{"title":"The Growers Grange","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Growers Grange is a small farm dedicated to preserving Italian American tradition through the growing of Italian heirloom vegetables and figs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWebsite: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thegrowersgrange.square.site\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ethegrowersgrange.square.site\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thegrowersgrange\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e@thegrowersgrange\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFacebook: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thegrowersgrange\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e@thegrowersgrange\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"floriani-red-flint-corn","title":"Floriani Red Flint Corn","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpina rossa della Valsugana (red-spined of Valsugana) is a beautiful landrace from the Sugana Valley of Italy, grown by subsistence farmers as a staple until the mid-20th century. It is estimated to have arrived in Italy during the 16th century on Spanish ships returning from the Americas, and it has adapted to the climate of the foothills of the Alps in Northern Italy. More recently, North American growers named it ‘Floriani Red Flint’ to recognize the generosity of the Floriani family in sharing their seed with William Rubel, who reintroduced this corn to its ancestral home of North America in 2008 after a trip to northern Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFloriani is a red flint, standing 7-10 feet tall, and reaching maturity in 100 days. It seems well adapted to North American growing conditions showcasing high genetic diversity. The kernels are typically bright red and pointed and when ground into cornmeal, they display deep yellow with hints of pink. You can expect to see ears ranging in color from red to yellow. Not only is this corn stunning, you can taste how it was carefully selected by Italian farmers and Indigenous farmers in the Americas each growing season for millennia. In Italy, it was traditionally used to make polenta flour. Expect one ear per plant and take into consideration its tendencies to lodge, especially with a heavy wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 115-130\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 94% on 11\/04\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorn requires warm soil to germinate. Wait a week or two after the last frost and sow seeds directly in the ground. Plant in rows 2-3' apart. For good pollination, it is better to plant at least 3-5 shorter rows next to each other rather than one or two long rows. Sow 1\" deep and thin to every 6-12\" within the row. Keep soil moist until germination. Consider planting successions every few weeks for continual harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorn is wind pollinated and should be isolated by 2-3 miles from other varieties of corn to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Another option is to separate your corn plantings by 3-4 weeks so they do not flower\/tassel at the same time. Allow the cobs and kernels to dry on the plants before harvesting for seed. If you are concerned about neighbor's corn plots hybridizing yours, consider only harvesting seed from the plants towards the middle of your plot, leaving the outer rows for eating. If necessary, lay out the cobs to do some final drying before removing the husks and seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Growers Grange","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43961381093614,"sku":"ZEA-010","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/FlorianiRedFlintCorn_1.jpg?v=1674077003"},{"product_id":"sabatino-s-peppe-insalata-lettuce","title":"Sabatino’s \"Peppe Insalata\" Lettuce","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis light green Italian oakleaf lettuce was grown by Sabatino DiNardo who was born in Gamberale in Abruzzo, Italy and immigrated to the US at the age of 18 in 1956. Sabatino called it \"Peppe Insalata\" because the seed was given to him by his father-in-law Giuseppe (\"Peppe\"). It looks quite a bit like the Italian variety called \"Lingua di Canarino,\" or Canary's Tongue. 8-10\" rosettes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more about Sabatino on the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theitaliangardenproject.com\/videos\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eItalian Garden Project website here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThis seed is part of the Italian Garden Project’s Italian American Collection. Read about our shared work \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theitaliangardenproject.com\/italian-american-seed-collection\"\u003eHERE\u003c\/a\u003e. Shop for more varieties in this special collection \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/collections\/the-italian-garden-projects-italian-american-seed-collection\"\u003eHERE\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection represents seeds from the most cherished vegetables of Italian immigrants, those flavors that just couldn't be left behind. Only the best of the best would have been deemed worthy of the passage from the Old World to the New. These are seeds which have been passed down through families for generations, saved from the most vigorous specimens hand-selected each season. When they arrived in America, they were lovingly propagated in backyard gardens and traded as valuable commodities within Italian communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeirloom seeds such as these which have been nurtured over hundreds of years and traveled across continents are at risk of being lost and their histories forgotten. In order to safeguard these treasures, The Italian Garden Project has been seeking out these heirlooms from across the US and serving as their caretaker. And now our partnership with Truelove Seeds and their growers ensures that these unique varieties will continue to flourish and provide the authentic flavors of the past well into the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50-55\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96% on 05\/27\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeed every 1 inch in rows 8-12 inches apart, 1\/4-1\/2 inches deep. Keep watered until germination. Thin to every 8 inches. Harvest when you can't wait anymore!