We’ve designated about a dozen varieties that originate in Africa, or are part of Black foodways, for Black Benefit Sharing. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of these seeds will go to the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust for their work in helping farmers of color purchase their own farms.
Lagenaria siceraria (120 days) Open pollinated. Large gourd with bulbous base and narrow neck. Fruit can grow 14" tall and 12" in diameter. Start indoors.
Lagenaria siceraria (120 days) Open pollinated. Dark green skin with pale green splotches. Round 8-10" base tapers into a long neck capped by a small bulb near the stem to make the swan’s head.
Sorghum bicolor (100 days) Open pollinated. A white-seeded 4' grain sorghum, can be popped, but it is more commonly ground into a mild-flavored flour, cooked as a grain, or sometimes nixtamalized like corn and made into tortillas.
Amaranthus tricolor (120 days) Open pollinated. Very red Jamaican traditional green for Callaloo stew. Beautiful tricolor blaze makes it ornamental as well.
Brassica oleracea (acephala group) (60 days) Open pollinated. Smooth glossy “greasy” greens are delicious steamed. Most delectable early in the season, or late after a nip of frost.
Abelmoschus esculentus (85 days) Open pollinated. Big fluted tender green pods on sturdy plants. Will produce in central Maine, but better suited to farther south.
Abelmoschus esculentus (75 days) Open pollinated. Edible and ornamental. Slender burgundy pods best harvested at 4". Green leaves and burgundy stems and pods.
Capsicum annuum (80 days) Open pollinated. Striking color display, white with green stripes to orange with brown stripes, to red. 2" curving pendant form. 5,000-30,000 Scovilles. Attractive foliage.
