Seed Savers Exchange 50th Anniversary Collection

3lb Coffee Can Asparagus

Seed Savers Exchange co-founders, Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy, brought this variety with them when they moved to Decorah, Iowa, in 1984. Diane recounts its origin in her memoir, Gathering: “A few years earlier, a gentleman had sent me a three-pound Folgers coffee can full of seed. He said the plants were always grown from seed and rivaled any commercial variety, but they came to me with no name. His claim was true. These plants were eventually transplanted to a patch in front of the barn at Heritage Farm and 20 years later have developed into a magnificent bed. One good thing about growing older: your asparagus patch gets better.”

• Organic
• From the Collection
• Perennial
• Prolific plants produce large sweet stalks

This variety works for:

• Boiling
• Steaming
• Roasting
• Grilling

Good Mother Stallard Bean

One of the 1,186 beans given to Seed Savers Exchange in 1981 by bean collector John Withee of Massachusetts. Named for Carrie Belle Stallard of Wise County, Virginia. This variety dates to at least the 1930s. Maroon beans splashed with white, 5-6 seeds per pod. Wonderful rich meaty flavor, great for soups. Very productive.

• 85-95 days
• Conventional
• Pole bean
• Dry bean
• Maroon and white beans
• Meaty flavor
• Very productive

This variety works for:

• Baking
• Soups

Grandpa Ott's Morning Glory

One of two plants that inspired the creation of Seed Savers Exchange, this morning glory bears beautiful deep-purple flowers with red stars at their center. This self-sowing annual—given to Seed Savers Exchange co-founder Diane Ott Whealy by her Grandpa Ott who lived on a 40-acre farm in St. Lucas, Iowa—can climb to 15 feet tall, if given a support to grow on.

• Conventional
• Self-seeding hardy annual plants grow vines of over 15 feet long
• One of two seeds that started it all!
• Deep purple flowers with red star in throat
• Climbs trellises and support structures
• Please note: The Arizona Department of Agriculture prohibits the sale of any plant in the genus of Ipomoea, which includes Grandpa Ott's Morning Glory flower.

German Pink Tomato

One of the two original Bavarian heirlooms from Diane Ott Whealy’s family that started Seed Savers Exchange. Potato leaf plants produce large 1-2 pound beefsteak fruits. Meaty flesh with few seeds, very little cracking or blossom scars. Full sweet flavor. Excellent for canning, freezing, and slicing.

• Organic

This variety works for:

• Fresh eating
• Sauce
• Roasting
• Canning
• Freezing

Moon & Stars (Van Doren) Watermelon

The 15" dark green oval fruits are covered with pea-sized, bright yellow "stars" and usually one larger "moon". Foliage is also spotted. The fruits have sweet pink flesh and brown seeds. This watermelon created a sensation in 1981 when Merle Van Doren of Macon, Missouri shared this legendary variety with Seed Savers Exchange.

• 90-95 days
• Organic
• Oval fruits grow to 15 inches long
• Fruits are covered with pea-sized bright yellow “stars” and usually one larger “moon”
• Spotted foliage
• Sweet pink flesh with brown seeds

This variety works for:

• Fresh eating