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Candytuft Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:7-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Iberis umbellata. Candytuft is a beloved old-fashioned, fragrant, drought-tolerant annual. From late spring through fall, our Fairy Mixture flaunts flat-topped clusters of blooms in purple, lilac, rose and white on dwarf, dense, mounding plants. Bees and butterflies love it, but deer do not. Seeds are best direct-sown after the last spring frost date, but to get a head start on flowers, they may be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks earlier. The seeds require light to germinate, so scatter them on top of the soil, press them in firmly, and cover them with no more than a sixteenth-inch dusting of soil. When seedlings emerge, thin to 12” apart. Indoors, sow seeds in individual peat pots, as the plants form small tap roots that are sensitive to transplanting. Trimming back plants

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

Campanula medium calycanthema. Canterbury Bells 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 that is in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions 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. This cottage garden favorite is also a wonderful cutting flower. Summer flo

Cardinal Climber 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 quamoclit. A spectacular climbing annual, this beloved heirloom will scramble up any type of supportive structure for a profusion of little, trumpet-shaped, cardinal-red flowers with finely cut, fern-like foliage. Prior to planting, carefully nick the hard seed coat and/or soak the seeds overnight. Then, they prefer to be direct-sown after all danger of frost has passed. Or start the seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting outside. Carefully thin or transplant Cardinal Climber to a spacing of 6" to 8" apart without disturbing their roots, and plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, as Cardinal Climber prefers dry conditions. Only fertilize lightly, as soil that is too rich will discourage flower production. Summer flo

Cardoon Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4” -1/2”
Row Spacing:36”-48”
Plant Spacing:24”-36”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Related to Artichokes, Cardoons should be started indoors 10 weeks before setting out. Provide 60°- 70° F temperature, strong sunlight, ventilation and even moisture. Do not overwater. Once the seedlings are 3" tall and all danger of frost has passed, “harden them off” by gradually acclimating them to outdoor temperatures and sunlight for 7 to 10 days. Amend the soil with organic compost and well-rotted manure as needed. Cardoons require well-draining soil with strong sunlight, plenty of water and room to grow. They will grow 3' to 5' tall with spiky, feathery leaves. Four weeks before harvesting, blanch the heart by gathering up the outer leaf stalks with garden twine. Cover them with burlap to keep the lower 80% dark. Do not cover the leaf tip

Carnation Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Dianthus caryophyllus. This popular bouquet flower prefers to be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date. Sow seed in a good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, thin plants to 2" to 3" apart and grow on. When the seedlings are 3" tall, acclimate them by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. The seedlings may be transplanted into the garden once all threat of frost has passed. Thin or space the seedlings 12" apart in the garden in well-draining, loamy soil and full sunlight. Weed carefully and water moderately beneath the plants until established. Chabaud Carnations are terrific bouquet flowers lasting three weeks once cut. Summer flowering.

Four Season Farm
Harborside, Maine
Four Season Farm

Dan Barber and Mike Anthony
Blue Hill Restaurant
75 Washington Place
New York, NY 10011
Blue Hill

This jewel of a neighborhood restaurant, on a quiet street in Greenwich Village, has received national attention for its warm atmosphere, excellent service and superb food. The menu reflects the chef’s passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients from local sources, including the Barber family farm in Great Barrington, MA, for which the restaurant is named. For reservations, call (212) 539-1776.

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

Cat Grass Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1/16”
Plant Spacing:1/16”
Days to Germination:2-3 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Hordeum vulgare. Cats adore Cat Grass! They love to munch on the blades, which help with digestion and provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. Soak seeds overnight and rinse thoroughly before sowing to speed germination. Fill a sturdy, shallow container with moist potting soil up to about an inch below the edge. Spread a thin layer of seeds over the soil, and sprinkle just a dusting of additional soil on top. Tamp the seeds and soil firmly to ensure good contact and eliminate large air pockets. Water well, and then mist the soil surface whenever it looks dry until seedlings appear. When seedlings appear, begin watering more deeply. The seedlings will grow quickly into a uniform stand of blades that your kitty will keep well-pruned until the plant is spen

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