SILVER HEIGHTS FARM Open Pollinated Unusual & Heirloom Vegetable Plants DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATIONO F HEIRLOOM PLANTS BY GROWING GOOD GARDENERS 2015-16 Catalog Featuring varieties to dazzle the gardener's imagination MulHtu�es ofTo�atoes, To�aHllos, § �rouV\.�cvierrLes 'Pep-pers§ sgg-plaV\.ts§ o�ras galore �lorLous Cucu�bers, squasvies,§ MeloV\.s otvierfull\, vegetables, Htrbs a� Flowers NURSERY HOURS LOCATION AND HOURS: Change location to: We have moved back to Trina's home. 216 Eggler Rd., Jeffersonville, NY 12748 Please do not go to the Gorzynski Farm location in Cochecton Center. NURSERY HOURS: Always closed on Sundays April - by chance, Mon-Sat, 10-3. Always closed on Sundays. May-June - Mon-Sat, 10-4. Closed on Memorial Day. Always closed on Sundays. CLOSED AFTER JUNE FARMERS' MARKETS: We are not attending any farmers' markets in 2016. Please come to the nursery at 216 Eggler Road, Jeffersonville, NY instead. The phone rings in Trina's house, not in the greenhouse. Inconvenient, we know, but we are in the "boonies." 845-482-3608 Payment is by cash, check, and credit/debit card. THE SAFE SEED PLEDGE “Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately people and communities.” RETIRING: Trina is retiring at the end of this season. Her business is available for sale. COVER PICTURE: Special thanks go to my friend, Leona Willis, for the cover art. 2 Welcome to Silver Heights Farm’s 2015-16 catalog of organic, heirloom & unusual, open pollinated vegetable transplants. We also grow a very rich line of culinary and medicinal herbs and several dye plants. The flowers we grow are all old- fashioned varieties difficult to find in most markets. Each year we try to offer a selection of scented geraniums as well. There are a few NEW selections this year that hold the promise of performing well in the Northeast, especially in the shorter, cooler summers of the Catskill region of New York. Regional and backyard differences in flavor and productivity will abound. Each year we find certain varieties of seeds are no longer commercially available and heritage vegetables disappear from the commercial market. However, demand from gardeners continues to help keep most seed varieties available commercially. We make great efforts to find rare seeds of wonderful vegetables. Open pollinated plants are the unheralded champions of our agricultural heritage. Their amazing genetic diversity has been developed and shepherded through the centuries by families and farmers alike. Gardeners and farmers once routinely saved a seed crop every year for the next year’s bounty. Folks selected seeds from plants that exhibited valued characteristics so that they could enjoy this year’s bounty in the following years. Saving seeds once had a recognized, valuable place in the circle of life. To encourage you to continue this tradition please check page 62 about how to save tomato seeds. Once again, we are highlighting ARK plants – those that hav e received Slow Foods distinctive recognition for the need to preserve endangered foods and their associated economic, social and cultural heritage. Go to www.SlowFoodUSA.org to learn more. Through learning and then teaching others how to save seeds, the rapidly disappearing genetic diversity of our plants can be preserved by gardener and farmer alike. The plants offered in this catalog provide the basic growing stock for seed saving – as well as enrich our table fare. Quite a few of these varieties have been grown for 50 or more years. These are recognized as treasured heirlooms. These are plants that were selected and bred by individuals and their families, some that entire communities maintained over the years, and some that institutions intentionally developed to meet specific needs. When an heirloom’s “story” is known, it is included in our brief description. Here you will find the names of many dedicated plant breeders and backyard gardeners, of seed companies that introduced varieties from the many corners of the world, and of seed saving organizations that strive to ensure the preservation of older breeds of plants. We are always interested in learning any details you can share with us, including your triumphs and disappointments. When you stop by the nursery please take the