Monthly Archives: August 2020

Asparagus Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”-2”
Row Spacing:3’-5’
Plant Spacing:10”-15”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:60°-75°F

Soak seeds for 24 hours before planting. Start indoors as transplants 6 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seeds 1⁄2" deep with 60° to 75°F temperatures, strong light, good air circulation and uniformly moist soil until seedlings emerge. After all danger of frost has passed, harden plants off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Direct-sow 1" to 2" deep and 1" to 2" apart in a nursery bed. Thin or transplant out 3" to 5" apart once seedlings are large enough to handle. Asparagus is a heavy feeder: amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. In late summer, transplant 10" to 15" apart and 6" to 8" deep in a permanent asparagus patch with well-aerated, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Don’t pick heavily until the fourth year. Harvest by cutting

Beet Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1⁄4"-1⁄2"
Row Spacing: 12"
Seed Spacing: 1"
Days to Germination: 6-12 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-75°F

Beets grow from compound seeds, which may produce several seedlings. Enhance germination by soaking the Beet seeds for an hour in bathtubwarm water. Planting Beets too early may cause stunting and bolting (going to seed), so wait until the soil has warmed to at least 45°F and there is no chance of hard frost. Beets prefer evenly moist, moderately fertile soil. Keep the Beet bed wellweeded, carefully thinning to 3" between plants when seedlings are about 2" tall. Baby Beets make the most choice eating. Harvest them on the smaller side to enjoy their sweet taste and smooth texture. (Or, harvest a bit larger for winter storage.) Enjoy chilled, with goat cheese, black olives and dried cranberries over baby greens with a raspberry vinaigrette. Yum. Or roast them whole with other root vegetables for hearty winter dinners. Beet greens are delicious

Garlic Growing Instructions

Harvest-Time Tips for Globe Onions and Garlic

Deer Resistant Seed Varieties

Mini Meadow/Habitat Flower Garden Planting Instructions

Onion Set Growing Instructions

Harvest-Time Tips for Globe Onions and Garlic

The Flavor Makers: Onions, Leeks and Shallots

Deer Resistant Seed Varieties

Soul-Satisfying Eggplant

Hops Horticultural Tips

Edamame Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Row Spacing:18”-36”
Seed Spacing:3”-6”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-80°F

Growing Edamame is as easy as growing Bush Beans. It also loves sun and well-draining, fertile soil. Direct-sow Edamame when the soil has warmed to 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. Amend the soil as needed with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-aged manure. Cool, wet weather may necessitate a second planting: Edamame seeds rot in cold, damp soil. After planting, do not water until the sprouts emerge, unless it is very hot and dry. After emergence, and throughout the season, avoid watering the foliage. Water by soaking the soil around the plants and fertilize with kelp or fish emulsion as needed. Harvest Edamame when its inedible pods are green, tender and plump, well before they turn yellow. Meaning ‘twig bean’ in Japanese, Edamame is similar to the field soybean although it has been bred for larger seeds, sweeter flavor,

Bitter Melon Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Row Spacing:36”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:75°-85°F

Edible Gourds thrive in heat. Start transplants indoors 4 weeks before setting out 2 weeks after the last frost date (night temperatures must stay above 55°F). Plant 4 seeds per 4" pot or 2 seeds per peat pot in sterile starter mix. Pamper with minimum 65°F temperatures, plenty of light, air circulation and even moisture (never soggy). Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Keep fragile seedlings untangled. Edible Gourds may also be direct sown 2 weeks after the danger of frost has passed to a sunny, well-draining, rich garden bed (minimum of 55°F overnight). Water regularly. Feed as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Black plastic sheeting helps warm the soil and reduces weeds. Trellis vines to keep fruit straight. Harvest 3" to 8" long when the fruit is firm, before any

Artichoke Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:3’-4’
Plant Spacing:2’-3’
Days to Germination:7-12 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Artichokes need moderate temperatures, strong sunlight and good ventilation to grow from seed. Start indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date: sow 3 to 4 seeds per pot or 1 seed per peat pot, barely moistening the soil. Artichokes develop a tiny taproot and are extremely susceptible to damping off, so barely water the young seedlings. When 2"to 3" tall, transfer to individual 4" pots. An ideal location for Artichokes is a well-draining bed or a raised bed in strong sunlight. Prepare area by digging in well rotted manure and/or compost. Plant seedlings in the garden after the last frost, adding fertilizer under each plant. The key to good choke development is to time outdoor planting so that they get at least 3 weeks of cool, 50°F weather (protect them during any hard frosts). Harvest while “petals” are still closed, using a sharp

Gourmet Mini Tuber Growing Instructions

Plant Like a Pioneer: Grow Potatoes

Easy Pickin'
Hand picking is often the best way to get rid of an infestation of Potato beetles--both the fat pink larvae or the striped beetles that follow. If the task disgusts you, get a long extension cord and go out there with a shop vacuum. Use the slot attachment to suction the critters away; it is the one least damaging to the foliage.

Tips for Harvesting and Storing Root Vegetables

Deer Resistant Seed Varieties

Cooking Tip:
The Perfect Hash Brown Ever notice how hash browns made with leftover boiled Potatoes taste better than ones made fresh from raw Potato cubes? They’re moist and soft inside, crisp on the outside. You can get that effect by boiling the Potatoes first or--simpler yet--use raw cubes but cover the frying pan for the first 5 or 10 minutes of cooking to steam them, then remove the lid and fry until crisp.

Onion Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”
Seed Spacing:1”-3”
Days to Germination: 5-12 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F

Direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked. To raise Onions from transplants, sow seed in flats ½” apart. Provide warmth, ventilation and even moisture. Prepare the Onion bed in full sun with organic fertilizer, well-rotted manure and/or compost. Transplant the tiny seedlings when the danger of frost has passed, planting rather shallowly, with as little root disturbance as possible. Water Onions regularly and feed as needed with kelp or fish emulsion. Toward the end of their growing cycle, begin to hold back on watering. When most of the Onion greens have fallen over, stop watering for 1 week. Then, gently pull out the Onions and leave them on top of the dry soil for a couple of days, if weather permits. For “scallion”-type of Onions, harvest by pulling gently at the base of the greens, when the desired size has been reached (the smaller