Mountain Sweet Watermelon Seeds (Citrullus lanatus cv.). By the 1840s Mountain Sweet Watermelon was extremely popular in the Mid-Atlantic States and, because it shipped well, was grown almost exclusively for the Philadelphia and New York City markets. The large melons are round to slightly pear-shaped and the bright scarlet-red flesh is extremely sweet.Direct sow seeds in hills or rows after the last spring frost; for hills, sow 6-8 seeds per 12"-wide hill, then thin to the best 3 plants per hill. To grow in a shorter season,... - Mountain Sweet Watermelon Seeds (Citrullus lanatus cv.).
Sweet William Seeds (Dianthus barbatus). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Thomas Jefferson observed "sweet William began to open" at Shadwell on April 16, 1767, reported flowers in May and June of 1782, and also planted this biennial in an oval flower bed at Montic... - Sweet William Seeds (Dianthus barbatus).
Upper Ground Sweet Potato Winter Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata cv.). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.This rare heirloom is a rugged variety that is tolerant of hot, dry weather, rendering it especially well-suited to the South. The vines are vigorous, with large, dark, metallic g... - Upper Ground Sweet Potato Winter Squash Seeds (Cucurbita moschata cv.).
Strawflower Seeds (Helichrysum bracteatum). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Strawflower, a half-hardy annual that withstands light frosts, was introduced from Australia to England in 1799, and has since been treasured for its everlasting flowers that are ideal for dr... - Strawflower Seeds (Helichrysum bracteatum).
Heliotrope Seeds (Heliotropium arborescens). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.In 1786, as he was serving as Minister to France, Thomas Jefferson sent a collection of seeds and plants home to friends, including the lovely purple-flowering Heliotrope: "To be sowed in spr... - Heliotrope Seeds (Heliotropium arborescens).
Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Thomas Jefferson planted Sesame, or "Benni", for many years at Monticello in order to press a salad oil from the seeds. He wrote in 1811, "I did not believe there existed so perfect a substit... - Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum).
Larkspur Seeds (Consolida ajacis). Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.Jefferson noted Larkspur blooming at Shadwell in July 1767, thought it suitable for naturalizing at Monticello "in the open ground on the west" in 1771, and sowed seed around his winding flower bor... - Larkspur Seeds (Consolida ajacis).