{"title":"Providence Farm Collective","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvidence Farm Collective (PFC)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a nonprofit organization and farm located in the outskirts of Buffalo, NY. PFC was established in 2019 with a mission of cultivating farmer-led and community-rooted agriculture and food systems to actualize the rights of under-resourced peoples. Since inception PFC has welcomed 8 community organizations and 16 start-up farm businesses to the farm representing Somali Bantu, Congolese, Liberian, Burmese, Burundian, Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, and Black American communities. Through PFC, farmers are provided free farmland access, agricultural resources, education, and access to markets. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDao Kamara\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a farmer at PFC and community leader of the Liberian Association of Buffalo. Dao began selling to Truelove Seeds in 2023. Dao's passion for growing eggplants and hot peppers from Liberia is strong and infectious!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKandolo Makongo\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is an incubator and Congolese community farmer at PFC.  A long time seed saver, Kandolo is selling Congolese specialty greens seeds and Nya Nya Chungu eggplant for the first time in 2024.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRosa Meh \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eis leader of Karenni Hope Farm, a community farm at PFC.  Rosa grows Karenni chilies and specialty beans for local grocers in Buffalo and is beginning to sell seeds in 2024.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about the work of PFC visit:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWebsite: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.providencefarmcollective.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eprovidencefarmcollective.org\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eFacebook: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ProvidenceCollective\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003efacebook.com\/ProvidenceCollective\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cbr\u003eInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/providencefarmcollective\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003einstagram.com\/providencefarmcollective\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"SGSpiceGallery\" id=\"SGSpiceGallery10851\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"large-liberian-kittley-african-eggplant","title":"Large Liberian Kittley (African Eggplant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this listing is for \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSEEDS\u003c\/span\u003e, not fresh eggplants!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese small fruits are dark, bitter, productive, and easy to pick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatilee Eggplant is very important in West Africa, and many other tropical parts of the globe. Our seeds were grown by Liberian farmers in Buffalo, New York for their own community and business. You can eat these small, round, and bitter eggplants when green and unripe. Katilee can also be boiled before eating or made into a sauce. This Katilee is used as medicine to treat high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, fever, or malaria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as Kittley, Katilee, Kiterley, Kitilly.\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 75\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80% on 05\/12\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are heat-loving, and seeds should be started indoors about 1\/8-1\/4\" deep, about 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant into the garden well after the danger of frost. The growing characteristics are similar to most eggplants. The plants can reach about 4-5 feet tall and should be planted 18 inches apart. They need full sun and fertile soil. Staking is recommended for these plants. The eggplants begin green, but should be picked when they are about pea-sized and green. They must be picked regularly to keep production and ensure they don't over ripen. For seed saving the fruits ripen to orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e300 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003efeet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. \u003c\/span\u003eEggplant seeds are darkened when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and fruits have turned another color, in this case yellow, orange or red. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds into a vessel, add a little water and allow the seeds to settle. Pour off the floating materials and then strain the seeds through a strainer and allow them to dry in heat or shaded sunlight. Lay out the seed to dry on a screen or paper tower in a heated areas like the greenhouse or right in the kitchen cabinet over the stove.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44072175960302,"sku":"EGG-018","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/LargeLiberianKittley_sq.jpg?v=1678135625"},{"product_id":"liberian-green-pumpkin-bitterball","title":"Liberian Green Pumpkin Bitterball","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this listing is for \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSEEDS\u003c\/span\u003e, not fresh eggplants!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a small, bitter, pumpkin-shaped eggplant that Dao Kamara, a Liberian farmer at Providence Farm Collective, grows for his community and business in Buffalo. It is eaten often and usually when green. When it turns orange you can also make soup with bitterballs. Also, when the fruit is orange it is at the point when the seeds have fully ripened. The fruits and leaves are also eaten as medicine for fevers or malaria. Bitterballs are one of our favorites!