Page 7 - Monthly Archives: August 2020

Cosmos Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:9”-24”
Days to Germination: 5-10 days
Germination Temperature:68°-85°F

Cosmos bipinnatus. A tremendous cut flower, easy-to-grow Cosmos prefers to be direct-sown in the garden after the last frost date. Plant them 1⁄2" deep in well-draining soil with full sun. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 days after sowing. If you must start Cosmos indoors, you may plant them 1⁄2" deep in a good seed-starting medium at 68° to 85°F about 5 to 7 weeks prior to the last frost date. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, thin to the strongest seedlings. Once 3" tall, transplant seedlings 9" to 24" apart in the garden. Quite forgiving, mature Cosmos plants will thrive in infertile or dry soil. Prized for wildflower meadows, their delicate flowers and feathery foliage belong in every heirloom garden. Summer flowering.

Our Pollinators are in Peril

Bee-Loved Romantic

Strawberries Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”-1/8”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:30 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

In order to get a crop the first year, sow Strawberry seeds up to 16 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds sown 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost date will not produce until the following year. Sow very shallowly since light aids germination. Provide strong light, good air circulation and 55° to 65°F temperatures: seeds kept above 70°F will not germinate. Ensure moist soil by covering with plastic wrap 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. Amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Transplant out in rich, well-draining soil and full sunlight at the same depth. Water regularly and mulch with straw to deter weeds, retain ground moisture, keep the fruit clean and prevent mature

Poppies Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:15”-18”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

Papaver spp. It is best to direct-sow in rich, very well-draining soil in full to partial sunlight as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring, through the fall for a prolonged blooming season. Lightly cover seeds with soil as light aids germination. Or, start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed. Use individual peat pots or seed-starting cells to avoid root disturbances. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors. Once the seedlings are 2" tall, thin or transplant 15" to 18" apart. To harvest seed for baking or planting, allow the pods to dry on the plants. Remove the whole pods before they split, break the pods open, remove the seeds and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot until use. Late spring flowering.

Our Pollinators are in Peril

Swiss Chard Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:16”-20”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:7-12 days
Germination Temperature:45°-65°F

Chard has compound seeds, which may produce several seedlings. Soak seed in bathtub-warm water for an hour before sowing. Planting Chard in soil too cold results in bolting (going directly to seed). Wait until soil has warmed to over 45°F, about 2 weeks before the last expected frost date. It may also be grown for fall/winter use if started in the middle of the summer. Chard likes evenly moist, moderately fertile soil amended with compost and/or well-rotted manure. A light sprinkling of complete organic fertilizer ensures lush growth. When seedlings are about 3" tall, thin them to 3" to 5"apart. Later, thin the plants out to an eventual spacing of 10" to 12". Steam thinnings or toss in soups or salads. To harvest Chard leaves, cut the large outside leaves first. Chard may also be sown thickly and snipped with scissors for

Direct-Sow Basics

Amaranth Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:6”-18”
Days to Germination:3-10 days
Germination Temperature:60°-80°F

Heat-loving Amaranth can be direct-sown outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in warmer areas. In colder areas, it may be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after the last frost. Sow seeds in good seed-starting medium with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Prepare bed in full sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. When plants are 4" to 8" tall, thin or transplant 6" to 18" apart. For salad greens, harvest thinnings and whole young plants. Larger, mature leaves may be cooked like spinach. Seed heads will form on mature plants and may be harvested, dried, crushed and winnowed. This grain may be used in high-protein, gluten-free red flour or as cereal.

Direct-Sow Basics

Dandelion Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:5-12 days
Germination Temperature:45°-60°F

Dandelion greens are easily grown in cool weather. Sow seed directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. When the Dandelion plants grow to about 2" tall, thin them to about 10" to 12" apart. A second crop may be sown in late summer or early fall. Grow Dandelion plants quickly, with plenty of moisture for the most pleasing taste. They will bolt (go to seed) and taste a bit unpleasant in hot weather. Amend the soil with moderate amounts of compost and a sprinkling of organic fertilizer. To harvest, cut off the whole plant at the soil level when ready! No longer an esoteric green, Dandelion greens reinvigorate traditional recipes with renewed zest and crunch. Pair Dandelion greens with Spinach, Mesclun, Arugula or Chicory in fresh salads. Or sauté them for no more than a minute in olive

Sesame Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Seed Spacing:24”-36”
Plant Spacing:24”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Sesamum indicum. Sesame loves full sun, well-draining soil and a long, warm season. Gardeners in warm climates can sow seeds directly in the garden after their last frost date, but most gardeners should start seeds indoors 6 weeks earlier and transplant the seedlings out into the garden well after 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 plant them out 12". The attractive plants grow up to 4 feet tall and flaunt little, nodding, tubular, white to pink flowers that yield 1- to 11⁄2"-inch-long seed pods. Allow the pods to begin to dry and split open before harvesting. Lay the pods on sheets of newspaper to dry completely in a protected spot indoors. Extract the dried seeds and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot.

