Eschscholzia californica (Bag) – Franchi Sementi

Cicoria Rossa Italiana. Some call this Red Dandelion, but it is a true chicory. Requires a rich, well-tilled soil. Mid-early, upright plant with a large, closely wrapped head. Intense gree, serrated leaves are tall, with large red ribs. Said to be an excellent forcing variety. Take the well-developed plants out in the fall, bunch the leaves and remove secondary roots. Then put in a cooler, closed tub or dark basement and cover lightly with soil. Be the first to let us know about this! 10 gram packet. Approximately 600-900 seeds per gram.

Mid Late variety that produce an upright plant with large wrapped head.
The leaves are tall, with an intense green colour and the ribs are large and red. 10gr

SOW: from March to August
HARVEST: from July to October

Partnership plant: Carrot, Bean, Fennel, Lettuce, Pepper,
Tomato.

What to sow after: Cauliflower, Cabbage, Cucumber, Bean,
Aubergine, Melon, Pepper, Pea, Tomato, Radish, Courgette.

Italian Classic Basil. This sweet Genovese basil is our most popular variety. It is the same strain that made pesto famous worldwide. (Our Italian supplier, Franchi Seeds, calls it Italian Classic rather than Genovese because the region of Genoa got an Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) trademark that limits the use of the name Genovese to basil grown in a certain area of Liguria; however, the seed is grown elsewhere in Italy and so cannot have the name Genovese within Italy. )

Whatever this basil is called, it's the best. This is the classic basil used for sauces, pesto, pizza, and just about everything else. Leaves are soft and fragrant with a delicious taste.

The seed count in a pack is enormous -- about 4,800 seeds. Why so much seed? Because in Italy, people like to pick basil very young, so they seed it repeatedly and just pull the entire plants when they are about 5-6 inches tall. In the U.S., most people grow a few plants and pick from them all summer long, so a packet of seeds lasts a long time. Basil seed, if kept cool and dry (but not in the refrigerator) will remain viable for up to 5 years. Try one of our seed storage tins for keeping extra seed.

Basil has approximately 600-650 seeds per gram.

FUSARIUM FREE - TESTED.

*Heritage Variety*
Basil Classico Italiano - This is the classic style basil which is also used for making 'pesto' but has a million other uses in the kitchen. The ideal windowsill herb too.
This is a mid-early variety producing vigorus plants. Easy to grow and perfect for containers.

Approximate seeds quantity: @4000 seeds.
To be sow from March to July directly on the ground and inside the rest of the year.

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

Cabbage San Michelle (ex. Verza di Verona). Regional savoy type cabbage from Northern Italy. Green crinkly tender leaves with some red in the center. Very striking plant. Large firm heads. For spring or fall, but best for fall. Good storage and will hold well in the ground during cold weather. Taste actually improves with cold weather. 80-90 days. 6 gram packet, approximately 1200 seeds. Approximately 190-300 seeds per gram.

*Heritage Variety*
V58 - A late variety from Verona, Northern Italy which produces tightly wrapped head with erect blistered leaves, green with pink flush. Ideal for winter cultivation.

Approximate seeds quantity:@1800
Sow: from May - end July


Partnership plant: Chard, Cucumber, Bean, Lettuce, Pepper, Pea,
Tomato, Leek, Spinach.

What to sow after: Chicory, Bean, Endive, Lettuce, Pea, Leek,
Spinach, Lamb's lettuce.