This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'Another name for this wonderful fruit is Cuke-a-Saurus and we think that’s the best name to describe something so odd and weird. It is also called kiwano and is a traditional food source in Africa. It is one of the few sources of water in the dry season in the…
Chioggia (pronounced k-ee-OH-g-j-ee-aa) beetroots are distinctive because of their candy-stripe patterns when cut through ... concentric rings of white and pink. This variety is both earthy and aromatic - and is a fun addition to salads, grated or sliced, or cooked like ‘normal’ beetroot (but without as much stain potential). Beet seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. Soak them…
This variety is from Kirchhoffs: The rich flavour and crisp texture of freshly harvested garden broad beans cannot be beaten. These beans should be sown before the soil becomes too warm. Early, tall plants bear long pods with large, flat pale seeds inside. One of the few podded vegetables for winter and early spring.
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘This bean was discovered and named by Russ Crowe in 1977. It was a natural outcross that happened in his garden. Russ attended an exhibition where he showcased his newfound Blue Jay beans. Unfortunately the whole jar was stolen from his table! He later found his beans for sale in…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This dry bean did very well in a dry bean trial we did and was one of the earlier maturing varieties. The bean was developed at Kentville, Nova Scotia's research station, specifically as a dry bean variety and was selected for early and uniform maturity - exactly what we saw…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'Possibly the most beautiful dry bean there is. Also known as yin-yang bean and calypso bean. The contrasting black and white seed coats are magical and if you ask any child which one they like most, they will probably point to these. The bushes produce bumper crops of flat green…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘What an attractive bean this is. When I received the original seed from a friend, there was a note with it that said ‘Very Productive’. How true that turned out to be! Rockwell is an egg-shaped white bean with maroon and tan markings around the eyes. White beans all have…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This a beautifully purple-colored bush bean from Northern Malawi, originally grown by the Tumbuka people. The dual-purpose pods have a fresh nutty flavour and a crisp, succulent bite. The beans are attractive with a navy blue seed coat decorated with cream/tan streaks. The fresh green pods also have purple mottling…
Carrots are basic, right? Well, not really – once you have grown your own, and tasted them fresh out the garden and straight onto your plate, you’ll be wary of buying them in the shops. You’ll notice that carrot seeds are very fine – so mix them with sand or the seed of a quick-growing plant like radish so that…
This variety is from RAW seeds. The Bhut Jolokia is better known as the 'ghost chilli' or 'ghost pepper', and was once considered the hottest chilli in the world. It cracks a whopping 1 million units on the Scoville Scale of hotness (which has nothing to do with its looks, and everything to do with how it can burn your…
Paprika peppers are grown much like other peppers, and enjoy a well-draining, fertile soil in a sunny area. Fruit is mature when it is bright red in colour. Dry your peppers in mesh bags hung in full sun for three to seven days. When completely dry, 85 percent of the pod weight will have been lost. Milder than chilli powders,…
Brinjal (egg plant, aubergine, melanzane ...) are long-season plants so sow your seeds as early as possible. These teardrop beauties will provide long, slim fruit, ready to slice into stir-fries or stews, baked or grilled, or popped onto a braai and slathered with olive oil and freshly-cracked pepper ... yum! The flowers turn to fruit quickly so keep an…
The Italians call it Cavolo Nero, and yes, that sounds like the name of an eccentric millionaire who wears suits on yachts. Imagine our disappointment when we found out that it actually means “black cabbage.” In an effort to never be misled by the musical beauty of their language again, we’re firmly calling it Dinosaur Kale and brainstorming T-Rex jokes…
This variety is from RAW: A tasty, colourful mix of five loose leaf varieties. They range from shades of green to red, with textures from oak leaf to tightly ruffled. Sow this exciting mix every week to ten days for a constant supply of fresh salad leaves throughout the season. Goodbye, soggy packets of store-bought fridge lettuce. Fast-growing, tender, and…
This variety is from Kirchhoffs: A classic in kitchens and gardens. A mix of red and green lettuce with varied leaf types. Can be grown year round and used as baby leaf or full grown lettuce. All varieties can be used as cut and come again. ie use older leaves and new leaves will grow from the centre.
