Nepeta cataria (Bag) – Franchi Sementi

Capers/Cappero. Mature caper bushes can grow three feet high and spread four or five feet. They are quite pretty and aromatic. They require dry heat and intense sunlight to flourish. Will be killed by temperatures below 20 degrees F. In the north, bring them inside in the winter and treat them like rosemary. Seeds are sometimes difficult to germinate; soak seeds a day, put in refridgerator in wet towel in plastic bag for 6 weeks, then plant in 5" pots, 4 seeds/pot. Thin to strongest. When transplanting, disturb root as little as possible. May have flowers year 1, will have them year 2. 1 gram packet.

Indoor only. This perennial plant is ideal for pickling in vinegar for later use on pizza and in antipasti. Must be grown in a hot climate, or in a greenhouse/conservatory. Sow from Mar-Jun and add sand and gravel to the soil. Please note that germination can take from 3-12 months.

Capers/Cappero. Mature caper bushes can grow three feet high and spread four or five feet. They are quite pretty and aromatic. They require dry heat and intense sunlight to flourish. Will be killed by temperatures below 20 degrees F. In the UK, bring them inside in the winter and treat them like rosemary. Seeds are sometimes difficult to germinate; soak seeds a day, put in refrigerator in wet towel in plastic bag for 6 weeks, then plant in 5" pots, 4 seeds/pot. Thin to strongest. When transplanting, disturb root as little as possible. May have flowers year 1, will have them year 2. 1 gram packet. To learn more about growing capers, click here.


Approximate seeds quantity:@120
Sow: Spring

Climbing French Bean - Meraviglia di Venezia. The "100 gram" packet is actually 170 grams. Vigorous plant, heavy producer of up to 10 inch meaty light yellow roma type beans. White seed. No strings & good flavor. The bean salad using this and Supermarconi was a real hit. Like all pole beans, keep picking to encourage continued production. 55 or so days; very early for a pole bean. Vigorous climber needs support: use trellis, tripods or single poles at least 7' tall. Plant after soil has warmed up well since seeds are not treated. 3-4 seeds around base of each pole or 2 seeds/six inches for trellis. Thin to one/six inches for trellis, 2 plants for poles. 30 grams. Approx. 80 seeds. The 170 gram pack contains approx. 440 seeds.

*Heritage Variety* *Endangered Variety from the Slow Food register of varieties at risk, the 'Ark of Taste'* https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/meraviglia-di-venezia-bean/
Marvel of Venice Yellow French bean
B17 - This wide, meaty yellow French Bean is stringless. It is great hot as a vegetable, but it really comes into it's own in a bean salad dressed with Olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Modena.
Early variety with white seeds. The plant reach and height of 190cm, with pods about 20cm long and 3cm wide.


Weight: 30g
To be sown from April to July
Approximate seeds quantity: @ 150seeds

Basil Napoletano. Big leaf basil. Dark green wrinkled leaves. Very intense flavor & aroma (unlike most big leaf types). Leaves are as big as your hand. Prefers full sun. 8 gram packet.

Basil has approximately 600-650 seeds per gram.

*Heritage Variety*
Featured on BBC GQT 2/3/12. Large basil with blistered leaves. This variety is only found in Naples and is highly prized for it's flavor. We keep the buffalo in this region and so traditionally it is used to wrap the large leaves around mozzarella balls and drizzle with olive oil. @4000.


Approximate seeds quantity:@4000
Sow: from March - July