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as: Green Bitterballs (Pumpkin shape), Garden Egg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80-90\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 85-90\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 94% on 08\/21\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are heat-loving, and seeds should be started indoors or in a greenhouse at ¼ inch deep, about 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant into the garden well after the danger of frost. The growing characteristics are similar to most eggplants. The plants can reach about 4-5 feet tall and should be planted 12 inches apart. They need full sun and fertile soil. Staking helps as the plants become heavy. The eggplants begin green, but should be picked when they are about 2 inches wide and green. They must be picked regularly to keep production and ensure they don’t over ripen. For seed saving the fruits ripen to orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e300 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003efeet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. \u003c\/span\u003eEggplant seeds are darkened when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and fruit has turned orange in color. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds into a vessel, add a little water and allow the seeds to settle. Pour off the floating material and then strain the seeds through a strainer and allow them to dry in heat or shaded sunlight. Lay the seed to dry on a screen or paper tower in a heated area like the greenhouse or right in the kitchen cabinet over the stove.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44072182186222,"sku":"EGG-020","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/LargeGreenPumpkinBitterball_sq.jpg?v=1678055298"},{"product_id":"liberian-kittley-pea-eggplant","title":"Liberian Kittley (Pea Eggplant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this listing is for \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSEEDS\u003c\/span\u003e, not fresh eggplants!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese fruits are a lighter color, very bitter, very productive, easier to pick, and are especially small - sometimes the size of a pea!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatilee Eggplant is very important in West Africa, and many other tropical parts of the globe. Our seeds were grown by Liberian farmers in Buffalo, New York for their own community and business. You can eat these small, round, and bitter eggplants when green and unripe. Katilee can also be boiled before eating or made into a sauce. This Katilee is used as medicine to treat high blood pressure, asthmas, diabetes, fever, or malaria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as Kittley, Katilee, Kiterley, Kitilly.\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 75-80\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 92% on 05\/07\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are heat-loving, and seeds should be started indoors about 1\/8-1\/4\" deep, about 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant into the garden well after the danger of frost. The growing characteristics are similar to most eggplants. The plants can reach about 4-5 feet tall and should be planted 18 inches apart. They need full sun and fertile soil. Staking is recommended for these plants. The eggplants begin green, but should be picked when they are about pea-sized and green. They must be picked regularly to keep production and ensure they don’t over ripen. For seed saving the fruits ripen to orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e300 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efeet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. \u003c\/span\u003eEggplant seeds are darkened when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and fruits have turned another color, in this case yellow, orange or red. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds into a vessel, add a little water and allow the seeds to settle. Pour off the floating materials and then strain the seeds through a strainer and allow them to dry in heat or shaded sunlight. Lay out the seed to dry on a screen or paper tower in a heated area like the greenhouse or right in the kitchen cabinet over the stove.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44072236417262,"sku":"EGG-019","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/LiberianKittley_PeaEggplant_1edsq.jpg?v=1678056905"},{"product_id":"long-green-bitterball-african-eggplant","title":"Long Green Bitterball (African Eggplant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this listing is for \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSEEDS\u003c\/span\u003e, not fresh eggplants!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a small, bitter, long-shaped eggplant that Dao Kamara, a Liberian farmer at Providence Farm Collective, grows for his community and business in Buffalo. It is eaten often and usually when green. When it turns orange you can also make soup with bitterballs. Also, when the fruit is orange it is at the point when the seeds have fully ripened. It’s also eaten as medicine for fevers or malaria. Bitterballs are one of our favorites!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as: Bitterballs (Long shape).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80-90\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65-70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 95% on 09\/09\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are heat-loving, and seeds should be started indoors or in a greenhouse at ¼ inch deep, about 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant into the garden well after the danger of frost. The growing characteristics are similar to most eggplants. The plants can reach about 4-5 feet tall and should be planted 12 inches apart. They need full sun and fertile soil. Staking helps as the plants become heavy. The eggplants begin green, but should be picked when they are about 2 inches wide and green. They must be picked regularly to keep production and ensure they don’t over ripen. For seed saving the fruits ripen to orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e300 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efeet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. \u003c\/span\u003eEggplant seeds are darkened when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and fruit has turned orange in color. