Types of Heirloom Seeds
Types of Heirloom Seeds
Our ARK seed kits are the most complete heirloom seed kits on the market. Our seeds are top-quality and designed to sustain a family for many years. The beauty of heirloom seeds is that you can replant year after year. Our kits include many types of heirloom seeds. Below, you will find a list of the different heirloom seeds that we make available in our heirloom seed kits. You can click on any of the highlighted seeds below to learn important details, such as growing tips and maturity days. So, if you want more information about our different types of heirloom seeds, you’re in the right place.
Heirloom Radish Seeds
Radish Harvesting Radish Seeds Radishes are pollinated by bees and will cross readily with other radishes, so you should only allow one type to flower at a time. When selecting summer radishes for heirloom radish seed saving, select those with the best shape, size, and color. The seeds are yellow when mature, later turning to brown. Familiar...
Heirloom Rutabaga
Rutabaga Harvesting Rutabaga Seeds Store turnips or rutabagas over the winter in a cold area with high humidity or leave outside in areas with mild winters. In the spring, transplant the entire root to its original depth and they will grow in height and then flower. Heirloom rutabaga seeds are mature when pods are dry. Harvest into...
Heirloom Spinach Seeds
Spinach Harvest Spinach Seeds Spinach is wind pollinated and difficult to maintain purity of a certain strain if there are any other varieties with 1 mile. The best thing you can do is grow only one variety at a time and weed out any undesirable plant as they appear. You can do this with our heirloom spinach...
Heirloom Squash Seeds
Squash Harvesting Heirloom Squash Seeds Select your most productive plants with the tastiest fruit for seed saving. Bees pollinate squashes, so they can cross with other varieties. Most winter and summer squashes cannot cross-pollinate. With winter squashes and pumpkins, the seed is ready when the fruit is fully mature. However, with summer squashes, the fruit...
Heirloom Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard Harvesting Heirloom Swiss Chard Seeds Swiss chard’s lightweight pollen can be carried a long way in the wind, and will cross with other members of the species, such as ruby red swiss chard. Select swiss chards that are a couple inches in diameter and dig them up before the first hard frost. Cut...
Heirloom Tomato Seeds
Tomato Harvesting Heirloom Tomato Seeds Tomatoes are self-pollinating but can occasionally be cross-pollinated by insects. Grow different varieties at least 10 ft. apart. Save seeds from at least 3 different plants. To harvest heirloom tomato seeds, cut open the tomato and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Place in a bowl or jar and add...
Heirloom Turnip Seeds
Turnip Harvesting Heirloom Turnip Seeds Turnips are pollinated by bees and will cross readily with other turnips, so you should only allow one type to flower at a time. When selecting summer turnips for seed saving, select those with the best shape, size, and color. Seeds are yellow when mature, later turning to brown. Familiar...
Heirloom Mustard
Mustard Harvesting Mustard Seeds Mustard is pollinated by bees. It is best to plant a dozen or more plants as a time to maintain vigor. Mustard is much like Spinach, watch for the seedstalk to bolt up. When this happens, the seeds are found in pods in the seedstalk. You can then cut the seedstalk and remove...
Heirloom Onion Seeds
Onion Harvest Onion Seeds Farmers and gardeners often grow heirloom onions from sets or small bulbs, but growing onions from seed results in better-quality onions that are less prone to disease. Onions flower and form seed in the second year of growth, and bees cross-pollinate them. To preserve the purity of a certain strain for...
Heirloom Parsnips
ParsnipsHarvesting Parsnip SeedsHarvest Parsnip seeds as you would carrots. Parsnip seeds are harvested BIENNIALLY.Hallow CrownParsnip has a sweet nut like flavor. Use like carrots, add to soups and stews, or steam with butter and seasonings. Can be boiled, fried or sauteed in butter. Roots may be harvested in the fall or left in the ground until the...
Heirloom Pea Seeds
Peas Harvesting Peas and Seeds The sweet snap of pea pods is one of the greatest joys of spring. Growing peas from seed requires attention to temperature and soil conditions. Try heirloom pea seeds from ARK to grow delicious varieties for your spring menus. Peas are self-pollinating, but harvesting the seeds takes patience. When harvesting...
