{"title":"Cosmos Companions","description":"Companion planting with cosmos can enhance the beauty and health of your garden. Cosmos not only add a pop of color but can attract beneficial pollinators. Pair them with tomatoes, as cosmos can help attract pollinators and improve fruit set. Planting zinnias alongside cosmos adds to the aesthetic appeal and also attracts pollinators. Marigolds, known for their pest-repelling properties, can help protect both cosmos and other garden plants. Lastly, consider beets, which share similar care requirements with cosmos and complement their visual charm. These companion plants create a harmonious and vibrant garden landscape.","products":[{"product_id":"opalka","title":"Opalka Tomato","description":"\u003cp\u003eOpalka is a little-known Polish heirloom that is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Vigorous, wispy vines produce excellent yields of large paste tomatoes.  Fruit have an unusual shape, which often catches the attention of visitors and double-blossomed flowers sometimes produce tomatoes with an almost cartoon-like appearance.  Besides being fun to look at, Opalka tomatoes are coreless, few-seeded, and larger than most other paste-types, making them a breeze to process.  Just take a thin slice off the end to remove the stem scar, halve the remainder and process as desired.  Very little work and very little waste.  Harvests begin approximately 85 days from transplanting.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opalka","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071906509049,"sku":"TO-PA-002","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/opalka-tomato-seeds-30929313824925.jpg?v=1700332094"},{"product_id":"italian-heirloom","title":"Italian Heirloom Tomato","description":"\u003cp\u003eIts excellent flavor and meatiness make Italian Heirloom one of the best dual-purpose tomatoes around. When I first grew this variety in the extreme drought of 2012, I thought I would never grow it again. Early on, it always seemed to look thirsty with its leaves often rolled and droopy. However later in the season, Italian Heirloom produced nice yields of large near-perfect tomatoes while other varieties suffered from extreme blossom end rot (a calcium deficiency that is worsened by drought). It turned out that my initial impressions were wrong, Italian heirloom had been coping with the drought stress while the others were chugging along as if everything were fine. I learned an important lesson in plant physiology that summer and thanks to Italian Heirloom we had plenty of canned tomatoes that winter. 85 days to harvest. Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Italian Heirloom","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071584465145,"sku":"TO-SL-009","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/italian-heirloom-tomato-seeds-37848844501241.jpg?v=1700334782"},{"product_id":"cylindra","title":"Cylindra Beet","description":"\u003cp\u003eCylindra is a Danish heirloom variety dating back to the 1880's that produces 5 to 6-inch-long, 2-inch-wide beets with smooth skin and a fine, sweet flavor.  Cylindra slices into uniform rounds, making perfect for pickling and snacking and its cylindrical shape also makes it easier to peel.  Ready to harvest approximately 60 days after sowing.  A packet contains a minimum of 100 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cylindra","offers":[{"title":"Packet (100 Seeds)","offer_id":44071507624185,"sku":"BE-00-002","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/cylindra-garden-beet-seeds-42937431884025.jpg?v=1726315645"},{"product_id":"golden-detroit","title":"Golden Detroit Beet","description":"\u003cp\u003eGolden Detroit is a unique heirloom beet that produces vibrantly colored 4-inch, gold beets with delicious, sweet flavor.  If you are looking to incorporate beets into your baby's diet but don't want to deal with the purple mess, golden beets are an excellent alternative.  Golden Detroit's greens are also less fragile than other beet varieties and therefore are great for salad or wilting greens.  Greens can be harvested beginning 30 to 40 days from sowing with the gold roots harvestable at roughly 55 days after planting.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Golden Detroit","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071563362553,"sku":"BE-00-006","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/golden-detroit-beet-seeds-1182373676.jpg?v=1764102937"},{"product_id":"detroit-dark-red","title":"Detroit Dark Red Beet","description":"\u003cp\u003eDespite being developed way back in 1892, Detroit Dark Red beet remains the most popular beet variety available today and it's easy to see why it has maintained its prominence.  Healthy plants produce deep red, 4-inch-wide globes and vibrant bright green tops.  Detroit Red beet is favorite for canning and pickling but is also great for fresh eating.  If you are looking for a dependable heirloom beet, Detroit Dark Red is the way to go!  And with our top-quality heirloom beet seed, you'll be set up for gardening success!  