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLettuce is very much self-pollinating, but give at least 10 feet between plants (we give at least 35 feet) to avoid unwanted cross-pollination from flying insects. Allow the plants to bolt and flower. Often, flowering lettuce benefits from simple staking (we tie several plants together) so that the flowers and seedheads do not fall to the ground. Seed is ripe when the flowers turn to 'feathers,' which are fluff balls like dandelions. In the moist summers of Pennsylvania, we harvest the entire seedheads when at least 50% of the plant has gone to seed. If there are dry days in the forecast, feel free to wait longer for more ripe seed. Cut the seedheads a few feet down, and allow to dry about a week in a sunny dry place like a greenhouse, sunny window, or even a car seat. Later, wearing a handkerchief or mask to avoid breathing in the feathers and dust, bang the seedheads in a bucket allowing the seed to fall to the bottom. The ripest seeds fall, the least ripe stay in the plant, so do not over do it. Sift through strainers to remove the large chaff, and then use your breath, a fan, or the wind to carefully blow off the smaller dust.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Growers Grange","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44075963252974,"sku":"LET-011","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/SabatinosPeppeInsalataLettuce_close2.jpg?v=1678306470"},{"product_id":"baciccia-beans","title":"Baciccia Beans","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Baciccia bean is remarkable because it resembles and tastes like a Roma bean but unlike its pole loving relatives, Baciccia grows on a bush. This 1-1.5 foot plant has white flowers. Baciccia beans were brought to the U.S. by immigrants from Genoa in the Ligurian region of Italy. These beans were a favorite among the Genoese who settled in Northern California, many of whom became vegetable farmers. Saint John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista in Italian, but in Genoese dialect, San Giovanni Baciccia) is the patron saint of Genoa and the Genoese in the U.S. affectionately referred to each other as Baciccia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seed was given to The Italian Garden Project by one of the last of its growers, a descendent of a Genoese farming family in Richmond, CA. The Baciccia bean highlights the importance of seeking out and preserving Italian American heirloom seeds. In 2021, it was discovered that Baciccia beans could no longer be found in Liguria and had to be reintroduced to the region from seed still grown in Stockton, CA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThis seed is part of the Italian Garden Project’s Italian American Collection. Read about our shared work \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theitaliangardenproject.com\/italian-american-seed-collection\"\u003eHERE\u003c\/a\u003e. Shop for more varieties in this special collection \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/collections\/the-italian-garden-projects-italian-american-seed-collection\"\u003eHERE\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection represents seeds from the most cherished vegetables of Italian immigrants, those flavors that just couldn't be left behind. Only the best of the best would have been deemed worthy of the passage from the Old World to the New. These are seeds which have been passed down through families for generations, saved from the most vigorous specimens hand-selected each season. When they arrived in America, they were lovingly propagated in backyard gardens and traded as valuable commodities within Italian communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeirloom seeds such as these which have been nurtured over hundreds of years and traveled across continents are at risk of being lost and their histories forgotten. In order to safeguard these treasures, The Italian Garden Project has been seeking out these heirlooms from across the US and serving as their caretaker. And now our partnership with Truelove Seeds and their growers ensures that these unique varieties will continue to flourish and provide the authentic flavors of the past well into the future.\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 30\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99% on 12\/21\/2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in a fully sunny location at least a couple weeks after the last danger of frost has passed. Sow directly in the ground at a depth of one inch, spaced every few inches in rows 12 inches apart. Thin to one plant every six inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeans are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of P. vulgaris by at least 25 feet (we do 75 feet to be sure) to avoid unwanted cross-pollination from flying insects. For seed saving, harvest the beans when their shells have become dried and crispy on the plants. Lay out the pods in a dry, sunny place to dry down further. Shell the beans and lay out the seeds in a well ventilated place away from direct sunlight for at least another few days to a week before storing for next year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Growers Grange","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44570400850158,"sku":"BN-028","price":4.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/IMG_3598.heic?v=1704136203"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/collections\/TheGrowersGrange.jpg?v=1674077256","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/collections\/the-growers-grange.oembed","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}