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  1. Bells of Ireland

    Bells of Ireland Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth
    :0”
    Seed Spacing:3”-4”
    Plant Spacing:10”-12”
    Days to Germination:25-35 days
    Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

    Moluccella laevis, aka Shellflower. Direct-sow Bells of Ireland 2 weeks before the last frost date. Prior to sowing, soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water to assist germination. Sow in a rich, well-draining garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and feed as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Or start transplants indoors 6 to 8 weeks before setting out around the last frost date. Sow seeds on top of sterile starter mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days before transplanting them out 12" apart.
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  2. Bitter Melon

    Bitter Melon Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth
    :1/2”
    Row Spacing:36”
    Plant Spacing:12”
    Days to Germination:5-10 days
    Germination Temperature:75°-85°F

    Edible Gourds thrive in heat. Start transplants indoors 4 weeks before setting out 2 weeks after the last frost date (night temperatures must stay above 55°F). Plant 4 seeds per 4" pot or 2 seeds per peat pot in sterile starter mix. Pamper with minimum 65°F temperatures, plenty of light, air circulation and even moisture (never soggy). Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Keep fragile seedlings untangled. Edible Gourds may also be direct sown 2 weeks after the danger of frost has passed to a sunny, well-draining, rich garden bed (minimum of 55°F overnight). Water regularly. Feed as needed with manure tea, kelp or fish emulsion. Black plastic sheeting helps warm the soil and reduces weeds. Trellis vines to k
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  3. Black Eyed Susan

    Black-Eyed Susan Vine Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth
    :1/2”
    Seed Spacing:1”-2”
    Plant Spacing:12”-18”
    Days to Germination:10-15 days
    Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

    Thunbergia alata, Black-Eyed Susan Vine. Easily and rapidly grown in full sunlight, Black-Eyed Susan Vine should be direct-sown outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out into the garden. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Transplant out into the garden after hardening off the plants by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate part-day, full sunlight. Plant in rich, moist, well-draining soil with structural support (fence, trellis, lattice or netting) for its vigorously growing vines. It is also wonderful in hanging baskets. Black-Eyed Susan Vine will quickly grow into a living screen loaded with
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  4. Black Eyes Susan

    Black-Eyed Susan Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth
    :1/4”
    Seed Spacing:1”
    Plant Spacing:12”-24”
    Days to Germination:5-10 days
    Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

    Rudbeckia hirta. This perennial favorite prefers to be started indoors and transplanted out. Eight weeks prior to the last hard frost, sow seeds 1" apart in a good seed-starting medium at 70° to 75°F. Cover lightly and provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, transplant the strongest seedlings to deeper individual pots for superior root development. When the plants are 4" tall, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of a hard frost has passed, transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight. Space plants 12" to 24" apart in the garden. If started early enough in the spring, this popular cut flower may bloom the first
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  5. Blanket Flower

    Blanket Flower Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth
    :1/8”
    Seed Spacing:1”-2”
    Plant Spacing:12”
    Days to Germination:15-20 days
    Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

    Gaillardia grandiflora. An easy-to-grow perennial, Blanket Flower will produce showy, 3" to 4", daisy-like flowers the first year if started early enough, 8 weeks before transplanting out. But it may be sown outdoors anytime from spring up until 2 months before the first fall frost. Sow seeds shallowly, pressing them firmly into the soil surface, barely covered, as light is needed for germination. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off transplants by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions over 7 to 10 days. Prepare a garden bed in full sunlight with well-draining soil. Thin or carefully transplant the seedlings to 12" apart. Perfect for containers and butterfly and cutting gardens, Blanket Flower will tolerate heat and drought,
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  6. Blazing Stars

    Blazing Stars Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth
    :1/8”
    Seed Spacing:2”-3”
    Plant Spacing:12”-15”
    Days to Germination:20-25 days
    Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

    Liatris spicata. Easily grown, the Prairie Gay Feather should be direct-sown outside from early spring up to 2 months before the first fall frost date. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, extremely well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Liatris may also be started indoors 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong light and air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. Transplants should be watered regularly to help establish a mature root system. Once established, it is drought
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  7. BLT and P Salad

    BLT and P Salad

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    • Blue Flax

      Blue Flax Sowing Instructions
      Planting Depth
      :1/16”
      Seed Spacing:4”-6”
      Plant Spacing:10”-12”
      Days to Germination:20-25 days
      Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

      Linum perenne lewisii. Blue Flax should be direct-sown outside as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. Or, as you plant fall flower bulbs, direct-sow it for spring germination. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Flax may also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Use individual peat pots or seed starting cells to avoid root disturbance. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. Naturalizing Blue Flax is lov
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    • Blushing Beauty Pepper-Orzo Salad

      Blushing Beauty Pepper-Orzo Salad

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      • Borage

        Borage 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 mois
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      • Braised Beef Brisket with Root Vegetables

        Braised Beef Brisket with Root Vegetables

          John Scheepers
          Bantam, CT

          Wintry Sunday afternoons are made for roasted chickens or braised beef roasts so that their aromas may be savored. It’s also fun to feel like a pioneer, pulling homegrown root vegetables out of our “cold room” and snipping fresh herbs from kitchen pots as the snows fly and the winds howl.
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      • Braised Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Cream Sauce

        Braised Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Cream Sauce

          Vegetables Every Day
          By Jack Bishop
          HarperCollins Publishers
          This terrific cookbook offers selection tips, preparation instructions and hundreds of recipes for wonderful vegetable dishes. “This recipe intensifies the flavor of Brussels sprouts and is designed for people who really like this small cabbage-and will surprise and encourage those who don’t. Here, the sprouts are braised, without blanching first, in a little cream and stock. They actually absorb all the cream and thus become especially rich and a bit sweet. A swirl of mustard gives the Brussels sprouts added flavor and an attractive sheen.”
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