Page 3 - Horticulture Tips

Broccoli Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4” -1/2”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:7-15 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Like all members of the Brassica family, Broccoli prefers sunny, cool weather, though some new cultivars can be more heat tolerant. Broccoli thrives in moderately fertile, well-draining soil. Raise as transplants, sowing in sterilized seed mix, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Provide even moisture, good light and ventilation. Transplant out to the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the last expected frost. A complete organic fertilizer under each transplant will keep Broccoli happy all season. Don’t allow young transplants to dry out or they may bolt (go to seed). Harvest spears where they emerge from the main stem using a sharp blade before their buds open. Side shoots form after the main head has been harvested: continuous cutting of side shoots promotes additional side shoots. Wait 4 years before growing Broccoli in the

Direct-Sow Basics

Chinese Broccoli Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”-24”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

A bit frost tolerant, Kaillaan Chinese Broccoli is grown for its edible flowering stalk. It grows best in cool temperatures. Direct sow 1⁄4" to 1⁄2" deep in rich, well-draining soil in mid to late summer for late summer and fall harvest. Amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Keep the soil evenly moist, shading the seed bed until sprouts emerge. Once 2" to 4" tall (about 3 weeks after emergence), thin the seedlings to 4" to 6" apart. This is a heavy feeder, fertilize as needed. Mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. For the best flavor, harvest young with thin stalks before the white flower buds have opened. Cut individual stems 6" to 8" long, allowing the plant to grow additional side shoots. Harvest in the early morning to minimize water stress.

Horseradish Planting Instructions
Where to Plant
Horseradish is a perennial, so plant it in a permanent bed, mark the roots well and never till the soil after planting. Plant in full sun, although horseradish can tolerate partial shade, but growth will be slowed and yield will be reduced.

When to Plant
Plant your Horseradish as soon as you can work the soil in your garden in spring, as soon as possible after you receive your roots. If the ground can’t be worked yet, store the roots in your refrigerator, loosely wrapped.

How to Plant
Dig a hole about 12” across and about 8-10” deep, loosen the soil, and place the root at a 45 degree angle with the top of the root just below the soil surface, holding the horseradish root  while refilling the hole to overflowing, mounding the soil up a couple of inches to account for settling. Add compost to the refill soil if it is available.

Watering and Fertilizing
Fertilize and water as you would any garden plants. Horseradish likes to be slightly moist

Cabbage Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4” -1/2”
Row Spacing:24”-36”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:5-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Best raised as transplants, start Cabbage indoors 6 weeks before planning to set out, which can be up to 4 weeks before the last expected frost date. Sow 1 to 3 seeds per pot in a sterilized seed starter mix. Provide strong sunlight, cool temperatures, good ventilation and even moisture. When plants have 3 to 4 true leaves, thin to the strongest seedling per pot and harden the plants off by gradually getting the plants used to outdoor temperatures and light. Cabbages have “kingly” appetites! Prepare a well-draining, sunny site by digging deeply and adding plenty of well-rotted manure and/or compost. Fertilize Cabbages as needed until late summer. Cabbage tastes best harvested when heads are wrapped tightly, in smaller sizes. A member of the Brassica family, Cabbage should not be grown in the same site as other Brassicas for 4

Jicama Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Plant Spacing:30”-36”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

The Yam Bean. Jicama is a tropical plant requiring a long, warm growing season. Start it indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after all threat of frost has passed. Soak seeds in tepid water for 24 hours before sowing in seed starter mix. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Prepare rich, fertile beds in full to part sun. Add compost and/or well-rotted manure as necessary. It may also be direct-sown outdoors in horticultural zones 9 to 10. Do not eat Jicama leaves, pods or seeds since they contain toxic rotenone. To increase tuber production, pinch off flowers and seedpods as they appear. Harvest tubers before the first frost and store in a cool, dry cellar prior to use for up to four months. Do not add top growth or seedpods to compost

Peas Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”-2”
Row Spacing:18”-20”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Days to Germination: 4-14 days
Germination Temperature: 60°-70°F

Since Peas dislike heat, direct-sow in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked or in the late summer for fall harvest. Peas prefer rich soil. Amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Plant in full sunlight. Plant seeds 1" to 2" apart or in double rows 4" to 6" apart. Provide a supportive structure if the Pea vines grow over 24" tall. Space the rows the distance equal to the height of each variety. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Install floating row covers to protect the plants from birds if necessary. Harvest Shelling Peas while they are small and tender. Harvest Snow Pea Pods when their pods are flat and shiny. Harvest Snap Peas when their pods are fat and tight but still smooth. Pick Peas on a daily basis once mature to prolong pod formation. For

Brussel Sprouts Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4” -1/2”
Row Spacing:24”-30”
Plant Spacing:18”
Days to Germination:9-15 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