Approximately 58 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 100 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Detroit Dark Red","offers":[{"title":"Packet (100 Seeds)","offer_id":44071526465785,"sku":"BE-00-005","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/detroit-dark-red-beet-seeds-42937533464825.jpg?v=1726316008"},{"product_id":"french-marigold","title":"French Marigold","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrench Marigold is an easy-to-grow annual that produces beautiful, wavy-petalled flowers in a warm array of gold, orange, and red colors.  A carefree plant with dense, dark green foliage, French Marigolds grow 12-20 inches tall and blooms profusely from summer to fall.  They are a popular choice for beds, borders, and pollinator gardens and are known to support a number of pollinators including bees and butterflies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough there are a number of flowers that are commonly referred to as marigolds, Tagetes marigolds are most familiar to American gardeners.  Many of us who grew up with parents or grandparents who gardened will remember fondly their cheerful blooms.  Brushing their distinctly scented foliage will elicit nostalgic thoughts of our earliest gardening experiences.  Indeed, m\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ey first seed saving experience was helping my grandmother collect French Marigold seeds when I was barely more than a toddler.  Now an adult, I've carried on this tradition, using French Marigolds to teach my own children the basics of seed saving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhether you're a seasoned veteran or first-time gardener, French Marigolds are an excellent addition to any garden.  Their ease of growth and carefree nature make them perfect for adding color to the garden without adding much effort.  What's more, French Marigold's distinctly scented foliage is prized for its ability to deter rabbits, and its roots have been demonstrated to repel nematodes, which can be a real problem for some gardeners.  Pick up a pack of our premium French Marigold seeds today and begin discovering the many virtues of this beloved garden flower.  Each packet contains a minimum of 250 seeds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"French Marigold","offers":[{"title":"Packet (250 Seeds)","offer_id":44071554220281,"sku":"FL-GA-018","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bulk (~5000 Seeds)","offer_id":46500993564921,"sku":"FL-GA-018BULK","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/french-marigold-seeds-42926860927225.jpg?v=1726295190"},{"product_id":"cactus-flowered-zinnia-mix","title":"Cactus Flowered Zinnia Mix","description":"\u003cp\u003eCactus Flowered Zinnia is a striking heirloom type prized for its bold form and vibrant color range. This classic cactus zinnia produces large, 3–6 inch blooms packed with narrow, twisted, quilled petals that give each flower a dramatic, spiky appearance. Many blooms are fully double zinnia types, with dense layers of petals that create impressive, long-lasting garden color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften described as a giant cactus style zinnia, plants reach 30–40 inches tall and bloom continuously from summer through fall. Flowers appear in glowing shades of red, pink, orange, peach, and yellow, with some blossoms displaying beautiful color gradients from center to outer petals. An easy-to-grow annual that thrives in heat, Cactus Flowered Zinnia makes an excellent choice for cutting gardens and bold seasonal displays. Approximately 100 seeds per packet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cactus Flowered Mix","offers":[{"title":"Packet (100 Seeds)","offer_id":44070763299065,"sku":"FL-GA-025","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/cactus-flowered-zinnia-mix-seeds-1195388297.jpg?v=1759152885"},{"product_id":"california-giants-zinnia-mix","title":"California Giants Zinnia Mix","description":"\u003cp\u003eCalifornia Giants is an heirloom zinnia variety that produces 3 to 4-foot-tall stems topped with large 4 to 5-inch-wide double flowers in a stunning array of colors including red, orange, yellow, fuchsia, and purple.  California Giant zinnia plants bloom profusely right up until first frost and attract a variety of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and many more.   What's more, their cut flowers make beautiful arrangements and boast a long vase-life.  In short, if you are looking for an all-around beautiful zinnia, California Giants is the way to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough some sources state that the California Giant zinnia traces back to 1926, the earliest record we could find for this variety was in the September 1928 letter of one Blue Island, Illinois gardener, who had written to Sun-Ripened Seeds of Pasadena, California to boast of his prize-winning giant zinnias, the seeds for which he had purchased from the company the preceding spring at an astonishing price of $1.00 (over $30 in today's dollars).  Such extravagance was probably not uncommon in the late 1920's and indeed, the gardener seems pleased with his purchase, writing that the handful of seeds had yielded a garden \"filled with these wonderful zinnias, some as large as saucers\" and had won him numerous prizes in local gardening contests.  