view. Also called “Soldier Bean”, a once pop-
ular type in the Southern U.S.A. It is an excellent soup
and baking bean that is produced on bush plants. This
type of bean was known by many names, like “Beans of
the Religious” and “Navel of Good Sister.” Pkt $2.75
STATE HALF RUNNER #BN110 60 days
Short, 3’ semi-vining plants produce 4” pods that have
a very strong, beany taste. Popular in many areas and
high yielding; bushy vines do not require staking. Se-
lected by West Virginia University. Pkt $2.00
WHITE RICE #BN116
An old heirloom that produces slender seeds that
are about 1/3 “ long. They are great in rice dishes and
casseroles, as they cook fast and have a delicious, rich
taste. Pkt $2.50
YELLOW CHINA #BN138
100-110 days--Very pretty bush dry bean known prior
to 1800. Plump yellow bean with a dark ring around
the hilum or “eye” was once widespread throughout
the world, giving rise to numerous local varieties. Re-
nowned for the way it boils down into an excellent
thick soup. Pkt $2.75
Wars are not paid for in wartime, the bill comes
15
later. -Benjamin Franklin Dragon Tongue Roma II

16. Christmas Pole Lima
THE BEAN STORY
Beans are one of the most important types of
food on Earth and are packed with fiber, protein,
calcium, iron, and potassium.
Dried beans can be prepared in myriad
ways and are a great, inexpensive pantry staple
at Baker Creek.
This is one of the first vegetables I rec-
ommend to people just starting out, because of
how simple they are to grow. There is a kalei-
doscopic variety available, and Emilee and I eat
beans nearly every day.
What we call “beans” are actually a di-
verse assemblage of related plants, all of which
yield an abundance of large, high-protein seeds.
They all belong to a single plant family, the Fa-
baceae family, which formerly was known as the
Leguminosae.
Beans are grown for both dried seeds as
KING OF THE GARDEN LIMA #LB105 90 days
Fava or Broad Beans Large 8’-10’ vines yield very LARGE white lima beans well as tender young pods that can be eaten raw.
and give huge yields over a long season. An heirloom Though at first glance it might seem overwhelm-
(Vicia faba) Mediterranean native that is quite dif- from 1883, introduced by Frank S. Platt. An old-fash- ing to try and understand them, due to the sheer
ferent from ordinary beans. Prefers cool weather. ioned favorite, excellent for home gardeners. Pkt (40 volume of varieties and types of beans, there are
seeds) $2.50 a lot of similarities between types, and they’re all
AQUADULCE #FB103 85 days grown in a similar way. Here’s a look at some of
This 19th-century Spanish heirloom produces large,
Runner Beans
my favorite kinds.
white beans, extra early in the season; a great protein
Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris),
source for cool climate areas. Pkt (25 seeds) $2.50
BROAD WINDSOR #FB101 75 days such as the pinto, red kidney, and green beans,
Yields gourmet high-protein beans on upright non- (Phaseolus coccineus) Another New World na- are the most well known of all beans, and you’ve
branching plants. An old English favorite. Pkt (25 tive. Grown like ordinary beans with one major seen them in many different dishes, most famous-
difference: they prefer cooler temperatures. ly the pinto beans in frijoles refritos; plump kid-
seeds) $2.50
SCARLET RUNNER #RB101 80 days neys in a spicy Mexican chili; and green, purple,
EXTRA PRECOCE A GRANO VIOLETTO #FB105
Used by native Americans, large, beautiful, vigorous or yellow fresh pods sautéed and simmered in
This extra early variety produces long pods that are
vines grow over 10’. Flowers are very ornamental, in
filled with 6 large beans that are a pretty purple tomato sauce, or even in salads and with dipping
clusters of the brightest scarlet. Good for snap, shell
color and are sweet tasting. A unique and colorful or dry beans. The huge seeds are very colorful, violet- sauces on vegetable plates. This type of bean
variety from Italy. Pkt $3.00 purple mottled in black. These beans like fairly cool originated in Mexico, the great center of early
IANTO’S FAVA #FB104 weather. Pkt (25 seeds) $3.00 agricultural development, and the colors of the
Originally introduced by Alan Kapuler of Peace Seeds. A STREAMLINE #RB107 seeds never cease to delight me, as they come
large-seeded Guatemalan variety that reaches 6 ft tall! The Amazingly prolific, produces clusters of tender, in blood-red, white, blue-black, green, yellow, and
bright yellow seeds are reputed to contain elevated lev- straight pods suitable to be used as snaps. Pods can every conceivable shade of beige, tan, brown,
els of dopamine, and may have benefits for those at risk reach 18 inches in length and are fine for freezing. and pink. Some are solid-colored, and others
for Alzheimer’s disease. A fine plant for improving garden Seeds can also be used as shell beans or when dried. have stripes and speckles. They grow in one of
soil. Abundant production of delicious fava beans. Pkt (20 Brilliant scarlet flowers are an attractive bonus! Very two ways: as bush beans, which are stocky plants
seeds) $3.50 popular European variety. Pkt (25 seeds) $3.25 that grow up to one or two feet high, and as pole
Lima Beans
beans, which vine upward along a trellis, fence,
(Phaseolus lunatus) Originally grown in South America.
