Page 14 - Monthly Archives: August 2020

Ornamental Corn Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”-1 1/2”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Seed Spacing:3”-4”
Days to Germination:4-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-80°F

Zea mays. Direct-sow Corn when the soil is reliably warm, above 60°F, well after the last spring frost date. Prepare a well-draining area with rich soil in full sunlight. Amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Corn is pollinated by the wind, so grow a minimum of 4 rows, even if they are short rows, to ensure good pollination. If the weather gets wet and cold, you might want to re-seed just to be safe since Corn has a long maturation cycle. After thinning to 10" to 12" between the plants, water regularly and mulch with hay or straw to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Corn is particularly hungry for nitrogen: feed regularly as needed. Harvest after the husks have dried and the kernals are hardened by giving the ears a sharp downward tug. Peel back the husks and tie them

Ornamental Grass Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

Seeds are best direct-sown in mid-spring and thinned to 12" apart. If starting indoors, sow into individual pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Cover the seeds lightly and keep them moist until germination. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then carefully transplant them, disturbing the roots as little as possible, to 12" apart in full sun and welldraining soil after all danger of frost has passed. Ornamental grass is relatively drought-tolerant once established. To dry the blooms, cut stems, tie them into bundles, and hang them upside down in a dry, dark spot for several weeks. Annual. Summer flowering.

Ornamental Millet Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”-1”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:24”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Pennisetum glaucum. Use this bold ornamental grass to add serious oomph to your hot, sunny borders and containers. Seeds are best direct-sown in spring after the last frost date. Sow the seeds up to 1" deep and keep them moist until germination. Thin clumps to 24" apart. If starting indoors, sow clumps into individual pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then transplant them to at least 24" apart in full sun and well-draining soil after all danger of frost has passed. The deep burgundy to almost-black blades grow robustly, quickly forming a hefty mass of easy-care drama. In midsummer it shoots forth fat, fuzzy flower spikes in the same shade as the foliage, yet flecked with pale gold. Annual. Summer flowering. Height: 3'

Brown Mustard Seed Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”-30”
Days to Germination:6-14 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F

Mustard is easy to grow in cool weather. Direct-sow outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked and/or in late summer for fall harvest. Mustard is best planted in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Keep the seedbed moist and well-weeded until seedlings emerge. Once they are 3" to 4" tall, thin plants to 4" to 6" apart. Keep evenly moist. After blooming, watch for developing seedpods: begin harvesting the seedpods before they open and drop, as Mustard readily self-sows. Store the seedpods in paper bags and hang them to cure in a warm, dry place. When the pods turn into brown husks, thresh them (separate the seed from the pods). Rub the pods between your palms over a large container to release the seeds. Put the seeds and their chaff through a sieve just large enough to let the seeds pass through,

Cutting Celery Seed Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:7-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

A bit finicky, Afina Cutting Celery is relatively easy to grow once the seedlings are established. Raise as transplants, sowing 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Soak the seed overnight and sow shallowly since light aids its germination. Provide 65°-75°F temperatures, strong light, good air circulation and moist soil until the seedlings emerge. Afina Cutting Celery is a heavy drinker and feeder: amend the bed as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Water regularly. Keep the plants carefully weeded but do not cultivate deeply because they have shallow root systems. Harvest the fine green leaves and hollow stalks at anytime. The crop can withstand light frosts if covered.

Echinacea Root Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”-24”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia. Start Coneflowers indoors before the last frost date. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours, and then sow in a good seed-starting medium. Provide 65° to 75°F temperatures and uniformly moist soil until seedlings emerge. Introduce strong sunlight. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to larger, deeper pots for full root system development. After all danger of frost has passed and seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 18" to 24" apart or direct-sow in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Grown for its roots rather than for its flowers, this mixture may yield more foliage than flowers, if any. Summer harvesting.

Lemongrass Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Raise as transplants 8 to 10 weeks prior to planting outside in the garden which should be a few weeks after all danger of frost has passed. As light aids germination, sow seeds very shallowly in sterilized seed starting mix. Provide warmth and even moisture. Cover soil with plastic until seeds germinate. Remove the plastic once seedlings have sprouted. Plant out to a garden site that has full sun in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Lemongrass is from the tropics, so provide plenty of water throughout the growing season. It will not survive frost, but can be dug up and grown in containers inside over the winter. Replant the next spring, but be sure to divide the plants to avoid overcrowding their root systems. Harvest the stems once the stalks have swollen and are 2" to 4" long. The leaves may be harvested

Rosemary Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Plant Spacing:8”-24”
Days to Germination:14-28 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Rosemary is a bit tricky and slow, but can be grown with these instructions. Start indoors in late winter. Sow seed in a light, sterilized, well-draining soil mix. Provide warmth, strong light and even moisture. Cover the soil with plastic to retain moisture, but remove it when the seedlings emerge. Do not let the soil get too soggy or too dry. Germination could take up to 28 days. Once plants have several sets of true leaves, transplant to individual 6" pots for full rooting. Set out after all danger of frost is past in full sun and well-draining soil. Developing slowly the first year, Rosemary will not survive heavy frost but can be dug up, potted, cut back and grown in containers inside over the winter. Place in a cool, well-lit area and water sparingly. Replant again next spring, or move the containers outside once all danger

Baby’s Breath Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”-24”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-70°F

Gypsophila paniculata. Easily grown, this popular cut flower may be sown outdoors from early spring up to 2 months before the first frost date in the fall. Or, start transplants indoors 8 weeks before setting out after the last frost date in the spring to insure first year flowers. Provide even moisture and strong light. When seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of frost has passed, carefully transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight spaced 18" to 24" apart. Our old-fashioned Baby’s Breath is prized in summer bouquets as a delicate, airy filler with petite white flowers on well-branching, upright foliage. Summer flowering. Height: 3'.

Balloon Flower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Platycodon grandiflorus. Platycodon can be direct-sown outdoors or started indoors 4 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after the threat of frost has passed. Prepare planting site in garden in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of soil, leaving seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside. Thin or transplant the seedlings 12" to 18" apart. It will not flower until its second year, but once it does, stand back! Its heavily flower-laden stems may need staking. This blue cut flower should be harvested when 2 to 3 flowers open on an individual stem. Flame-sear cut ends before putting in water. Summer flowering. Height: 18" to 24".

Bells of Ireland Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:3”-4”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:25-35 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

Moluccella laevis, aka Shellflower. Direct-sow Bells of Ireland 2 weeks before the last frost date. Prior to sowing, soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water to assist germination. Sow in a rich, well-draining garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and feed as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Or start transplants indoors 6 to 8 weeks before setting out around the last frost date. Sow seeds on top of sterile starter mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days before transplanting them out 12" apart. Readily self-sowing, this prized 1570 heirloom produces 2' to 3' spires of pale to

Black-Eyed Susan Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Rudbeckia hirta. This perennial favorite prefers to be started indoors and transplanted out. Eight weeks prior to the last hard frost, sow seeds 1" apart in a good seed-starting medium at 70° to 75°F. Cover lightly and provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, transplant the strongest seedlings to deeper individual pots for superior root development. When the plants are 4" tall, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of a hard frost has passed, transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight. Space plants 12" to 24" apart in the garden. If started early enough in the spring, this popular cut flower may bloom the first year. Summer flowering. Height: 2' to 3'.

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