{"title":"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden","description":"\u003cp\u003eSankofa Community Farm works to learn, teach, and promote self-reliance using the tools of the deep African Diaspora culture of Southwest Philadelphia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe work on 2 acres of crop field, an urban orchard and a 60 bed community garden. Sankofa Community Farm is committed to the practice of natural agriculture; grounded in spiritual awareness; We provide space for people to build relationships with food, the land, and each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bartramsgarden.org\/explore-bartrams\/the-farm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ebartramsgarden.org\/explore-bartrams\/the-farm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bartramsgarden.org\/farm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ebartramsgarden.org\/farm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sankofacommunityfarm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003efacebook.com\/sankofacommunityfarm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sankofacommunityfarm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003einstagram.com\/sankofacommunityfarm\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"speckled-brown-butterbean","title":"Speckled Brown Butterbean","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Speckled Brown Butterbean is a plump and creamy bean, with a mild earthy flavor that satisfies the soul on cold winter evenings or on any bright summer day. The beautiful tan bean, when mature, sports mocha colored streaks and freckles that melt into a smooth light brown bean when cooked. Speckled Brown Butterbeans are a traditional delicacy in much of the American South and nowhere more so than in Mississippi. In Mississippi these beans are generally cooked fresh shelled or fresh frozen usually with hamhock or other pork, butter, a chopped onion, garlic and salted when finished. For dried beans, pre-soak in cold water at least 4 hours. In our house, we substitute butter, olive or palm oil, and sweet smoked paprika for a delightful meal. Serve with cornbread or rice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Speckled Brown Butterbeans are semi-runner beans (may benefit from a low trellis or pen), hardy to zone 7 and mature in 65-70 days. Plants set pods when day temperatures are reliably 85 degrees or more. Pole varieties take longer, between 80 to 100 days, depending on consistent hot days. The pods, grass green and thick, are similar in appearance to most Lima beans though they are smaller containing between three to four seeds that ripen from pale green to speckled brown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species is originally from South America, hence the name “Lima.” In much of the South, these beans are referred to generally as Butterbeans. Each cultural region of the South boasts it’s own favorite though in Mississippi the Speckled Brown reigns over all legumes. This variety, of unknown origins, has been grown and eaten in Mississippi since before God remembers. We received the seed stock in 2017 from Duck and Earl of Shaw, MS. Duck is the sister of Sankofa Farm friend and community elder Ms. Pearl Trotter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65-70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 32\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 88% on 04\/16\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in warm soil at least a couple weeks after the last danger of frost has passed. Sow directly in the ground at a depth of one inch, spaced every few inches in rows 12 inches apart. Thin to one plant every four to six inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLima beans are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of P. lunatus by at least 150 feet to avoid unwanted cross-pollination from flying insects. For seed saving, harvest the beans when their shells have become dried and crispy on the plants. Lay out the pods in a dry, sunny place to dry down further. Shell the beans and lay out the seeds in a well ventilated place away from direct sunlight for at least another few days to a week before storing for next year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAdditional search terms: Brown Speckled Butter Beans, Brown Speckled Butterbeans.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":3441777279016,"sku":"BN-006","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/brownspeckledbutterbeanhands_82aa2814-da5a-4355-a934-ba80ca707049.JPG?v=1571609433"},{"product_id":"mississippi-purple-hull-pea","title":"Mississippi Purple Hull Pea","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the field pea of the Mississippi Delta, brought north and grown at Sankofa Community Farm for the neighboring community in Southwest Philadelphia, PA. Purple pods, creamy seeds, and a black eye with purple eyeshadow. Traditionally, these peas are shelled when plump and fresh, but can also be harvested dry. Perfect for making Hoppin' John, peas and rice, or any dish where you would want the home-grown flavor of Southern field peas. Grows on bushy vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 88% on 11\/04\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow black-eyed peas safely after frost, any time between late May and mid-July. This is a climbing vine crop, so it needs to be planted next to a structure or trellis. Plant 1\" deep with 3-4\" spacing, either in 1 row on each side of the net trellis or in another arrangement if using a different kind of trellis, like a pole or garden sculpture. Being a legume, it does fairly well in and adds nitrogen to poor soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack-eyed peas are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of V. unguiculata (including black-eyed peas, southern peas, cowpeas, and long beans) at least 20 feet, if not much farther