The 1929 \u003cem\u003eSun-Ripened Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e catalog lists 7 unique shades of Giant California zinnias, which they also describe as Mammoth Flowered zinnias.  By the spring of 1930, a packet of California Giants could be acquired for a mere 25 cents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThankfully, today one need not trade a steak dinner for a packet of California Giants zinnia seeds.  Generations of Americans have enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of this variety, and it remains as popular as ever with home gardeners and market growers alike.  Pick up a packet of California Giants zinnia seed today, and you too can bask in the beauty and history of this beloved garden variety.  Each packet contains a minimum of 100 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"California Giants","offers":[{"title":"Packet (100 Seeds)","offer_id":44070962594041,"sku":"FL-GA-019","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/california-giants-zinnia-mix-seeds-42937307529465.jpg?v=1726238774"},{"product_id":"mule-team-slicing-tomato","title":"Mule Team Heirloom Tomato","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn heirloom variety that pulls its weight!  Mule Team's vigorous, sturdy, drought-resistant plants are abundant producers of 8 to 12-ounce beefsteak tomatoes with excellent flavor and juiciness.  A great variety for both fresh eating and canning, Mule Team bears heavily and consistently right up until frost with little change in fruit quality across the season. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMule Team tomatoes are part of a series of tomatoes developed by the same hobbyist breeder.  With Americana-inspired names like Box Car Willie, Red Barn, Great Divide, and Pasture, this unique collection almost vanished into extinction until finally the seeds were discovered stored in glass jars in a tool shed by his son, Joe Bratka.  Unable to germinate the seeds, Joe sent samples to famed tomato collector Dr. Carolyn Male, who was able to grow them, eventually offering the seeds on Seed Savers Exchange. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWriting in her book \u003cem\u003e100 Heirlooms for the American Garden\u003c\/em\u003e, Dr. Male describes Mule Team tomatoes as \"very pleasing—zippy and sweet at the same time,\" with a yield that rivals or surpasses the performance of hybrids.  We'd agree.  Mule Team is our go-to variety when we need to do heavy work in the kitchen.  Harvests begin approximately 80 days from transplant.  Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mule Team","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071665795321,"sku":"TO-SL-021","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/mule-team-heirloom-tomato-seeds-43401418604793.jpg?v=1726787251"},{"product_id":"costoluto-genovese","title":"Costoluto Genovese Tomato","description":"\u003cp\u003eDating back to the 19th century, this popular Italian tomato has long been a favorite for both canning and slicing.  Costoluto Genovese's vigorous, indeterminate vines are steady producers of flattened, deeply ribbed tomatoes with glossy, vibrant red skins.  Uniquely shaped fruit have an intense, classic tomato flavor that is well-suited to sauce making.  We especially like them for making roasted pasta sauce.  A scientifically documented low-acid variety. Harvests begin 75 days after transplant and continue until the first frost.  A packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Costoluto Genovese","offers":[{"title":"Packet (50 Seeds)","offer_id":44071074267385,"sku":"TO-SL-028","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/products\/costoluto-genovese-heirloom-fluted-tomato-seeds-38277904269561.jpg?v=1700350457"},{"product_id":"queeny-lime-red","title":"Queeny Lime Red","description":"\u003cp\u003eQueeny Lime Red is an open-pollinated variety of zinnia that produces elegant, dusky red flowers with vibrant, lime green centers.  Beloved by florists, Queeny Lime Red makes an excellent cut flower, producing more and more blooms with each cutting.  Its long stems work well for bouquets and arrangements and its elegantly colored flowers strike a beautiful contrast when set against cool colors like navy, charcoal and hunter green.  We suspect they'd make a beautiful landscaping flower for farmhouses and homes with dark blue or gray paint colors.  Formerly known as Queen Lime Red.  Plants grow 30 to 40 inches tall and bloom summer through fall.  Annual.  