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds into a vessel, add a little water and allow the seeds to settle. Pour off the floating material and then strain the seeds through a strainer and allow them to dry in heat or shaded sunlight. Lay the seed to dry on a screen or paper tower in a heated area like the greenhouse or right in the kitchen cabinet over the stove.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44072240546030,"sku":"EGG-017","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/LongGreenBitterballAfricanEggplant_1edsq.jpg?v=1678375057"},{"product_id":"round-green-african-eggplant","title":"Round Green African Eggplant","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this listing is for \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSEEDS\u003c\/span\u003e, not fresh eggplants!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRound, green and white striped African garden eggplant. People like to eat this real African Eggplant for its health benefits and to replace meat in various dishes. For preparation, they are mixed with fish, meat, oil, fried and eaten with sauce, or simply boiled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile these look like Thai Eggplants, these are much larger and harvested at about 4\" wide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as: Bitterballs, Garden Egg\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 60-65\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 88% on 05\/07\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are heat-loving, and seeds should be started indoors about 1\/4 inches deep, about 8 weeks before the last frost. The growing characteristics are like most eggplants. The plants reach about 1-2 feet tall and should be planted 18 inches apart. They need full sun and fertile soil. The eggplants begin green or white with green stripes but should be picked when they are fully grown round and white with green stripes or fully green in colors. They must be picked regularly to keep production and ensure they don't over ripen. For seed saving the fruits ripen to yellow or orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e300 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003efeet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. \u003c\/span\u003eEggplant seeds are darkened when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and fruits have turned yellow or orange. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds into a vessel, add a little water and allow the seeds to settle. Pour off the floating material and then strain the seeds through a strainer and allow them to dry in heat or sunlight. Lay out the seed to dry on a screen or paper tower in a heated area like the greenhouse or right in the kitchen cabinet over the stove.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44073206022382,"sku":"EGG-016","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/RoundGreenAfricanEggplant.jpg?v=1678137276"},{"product_id":"karenni-purple-bean","title":"Karenni Purple Bean","description":"\u003cp\u003eKarenni Purple Bean\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a purple bush shelling field pea. Karenni farmers from Burma shell this field pea for a fresh bean, often cooked in soup with squash leaves and fresh long beans. This freshly shelled bean can made into fritters by blending the beans with flour then formed into balls and deep fried. The beans can also be steamed then smashed and fried with meat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis variety is stewarded by Rosa Meh, a leader of Karenni Hope Farm, a community farm at Providence Farm Collective outside of Buffalo, NY. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eRosa grows Karenni chilies and specialty beans for local grocers in Buffalo and is beginning to sell seeds in 2024.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60-65\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 92% on 04\/21\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow southern peas safely after frost, any time between late May and mid-July. Full sun, plenty of room and airflow. Thin to 2-4\" in row, but give at least 12\" between rows. Harvest leaves for cooking when still young and tender! More leaves will follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eSouthern peas are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eV. unguiculata\u003c\/em\u003e (including black-eyed peas, southern peas, field peas, cowpeas, and long beans) at least 20 feet, if not much farther to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. At our farm, we give them a hundred feet of isolation between different varieties. Allow pods 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":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44683503141102,"sku":"VIG-025","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/IMG-7353.jpg?v=1707152290"},{"product_id":"karenni-chili","title":"Karenni Chili","description":"\u003cp\u003eKarenni Chili \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eis a very spicy and high yielding chili.  Plants are covered with gorgeous 1.5-2 inch long chilis in a variety of colors, ripening to red.  These chilies are excellent fresh or dried and crushed into a very spicy crushed red pepper to use year-round!  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis variety is stewarded by Rosa Meh, a leader of Karenni Hope Farm, a community farm at Providence Farm Collective outside of Buffalo, NY. \u003c\/span\u003eRosa grows Karenni chilies and specialty beans for local grocers in Buffalo and is beginning to sell seeds in 2024.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e92% on 04\/22\/2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKarenni chili should be started indoors 4-6 weeks before planting.  Plant outside after the risk of frost, 1.5-2 ft spacing between plants, 2 ft between rows.  Harvest starts about 60 days after transplanting.  \u003c\/span\u003e\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, fully red. Cut the fruit, 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":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44781426245870,"sku":"CAP-038","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/KarenniChili_2.jpg?v=1709575913"},{"product_id":"mnavu-garden-huckleberry","title":"Mnavu (Leafy Green Nightshade)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMnavu\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a leafy green in the nightshade family popular in East and Central Africa. Harvested at about a foot height, Mnavu can grow to several feet high.  