CHRISTMAS- POLE LIMA #LB104 95 days.
Soya (Edamame) Beans
(Glycine max) One of the world’s oldest crops.
Scarlet Runner Bean
Grown in Asia for thousands of years where it is
Very large white beans with beautiful, dark red splash- a staple protein source.
es, rich flavor; heavy yields even in very hot weather; ENVY #SY101
long vines. Heirloom. Pkt (40 seeds) $2.50 Early 80-day variety is great for the North. Perfect for
DIXIE SPECKLED BUTTERPEA #LB103 Edamame, fresh shelling or dried; nice green-colored
76 days. Very productive. Beans are about the size of beans have good flavor; developed by the late Prof. El-
peas; red-speckled with a deep purple-rust color and wyn Meader, UNH. Pkt (100 seeds) $3.00
grow well in hot weather. A delicious baby lima. Bush FLEDDERJOHN #SY105 New!
plants. Pkt (100 seeds) $2.50 68 days—Edamame-type soybean with unusual
HENDERSON’S BUSH LIMA #LB101 71 days brown seed. Grown by the Zack family of Crys-
Introduced in 1888 by Peter Henderson & Co. and tal Lake, Illinois, for two generations, the variety is
one of their most famous varieties; still popular to named after their ancestor, who received the seeds
this day. In 1888 Henderson offered $100 cash for from a missionary to Japan. The beans have a full,
plants bearing the most pods and proclaimed it “A nutty flavor. Pkt (50 seeds) $3.00
VEGETABLE WONDER!!!” “Can and should be grown TOKYO VERTE #SY104
in every garden,” and also said “of all the Novelties ... 115 days. Lovely green edamame type on medium-
ever sent out, there is nothing so entirely distinct and sized, heavily branched plants. Very productive vari-
valuable as this New Vegetable.” Dwarf bush plants ety, and extremely rare! Pkt (50 seeds) $3.00
can be grown like regular bush beans. Very tasty, ten-
der beans, and very early too! Pkt (100 seeds) $2.50
JACKSON WONDER BUSH LIMA #LB102 “Uniformity is not nature’s way; diver-
75 days. Introduced in 1888 by David Landreth & sity is nature’s way.” -Vandana Shiva
Sons. Heavy yields of small-to-medium-sized, tan
and purple-brown-speckled beans. Pods can also be
cooked when young. Pkt (100 seeds) $2.50 16

17. or anything else vertical. Pole beans can grow which lays eggs on the beans when they are in
anywhere from four to fifteen feet high. the garden. The eggs usually hatch on the dried
The Scarlet Runner bean (Phaseo- beans, often after you have them stored a few
lus coccineus) is another type from Mexico, so- weeks; the weevils then eat many holes in the
called because of its bright red flower, which is seeds. To avoid this happening, freeze your
showy enough to earn it a place as an ornamen- dry beans for at least five days after harvesting
tal in many gardens. These beans are big—they them—this will kill the larvae.
can get up to an inch in diameter! Some varieties
have white or pink flowers, and the seeds them- Seed Saving
selves may be white, purple, mottled pink and When it comes to beans, of course, the seed is
brown, or some spectacular combination of all actually the mature bean. So if you have beans,
those in one! These beans should be trellised, then you have the basis for future crops.
as they are climbers. They prefer temperatures Depending on the species, you may
that are slightly cooler than many beans (they do need to isolate varieties in order to avoid cross-
best in sixty to seventy-five degrees) and so grow pollination. Common beans, long beans, and
best along the coasts, in the northern states, and soybeans are self-pollinating and rarely get pol-
at higher elevations. The seeds are edible at linated by insects. Ten to twenty-five feet is usu-
all stages, and the pods, despite their size and ally enough isolation between varieties to assure
somewhat coarse appearance, are tender and purity. Favas, limas, hyacinth beans, and runner
juicy, perfect French-cut or julienned. beans are frequently pollinated by bees, espe-
Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) are cially bumblebees, so a half mile of isolation is
from South America. They work well in warmer recommended if you are trying to save seeds.
