As the first comprehensive garden book of its kind, Heirloom Vegetable Gardening combines thirty years of first-hand experience growing, tasting and cooking with heirloom vegetables. Author William Woys Weaver has grown all 280 featured vegetable varieties in this book and has sprinkled in his gardening advice. Novice and experienced gardeners alike can appreciate the know-how on planting, growing and seed saving, as well as old-fashioned recipes such as Artichoke Pie and Turtle Bean Soup. Below you will find select heirloom vegetables from this book with variety-specific history and growing recommendations.
Heirloom Artichoke Varieties
Learn all about growing heirloom artichokes and cardoons.
Heirloom Asparagus Varieties
Learn all there is to know about growing and harvesting these heirloom vegetables.
Heirloom Asparagus Pea
Find out just how easy it is to grow and prepare this heirloom vegetable.
Heirloom Bean Varieties
Learn about planting, harvesting and saving seeds for heirloom bean varieties.
Heirloom Beet Varieties
Find out how to plant, harvest and save seeds for heirloom beet varieties.
Heirloom Broad Bean Varieties
Learn about the history of these heirloom vegetables and how to grow them.
Heirloom Cabbage Varieties
Learn more about the history of the brassicas and all of their heirloom varieties.
Heirloom Carrot Varieties
Learn about planting, harvesting and saving seeds for heirloom carrots.
Heirloom Celery Varieties
Uncover more of celery’s rich history and learn how to sow, harvest and store it.
Heirloom Chayote Varieties
Aside from having a long growing season, the chayote vegetable is easy to grow and even remains unbothered by pests.
Heirloom Corn Varieties
Find an abundance of information on heirloom corn varieties, from planting and seed saving to harvesting and preparing.
Heirloom Cowpea Varieties
See why this heirloom vegetable is a southern favorite and read about a quick easy way to serve it.
Heirloom Cucumber Varieties
Learn all about heirloom cucumber varieties — from planting and saving cucumber seeds to how to pickle gherkins.
Heirloom Eggplant Varieties
Find out which heirloom eggplant varieties you should plant in your garden and try a recipe for stewed eggplant.
Heirloom Groundnut Varieties
A goober pea is also known as a groundnut. See how this heirloom vegetable originated and how to grow it.
Heirloom Jerusalem Artichoke
Learn about the almost-forgotten vegetable, the Jerusalem artichoke, as well as how to grow and prepare it.
Heirloom Lettuce Varieties
See your options for growing heirloom lettuce varieties as well as helpful information for planting lettuce.
Heirloom Martynia Varieties
Read about growing heirloom martynia, also known as devil’s claw, as well as a few pointers for seed saving.
Heirloom Melon Varieties
Learn about heirloom melon varieties, as well as how to grow and prepare them.
Heirloom Nightshade Varieties
Discover the many heirloom nightshade varieties and how to grow them in your garden.
Heirloom Okra Varieties
Learn how to grow the okra plant and the history of its heirloom varieties.
Heirloom Onion Varieties
Learn how to grow heirloom onion varieties and discover how these plants are cancer-fighting.
Heirloom Parsnip Varieties
Learn how to grow heirloom parsnip varieties and enjoy them with a parsnip cake recipe from 1855.
Heirloom Pea Varieties
Learn about growing heirloom pea varieties — one of the oldest garden vegetables in our history.
Heirloom Pepper Varieties
Learn about growing heirloom pea varieties — one of the oldest garden vegetables.
Heirloom Potato Varieties
Learn how to plant heirloom potatoes, ward off pests, and gently harvest your spuds.
Heirloom Pumpkin Varieties
Learn how to grow heirloom pumpkin varieties along with other squash varieties.
Heirloom Radish Varieties
Learn about heirloom radish varieties and how to grow them.
Cold-Weather Salad Greens
See how easy it is to grow heirloom cold-weather salad greens.
Warm-Weather Salad Greens
Learn how to grow heirloom warm-weather salad greens.
Heirloom Sweet Potato Varieties
Learn how to grow and store heirloom sweet potato varieties.
Heirloom Tomato Varieties
See which heirloom tomato varieties to grow in your kitchen garden.
Heirloom Turnip Varieties
Get gardening advice for growing the heirloom turnip varieties.
Heirloom Root Vegetable Varieties
Learn about unusual heirloom root vegetable varieties and how to cook with them.
Heirloom Watercress Varieties
Learn how to grow your own watercress, and skip the expensive store-bought variety.
Heirloom Watermelon Varieties
Discover which heirloom watermelon varieties are best to grow in your garden.
Heirloom Chinese Yam
Discover the history of this “true yam,” the heirloom Chinese yam.
