Page 6 - Monthly Archives: August 2020

Gardening Tips: Managing Biennials
Deciding how to treat annuals and perennials is simple. Annuals dazzle you in summer, then take their leave. Perennials persist as long as they are welcome. But biennials are a two year proposition in which they are sown one year and bloom the next. If you have never tried biennials you might ask, “Are they worth it? I wait a year for this thing to flower, then it’s gone.” Well, not exactly. Biennials tend to be self-sowers which, once established, create their own little program. You have to get with their rhythm and learn to like their individualistic ways. One way is to give them a designated spot. Plant hollyhocks in the rear of a bed, since they’re tall, and next year they’ll make colorful, towering spires, dropping their seeds and creating a hollyhock neighborhood back there. A foxglove neighborhood might be a spot with dappled shade, in and around a shrub border. Forget-me-nots will congregate in a damp spot. Lupines, once introduced, might reappear

Hyacinth Bean Vine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Seed Spacing:6”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Dolichos lablab. This easy-to-grow climber quickly scrambles up any support and provides a beautiful living screen with intense purple blossoms, seedpods and stems with attractive, dark green foliage. It is best direct-sown outside after the danger of frost has passed. It may also be sown as transplants in a sterile soil mix 4 to 6 weeks before setting outside in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. When large enough to transplant outside, be sure to “harden them off” by gradually exposing the plants to the outdoors over a period of 7 to 10 days. Carefully transplant or thin seedlings to 8" to 12" apart; try to avoid disturbing their root systems. Plant in full sun and moderately rich, well-draining soil. Keep the bed well-watered and well-weeded. Hyacinth Bean Vine will need solid support from a trellis, fence or netting.

Morning Glory Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:6”-8”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:65°-85°F

Ipomoea. A spectacular climbing annual, this old-fashioned favorite will scramble up any type of supportive structure for a beautiful floral display until the first frost in the fall. Prior to planting, carefully nick the hard seed coat and/or soak the seeds overnight. Then, direct-sow them where they are to grow after all danger of frost is past. Or, start the seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting outside. Carefully thin or transplant Morning Glories to a spacing of 6" to 8" apart without disturbing their roots, and plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, as Morning Glories prefer dry conditions. Only fertilize lightly, as soil that is too rich will discourage flower production. Morning Glories require a trellis, fence, string, lamppost or mailbox post to support their long, climbing vines and profuse flowers.

Leek Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: ¼”-1/2"
Row Spacing: 12”-18”
Seed Spacing: 1/2”
Days to Germination: 10-14 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-75°F

Direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked. But Leeks are best to raise as transplants: start 6 to 8 weeks before planning to set out, as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Sow Leek seed in flats or pots thinly, covering with fine soil. Water lightly, provide moderate warmth, light and ventilation. Feed as needed with kelp or fish emulsion. Prepare Leek bed with compost and/or well-rotted manure and a complete organic fertilizer. Dig a trench 4" deep. When seedlings are 6" to 8" tall, transplant to the trench, setting them 3" to 5" apart in the row. Tuck them in. For “baby” Leeks, plant 1" apart and harvest while tiny. To blanch, mound soil around Leeks as they grow. Harvest at your discretion, at whatever size you prefer. Leeks tolerate frost and partial shade. (If you plan to harvest Leeks for winter use, allow them

Parsnip Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: ½”-3/4”
Row Spacing:4”-5”
Seed Spacing:1”
Days to Germination: 14-21 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-85°F

Parsnips can be slow to germinate. Use fresh seed, since it does not have a long shelf life. Soak the seed in water for 24 hours, then sow directly into a well-draining, deeply dug bed, in full sun or light shade as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. Sow thickly but evenly. Cover well, tamp down firmly and keep evenly moist until the seed germinates. Once the seedlings are 2" tall, thin to 4" apart. To prevent the Parsnips from forking, do not add extra organic matter to the soil. Keep the bed well-weeded. Allow Parsnips to be kissed by the frost to develop a sweet, nutty flavor. Harvest anytime after the first hard frost and store in a cool place. You may also leave them in the garden to be harvested as needed or overwintered for an early spring treat. After harvest, twist off the leaves since they draw water from the

Rutabaga Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Row Spacing:15”-20”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Days to Germination:7-10 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F

A cool weather root vegetable, Rutabagas are much like giant Turnips with distinctive, leafy necks and smooth, waxy leaves. In mid-summer, about 3 months before the first fall frost, deeply dig a rich, well-draining bed in full sunlight. Amend well with compost and/or well-rotted manure. Sow seeds 1⁄2" deep and 2" to 3" apart. Keep the seed bed moist while germinating. Once the seedlings are 3" tall, thin to 6" to 8" apart. Keep well watered, cultivated and mulched to deter weeds and retain ground moisture: Rutabagas don’t like competition. Once the purple-shouldered, golden roots reach the size of softballs or before a severe frost, harvest by removing the entire plant; cut off tops within 1" of the crown and store. Rutabagas can be stored for long periods in a cool, humid place. A member of the Brassica family, Rutabagas should not