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'The chances of true mint seeds germinating are very low, but this variety isn't a true mint and they germinate very easily from fresh seeds. Korean mint (Agastache rugosa) is an extremely beautiful lilac purple flowering herb that will bring colour to your garden the whole summer long. Korean Mint…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'Black Nightfall originated as a cross in the gardens of Russel Crowe in the States, one of the world's leading bean collectors. Black Nightfall is without a doubt one of the most beautiful beans I have in my collection. The plants send out runners but won't take over your garden.…
Very important: The green beans inside the pods should always be cooked and not eaten raw as they do contains toxins that may be harmful when raw. This variety comes from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'Hyacinth beans also known as Lab-lab bean is native to Africa and are a favourite in Indian communities where they are referred to…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'One of the best-yielding beans and a keeper for years to follow. These beans didn’t impress me at first as they were some of the last to start producing, but oh boy when they got going I was rather impressed. I pulled the plants in autumn while they were still…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘This is a personal favourite of mine for good reason. Snowcap beans are probably the biggest dry beans that I offer and they produce beautiful large beans that are a good option for stretching meals, especially stews with a bacon/tomato base. The vines will find their way up and around…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This is the dry bean you want! From customer feedback, this has performed very well for almost everyone who tried it. From Africa for Africa is how I'd describe this bean. This Zambian heirloom is sought after in Africa. For me, this is the benchmark for what dry beans should…
Fact: Italian heirloom veggies are ridiculously good-looking. This beauty originated in Roman times, and its green heads begin to turn a deep red with white midribs and veins once the weather cools. Another fact: it’s an excellent autumn veggie, and the heads regenerate if cut off carefully above ground level. Final fact: we have like ten more facts about this…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘This beautiful variety is rather hard to find in South Africa. Runner beans are perennial and will grow out each year. They will thus be some of your first beans in their second year. The attractive salmon-coloured flowers will lure various pollinators into your garden. Though often grown as an…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘This is one of the most productive sweet peppers we have grown. Purple Flame produces thick-walled, juicy and crunchy fresh eating peppers that start off purple and mature to a reddish colour with some purple streaks. This is a very tasty pepper that will be perfect for salads, pizza topping,…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘One of the best varieties out there as far as heirloom tomatoes go! The tomato has it all. It is an early producing, gorgeous looking plant that profusely produces the best tasting tomatoes. The fruit starts green with deep purple anthocyanin shoulders and eventually matures to a peach orange with…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'Another keeper for the next season. If you are looking for a tomato to make sauces and preserves, but never seem to have enough fruit produced from other varieties, Black Dragon is your answer. No need to look further. This is a smaller plum-type tomato that is believed to originate…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘Black Krim, in my opinion, is probably one of the best ‘black’ tomato varieties available and I’ll gladly recommend them to anyone who wants to know what a good heirloom tomato is all about. The variety is believed to have been saved and distributed by soldiers who fought in the…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This cherry tomato is a combination of beauty and bounty with beautiful flavours to add to that. Blue Berries will be some of the first tomatoes that you’ll pick and you better bring a bucket as one plant that is well-taken care of can produce almost 1 kg fruit. This…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This is something different and not a variety you'll find around every corner. Blue Keys was developed by well-known tomato breeder Dean Slater, Michigan, USA. He named it after one of his friends, Rev Michael Keyes, and this blue version is one of a 'Keys' series that includes another coloured…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This is another gem from Brad Gates of Wildboar Farms. This is a larger version from the same selection as Brad's Atomic Grape. The plants are heavy producers of exotic-tasting tomatoes with beautiful colours, each bringing something different to the table. The fruit starts green with some anthocyanins on the…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This is an unusual yet stunning tomato variety that will catch everyone's attention. Brad's Atomic Grape is bred by no other than Brad Gates from Wild Boar Farms. Brad breeds the most exotic and amazing type of tomatoes one can imagine. This variety isn't just a stunner in the looks…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'Chestnut Chocolate is a good producer of almost perfectly round medium-sized fruit with an amazing chocolate/khaki colour, the depth of which varies with the amount of direct sunlight they receive. The bottoms will eventually colour up to a red when ripe. Bred by Brad Gates from Wild Boar Farms, USA,…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'This rare productive variety from California grows vigorously to 180 cm. The golf ball sized fruit weighs 85 to 100 g. The fruits start and end with dramatic colours and will be a standout, fitting in well with other coloured tomatoes. Dark Galaxy tomatoes have good flavour and produce moderate-sized…
This variety is from RAW: Oh Mother Nature, you clever thing. This beauty has exquisite emerald skin, dark green vertical stripes and gently flavourful flesh. It’s a rich tomato with a sweet, sharp bite and requires staking for support. For best flavour, keep Green Zebras at room temperature. The acidity of green tomatoes works well in different dishes, but they’re…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘One of the most beautiful tomatoes in the world! ‘Mar Azul’ means blue sea in Spanish and this tomato has some serious amounts of blue in it. The fruit is medium-size, flattened and is slightly ribbed. The fruit will vary in colour depending on the amount of direct sunlight it…
This variety is from RAW: Tomayto, tomahto… nope, definitely tomahto. Sorry America. This plum-shaped variety is an Italian heirloom, and its meaty fruits are best when sundried. Plant marigold lemon drop nearby to prevent nematode infection of the soil, and stake plants for support. (How smart did we sound there?). In dry areas, hang up branches of these tomatoes until…
This variety is from RAW: This is our special magical mix of cherry tomatoes: red, yellow, orange, pink, white, green, brown, bi-colour. Juicy, sweet and colourful! Impress family and friends with this and make meals and snacks more fun. This mix of small tomatoes will add interest and taste to a whole host of tomato dishes. The fruits have a…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: 'What joyful little treats these are! The Bumblebee series of cherry-type tomatoes brought much excitement to the tomato world and they have become very popular. These attractive bi-coloured fruits are produced on long vines and have a great taste for a cherry type. They did very well in the taste…
This variety is from Peak Week Pods. JC Terblanche says: ‘What is not to love about Tigerella’s small to medium-sized red fruit with yellow stripes all over them. They are produced in vast amounts, as in serious quantities. Tigerellas have a sweet flavour with some citrus notes. If making impressive salads is your thing, this should be one to consider.…