Heirloom Pepper Seeds
Peppers Harvesting Pepper Seeds Peppers, whether hot or sweet, add marvelous flavor to various dishes. With heirloom pepper seeds from ARK, you can grow your own hot or sweet peppers and learn how to harvest and save the seeds for next season. A few things to know about growing peppers: They are self-pollinating, but occasionally...
Heirloom Kale Seeds
Kale Harvesting Kale Seeds Kale is pollinated by bees and can only cross-pollinate with Rutabaga. Carefully dig the whole plant up in fall and store in a cool bed of damp soil over the winter to preserve much of their root system. Then in the spring, replant them back outside. The plant will then regrow...
Heirloom Lettuce Seeds
Lettuce Harvest Lettuce Seeds Since lettuce is self-pollinated, it will almost always “come true” from seed, making it a good choice for seed saving. You can feel comfortable planting seeds of different heirloom lettuce varieties with another crop in between. Heirloom lettuce seeds don’t harvest all at once, so monitor the bolted plants closely for...
Heirloom Leeks
LeeksHarvesting Leek SeedsLeeks are often grown from sets, or small bulbs, but leeks grown from seed are of better quality and less prone to disease. Leeks flower and form seed in the second year of growth and are cross-pollinated by bees. To preserve the purity of a certain strain for seed saving, make sure your...
Heirloom Melon Seeds
Melon Harvesting Melon Seeds Bees pollinate melons and they can cross-pollinate with other melon varieties but not with cucumbers or squash. If you are planning on saving the seeds, separate varieties by 200 ft. Select early bearing, disease resistant plants for seed saving. When harvesting, scoop out seeds, thoroughly rinse off any pulp sticking to them, and air-dry...
Heirloom Carrot Seeds
Carrots Harvesting Carrot Seeds Carrots are pollinated by insects and will cross with many other varieties of the same species. They can also cross with the very common roadside weed Queen Anne’s Lace; so, if you are collecting seed, mow any weedy areas before your carrots bloom. If you want to maintain the integrity of...
Heirloom Corn Seeds
Harvesting Heirloom Corn Seeds All kinds of heirloom corn varieties will readily cross with each other because they are wind pollinated. Plant different kinds at least 250ft. apart. Harvest heirloom corn seeds about 1 month after picking the rest for eating. The seeds will continue to ripen on the cobs after harvest; simply peel back...
Heirloom Cucumber Seeds
Cucumber Bees pollinate cucumbers and they will cross-pollinate with other cucumber varieties. It you’re planning on saving heirloom cucumber seeds, separate varieties of cucumbers by at least 200 ft. They will not cross with melons or squash. Harvesting cucumber seeds 5 weeks after you would have eaten the fruit, when the fruit is...
Heirloom Eggplant
EggplantHarvesting Eggplant SeedsEggplant is usually self-pollinated, but may also be cross-pollinated by insects. If you’re concerned about cross-pollination grow only one type a year. Harvest the seed by cutting open it lengthwise, scoop out the pulp, and place in a bowl of water. Work it with your fingers until the viable seeds settle to the bottom...
Heirloom Beets
BeetsHarvesting Beet SeedsBeets have a lightweight pollen that bees can carry a long way in the wind, and will cross with other members of the species, such as swiss chard. Select beets that are a couple inches in diameter and dig them up before the first hard frost. Cut leafy tops to 1 in. Bury beets in...
Heirloom Broccoli
BroccoliHarvesting Broccoli SeedsSince broccoli is not self-pollinated but is cross-pollinated by insects, you’ll need at least 3 plants, placed close together, for a good set. It will cross with other brassicas such as brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi, so you should either raise only one of these each year or keep them well separated. When the...
Heirloom Brussel Sprouts
Brussel SproutsHarvesting Brussel SproutsAn insect pollinated biennial, brussel sprouts will cross with all members of Brassica family. Isolation distances of ½ mile are necessary for purity. Seedpods must reach maturity on the mother plant. When pods are dry and brown, they can be harvested and broken open. Long IslandBy far the most popular of the Brussels Sprouts, the...