to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow beans to dry fully into a brown crispy state. This is when they are ready to harvest for seed. If necessary, lay them out to dry a little longer in their pods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31726174339207,"sku":"VIG-011","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/MS_Purple_Hull_3.jpg?v=1578072643"},{"product_id":"mississippi-silver-hull-crowder-pea","title":"Mississippi Silver Hull Crowder Pea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease also check out the \u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" title=\"AFRICAN DIASPORA COLLECTION SEED PACKETS AND POSTCARDS\" href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/print-shop\/products\/african-diaspora-collection-seed-packets-and-postcards-regular-size\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAfrican Diaspora Collection Seed Packets and Postcards\u003c\/a\u003e bundle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eMany brown crowder peas crowd into this lovely 6\" silver-sheened southern pea pod on bushy plants. Bred by Mississippi State University and released in 1965, this variety is reported to be resistant to various pests and diseases. Listed by the Slow Food Ark of Taste as a culturally important heirloom! Our seed was grown by Chris Bolden Newsome and his fellow farmers at Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram's Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. Chris grew up eating crowder peas in Greenville, MS, just down the (long) road from the university where this variety was developed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity: \u003c\/strong\u003e85\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate: \u003c\/strong\u003e49% (total viability: 99%) on 09\/24\/2025 \u003cem\u003e(\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/pages\/faq\/#germinationtesting\" title=\"About Truelove Seeds Germination Testing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ebelow standard\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e(\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/pages\/faq\/#seedviability\" title=\"What is the difference between germination rate and total viability?\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eread more about viability\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow southern peas safely after frost, any time between late May and mid-July. Full sun, plenty of room and airflow. Thin to 2-4\" in row, but give at least 12\" between rows. Wonderful picked fresh and still lovely once dried to where the seed rattles inside the pod (and much easier to shell!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSouthern peas are self-pollinating, though it is best to isolate different varieties of \u003cem\u003eV. unguiculata\u003c\/em\u003e (including black-eyed peas, southern peas, cowpeas, and long beans) at least 20 feet, if not much farther to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. At our farm, we give them a few hundred feet of isolation between different varieties. Allow pods to dry fully into a brown crispy state. This is when they are ready to harvest for seed. If necessary, lay them out to dry a little longer in their pods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":33966791590023,"sku":"VIG-010","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/MississippiSilverHullCrowderPea_sq.jpg?v=1588020274"},{"product_id":"african-diaspora-collection-seed-packets-and-postcards-regular-size","title":"African Diaspora Collection Seed Packets and Postcards","description":"\u003cp\u003eGive the gift of African Diasporic seeds and their beautifully illustrated stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis bundle includes four special edition seed packets as well as their four accompanying postcards. You can read more about the postcards \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/print-shop\/products\/african-diaspora-collection-postcards-by-jasmine-hamilton\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e. Formerly a sample sizing of each seed, \u003cstrong\u003ethese packets now contain full measurements of each variety\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seed packets and the postcards feature seed stories from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/african-diaspora-collection\"\u003eAfrican Diaspora Seed Collection\u003c\/a\u003e that have been illustrated by artist\/farmer Jasmine Hamilton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatured seed stories\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/products\/mississippi-silver-hull-crowder-pea\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMississippi Silver Hull Crowder Pea\u003c\/a\u003e and Ms. Geneva Clay Newsome, grown by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/sankofa-farm-at-bartrams-garden\" title=\"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden Collection\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSankofa Community Farm\u003c\/a\u003e (seeds per pack: 75).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/products\/plate-de-haiti-tomato\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlate de Haiti Tomato\u003c\/a\u003e, Marie-Jeanne Lamartiniére, and the Haitian Revolution, grown by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/soul-fire-farm\" title=\"Soul Fire Farm Collection\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSoul Fire Farm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e (seeds per pack: 25).\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/products\/paul-robeson-tomato\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePaul Robeson Tomato\u003c\/a\u003e and Paul Robeson, grown by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/truelove-seeds-at-mill-hollow-farm\" title=\"Truelove Seeds at Mill Hollow Farm - collection\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTruelove Seeds\u003c\/a\u003e (\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eseeds per pack: 25).