Cardinal Climber 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 quamoclit. A spectacular climbing annual, this beloved heirloom will scramble up any type of supportive structure for a profusion of little, trumpet-shaped, cardinal-red flowers with finely cut, fern-like foliage. Prior to planting, carefully nick the hard seed coat and/or soak the seeds overnight. Then, they prefer to be direct-sown after all danger of frost has passed. Or start the seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting outside. Carefully thin or transplant Cardinal Climber to a spacing of 6" to 8" apart without disturbing their roots, and plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, as Cardinal Climber prefers dry conditions. Only fertilize lightly, as soil that is too rich will discourage flower production. Summer flowering. Height: 10' to 12'.

Shade Tolerance

Stevia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Seed Spacing:3”-6”
Plant Spacing:12”-14”
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Stevia rebaudiana, the Sweet Leaf. Start transplants indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out after the last frost date. 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, warmth and strong light. Cover with plastic wrap until sprouts emerge: then discard plastic. When seedlings are 4'' tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight spaced 12" to 14" apart. The sweet glycoside-packed leaves may be plucked at any time, but they are best harvested when the plant is in full bloom with dainty white flowers. Height: 24-30".

Direct-Sow Basics

Minutina Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1/2”
Plant Spacing:4”-6”
Days to Germination:2-15 days
Germination Temperature:45°-70°F

Syn: Buckhorn’s Plantain. Cold-hardy Minutina can tolerate moderate frosts and be grown all winter in temperate climates. This Italian Salad Green prefers the cool, moist seasons of early spring, late fall or a mild winter, but can be grown through the summer without becoming bitter. Sow it directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring in full to partial sunlight. Plant the seed 1⁄4" deep and 1⁄2" apart in a garden bed high in organic matter. If direct-sown in late summer, grow it in partial shade for protection from the sun and heat. Carefully thin seedlings to 6" apart and keep them well-watered to maintain the succulence of the tender leaves. Harvest young and tender at 5" tall. Minutina will re-sprout but for the best results, sow seed successively for multiple harvests. Mildly flavored,

Direct-Sow Basics

Orach Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Days to Germination:3-14 days
Germination Temperature:50°-65°F

Commonly known as Mountain Spinach, Orach is easy to grow and is more tolerant of hot and cold temperature swings than is Spinach. It doesn’t like to be transplanted: direct sow 1⁄4" to 1⁄2" deep in rich, well-draining soil as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring, or in late summer for late fall harvest. Keep the soil evenly moist. Once seedlings are 2" tall, thin to 6" to 18" apart to grow mature plants or just 2" apart to scissor harvest baby leaves when the plants are about 6" tall. Without incremental baby leaf harvest, Orach can grow to 4' tall with much larger leaves. It performs well in heat without bolting but produces most readily in cooler weather. The Aurora Orach Mixture yields a profusion of arrow-shaped leaves in red, gold, dark green, pink, carmine and deep purple for salads, stir-fries, soups

Winged Bean Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1"
Row Spacing: 3" - 4"
Seed Spacing: 12" - 24"
Days to Germination: 6-10 days
Germination Temperature: 60°-80°F

All parts of this Asian are edible! The small pods are wonderful grilled and sautéed. Larger pods yield flavorful beans that can be dried for storage. The nutrient-rich leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked like spinach, and the delicate, pale blue flowers are edible too. Even the roots are delicious, and have more protein than both potatoes and yams.

A tropical vine, Winged Bean is grown as an annual in northern climates, where it grows like a pole bean up to 12' tall. Seeds can be a challenge to germinate. Nick each seed and soak them in warm water for 24-48 hours, changing the water 2-3 times a day, before sowing outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in spring. Choose the hottest, sunniest spot in your garden and sow the seeds up to 1" deep and 1-2' apart in trellised rows spaced 3-4' apart. In colder zones, starting