Harvest side shoots and you will be able to harvest throughout the growing season from one planting.  Mnavu is often prepared by boiling the leaves then fried with onions and tomato.  It has a mild bitter flavor and has many medicinal benefits. Fruits and seeds are not edible.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMnavu is the Swahili name for this leaf vegetable. Also known as \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMboga Chungu or Isogo. Same species as Njama Njama, but this is a distinct variety. In English, this plant is called Garden Huckleberry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis variety was grown for Truelove Seeds by Kandolo Makongo, an incubator and Congolese community farmer at Providence Farm Collective near Buffalo, New York.  A long time seed saver, Kandolo is selling Congolese specialty greens seeds and Nya Nya Chungu eggplant for the first time in 2024. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhotos from Providence Farm Collective. The Mnavu greens are in both photos, and labeled in one of them. Also shown are Nya Nya Chungu eggplant and Mchicha Lishe amaranth greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 300\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 97% on 06\/15\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMnavu can be direct seeded or transplanted.  Germinates in 5-7 days.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe recommend sowing them indoors to get a head start on the season in cooler climates. Sow seeds ¼\" deep 3-4 weeks before the last frost, and transplant 2-3' apart in the field when soil is warm after frost. That said, our Cameroonian grower friends in Texas and Oregon sow them directly in the soil in a \"nursery,\" mixing them lightly into the soil, sown very close together, and then transplanting them well-spaced into the garden when they've reached 2\" tall. They will grow bushy and sprawling. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCan be harvested 30 days after transplanting. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest the berries when fully ripe, dark, and plump. Squish out the seeds, clean them off, and dry them for two weeks in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44793551388910,"sku":"GRN-011","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/Mnavu.png?v=1710713145"},{"product_id":"mchicha-lishe-african-leaf-amaranth","title":"Mchicha Lishe (African Leaf Amaranth)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMchicha Lishe\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a nutritious and delicious variety of amaranth popular in Africa.  This green has excellent health benefits when eaten often.  While mchicha lishe can grow up to 7 feet tall, this green is best harvested when the plant is young and tender.  One teaspoon of seed can be broadcast on a 30 inch by 30 foot bed.  The whole plant can be harvested 30 days after planting.  To cook mchicha lishe, cut the young plants into small pieces.  Saute onion, add fresh tomato, then add the chopped mchicha lishe.  These greens need just five minutes to cook.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis variety was grown for our catalog by Kandolo Makongo. Kandolo is an incubator and Congolese community farmer at Providence Farm Collective.  A long time seed saver, Kandolo is selling Congolese specialty greens seeds and Nya Nya Chungu eggplant for the first time in 2024.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 300\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96% on 05\/04\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMchicha lishe is best direct seeded and can be lightly broadcast or direct seeded at roughly 1 seed per inch, rows at least 3 in apart.  Begin harvesting just 30 days after planting.  Mchicha lishe can be succession planted multiple times per season for the best quality harvests.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMchicha Lishe is wind pollinated and can cross pollinate with many varieties of Amaranth. Isolate by a minimum of 500 feet or cover the flowers with corn tassel bags to prevent unwanted cross pollination. Seeds are ready when they start dropping from the seed head, which matures after the flower dies back. You can cut the whole seed head and hang it to dry and mature further in a dry, ventilated place, or you can shake it while still on the plant every day or two, as the seeds ripen at different times starting from the bottom to the tip. Either way, shake the plant in a bucket to release the seeds. Use a strainer to sift out the larger chaff. Use your breath, wind, or fans to winnow off lighter weight chaff.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44794147176686,"sku":"AMAR-017","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/kandoloamaranth.jpg?v=1709765677"},{"product_id":"nya-nya-chungu","title":"Nya Nya Chungu (African Eggplant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note: this listing is for \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSEEDS\u003c\/span\u003e, not fresh eggplants!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNya Nya Chungu is an African eggplant popular in Congolese communities. If you eat it daily there are many medicinal benefits including reducing blood sugar. Cook Nya Nya Chungu with anything: it is great with meat, fish, and leafy greens! Nya Nya Chungu is often peeled, then halved or quartered before cooking. Nya Nya Chungu can be salted then eaten raw for health benefits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis variety was grown for our catalog by Kandolo Makongo. Kandolo is an incubator and Congolese community farmer at Providence Farm Collective.  A long time seed saver, Kandolo is selling Congolese specialty greens seeds and Nya Nya Chungu eggplant for the first time in 2024. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a type of white garden egg, gilo eggplant, or scarlet eggplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60 days after transplant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50-60\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99% on 04\/09\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNya Nya Chungu should be started indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting.  