Page 31 - Blog

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.

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Shallot Growing Instructions

Shallot Bulb Growing Instructions
Prepare your bed by turning under or tilling in compost or well-rotted manure. Separate multiple bulbs and plant each individual bulb, root end down. Plant Shallots 1” deep, 4-6” apart in 18” spaced rows roots side down, just deep enough so that the tip lies level with the soil surface. Shallots will form a cluster of 5-12 bulbs around the original bulb. This cluster will spread out more than a Garlic bulb and therefore requires more space between plants.

Do not use mulch as it may rot bulbs, which are not strong enough to push through mulch. After planting Shallots, water well or lightly in heavy soils, and only water again when the soil is dry. Remember, Shallots love water and food, but they must have good drainage or the bulbs will rot.

In the spring, feed the Shallots with either composted manure or a well-balanced fertilizer before the bulbs begin to enlarge. Keep the bulbs well watered and weeded; they grow best with

Shasta Daisy Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Leucanthemum x superbum. This easily grown perennial cut flower may be sown outdoors from early spring up to 2 months before the first frost date in the fall. Or start transplants indoors 8 weeks before setting out after the last spring frost date to ensure first-year flowers. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture and strong light. When seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of frost has passed, carefully transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight spaced 12" to 24" apart. Prized in summer bouquets and wildflower drifts, it has large, bright white flowers with beaming yellow centers. Summer flowering. Height: 2'

2006 Award Winning Recipe!

Shawn’s on Main
912 Main Street
Morro Bay, California

Kitchen Garden Seed’s horticulturist Lance Frazon’s daughter Shaylynn made a wonderful Pumpkin cake with a recipe from her school. The whole family was delighted with the results of the then 9-year-old Shay’s culinary prowess (under her father’s supervision).

Shiso Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Hill Spacing:1”-2”
Days to Germination: 5-14 days
Germination Temperature: 65°-75°F

Shiso is also known as the beefsteak plant, Ji Soo, Chinese basil, the rattlesnake weed or Perilla. A gorgeous ornamental variety for kitchen gardens, it is prized in Asian cuisine. It is easy to grow from seed and can be direct-sown after the last frost date or started indoors 4 weeks before the last frost. As light aids germination, sow seed very shallowly in moist, rich, well-draining soil. Shiso will perform better in full sunlight but will tolerate and grow in virtually any light conditions from shade to full sun. Once the seedlings emerge, keep them fairly dry. When seedlings reach 1" to 2" tall, thin them to a final plant spacing of 12" apart, as Shiso does not like to be crowded. Pinch back the plants regularly to help make them bushy. To harvest, just pick the biggest, most healthy leaves. Use fresh, since they lose most

A casual, cheerful restaurant adorned with local artwork, The Burning Tree is acclaimed for its fresh vegetables and herbs, much of which is grown in their own garden. Imagine squash ravioli with rosemary cream or prosciutto-wrapped sea scallops accompanying this fresh, zesty and healthy cabbage slaw. By her own report, Chef Allison is on a bit of a cabbage kick these days. This recipe is really good and easy to prepare. For reservations from mid-June to Columbus Day, call (207) 288-9331.

Small Fruited 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

Cucurbita pepo. Ornamental Gourds comprise our Small Fruited Mixture. They require space to ramble and hot, full sunlight. They are heavy feeders: amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. They may be planted directly outside in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight after the last frost. Sow 3 to 5 seeds per hill, thinning to the two strongest seedlings. Water regularly and mulch to reduce weeds and retain ground moisture. Feed regularly. Harvest colorful, mature Small Fruited Ornamental Gourds before the first fall frost. Allow them to cure in a warm, dry room for 5 to 7 days. Once cured, they may be shellacked for prolonged decorative use.

Our Pollinators are in Peril

Snacking Sunflower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Row Spacing:4”-5”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination: 7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-85°F

Helianthus annuus. Easy to grow in full sunlight, Sunflowers should be sown in well-draining, loamy soil after the danger of frost has passed. Plant the seeds 1⁄2" deep and keep the seedbed uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 days after sowing. Weed carefully and keep well-watered until established. You may also start Sunflowers indoors 3 weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds 1⁄2" deep in pots of seed-starting mix at 65° to 85°F. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin or transplant them 12" to 24" apart in the garden. To harvest for snacking, wait until the seeds are plump and beginning to loosen from the head. Cut the flower from the stem and then rub the seeds from the head with your fingers. Roast the seeds at 300°F, checking

Snapdragon Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination: 10-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Antirrhinum majus. Snapdragons should be started indoors at least 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of the soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Prepare a garden bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant the seedlings, planting them 8" to 12" apart. To encourage branching and flower production, pinch back the young plants. Snapdragons taller than 24" may require staking. This versatile annual, available in single and double blooms, is fabulous in cut-flower bouquets, containers and garden beds. Summer flowering.

Our

Soapwort Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”
Days to Germination:14-18 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Saponaria vaccaria. Sow Soapwort seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost date, barely covering them with soil. Keep the seed bed moist. To sow indoors, wrap the seeds in a moist paper towel and a plastic bag and chill them for 4 weeks before sowing them on the surface of a fine seed starting mix, firmly pressing them into the soil. The seeds need light to germinate. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then thin or transplant trios of seedlings to 18" apart in full sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil after all danger of frost has passed. Water Soapwort regularly. The plant readily self-seeds if happy, and will pop up here and there next season, creating wonderfully unexpected vignettes. Annual. Late spring and summer flowering. Height: 12" to 24".