Heirloom Cabbage
CabbageHarvesting Cabbage SeedsIf you are planning on saving seeds from cabbage, keep them separated from all Brassica (Broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, and cauliflower). Separate by 200 ft. or place a tall barrier between. IN the first year, select disease-resistant plants with firm, table-ready heads. Pull up rots intact, trim off outermost leaves, and store plants in a...
Heirloom Bean Seeds
Beans Harvesting Heirloom Bean Seeds Beans are self-pollinating although they can rarely cross from insects so it’s best to plant different bean seed varieties 100ft. apart if at all possible. Harvest the heirloom bean seed about 6 weeks after you’ve harvested your beans for eating; the seed is usually ripe if it rattles in the...
Heirloom Anise- Annual
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Anise- AnnualPlant anise herb seeds in a nice sunny spot in soil that has adequate drainage. Anise seeds produce a pungent flavored herb that resembles fennel and licorice, and it is used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. In antiquity, anise was used...
Heirloom Borage- Annual
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Borage- AnnualThe fresh herb has a cucumber-like fragrance. It has long been grown freely in kitchen gardens, both for its uses as a herb and for the sake of its flowers, which yield excellent honey. Our great grandmothers preserved the...
Heirloom Caraway- Biannual
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Caraway- BiannualFor best results, caraway seeds should be planted in dry, well-drained soil. The seed is a versatile culinary herb that is commonly used in breads – particularly rye bread, and also occasionally to flavor cheeses such as havarti. It is...
Heirloom Chamomile- Annual
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Chamomile- AnnualBesides being a favorite evening herbal tea, dried chamomile flowers in a simple muslin bag make a wonderful, relaxing bath. It is an excellent remedy for all manner of women’s disorders and is especially valuable for problems arising from stress,...
Heirloom Echinacea Seeds – Perennial
Medicinal Herbs (Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds) Echinacea - Perennial “Purple Coneflower” or “Echinacea” is one of the most famous and familiar of all North American native wildflowers. Bold and beautiful, the Echinacea plant is prized equally it seems for its healing herbal...
Heirloom Fennel- Perennial
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Fennel- PerennialFennel is an excellent herbal additive to many culinary dishes, including salads, fish, and sauces. Fennel has through history been considered an appetite depressant, and as such, a weight loss aid. All parts of the Fennel plant are safe for...
Heirloom Fenugreek- Annual
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Fenugreek- AnnualFenugreek is also sometimes called “fenigreek” - is a highly versatile herb variety that is prized for its culinary and medicinal attributes. Use fenugreek to spice up just about any meal – particularly Mediterranean dishes. Among Fenugreek’s many ascribed medicinal...
Heirloom Lavender Seeds – Perennial
Lavender - Perennial Of all the scores of different heirloom lavender seeds, this one—Lavandula vera—is arguably the most popular. A delicate and versatile variety, lavender is especially cherished for its elegant appearance and lovely scent. This lavender perennial is fast-growing, long-blooming, and very hardy. Internally, Lavender is believed to be of benefit for a multitude...
Heirloom Lemon Balm- Perennial
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)Lemon Balm- PerennialA perennial herb in the mint family. The leaves have a gentle lemon scent, related to mint. At the end of the summer, little white flowers full of nectar appear. These attract bees, hence the genus name Melissa...
Sorrel
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch sorrel seeds)strong>SorrelSorrel grows and looks a lot like Arugula. This difference is that it is used as a herb medicinally in soups, tea, or any foods you desire. It is high in iron and fiber.Harvesting Sorrel SeedsSmall seed heads will...
St. John’s Wort- Perennial
Medicinal Herbs(Tip: Use a paper or plastic bag and rubber band over drying blooms to catch seeds)St. John’s Wort- PerennialA pretty evergreen with yellow flowers. St John's wort is today most widely known as an herbal treatment for major and minor depression. The aerial parts of the plant can be cut and dried for later delivery...