Transplant after the risk of frost.  Begin harvesting fruits about 60 days after transplanting.  Spacing 2 feet between plants and 2 feet between rows.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e300 \u003c\/span\u003efeet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. Eggplant seeds are ripe when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and have turned another color, in this case orange. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds (perhaps through a heavy-duty screen) into a vessel, add a little water (1-2\" is probably plenty) to your seeds and pulp to keep them from drying out, and allow them to ferment away from direct sunlight. Fermentation is not necessary with eggplants, but it makes seed cleaning a bit easier. Ideally, you will stir the concoction every day for 3-5 days. In the end, add more water to fill the vessel, stir one final time, and allow the seeds to settle. Pour off the floating material and then strain the seeds through a strainer. Sometimes, you will need to add more water and pour off the floating material several times until the water is clear and you can see the seeds sunken at the bottom. Squeeze dry the strained seeds in a towel, and then lay out to dry on a labeled screen or paper product in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight for a week or two.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44955971649774,"sku":"EGG-023","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/NyanyaChungu_Mnavu_1.jpg?v=1712196351"},{"product_id":"sobuz-bangun-bangladeshi-green-eggplant","title":"Sobuz Bangun (Bangladeshi Green Eggplant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a high producing and quick yielding eggplant variety, very popular in Bangladeshi and Indian communities. You can harvest up to 10 eggplants from a single plant during a growing season! This eggplant is round with a beautiful green colored skin, becoming a lighter green as it matures. The plant is bushy and compact, growing to 2 to 2.5 ft in height. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flavor and texture is similar to a standard Italian eggplant. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBangladeshi Green Eggplant is versatile and pairs well with other vegetables, fish, and meat. Try it fried, grilled, boiled, or baked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis seed was grown by Alam Ashraful, who been saving them for 5 years. Alam is an incubator farmer at Providence Farm Collective specializing in growing Bangladeshi vegetables, and is excited to sell his specialty Bangladeshi seeds to Truelove Seeds for the first time in 2025.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e45-50\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 93% on 05\/11\/2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last frost and transplant into the garden well after the danger of frost. 1\/4 inch deep. 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\u003eEggplants are generally self-pollinating, though we isolate different varieties of the same species by 300 feet, in hopes that flying insects will not cross pollinate them unexpectedly. Eggplant seeds are ripe when the fruits get far past their edible stage, and have turned another color, in this case a duller, lighter purple. Cut the fruit, scrape out seeds (perhaps through a heavy-duty screen) into a vessel, add a little water (1-2 inches is probably plenty) to your seeds and pulp to keep them from drying out, and allow them to ferment away from direct sunlight. Fermentation is not necessary with eggplants, but it makes seed cleaning a bit easier. Ideally, you will stir the concoction every day for 3-5 days. In the end, add more water to fill the vessel, stir one final time, and allow to settle. Pour off the floating material and then strain the seeds through a strainer. Sometimes, you will need to add more water and pour off the floating material several times until the water is clear and you can see the seeds sunken at the bottom. Squeeze dry the strained seeds in a towel, and then lay out to dry on a labeled screen or paper product in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight for a week or two.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46494553047278,"sku":"EGG-024","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/IMG_0147.jpg?v=1747251415"},{"product_id":"bangladeshi-sosa-cucumber","title":"Bangladeshi Sosa Cucumber","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSosa Cucumber is a unique variety in high demand in the Bangladeshi community. These cucumbers can grow to 3 pounds in size! These cucumbers can be grown on the ground or trellised.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen young sosa cucumbers are green, they're eaten fresh in salads. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese cucumbers have sap called phloem, visible when the cucumber is cut, that is nutritious to eat. As they mature the fruits turn yellow, and are popular cooked with spices and other vegetables. Before cooking, fruits are peeled and seeds are removed. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis seed was grown by Alam Ashraful, who has been saving it for three years after receiving it from a friend in his community who had been saving it for six years. Alam is an incubator farmer at Providence Farm Collective specializing in growing Bangladeshi vegetables, and is excited to sell his specialty Bangladeshi seeds to Truelove Seeds for the first time in 2025.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 50-60\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e30\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e95% on 03\/10\/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\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\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":"Providence Farm Collective","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46494586667246,"sku":"CUC-030","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/IMG_0144.jpg?v=1747252011"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/collections\/ProvidenceFarmCollective.png?v=1678054880","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/collections\/providence-farm-collective.oembed","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}