A group of orange carrots with green stems and some dirt

Growing Guide: Carrots

When planting carrots, be aware that they can be finicky in the early part of the season. Carrots are biennials, producing seed after two years of growth, but the reward is well worth the effort.

A glass with a tan opaque liquid and an orange slice on the rim

Recipes

Recipe: Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie, submitted by Meredith Burks, Seed Savers Exchange director of marketing and communications. “Enjoying this smoothie is a great way to start your day,” says Meredith. “It has veggies, healthy carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein.”

Chopped tomatoes with basil leaves on top of a long slice of bread on a white plate

Recipes

Recipe: Bruschetta

Bruschetta submitted by Louise Quigley, Seed Savers Exchange member “I only make this recipe in late summer/early fall when the tomatoes, basil, and oregano are all ready in my garden and the harvested garlic is ready to use,” says Louise. “I use organic whole wheat bread baked by my husband.”

A white bowl with a mash of multicolored long beans and spices

Recipes

Recipe: Great Grandma’s Sour Dill Yellow Beans

Great Grandma’s Sour Dill Yellow Beans submitted by Liz Belina, Seed Savers Exchange member. “This old family recipe has been passed down without being written down,” says Liz. “It was made often in the summer to go along with panfish Grandma would catch in the pond with her cane pole. Since she was here as a first-generation Bohemian, I like to think the recipe came from that region.”

A pile of multi-colored potatoes ranging from small to large and from light yellow to deep red

Growing Guides

Growing Guide: Potatoes

This versatile crop originated in South America centuries ago and today ranks as the most popular vegetable in the United States. Cool-season vegetables, potatoes come in a great range of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures and are grown from small tubers known as “seed potatoes”.

Learn

10 Garden Pest Solutions

Discover 10 natural ways to manage garden pests without pesticides! From cultivating healthy soil and selecting the right plants to attracting beneficial insects and using companion planting, these eco-friendly strategies will help you protect your garden and keep it thriving. Say goodbye to harmful chemicals and hello to a healthy, pest-free garden!

A person stands with their hands on their hips in a garden.

Recipes

How to Cook Amaranth

Discover the versatility of ‘Green Leaf’ amaranth in this blog post! Learn about its delicious, nutrient-packed leaves and seeds, and try a flavorful recipe for amaranth leaves in coconut milk. Perfect for salads, stir-fries, and more, amaranth is a tasty addition to any meal.

Learn

John Swenson on How to Grow Garlic

John Swenson, garlic aficionado, offers five tips for growing happy, healthy garlic. Since the 1990s, John has donated 150 varieties to the organization’s seed bank, including his beloved ‘Samarkand,’ a “moderately spicy” hardneck he came across in Uzbekistan.

Varieties

Heirloom Collard Trials

Discover the rich history and diverse performance of heirloom collard greens through the 2020 Heirloom Collard Variety Trials. Learn how 250 gardeners and farmers across the U.S. evaluated 18 unique collard varieties, with insights into taste, yield, vigor, and adaptability. This collaborative project celebrates the preservation of Southern food traditions and highlights the ongoing efforts to conserve rare seed varieties for future generations. Explore trial results and find the perfect collard variety for your garden or farm.

Photo of Ira Wallace, owner of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

Stewardship Stories

How to Grow Collards with Ira Wallace

Discover expert tips on growing healthy, vibrant collard greens with Ira Wallace, a collard connoisseur and seed-saving advocate. Learn her top five tips for cultivating collards, plus get two delicious recipes, from Brazilian Garlic Collards to classic Southern-style greens. A must-read for gardening enthusiasts and collard lovers alike!