time to ask your growing questions. We are happy to help you with your gardening issues. Weeds, bugs, diseases, spacing, watering, fertility…. It is very important to us to help you be successful. During the growing season we offer a weekly newsletter, featuring a “plant of the week” and how to grow and use it, as well as a listing of what kinds of plants we are trying to offer at each of our markets. Zip us a quick e-mail at [email protected] or stop by the stand and sign up for the newsletter. We never share addresses. At Silver Heights Farm we strive to “GROW GOOD GARDENERS.” ABOUT THIS CATALOG Our plants are grown organically. Each plant has a short description of unique characteristics. Synonyms of a variety are listed when known. Vegetables have listed a maturity date, which is the approximate number of days from transplanting into your garden before you get to pick something ripe. If a variety is at least 50 years old, it is an heirloom, which is noted and where it is from, when known. At the heading for each kind of vegetable is a listing of available pots sizes and their corresponding prices. All pots and packs have deeper than normal root space, unlike most bedding plants. Deeper roots give your transplants a greater boost when moved to the garden site. Plants with delicate roots are in peat pots. Experimentation also becomes more feasible when a gardener can select individual plants, instead of entire packs. Pot sizes generally are 2-1/2”, 4” and quarts. Some larger sizes are available, too. Packs come in several sizes and you may purchase them either as single packs or as entire trays: 804s 4-packs, with 8 packs to a tray; 32 cells per tray 806s 6-packs, with 8 packs to a tray; 48 cells per tray 606s 6-packs, with 6 packs to a tray; 36 cells per tray Nursery Location & Mailing Address: 216 Eggler Road Telephone and Fax: 845-482-3608 Jeffersonville, NY 12748 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.silverheightsfarm.com 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Artichoke and Cardoon 5 Melon, Bitter Melon 26 Asparagus 5 Okra 28 Beans, Limas, Cowpeas 5 Onion 29 Beets 9 Peas 30 Broccoli, Broccoletti 9 Pepper 31-37 Brussels Sprouts 10 Hot 31 Cabbage 11 Ornamental,Paprika, Seasoning 35 Cauliflower 12 Sweet, Bell 36 Celeriac, Celery 12 Sweet, Non-Bell 37 Corn, Popcorn 12 Pumpkin 38 Cucumber, Gherkin 13 Rhubarb 39 Eggplant 15 Strawberry 39 Greens, Assorted 17-23 Summer Squash 40 Amaranth 17 Tomatillo, Ground Cherry, Collards 17 Huckleberry, Litchi 41 Fennel 18 Tomato 42-64 Kale 18 How to Grow Tomatoes 43 Kohlrabi 19 Containers, Tolerances 44 Misc. Asian & Ethnic 19 Small, up to 2 oz. 44 Mustard 20 Medium, 2-8 oz. 48 Odds & Ends 21 Large, 8-16 oz. 51 Pak Choi, Choi Sum 22 Very Large, 1 lb.+ 55 Spinach 23 Processing 58 Swiss Chard 23 Watermelon 59 Leeks 24 Winter Squash 60 Lettuce, Lettuce-Likes 24-26 How to Save Tomato Seeds 63 Arugula 25 Contact Information 64 Cutting Chicory, Dandelion 25 Escarole 25 Frisee 25 Radicchio 26 HOW TO FIND THE NURSERY – DIRECTIONS – THE WAY TO GO! From NYC: Take NY Thruway I-287 North towards Albany. Take Exit 16 at Route 17 North towards Middletown. Take Exit 104 in Monticello, Route 17-B. Follow 17B and turn right at light onto Rt. 52 East. 17B and 52 split about 1/4 mile later. Stay straight onto Rt 52 East. At bottom of hill in Kenoza Lake go right/straight up a hill onto Swiss Hill Rd. North. About 2 miles turn left onto Eggler Rd. On left #216/224. From Binghamton and north: Take Route 17 South/East. Take Exit 87 to Route 97 in Hancock. In Callicoon, just before long bridge at light, turn left onto Rt 52A/17B and go straight. Turn right onto Rt 52 West. In Kenoza Lake turn left onto Swiss Hill Rd North. Go about 2 miles, turn left onto Eggler Rd. #216/224 on left. From Liberty and East: Take Rt 52 West to Jeffersonville. Just after the lake turn left onto short bridge, then a quick right and then a quick left onto Eggler Rd. Go about 1 mile. #216/224 on right. From Pennsylvania: Get onto Rt 97 and travel to Rt 52 east just south of Narrowsburg. 17B joins Rt 52 at a light, stay straight. 17B splits left, but stay straight on Rt 52 East. In Kenoza Lake at bottom of hill go right/straight up a hill onto Swiss Hill Rd North. About 2 miles turn left onto Eggler Rd.