Tenderheart- 120 days - An Italian favorite.  Easy to grow where winters are mild as best flavor is obtained when plants mature during cool days and nights.  The blanched ribs are an antipasto favorite and the flowers are great for dried arrangements.  The foliage is a very attractive grey-green with serrations.  Large ribs must be blanched by wrapping in heavy paper or loose straw as it is growing in the garden.  Vegetable dates back to Roman times.  Either start indoors and carefully transplant or plant seeds early about 1 inch deep and space several inches apart.  (Approximately 100 seeds/pkt.)   Pkt. $2.00  Certified Organic Seed

Green Globe Artichoke- 130 days - An Italian favorite.  Easy to grow where winters are mild as best production comes the second year. When I lived in the mild climate at Lenore I grew these and sold them at the farmers market. I never really ate any as they sold for a nice sum and now it is more of a challenge here in Iowa as they will not over winter.  Either start indoors and carefully transplant or plant seeds early about 1 inch deep and space several inches apart.  (Approximately 30 seeds/pkt.)   Pkt. $2.50