Approximately 25 seeds per packet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Queeny Lime Red","offers":[{"title":"Packet (25 Seeds)","offer_id":46132325548281,"sku":"FL-GA-068","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/queeny-lime-red-seeds-1113746312.jpg?v=1738502537"},{"product_id":"lutz-green-leaf","title":"Lutz Green Leaf","description":"\u003cp\u003eLutz Green Leaf Beet is a classic heirloom variety long prized for its remarkable keeping quality. Dating back to the early 20th century, Lutz earned the nickname “Winter Keeper” for its ability to produce large, sweet, tender roots that store exceptionally well. Unlike many beets that become woody as they size up, Lutz maintains a smooth texture and rich, earthy flavor even when harvested at larger sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vigorous tops are equally valuable, producing abundant greens that resemble Swiss chard in both appearance and flavor. Our strain features bright green leaves with striking red midveins, a beautiful contrast that highlights the plant’s dual-purpose nature. The tops are delicious sautéed, steamed, or added to soups, while the roots provide reliable harvests from summer through winter storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn old-fashioned standard in American gardens, Lutz Green Leaf reflects a time when varieties were selected not only for yield but also for flavor and long-term utility. Today it remains a favorite among homesteaders and gardeners who appreciate old-fashioned resilience, dependable yields, and a connection to the past.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lutz Green Leaf","offers":[{"title":"Packet (100 Seeds)","offer_id":46782363631865,"sku":"BE-00-009","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/lutz-green-leaf-seeds-1187186811.jpg?v=1756146534"},{"product_id":"hawaii-marigold","title":"Hawaii Marigold","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Hawaii marigold is a striking African marigold variety that produces enormous, double blooms in a vivid, bright orange shade. Flowers can reach 3–4 inches across, with layers of ruffled petals that make an unforgettable statement in borders, beds, or bouquets. Their bold color and long bloom season make them a favorite for adding cheer and structure to summer gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompact yet sturdy, plants typically grow 24–30 inches tall and are well-branched, producing a profusion of large, showy blooms from summer to frost. We grew Hawaii in honor of our summer helper, Gracie, who was with us while her boyfriend was deployed from his regular assignment in Hawaii. She’ll be returning to the islands this fall, but we’ve enjoyed her warm personality all summer—these cheerful orange blooms will serve as a fitting reminder of our time with her in years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to their ornamental appeal, marigolds are valued as classic companion plants in the vegetable garden. Hawaii marigold’s vigorous growth and strong fragrance help deter pests and attract pollinators, making them as practical as they are beautiful. Whether grown in garden beds, borders, or containers, this variety is a standout choice for gardeners who love brilliant orange blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hawaii","offers":[{"title":"Packet (250 Seeds)","offer_id":46905714573561,"sku":"FL-GA-081","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bulk (~5000 Seeds)","offer_id":46905714606329,"sku":"Fl-GA-081BULK","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/hawaii-marigold-seeds-1195729707.jpg?v=1766080160"},{"product_id":"red-mangelwurzel-fodder-beet","title":"Red Mangelwurzel Fodder Beet","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Red Mangelwurzel beet is an old-fashioned European fodder beet traditionally grown for livestock feed, but one that still earns a place in the home garden thanks to its vigorous growth, nutritious greens, and surprisingly versatile roots.  Also known as Red Mammoth Mangel, Red Mangel Beet, or simply a mangel beet, this heirloom variety produces enormous, elongated roots with rosy-red skins and creamy white interiors that are occasionally brushed with soft pink blushing.  While mature roots were historically prized as a high-yielding stock feed, young roots can be harvested early and enjoyed much like traditional table beets with a milder, less earthy flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the real standouts of the Red Mammoth Mangel beet is its abundant foliage.  The large, glossy greens remain tender and productive throughout the growing season, making them excellent for fresh cooking, sautés, and soups long after many standard beet varieties become tough or bitter.  Plants are vigorous, adaptable, and highly productive, thriving in a wide range of soils while producing massive roots that can reach impressive sizes if left to mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fascinating heirloom with deep agricultural history, the Red Mangelwurzel beet bridges the gap between utility crop and garden curiosity—perfect for gardeners interested in fodder beets, historic farm varieties, giant vegetables, or dual-purpose beets that offer both edible roots and season-long greens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Red Mangelwurzel","offers":[{"title":"Packet (100 Seeds)","offer_id":48450445902073,"sku":"BE-00-011","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/files\/red-mangelwurzel-fodder-beet-seeds-1240682058.jpg?v=1779906732"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4450\/collections\/Yellow_Cosmos_5_b_Large_65f12f79-3bc6-4458-b1cf-10f9d5d4c720.jpg?v=1697132449","url":"https:\/\/www.threshseed.com\/collections\/cosmos-companions\/drought-tolerant.oembed","provider":"Thresh Seed Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}