climates and have flat, angular seeds. The Christ- The winged bean’s propensity for crossing is a
mas pole lima can get very large. Limas grow in little unclear, but since there are very few winged
both pole and bush varieties. Envy Soya Bean bean varieties in the United States, crossing is
Long beans (Vigna unquiculata var. probably not likely.
sesquipedalis), are one of my all-time favorites. states and Southern California. If they have the Planting other flowers nearby, such as
Related to cowpeas, long beans are hot-weather right conditions, wing bean plants will grow up lemon balm or basil, will often divert the bees
beans that are grown primarily as snap beans. to twelve feet tall, flower, and also develop pods away from the bean flowers, which really aren’t
When summer heat has shut down common with four curious “wings.” The pods are the main their favorite, leaving the latter to self-pollinate and
beans, long beans will yield stalwartly. And the crop, but the stems, leaves, and high-protein tu- thus reducing the chance of unwanted crossing.
name is literal— some pods are known to grow bers are also delicious. Before planting, nick the
up to three feet in length. Yet, for all their great rock-hard seed coats with a knife or a file and From the book THE HEIRLOOM LIFE GAR-
length, these beans are still very tender and mild- soak them overnight to help germination along. DENER by Jere and Emilee Gettle with
tasting until nearly fully grown. Varieties include The hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) Meghan Sutherland. Copyright © 2011 by Jere-
green, red, purple, and lavender colors that are is grown throughout the tropics, mainly for its miath C. Gettle and Emilee Freie Gettle. Reprint-
stunning in the garden and on the plate. pods. If they’re picked young, the pods have a ed by permission of Hyperion. All rights reserved.
One of the finest, richest sources of robust flavor, but we recommend growing this Available wherever books are sold.
human food on earth, soybeans (Glycine max) bean as an ornamental. Lavish, fragrant, violet-
are bush beans that are indigenous to northern purple or white sweet pea–like flowers bloom Order a signed copy from us today!
China, where they were domesticated more than on its climbing vines. It’s easy to see why these
three thousand years ago. There are two types of plants were popular in the Victorian era. Be care-
soybeans: the “oil” type, which is grown for its oil ful about this bean, because if it’s not properly
content, and “edible” or edamame beans, which prepared, it can be poisonous.
are also called soya beans, and are the best kind The cold-weather-loving fava bean (Vi-
for eating fresh. The soya bean is one of the most cia faba) marches to the beat of a different drum-
popular of all beans in the world. On my travels in mer. Hardy to temperatures as low as fifteen
Asia, I’ve seen how important this crop is to the degrees, this versatile bean withers in the heat.
diet of more than a billion people. If planted in the fall, it has a good chance of over-
Sadly, in America, soya beans have wintering successfully, at least as far north as
been genetically engineered and patented, and Zone 7 and often in Zone 6 as well. Though the
the safety of modern soy varieties from compa- pods aren’t edible, they do set high yields of me-
nies like Monsanto is in question. As a result, dium- to large-sized beans, which can be dried
many small soy product manufacturers have for winter or eaten fresh in a puree or casserole,
started to use traditional varieties only. To make or added to soups.
sure you aren’t consuming genetically engi- Many health-conscious, hippie-types
neered soy, which may have unknown health would starve without garbanzo beans (Cicer
risks, read the label before consuming soy prod- arietinum), which are also known as chickpeas.
ucts. These heat-loving Mediterranean natives have
One of the most interesting beans is been cultivated since before the days of Babylon
the spectacular winged bean (Psophocarpus and are an indispensable part of Middle Eastern
tetragonol- obus). Also known as the asparagus cuisine, as they’re the main ingredient in hum-
bean, the winged bean is native to New Guinea mus and falafel. The entire two-foot-tall plant is
and is an important crop that grows abundantly in edible, including the pods and the finely cut com-
the twenty-five thousand or so islands that make pound leaves. The seeds can be sprouted in a jar
up the Pacific Islands region, including the Philip- or colander indoors, and the sprouts are a deli-
pines, Indonesia, and Micronesia. I tried this re- cious addition to salads and stir-fries.
markable bean when I first visited Thailand, and
I was instantly drawn to its great taste and its Pests and Disease
unique appearance and waxy texture. I’ve tried Beans are occasionally bothered by aphids, cu-
many times to grow winged beans here in Mis- cumber beetles, and bean leaf beetles. When
souri but have met with only moderate success those pests arise, we recommend applying or-
because they prefer areas with shorter days than ganic spinosad or pyrethrin sprays. One insect
17 that can be a real problem is the bean weevil,
we have here. This bean does well in Gulf Coast

18. Long Beans
Chinese Red Noodle
(Vigna unguiculata) A staple crop of East Asia, where they
have been grown for centuries. 25-35 seeds per packet.
