{"title":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe grow mixed vegetables, flowers, and fruits in Esparto, California, an organic farming hub at the mouth of the Capay Valley. Our seed saving is focused on heat tolerant crops from Latin America and the African Diaspora. David worked with the East New York Farms! Project for over a decade as farm manager and project director. Loreal began her agricultural journey as a child growing strawberries and peppers in a community garden in Bed-Stuy. We moved to Esparto in 2020 and have been focusing on growing seed, raising chickens, establishing native plants along our seasonal creek, and continuing the soil building work initiated by David's sister. We are grateful to our friends and family for their assistance in harvesting and cleaning seeds!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoreal's Instagram: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/loreal8\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e@loreal8\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDavid's Instagram: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thatdvlife\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e@thatdvlife\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"syrian-smooth-cucumber","title":"Syrian Smooth Cucumber","description":"\u003cp\u003eSyrian Smooth Cucumbers are smooth, green, waxy, and mild. They are perfect for salads when harvested at about 3\" long. In 1949, The Near East Foundation collected this variety in Homs, Syria and gave it to the USDA, who called it \"Homs 6\" and \"PI 181940\". Our friends at the Experimental Farm Network requested this variety (and shared it with us) as one of many from Homs and other regions around the world where farmers are being affected by war and natural disaster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 57 from transplant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99% on 11\/17\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeed indoors 2-3 weeks beforehand and transplant into warm soil (above 60 degrees at night). Space the plants at 12 inches apart. Vines grow 4-5 feet, so allow them space to sprawl. Practice pest control, including covering the plants with row cover as they size up to keep off cucumber beetles, which can spread disease. Harvest 3 inch fruits daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCucumbers are insect pollinated and require about 1\/2 a mile of isolation from other varieties of the same species, which in this case is \u003cem\u003eCucumis sativus\u003c\/em\u003e. The seeds will be fully mature when the fruit turns yellowish orange, large, and bloated - harvest at this stage. Separate the seeds from the flesh, rinse them, and dry them on a screen or paper product away from direct sunlight in a ventilated place. The plumpest and hardest seeds will be most viable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21331359006800,"sku":"CUC-006","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/syrian_cucumber_slices.JPG?v=1571609437"},{"product_id":"holstein-southern-pea","title":"Holstein Southern Pea","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis attractive southern pea was called Polecat in an 1860s survey of southern 'cowpeas', and more recently: Holstein. This tall bush yields 6 to 8 inch pods that produce 10 to 12 peas per pod, good for green shelling peas or dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species was domesticated in West Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSearch terms: Cowpea, Southern Pea, Field Pea\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80 days to dry seed harvest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 87% on 04\/16\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow black-eyed peas safely after frost, any time between late May and mid-July. This is a climbing vine crop, so it needs to be planted next to a structure or trellis. Plant 1\" deep with 3\" spacing, either in 1 row on each side of the net trellis or in another arrangement if using a different kind of trellis, like a pole or garden sculpture. Being a legume, it does fairly well in and adds nitrogen to poor soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack-eyed peas are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of \u003cem\u003eV. unguiculata\u003c\/em\u003e (including black-eyed peas, southern peas, cowpeas, and long beans) at least 20 feet, if not much farther to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow beans to dry fully into a brown crispy state. This is when they are ready to harvest for seed. If necessary, lay them out to dry a little longer in their pods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32273141956743,"sku":"VIG-012","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/12365933_10208863215480671_4428098962355843948_o.jpg?v=1580248825"},{"product_id":"chimayo-pepper","title":"Chimayo Pepper","description":"\u003cp\u003eScoville units: 4000-6000\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chimayo pepper is a sweet and slightly hot pepper that has been grown for centuries in its namesake town in New Mexico. Plants are compact and productive, yielding dozens of 3-4 inch fruits from midsummer through the fall. They can be harvested at any stage, but should be allowed to fully ripen to red for optimal flavor, drying, and seed-saving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chimayo pepper is on the Slow Food Ark of Taste and for good reason. They have a unique sweet-hot flavor as a fresh chili paste that only intensifies when dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Vigil and Loreal Monroe grow this variety to connect with the many generations of David’s family that have farmed and lived in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70-80\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96% on 02\/11\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost and transplant into the garden well after the danger of frost. Keep seedlings moist but do not overwater. Transplants should be initially watered in well, and plants will be most productive with regular irrigation and full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeppers are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by at least 50 feet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. There are several important species of peppers, so check your scientific names! Pepper seeds are ripe when the fruits have turned their final fiery color - in this case, red. Cut the fruit (consider wearing gloves), scrape out seeds, and lay them out to dry on a labeled screen or paper product in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight for a week or two. Drying the peppers before seed extraction can slightly lower your germination rates, but works fine for home seed saving as long as the peppers do not rot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44166674383086,"sku":"CAP-032","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/ChimayoPepper_4_smallbowl_edsqsm.jpg?v=1684256079"},{"product_id":"huerfano-bliss-melon","title":"Huerfano Bliss Melon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom grower David Vigil:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAn exceptional orange honeydew with a rich, dense flesh with a complex flavor that includes hints of vanilla. The plants are vigorous and produce fruits that are 5-6” across.  Selected and introduced by Pueblo Seed \u0026amp; Food Company.  This melon is named for the Huerfano River in southern Colorado, the same region where David’s grandparents and their ancestors farmed in the high desert.  While melons are not indigenous to the Americas, they have been cultivated in the Southwest for many centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96% on 11\/17\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelons can be direct-sown or transplanted into soils that are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, typically 2-3 weeks after the last frost date.  Sow indoors about 2 weeks before transplanting. Melons are vigorous growers and if started too early they will become rootbound.  Space plants 2-3’ apart, or grow in hills. Vines will sprawl around 3 feet in every direction, so be sure to provide adequate space or a trellis if you wish.  Like all Curcubits, they benefit from compost or well-aged manure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest when the skin goes from pale green to pale yellow and the blossom end yields to gentle pressure.  Honeydews don’t slip from the vine in the same way as canteloupes, but we have found that in peak summer these will slip from the vine but will leave a scar on the melon and should be eaten soon after. This variety will keep for several weeks in refrigeration, but we typically find ourselves eating them before that!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIsolate by 1\/2 mile from other members of \u003cem\u003eC. melo\u003c\/em\u003e, including other muskmelons, cantaloupes, honeydews, and Armenian cucumbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeds are ripe when the fruit is ripe, and unlike cucumbers do not need fermentation. Allowing the fruit to ripen until they slip will maximize the sweetness and seed maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse seeds in a mesh colander and then quickly dry on screens, paper towels, or paper bags. Allow to dry in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight. In our experience, the float test did not work well for separating viable seeds, but winnowing with a fan helped to get rid of immature seeds\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47375042150638,"sku":"CUC-032","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/PXL_20250901_185050887.jpg?v=1765153516"},{"product_id":"bolita-bean","title":"Bolita Bean","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom grower David Vigil:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBolita (Spanish for “little ball”) is a small, round pink variety of dry bean that is productive and performs well in challenging conditions including heat and high altitude. Bolita has a sweet, creamy taste; it cooks quickly and is easier to digest than the pinto bean which has supplanted it in regional cuisine. This bean has been cultivated in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico for centuries and is on the Slow Food Ark of Taste. We grow this variety to connect with the foodways of David’s ancestors from that region, for whom beans are a staple part of the diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e90\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 35-40\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 98% on 12\/10\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant 4-6” apart after all danger of frost. These have a slight vining habit, but we tend to let them sprawl rather than planting on a trellis to facilitate harvest.  When the leaves start to yellow and some of the pods are starting to turn brown and crispy, cut off irrigation, pile sprawling vines into a windrow, and allow the rest of the pods to fully mature. Before the pods start to shatter and drop the seed, cut the vines at ground level and move to a tarp in a dry location. Thresh when the seed pods are brown and fully dry. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCommon beans\u003cem\u003e (Phaseolus vulgaris)\u003c\/em\u003e are self-fertile, but it is good practice to isolate them from other varieties by 25 feet or more to prevent unwanted cross-polination by insect pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47392979452142,"sku":"BN-033","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/PXL_20250504_205847017_2.jpg?v=1765398562"},{"product_id":"california-poppy","title":"California Poppy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe iconic California poppy is a hardy and easy-to-grow wildflower that can make itself at home in any garden.  