Staple Crops by Category

This is a work in progress. We would like to eventually have seed of all these crops in our collection. The categories relate to storage and extending the growing season. Many of these crops we'll be enjoying all summer long, straight from the garden! Use this list as you think about what you could save seed of each year.

Season Extenders - self-sowing, over-wintering and early growing, frost tolerant, late/early planting

*amaranth

*cilantro

greens

     Asian greens

     *arugula

     chicory / red-ribbed dandelion

     cress

     endive/*escarole

     *lettuce

     *mache

     mustard greens

     perennial greens

     *radicchio

*herbs - which ones?

*kale

perennial kale

*leeks

*parsley

*parsnip

perennial alliums

radish

*salsify and *scorzonera

*spinach

swiss chard

*sunchokes

Cellar Storage - dry or moist / cold or warmer

*beets

cabbage - experiment in progress

carrots - experiments in progress

*celeriac

*celery

*leeks

*onions/*garlic/*shallots

*parsnips

*potatoes

*rutabaga

sweet potato

*turnips

*winter squash

Long-Term Storage with Little Processing

*amaranth

*flint/flour/dent corn

*dry beans

*favas

*peanuts

*small grains - wheat, rye, oats, barley

*soup peas

*sunflower seed

Drying

sweet corn

*eggplant

herbs

*melon

*peppers

*snap beans

*tomatoes

*zucchini / summer squash

Freezing

sweet corn

*leeks

*kale

*peas

*spinach

*tomatoes

Fermenting, Pickling, and Fresh Eating

anything and everything

Tinctures, Tonics, Teas, Cordials

annual herbs

perennial herbs

* Crops with asterisks are those of which we currently have at least one seed source among group members, but it's always good to have more than one.