For best results, raise as transplants, sowing seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the set out date, in a cool greenhouse or protected growing area. Plant 3 to 4 seeds per 3" pot in a sterilized seed mix. Keep evenly moist. Thin to the strongest individual seedlings. By late spring/early summer, approximately 12 weeks before the first fall frost, plant out in well-draining, moderately fertile soil in full sunlight. Fertilizer lightly: too much nitrogen can cause mottling and black centers in the sprouts. For gradual harvest, cut sprouts while small, sweet and tightly-wrapped, starting low on the stem, allowing the higher ones to keep growing. To harvest all the sprouts at once, pinch the growing top of the plant, forcing the entire stem to mature at once. A member of the Brassica family, Brussels Sprouts should not be grown in the

Okra Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1/2”-3/4”
Row Spacing: 24”-36”
Plant Spacing: 24”
Days to Germination: 7-14 days
Germination Temperature: 65°-70°F

Except in the warmest climates, Okra must be started indoors as it needs a long, warm growing season. Sow Okra in a good seed-starting medium 4 to 6 weeks prior to the last frost date. Use deep pots to accommodate its long taproots. 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. After the soil has warmed up, gently transplant the seedlings 24" apart in a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil. Okra is a heavy feeder so fertilize regularly to increase harvest yields. Five to 7 days after flowering, pods will form on the plants, which grow to over 3' tall. Pick pods daily while young and tender; if pods mature, they become quite woody and pod production diminishes considerably.

Broccoli Raab Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4” -1/2”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Seed Spacing:1”
Days to Germination:7-15 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F

This tangy, easy-to-grow green tastes like a cross between Broccoli and Radishes. Also known as Rapini, Broccoli Raab is a classic favorite of Italian cooks. Like other Brassicas, Raab prefers sunny, cool weather; plant in the spring as soon as the ground can be worked or in the early fall. Raab is not fussy and thrives in moderately fertile soil, even in a bit of shade. Amend area with compost and/or well-rotted manure and seed it in rows or broadcast lightly. Cover with a sprinkling of soil and water lightly. Raab springs up quickly; monitor it regularly, keeping soil evenly moist. Thin as desired to 4"to 6" apart, using the braised thinnings in pasta. Harvest Raab before the buds open for the sweetest flavor and most crunchy texture. Harvest entire plant or trim shoots with kitchen snips; the Raab will regrow if you leave

Coaxing Up Carrots
Carrots, like Parsley, Dill and other Umbelliferae, can be difficult to germinate when direct-sown outdoors. To speed things up, be sure you keep the seed bed continually moist until the sprouts emerge.

Carrot Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1⁄4"
Row Spacing: 12"
Seed Spacing: 1"-2"
Days to Germination: 14-21 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-85°F

Carrots grow best in moderately fertile, sandy and well-draining soil. Sow seed thinly in rows when the soil has warmed to 45°F, usually as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Or, mix the seed with fine sand for easier seed distribution. Barely cover with fine soil, tamp down lightly and water with a fine spray. Your challenge: to keep the seed in place while keeping the surface soil from drying and crusting!

Until seeds germinate, keep the soil moist with frequent, light water sprinklings. The first thinning should be 1" to 2" apart. Later on, thin as desired depending on the variety. Frequent finicky weeding

Parsley Root Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Plant Spacing:4”-5”
Seed Spacing:1”
Days to Germination:14-25 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F

Also known as Dutch, Hamburg or Turnip- Rooted Parsley, Parsley Root should be direct-sown in fine, loose, deeply dug soil in full sunlight as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring (or later, through early summer for late fall harvest). To promote germination, soak the seed for 24 hours in tepid water prior to sowing. Sow thickly but evenly. Cover well, tamp down firmly and keep the seedbed evenly moist until the seed germinates. Mark rows well to distinguish the seedlings from spring weeds. Once the seedlings are 2" tall, thin to 4" apart. If necessary, feed with liquid organic fertilizer. Before the ground freezes, harvest by carefully loosening the soil with a fork and gently pulling out the smooth, pale, carrot-size roots while holding the base of the greens. It is traditionally used in soups, stews and hearty cassoulets.

Eggplant Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: 1/4"
Row Spacing: 18”-24”
Plant Spacing: 12”-18”
Days to Germination: 7-12 days
Germination Temperature: 70°-90°F

This Nightshade family member just loves the heat! To speed germination, soak the seed in warm water for an hour, then sow sparingly in flats or pots in sterilized seed starting mix. Provide light, heat and ventilation: bottom heat hastens germination. Two weeks after emergence (or when 2" tall), replant individual seedlings into 4" pots. Use richer-thanaverage soil mix and fertilize seedlings weekly. Eggplants need 8 to 10 weeks to achieve sufficient size to be tranplanted outdoors. Prepare your Eggplant bed in a hot spot with good drainage, adding lots of compost and/or well-rotted manure. Plant out when soil and air temperatures have thoroughly warmed. Create additional warmth (especially at night) if temperatures are expected to drop below 55°F by covering plants with cloches or other coverings to retain heat. Harvest Eggplants