These plants grow 1-2’ tall and have distinct feathery, blue-green foliage that make them easy to distinguish from other plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn their native range along the Western coast of North America (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora and northwest Baja California) they are a spring and early summer flower, but will bloom through the summer in cooler areas.  In addition to their bright blooms, they are also grown for their medicinal properties. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlso called: Mexican poppy, California Sunlight, Copa de Oro (Cup of Gold) and Qupé, in Chumash.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Photos by David Vigil and Owen Taylor)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity: \u003c\/strong\u003e60-90\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 110\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 79% on 01\/29\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn milder climates, poppies are best seeded in the fall or late winter for early spring blooms. In cooler areas, plant in late\/winter or early spring. Seeds can be broadcast and lightly raked to encourage soil contact–plant no more than ¼” deep. Transplanting is not recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoppies require cool nights to flower abundantly, so they grow best early or late in the year. They often flower for long periods and can be perennial in milder climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeed pods should be collected when the pods are firm and pull easily from the plant.  Poppies tend to ripen in succession, so check your plants on a regular basis. If you leave the pods to fully dry on the plants they will fling their seeds far and wide as they dry!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo finish curing your pods, place them in a paper bag and seal with a clothespin – keep them in a dry place and listen as they pop like popcorn in the bag.  When the pods have fully dried they are easy to separate from the seed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47664702357742,"sku":"HERB-096","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/PXL_20250520_164210214.jpg?v=1771253797"},{"product_id":"narrowleaf-milkweed","title":"Narrowleaf Milkweed","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelp protect monarch butterflies with this native plant!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNarrowleaf milkweed, also known as Mexican whorled milkweed, is a vigorous and adaptable milkweed that is native to Western North America. It is a critical component of the monarch butterfly lifecycle – after hatching from eggs laid on the plants, monarch caterpillars feed on the leaves whose bitter compounds make the caterpillars unpalatable to predators.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNarrowleaf milkweed grows to about 24”-30” tall, with the slender leaves.The plants produce pink and white flowers which are popular with a wide range of pollinators. While not as spectacular as other milkweed species, it is still a lovely plant that can thrive in hot summers and drought conditions and is unmatched for its habitat value. Highly recommended as a component of any pollinator garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15-20\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 92% on 02\/16\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNarrowleaf milkweed grows best in warm weather and generally does not require cold-moist stratification, though some sources say that it can improve germination consistency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seeds need light and heat to germinate, so press seeds ⅛” into moist potting mix and plant in warmer months (April to July). The milkweed root system can be slow to establish; planting in biodegradable pots can be a helpful strategy for transplanting before the rootball has formed. Milkweed can also be direct-sown in bare soil, but it does not compete well with weeds as a seedling. Space plants 24” apart, mulch well, and water weekly for the first year to establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilkweed is perennial and spreads via rhizomes, so be sure to plant in an area where it can spread and live long-term. It does especially well in swales or ditches, but also tolerates drier soils and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Mulch the plants over the winter, and expect them to re-emerge in late May or June.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHarvesting milkweed seed is easy but does require some attention. As the pods develop, check regularly until the seam along the pod splits easily with gentle pressure. The seeds inside should be dark brown and fully mature at this stage. You can either carefully separate the seeds from the floss at this point, or put in a paper bag for cleaning later. If cleaning a large amount of pods, wait until the pods have fully dried and opened in the bag. Add a few coins to the bag and shake vigorously until the seed separates from the floss and accumulates in the bottom of the bag. Milkweed pods tend to ripen in succession over several months.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Vigil and Loreal Monroe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47794688458990,"sku":"FLO-054","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/PXL_20250821_150211896.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg?v=1773951513"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/collections\/DV_LM_square_pic.jpg?v=1678906873","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/collections\/david-vigil-and-loreal-monroe.oembed","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}