Tomato 'Harzfeuer'

The name means Resin Fire in German; however, this refers to the mountainous and forested region of Harz that divides western Germany from eastern Germany. 'Harzfeuer' is thought to be the heirloom predecessor of a common German hybrid variety thought to be lost for many years.

2-4 oz round, bright red fruits held in clusters with a well-balanced, extremely sweet flavor for fresh eating. Plants grow to 5-6 feet tall. Early to produce in 55 days.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. Support these heavily bearing plants with a sturdy tomato cage.

Harvest when fruit are bright red and slightly soft to the touch. It is excellent eaten fresh in salads or right off the vine. They can also be use to make a great pasta sauce.

Goji Berry 'Shanghai Express'

Goji is a shrubby plant that can, in time, grow 3-10' tall. Space Goji plants 24" apart. Goji is self pollinating, so even a single plant will produce fruit. Goji is unusual in that it prefers relatively infertile, slightly alkaline soil with a pH range of 6.8 to 8.1. Goji reacts poorly to fertilizer and manure, so if you're growing in a large container, use simple top soil with some perlite mixed in for drainage, and avoid peat-based soils. If severe winter weather is expected, it is wise to mulch around the bases of your Goji plants, or move container plants into a cool but frost free area such as a garage. Plants are extremely cold hardy to -4°F, but should be mulched if extreme weather is expected.


Goji berries have had lots of media attention in recent years, and are thought to be a "superfood." They are certainly rich in nutrients, being packed with vitamins and minerals as well as amino acids and essential fatty acids. Five carotenoids are found in Goji berries: beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and cryptoxanthin. All of these are reputed to contribute to overall health and disease resistance in humans. Even the leaves of the Goji plant are edible and nutritious! In its third year of growth, a Goji plant can produce over 6½ lbs of fruit. Shanghai Express is a wonderful variety of Lycium barbarum that grows well in northern latitudes. The berries can be frozen or dried - drying seems to maintain the best flavour.

Soil Preparation for the Vegetable Garden

To grow the best vegetables you want the soil to be good and rich. Maybe your soil is lacking for optimal plant growth. The most important thing to do is amend the soil with with organic matter like compost.

Compost is important for adding nutrients to the soil as well as improving the soil texture. Compost acts like a sponge to absorb and hold onto water so that it can be used by the plants. It also lowers the pH of the soil, making it more acidic, which helps to make soil nutrients more available to the plants. You can make compost yourself or buy high quality compost in bags or bulk from a garden center.

Using an organic fertilizer will ensure your soil contains adequate nutrients and supports crops from year to year. Good organic fertilizers we recommend are Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable, and Herb fertilizer or Down To Earth All Purpose Fertilizer.

To amend your soil, lay up to 6 inches of compost onto the existing soil. Sprinkle the fertilizer over the compost referring to the manufacturer's instructions for amounts. Turn the compost and fertilizer into the soil thoroughly so that it is about a ½ and ½ mixture. Do this in early spring and again in late summer for fall and winter harvests.

50th Annual Niles Antique Fair & Flea Market

Super Starts is proud to be a vendor at the 50th Annual Antique Faire & Flea Market in Niles Historic District Niles Town Plaza, 37592 Niles Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536 on Sunday, August 31, 2014 from 6am to 4pm. Fall is a wonderful time of year to plant a garden. So many varieties do well as the days get cooler and I do say gardening is a little easier in the fall. Lettuces, kale and other greens, cauliflower, peas, and perennial herbs can all be planted in the fall with success. Look for our plant list in the next week or so and we will see you at the Niles Antique Faire & Flea Market.

Summer Seedling Sale

Super Starts is having a summer seedling sale this Saturday, June 14 from 10am to 4pm. The days are warmer and it is a great time to plant summer seedlings. We have so many plants! They want to go home to your garden so come on by the Super Starts Summer Seedling Sale. Tending a garden, no matter what size, is a great activity for the summer.

SUPER STARTS SUMMER SEEDLING SALE

10am to 4pm

1813 Felt St

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

x-street is 17th Ave

All plants are $3 each or any 2 plants for $5 unless otherwise marked. All tomatoes are just $1!

TOMATOES

Mandarin cross

Marvel Stripe

Green Zebra

Big Raspberry

Big Rainbow

Black Krim

Orange Strawberry

Costoluto Genovese

Moskvich

San Marzano

Stupice

Zapotec Pleated

Red Brandywine

Black Zebra

Yellow Pear

Speckled Roman

Valencia

Red Pear Piriform

PEPPERS

Jalapeno Pepper

Cayenne Pepper

Hungarian Yellow Wax Pepper

Red Thai Chile

Red Bell Pepper 

Yellow Bell Pepper

Orange Bell Pepper

Padron Pepper

Mini Bell Pepper ‘Yummy”

EGGPLANT

Eggplant ‘Long Purple’

Eggplant ‘Nubia’

Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’

Eggplant ‘Little Prince’

PUMPKINS & WINTER SQUASH

Pumpkin ‘Wyatt’s Wonder’

Pumpkin ‘Porcelain Doll’

Pumpkin ‘Blue Doll’

Cinderella Pumpkin

Butternut Squash

Spaghetti Squash

SUMMER SQUASH

Yellow Zucchini

Round Zucchini ‘Ronde de Nice’

Round Yellow Zucchini ‘One Ball’

Round Dark Green Zucchini ‘Black Ball’

Zucchini ‘Romanesco’

Green Zucchini ‘Obsidian’

CUCUMBERS

English Cucumber

Lemon Cucumber

Japanese Cucumber

Persian Cucumber

HERBS

Rosemary

Italian Arugula

Sage - Salvia officialis

Pineapple Sage

Anise Hyssop

Purple Basil

Lemon Basil

Sweet Basil

Cinnamon Basil

Thai Basil

FLOWERS

Echinacea ‘White Swan’

Cuphea lanceolata ‘Purple Passion’

Sunflower ‘Autumn Beauty Mix’

Black Hollyhock ‘The Watchman’

assorted Succulents