CHINESE GREEN NOODLE BEAN #LG102
Here is an early variety of long bean imported from
China. 20” pods are straight and smooth, bright
green, and of excellent quality. This hardy long bean
is easy to grow almost anywhere. Very tasty stir-
fried. Pkt $2.50
CHINESE MOSAIC LONG BEAN #LG110
Lovely, lavender-pink-shaded pods measure 12”-18”
long and are crisp and flavorful. The vigorous vines
produce loads of tender Chinese beans. Very popular
here at Baker Creek and sure to become a favorite of
gourmets everywhere! A real standout that is quick
to come into production. Pkt $3.00 or 1/4 lb $12.00
CHINESE RED NOODLE BEAN #LG109
80 days. This is the most stunning and unique bean I
have grown yet. Fantastic, deep red, 18” pods are so
delicious and full of nutrition, and they even keep
most of their color when sauteed! Long vines produce
all summer and do well under many conditions. This
incredible variety will draw lots of attention in your
home garden or at market. We are so excited to of-
fer this unique, Chinese ethnic variety that produces
fairly early. Small red seeds. Pkt $3.00 or 1/4 lb $12.00
RED-SEEDED ASPARAGUS BEAN #LG101
75 days. Very long pods grow to 24”! Very tender
and tasty; no strings, small seeds; huge yields on 10’
vines. They grow well under almost any conditions–
very resistant to heat, humidity and insects; great for
the South. Pick for snap beans when 12”-14” long;
delicious stir-fried! The ‘Vigna’ genus does well for us
all summer at Baker Creek. Pkt $2.25
TAIWAN BLACK SEEDED LONG BEAN #LG103
This is the true “Yard Long” bean, with light green
pods 38” long, with black beans. The long vines set
heavy yields of these delicious pods that will amaze
your friends! Long beans should be lightly fried and
not boiled. They have superior flavor to common
beans. This variety was collected from a Taiwanese
immigrant in the 1970s. RARE! Pkt (10 Seeds) $3.00
THAI #2 RED SEEDED LONG BEAN #LG113
Pretty lime-green pods are tender and delicious. This
variety has brownish-red seeds and is late-maturing, so
it is better for the South. Collected in Thailand. Pkt $2.50
THAI #3 EXTRA LONG BEAN #LG116
Very long, green pods can reach 30” or more! A
great-tasting variety that is so fun to grow and pro-
duces well, too! It has unique red and white-spotted
seeds. Pkt $2.50
THAI KHEW DOK LONG BEAN #LG115
Tasty, light-green, 20”-25” pods are tender, smooth
and meaty. A good quality Thai variety that has red
seeds. Easy to grow on a trellis or fence. Pkt $2.50
THAI PURPLE PODDED YARD LONG #LG117 New!
Vigourous, high-yielding Thai variety. The lovely, deep-
purple pods have green tips, are crisp and stay tender to
amazing lengths often reaching 20 inches! The productive
variety is a local favorite in Thailand where long beans are
appreciated as a very important staple crop. Pkt $2.50
THAI SURANAREE BUSH LONG BEAN #LG114
A great bush variety of long bean from Thailand, it is
easier to grow in small gardens than the pole types. This
variety produces 12” long green pods that are perfect
for stir-frying. Dark reddish-maroon seeds. Pkt $2.50
THAI WHITE SEEDED LONG BEAN #LG112
Smooth, light-green, 25” long pods from Thailand.
These are delicious and crisp, great in curries and
stir-fries. They have creamy-white seeds. I am sure
you will enjoy this great variety! Pkt $2.50
“Starting wars because someday somebody
might do something to us. That is not part of
the American tradition.” -Ron Paul 18

19. Chinese Mosaic
19 Chinese Green Noodle Thai Purple Podded Taiwan Black Seeded

20. Golden Beet 20