Cauliflower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1⁄4" - 1/2"
Row Spacing: 18" - 24"
Plant Spacing: 12"
Days to Germination: 5-12 days
Germination Temperature: 70°-75°F

Cauliflower should be grown as transplants. Six to 8 weeks prior to setting outside, place a few seeds in 4" pots in sterile seed mix. Place pots in a warm spot with good air ventilation, strong sunlight and even moisture.When 3 true leaves emerge, move to individual containers, feeding lightly. Gradually accustom seedlings to the outdoors when the danger of heavy frost has passed. Plant out only after temperatures have reached 60°F, but before they have reached 80°F.

Cauliflower is a fairly heavy feeder: amend the soil by adding well-rotted manure and/or compost. Work in organic fertilizer under each transplant and water well. To protect the color of the Cauliflower head, fold over one of the big leaves or tie leaves together gently. Harvest Cauliflower using a sharp blade when head is fully colored and tight. Practice

Direct-Sow Basics

Fennel Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Row Spacing:12”
Plant Spacing:8”-10”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°F

To raise Fennel transplants, sow seed sparingly in pots, provide good sunlight, good air ventilation and warm conditions (but not overly hot). Prepare the Fennel bed in moderately fertile, loamy, well-draining soil. Accustom seedlings gradually to the outdoors, moving them into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Disturbing the roots of the seedlings may impair bulb formation, causing only leafy growth, so be careful when handling the seedlings. Incorporate organic fertilizer around each transplant and water well. Or, direct-sow when the danger of frost has passed. Thin out when seedlings are 2" tall. Fennel likes neutral pH soil. Keep the soil moist and fertilize as needed. Pinch off flower stalks to keep the plant’s energy directed into the bulb. Harvest round, plump bulbs by cutting to the soil level – tiny

Tomatillo Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Row Spacing:24”
Plant Spacing:36”
Days to Germination: 3-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Tomatillos are best started indoors: sow thinly in flats or small pots in seed starter mix, 6 weeks before the danger of frost has passed. Provide good ventilation. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Tomatillo transplants need full sunlight to keep from getting leggy. Move single seedlings to 4" pots. Two weeks after the danger of frost has passed, gradually harden off seedlings outdoors and plant in full sunlight in average soil. Avoid over fertilization as the plants will produce leaves rather than fruit. Feed lightly as needed with fish emulsion or manure tea. Tomatillos grow into large, sprawling bushes; if space is an issue, use tomato cages or stakes. Harvest as the fruit inside the husk turns golden-beige and easily separates from the stem. Store in a cool, dry place with the husks intact until ready to use or up to one month.

Celery Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:7-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Celery is a bit finicky to get started but once set in the garden, the crop is relatively easy. Raise as transplants 12 weeks before the last frost. Soak the seed overnight then sow very shallowly, as light aids germination. Until seedlings emerge, pamper Celery with 65°-75°F warmth, strong light, good air circulation and even moisture. Once all danger of frost is past, “harden them off” by gradually acclimating the plants outdoors for 7 to 10 days. Celery needs lots of water and is a heavy feeder. Amend soil with organic compost and well-rotted manure as needed. Keep well weeded: do not cultivate deeply because it has shallow roots. Outer stalks can be harvested once they reach a suitable size. For best flavor and storage, water well the day before harvest. Cut the whole plant off at soil level. Cover with floating row covers for fall

Cardoon Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4” -1/2”
Row Spacing:36”-48”
Plant Spacing:24”-36”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Related to Artichokes, Cardoons should be started indoors 10 weeks before setting out. Provide 60°- 70° F temperature, strong sunlight, ventilation and even moisture. Do not overwater. Once the seedlings are 3" tall and all danger of frost has passed, “harden them off” by gradually acclimating them to outdoor temperatures and sunlight for 7 to 10 days. Amend the soil with organic compost and well-rotted manure as needed. Cardoons require well-draining soil with strong sunlight, plenty of water and room to grow. They will grow 3' to 5' tall with spiky, feathery leaves. Four weeks before harvesting, blanch the heart by gathering up the outer leaf stalks with garden twine. Cover them with burlap to keep the lower 80% dark. Do not cover the leaf tips. To harvest a Cardoon, cut the plant off at the base and peel away the outer leaves

Nasturtium Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Tropaeolum majus. Easy to grow in full to filtered sunlight, it is best to direct-sow in well-draining, loamy soil after the last frost. Plant 1" deep, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 days after sowing. Weed and keep well-watered until established. Or, start indoors 5 weeks before the last frost date. Sow in a good seed-starting mix at 65° to 70°F. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant the seedlings 8" to 12" apart in the garden. Drought-tolerant, water moderately once established. They flower best with cooler nights. Summer flowering. Dwarf varieties: 12" to 18" tall. Taller varieties: 5' to 8' tall.

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