Page 13 - Monthly Archives: August 2020

Coleus Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Coleus blumei. Prized for their exotic and colorful foliage, Coleus should be started indoors at least 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of the soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even, lukewarm moisture and strong light during germination. Prepare a garden bed in dappled sunlight or shade, with rich, welldraining soil. Harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions over 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or carefully transplant the seedlings into the garden, planting them 8" to 12" apart. To encourage branching, pinch back the young plants once 8" tall, and flowers as they form. All the rage in Victorian gardens, Coleus are perfect companions in window boxes, whimsical containers,

Spider Flowers Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Cleome spinosa, Spider Plant. It is best to plant Cleome seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date. They may also be started indoors in a sterile soil mix, 6 to 8 weeks before planting outside. Cleome needs alternating day and night temperatures. Sow thinly and shallowly as light improves germination. Keep soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge. When seedlings are large enough to transplant, be sure to “harden them off” by gradually exposing the plants to the outdoors over a period of 7 to 10 days. Cleome appreciates full sun but tolerates partial shade; the garden bed should be rich, fertile, well-draining soil. Thin or transplant seedlings to 12" to 18" apart and keep the seedlings well-watered and weeded. Mature plants will tolerate heat and drought conditions.

Shade Tolerance

Calendula Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°F

Calendula officianalis. This decorative edible may be started outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. It prefers full sunlight and a fertile, loamy and well-draining soil. Plant the seeds 1⁄2" deep and firm well, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 1 to 2 weeks after sowing. To raise as transplants, sow the seeds 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost date in a good seedstarting medium, provide even moisture and a consistent 70°F temperature until the seedlings emerge in about 2 weeks. Once established, thin plants to 2" to 3" apart and grow on. Prior to transplanting when 3" tall, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Space plants 12" apart in the garden. Summer/fall-flowering. Height: 24".

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Cottage Pinks Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:70°F

Dianthus plumarius. Hardy, this low-growing favorite may be started indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. Start in a good seedstarting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once the seedlings are well-established, thin to 2" to 3" apart and grow on indoors at a lower temperature, about 55°F until they are 3" tall. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. After the last frost, transplant out 6" to 12" apart in the garden. A perfect border or rock garden plant growing in low mounds, it prefers well-draining, sandy to loamy and average to slightly alkaline soil in full sunlight. A good cut flower, it is also regarded as a decorative edible. Spring flowering. Height: 12".

Our Pollinators are in Peril

Shade Tolerance

English Daisy Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:6”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Bellis perennis. English Daisies have long been beloved in European gardens. The pompon flowers hover on leafless stems just 6" over a spreading mat of semi-evergreen foliage. Tuck them into stone walls and beneath daffodils and tulips to add a dash of charm to your spring plantings. English Daisies abhor heat. In warmer climates, afternoon shade is a must, while in cooler climates full sun is best. Direct-sow seeds in the garden on top of the soil in late winter or early spring. Keep the seeds evenly moist until germination. When the seedlings are 2" to 3" tall, thin them to 6" apart. Supply them with plenty of moisture until they’re established, and then mulch to conserve soil moisture and restrain their rampant reseeding tendencies. Treat English Daisies as annuals in Horticultural Zones 8 to 10. Biennial to Perennial. Late winter

Johnny Jump-Ups Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:5”-8”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°F

Viola tricolor. This heirloom favorite prefers to be started indoors and transplanted out. Ten to 12 weeks prior to the last hard frost, plant them in a good seed-starting medium at about 70°F. Cover the seeds well and firm them down, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, thin plants to 2" to 3" apart and grow on at about 55°F. Prior to transplanting when 3" tall, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of a hard frost has passed, transplant out into fertile, evenly moist but well-draining soil in full to filtered sunlight. Space plants 5" to 8" apart in the garden. Their flowers are prized as candied garnishes, in summer salads or in ice cubes. Spring/summer flowering. Height:

Night Phlox Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Zaluzianskya capensis. Night Phlox is what dreams are made of. As the sun goes down, its tiny burgundy buds begin to open until they reveal masses of starry white blooms that glow in the moonlight. But it’s their fragrance that really rules the night. Sweet and intoxicating, it floats on the breeze, making one think of honey and freshly baked vanilla cake. The scent intensifies with the darkness until, near midnight, you’ll be swooning. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden after the last frost date, or indoors 3 to 4 weeks earlier. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep them moist until germination. Once all danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then transplant them to 12" apart in full sun and consistently moist, well-drained

Stocks Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:8”-10”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Matthiola incana. Stock, an old-fashioned cottage flower, can be sown outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, yet it is best started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture, strong light and luke warm water. Prepare a garden bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant them 12" to 18" apart. Prized for their spicy clove scent, Stock has stalks studded with small, semi-double flowers ranging from white to pale pink to deep burgundy. It makes a great garden display or cut flower. Summer flowering. Height: 18".

Mignonette Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:2”-4”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Reseda odorata. A traditional Victorian cottage garden plant, Mignonette’s medium green foliage yields plump, dense spires of chartreuse and white flowers that fade to cream. While the plant is not overly showy, the flowers are intensely fragrant, with a sweet and spicy scent that makes a wonderful addition to floral arrangements. Even dried, the flowers retain their fragrance for several months, and can be added to homemade potpourri. Seedlings do not transplant well. Sow seeds directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed, pressing them lightly into the soil. Provide full sun and consistent moisture, and thin the seedlings to 12" apart. Pinching young plants encourages branching and even more flowers. Deadhead spent blooms and sow more seeds every 2 weeks for an extended flowering period. Annual. Summer flowering.

Heliotrope Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:4”-5”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-30 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Heliotropium arborescens. Germinating Heliotrope may take several weeks. It is best to sow it indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seeds lightly in seed starting mix, barely cover and provide consistent heat, strong light and moisture. Transplant to larger pots once the seedlings are large enough to handle. When they are 4" tall, harden the seedlings off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out in rich, well-draining soil and full sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Feed regularly and pinch back to make them bushy. Another heirloom, Heliotrope has clustered, tiny, trumpet-shaped flowers and a heady perfume. They may be dug out and potted up before the first fall frost and brought indoors as a winter-blooming house plant. Summer flowering.

Black-Eyed Susan Vine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Thunbergia alata, Black-Eyed Susan Vine. Easily and rapidly grown in full sunlight, Black-Eyed Susan Vine should be direct-sown outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out into the garden. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Transplant out into the garden after hardening off the plants by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate part-day, full sunlight. Plant in rich, moist, well-draining soil with structural support (fence, trellis, lattice or netting) for its vigorously growing vines. It is also wonderful in hanging baskets. Black-Eyed Susan Vine will quickly grow into a living screen loaded with bell-shaped, 1" tubular flowers and large, blue-green, triangular foliage. Summer

Exotic Love Vine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:16 days
Germination Temperature:70°F

Mina lobata. This classic vine’s long, upright flowering stems stand out proudly from the twining vines of 3-lobed, heart-shaped, dark green leaves and attract butterflies and hummingbirds in droves. Soak the seeds overnight or nick the hard seed coat, and then sow them directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed, or start seeds in individual pots indoors, 5 to 6 weeks earlier. Keep the seeds evenly moist until germination, which can take up to 16 days. Once all danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week. Thin or transplant to 12" apart in full sun and moist, rich, well-drained soil. Provide the sturdy support of a trellis or tuteur. Over fertilizing will result in lush foliage but fewer flowers. Annual. Summer flowering. Height: 15'.