Page 24 - Blog

Highlands Bar & Grill
Birmingham, AL
Phpne: (205) 939-1400
A member of the Chefs Collaborative and a four-time James Beard Award nominee, Frank Stitt has developed a cuisine influenced by Mediterranean flavors, French techniques and Southern seasonal flavors. He favors meats from Niman Ranch: it is committed to sustainable agriculture and raising beef that is incredibly flavorful and humanely raised and processed. Skirt steak is one of his favorite cuts of beef: big flavor, juicy with lots of marbling and a satisfying, slightly chewy texture. The marinade idea is borrowed from South America and the relish is an ideal Southern summer garnish. For reservations at the Highlands Bar & Grill, call (205) 939-1400.

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.

Onion Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”
Seed Spacing:1”-3”
Days to Germination: 5-12 days
Germination Temperature:45°-75°F

Direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked. To raise Onions from transplants, sow seed in flats ½” apart. Provide warmth, ventilation and even moisture. Prepare the Onion bed in full sun with organic fertilizer, well-rotted manure and/or compost. Transplant the tiny seedlings when the danger of frost has passed, planting rather shallowly, with as little root disturbance as possible. Water Onions regularly and feed as needed with kelp or fish emulsion. Toward the end of their growing cycle, begin to hold back on watering. When most of the Onion greens have fallen over, stop watering for 1 week. Then, gently pull out the Onions and leave them on top of the dry soil for a couple of days, if weather permits. For “scallion”-type of Onions, harvest by pulling gently at the base of the greens, when the desired size has been reached (the smaller

Onion Set Growing Instructions

Harvest-Time Tips for Globe Onions and Garlic

The Flavor Makers: Onions, Leeks and Shallots

Deer Resistant Seed Varieties

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

Oregano Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Row Spacing:12”-18”
Seed Spacing:3”-6”
Plant Spacing: 12”

Herbs may be either direct-sown outdoors after the threat of frost has passed, or started indoors for transplanting or container gardening. Herbs require moderately rich, well-draining soil with at least 5 hours of bright sunlight. To start indoors: sow lightly in sterilized seed mix, lightly moisten and cover with plastic wrap until germination takes place. Do not water again until sprouts emerge. Remove plastic wrap once sprouted. Transplant outdoors when the threat of frost has passed. Some perennials like Lavender, Catnip or Savory prefer to be started indoors. Others such as Chives, Sage or Fennel prefer to be direct-sown outside once the soil has warmed. Most herbs dislike chemicals or over-fertilization. Feed lightly with kelp or fish emulsion once seedlings are well established. Keep lightly moist: never wet. Pinch back the plants to avoid flowering and to encourage

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 Kale Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Brassica oleracea. Prized for its decorative foliage, Ornamental Kale performs best in cool weather. Start it indoors in mid summer so that mature plants will be ready for fall and winter display in seasonal containers and garden borders. Sow in seed starting mix in small peat pots or flats. Provide even moisture, good air circulation and strong light. Once plants have 4 true leaves, transplant into 10" pots or to a temporary garden with rich, organic soil and afternoon shade. Excessive heat can cause enlongated stems. Water frequently. Feed as necessary with liquid organic fertilizer. Use floating row covers for insect protection. Ornamental Kale may not develop its unique magenta-pink or white accent colors until temperatures dip in the fall. Remove lower leaves as they fade. Fall to winter flowering. Height: 10" to

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'

Ornamental Rice Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:7-10 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Oryza sativa. Tidy fountains of dusky, deep mahogany blades add dark drama to imaginative plant combos. Late summer brings arching spikes of chartreuse rice (edible!). Grow this grass in your wettest garden bed or even standing water, or in a container that gets regular attention from your watering can. Direct-sow seeds in clumps of 5 to 6 in spring after the last frost date, pressing the seeds into the soil and barely covering them, or sow seeds in groups in individual pots indoors 4 to 6 weeks earlier, providing bottom heat for best germination. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then plant them out 12" apart after all danger of frost has passed. The foliage will emerge green but deepen in color as it matures. Annual. Summer flowering. Height: 16" to 20".

Starting seeds indoors is fun and satisfying. It saves you money on plants and allows you to grow varieties that you just can't find locally. After months of wintry weather, starting seeds gets your hands back into the soil at long last. Just imagine Eggplants, Tomatoes and Zinnias, all started from tiny seeds. But how does one get started? Here's all the information you need.