\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/products\/buena-mulata-pepper\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBuena Mulata Pepper\u003c\/a\u003e and Horace Pippin, grown by Truelove Seeds (\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eseeds per pack: 25).\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping SEEDS is an act of TRUELOVE for our ANCESTORS and our collective FUTURE!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the artist\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJasmine Carolyn Hamilton is an African American Queer visual artist. She works as painter, illustrator, and sculptor based in Philadelphia by way of her hometown of East Chicago, Indiana. Jasmine can be found on her website at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/artbyjasminehamilton\/\"\u003ewww.instagram.com\/artbyjasminehamilton\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":null,"offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42775353950446,"sku":"BNDL-002","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/AfricanDiasporaCollectionSeedPacketsandPostcards3_9ced89bf-529e-4948-a67f-1d4468b88e31.jpg?v=1650300753"},{"product_id":"red-castor","title":"Red Castor","description":"\u003cp style=\"background-color: #ffeea2; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***** WARNING: Do not eat! *****\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to Africa, this tall, strikingly beautiful plant is often grown for its dramatic visual effect in the garden. This variety is 10-12' tall, red-stemmed, with giant, veined red leaves, and red flowers. At Sankofa Community Farm, where this seed was grown for our catalog, it is part of their African Diaspora Garden, where they pay tribute to the important plants from the mother continent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRicin is the toxic chemical in the 'bean,' which is not a legume but a euphorbia. Eating 4-8 seeds could kill a human, but it would take 80 to kill a duck. However, these seeds can be made into castor oil, which has a variety of uses including as medicine (especially in the Southern US), packaging, coatings, and biodiesel. Seeds from 4000 BC were found in tombs in Egypt, where its oil was used for lighting lamps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/blogs\/satpradio\/ep-14-iris-brown-afro-puerto-rican-food-and-culture-in-philadelphia\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSeeds and Their People podcast\u003c\/a\u003e, our friend Doña Iris Brown of Norris Square Neighborhood Project says: \"my grandmother, she would take a leaf, she would cut it, and when you have pain (back pain, pain on your neck) she would put vicks or another ointment and then she'd warm up the leaf and put it on the ointment. She would take a piece of material and tie it there to hold the leaf against the ointment on your skin.\" Her grandmother would also cut the leaf stem into pieces and string them up to be worn like a necklace to relieve pain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"background-color: #ffeea2;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: Some gardeners may want to remove and dispose of any seeds that develop on the plant to keep them away from children or pets. Seeds are poisonous and should not be consumed.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e n\/a\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Untested Botanical Sample\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow after the last frost or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. This species is perennial in Zones 8-10, and annual elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollect seeds when fully mature and dried on the plant. You will see their dark brown and light brown patterns when mature, and the seed pod will be crispy dry. Allow to dry further in a well ventilated place. Again, keep seeds away from pets and children, as they are poisonous if consumed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44064225624302,"sku":"FLO-036","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/RedCastor_1_sqedsm.jpg?v=1677617094"},{"product_id":"florida-broadleaf-mustard","title":"Florida Broadleaf Mustard Greens","description":"\u003cp\u003eA great, classic southern mustard that is consistently reliable and long-bearing with large, flat, green leaves. Harvest greens when small and tender for fresh eating, or large and broad for cooking. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhoto of Mercelyne Latortue by Ty Holmberg at Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram's Garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25-50\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 91% on 09\/16\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or seed every 1\" in rows 8-12\" apart, 1\/4-1\/2\" deep. Keep watered until germination. Thin to every 8-12\" for fuller heads, or treat as cut-and-come-again baby greens. Harvest baby greens after 25 days, or allow plant to mature in 40-50 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIsolate by 1\/2 mile from other flowering members of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eB. juncea \u003c\/em\u003eto avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow seed pods to turn brown and dry before seed harvest. Protect from birds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45892815454446,"sku":"BRA-031","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/FloridaBroadleafMustardphotoofMercelyneLaTortuebyTylerHolmbergatSankofaCommunityFarm.jpg?v=1729532327"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/collections\/sankofa_farm_square.jpg?v=1511929503","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.com\/collections\/sankofa-farm-at-bartrams-garden\/a-z-type_beans.oembed","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}