Horticulture Tips

Large Fruited Hardshell Ornamental Gourds Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Row Spacing:5’
Plant Spacing:5’-6’
Days to Germination:5-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Hardshell or Lagenaria siceraria. It requires space to ramble and hot, full sunlight. Start in indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant out. Soak seed for 24 hours and sow 2 to 3 seeds per individual pot. Provide good ventilation, strong light and even moisture. Thin each pot to the strongest plant. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. They are heavy feeders: amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Transplant out in hills in rich, well-draining soil and full sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Feed regularly. Frost tolerant, harvest

Runner Bean Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Row Spacing:18”-36”
Plant Spacing:3”-4”
Days to Germination:6-10 days
Germination Temperature:60°-80°F

Phaseolus coccineus. Floriferous Runner Beans love sun and well-draining, fertile soil. Plant Runner Beans when the soil has warmed to 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. Amend soil as needed with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-aged manure. Cool wet weather may necessitate a second planting: Runner Bean 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 as needed by soaking the soil around the base of the plant and fertilize with fish or kelp emulsion as needed. Provide Runner Beans with a supportive structure on which to grow, such as a fence, rough poles, teepees, netting or a trellis. A prized he

Purple Bell Vine Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-45 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Rhodochiton atrosanguineum. Start transplants indoors 12 to 16 weeks before setting out after all threat of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of sterile starter mix, leaving uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture: cover flats or pots with plastic wrap until seedlings emerge, then discard plastic. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger, deeper pots for mature root systems. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 10" to 12" apart into a well-draining, rich, moist garden bed in

Moonflower 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 alba. A spectacular climbing annual, this old-fashioned favorite will scramble up supportive structures for beautiful nighttime floral displays until the first fall frost. 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 Moonflowers to a spacing of 6" to 8" apart without disturbing their roots, and plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, as Moonflowers prefer dry conditions. Only fertilize lightly, as soil that is too rich will discourage flower production. Moonflowers require a trellis, fence, string, lamppost or mailbox

Love in a Puff Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Cardiospermum halicacabum. Easily grown, the Balloon Vine should be direct-sown outside after the threat of spring frost has passed. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with well-draining soil at the base of a trellis. Love-in-a-Puff may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong sunlight and good air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. This lovely climbing annual has delicate sprays of tiny white flowers that mature into pale green lanterns and dry to the color of straw. Inside are two to three black seeds with prominent white hearts. It can readily self-sow (m

Climbing Snapdragons Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1/2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Asarina scandens. This delicate-looking little vine scrambles up to 8 feet in one season, cloaked in arrowhead-shaped leaves and cascading, 1½-inch long, tubular flowers from summer to fall. Climbing Snapdragon Vine prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Direct-sow after all danger of frost has passed, just barely covering the seeds with soil, or sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks earlier. To avoid root disturbance and tangled vines, sow seeds in individual pots. Cover seeds with just a fine layer of sand or vermiculite and then cover with clear plastic wrap. Uncover when seedlings appear in 1 to 2 weeks and thin to the strongest 1-2 seedlings per pot. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a we

Cathedral Bells Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:6”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:15-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Cobaea scandens. Similar to Morning Glories, this easy-to-grow heirloom is best sown directly outside after all 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 seedbed well-watered and well-weeded. Cathedral Bells will need a solid support from a trellis, fence or netting, which will be covered with bell-sha

Four O’Clocks Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:4”-5”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:7-12 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Syn:Mirabilis jalapa. An old-fashioned flower, the Four O’Clocks Mixture is so named because it doesn’t open until about 4:00 PM unless it is cloudy in which case they could bloom earlier. Because they are fast to grow, it is best to sow them directly in the garden. Sow 1⁄4" to 1⁄2" deep in well-draining soil and full sun in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Keep the seedbed moist until seedlings emerge. You can also start indoors in peat pots 4 to 6 weeks before planting out. When seedlings have 4 true leaves, transplant out or thin to 12" to 18" apart. Although Four O’Clocks are not fussy and will thrive virtually anywhere, they do like to be watered occasionally if it gets dry. They may self sow in milder climates. Their tr

Alyssum Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:4”-5”
Days to Germination:8-15 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Lobularia maritima, Sweet Alyssum. This fragrant, hardy annual has delicate, dense clusters of tiny flowers growing in mounds. Alyssum may be started indoors 5 weeks before transplanting out, but it is easiest to direct sow 3 to 4 weeks prior to the last frost date. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Thin or carefully transplant the seedlings 4" to 5" apart once they are large enough to handle. Perfect for borders, rockgardens, containers and hanging baskets, this heirloom thrives in full to partial sunlight and in most types of soil. It prefers to be kept moist, but will tolerate drought and heat.