Welcome to Hillside Heirlooms Preservation Farm
Nestled on the South Coast in Plympton Massachusetts, Hillside Heirloom Preservation Farm, grows and preserves rare historical heirloom seeds with care, passion, and heart. Every packet is a piece of the past cultivated for the future.
Why We Grow
We believe the old ways are worth preserving. In every seed and every harvest, there’s a connection to the past that deserves to live on. Our farm is dedicated to keeping these flavors and traditions alive and thriving for tomorrow.
Chinese Forget-Me-Nots – Cynoglossum amabile
These sky-blue blooms bring a cottage garden charm that lasts from spring well into summer. Unlike perennial forget-me-nots, this variety is an easy-to-grow annual, producing clouds of dainty flowers that are perfect for cutting, drying, or tucking into pollinator-friendly borders. A cheerful heirloom that’s as enduring in memory as it is in beauty.
Growing Instructions
Planting time: Direct sow in early spring after last frost, or in fall in mild climates for early blooms.
Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 6–8 inches apart
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Days to bloom: 80–90 days
Notes: Deadhead regularly for continuous flowering. Attracts bees and butterflies; excellent for drying.
Golden Midget Watermelon – Heirloom, 1959
A charming, early-ripening watermelon that fits perfectly in smaller gardens. Golden Midget produces 3–5 lb fruits that turn a glowing golden-yellow on the outside when ripe, with sweet, rosy-pink flesh inside. Bred at the University of New Hampshire in 1959, it’s a dependable choice for short seasons and northern growers. 25 seeds per packet
Growing Instructions
Planting time: Direct sow after danger of frost when soil has warmed to 70°F, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplant.
Depth: 1 inch
Spacing: 2–3 feet apart in rows 5–6 feet apart, or plant in hills of 2–3 plants spaced 4–6 feet apart.
Sun: Full sun
Days to maturity: 70–80 days
Notes: Fruits ripen uniformly and signal readiness by their golden rinds. Provide ample water while fruits are developing; reduce watering as melons near maturity for best sweetness.
Honeynut Winter Squash – Cucurbita moschata
A modern heirloom favorite bred for rich flavor and perfect personal sized fruits. Honeynut produces small, deep orange squash with exceptionally sweet, concentrated flesh. Often compared to butternut but even richer. Vines are productive and compact, yielding uniform, early ripening fruits ideal for roasting, soups, and fall harvest displays. 25 Seeds
Growing Instructions
Planting time: Direct sow after frost when soil is warm, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost.
Depth: 1 inch
Spacing: 24–36 inches apart; rows 5–6 feet apart
Sun: Full sun
Days to harvest: 90–105 days
Notes: Provide plenty of space for vines to sprawl. For best sweetness and storage quality, allow fruits to fully ripen and skins to harden on the vine. Cure for 10–14 days in a warm, dry place before storing.
“Our hands in the earth, our hearts in history, planting what time nearly lost.”
Our Vision
At Hillside Heirloom Preservation Farm, we believe that the seeds hold the wisdom of generations. Our vision is to safeguard rare, regional heirlooms and reawaken the stories they carry. Planting not only for sustenance, but for remembrance. In every row we sow, we honor the quiet resilience of early American gardens and the heritage of hands that came before us.
Through our seeds, and our dedication, we hope to inspire a deeper connection to the land and to leave a living legacy of resilience, beauty, and hope.