Page 20 - Blog

Lavender 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

One of our favorite restaurants in southern Maine is Hurricane Restaurant. You will delight in their exquisite preparations of fresh seafood, meats and vegetables; delicately herbed sauces and sigh-out-loud-wonderful desserts. Imagine such a flawless culinary experience coupled with the breathtaking panorama of Perkins Cove’s craggy coastline. For reservations, call (207) 646-6348.

Four Season Farm
Harborside, Maine
Four Season Farm
This soup is warming for a winter day, especially if you have potted up a sage plant to grow indoors. For a vegetarian version, omit the prosciutto. If not available, substitute bacon or ham.

Leek Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: ¼”-1/2"
Row Spacing: 12”-18”
Seed Spacing: 1/2”
Days to Germination: 10-14 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-75°F

Direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked. But Leeks are best to raise as transplants: start 6 to 8 weeks before planning to set out, as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Sow Leek seed in flats or pots thinly, covering with fine soil. Water lightly, provide moderate warmth, light and ventilation. Feed as needed with kelp or fish emulsion. Prepare Leek bed with compost and/or well-rotted manure and a complete organic fertilizer. Dig a trench 4" deep. When seedlings are 6" to 8" tall, transplant to the trench, setting them 3" to 5" apart in the row. Tuck them in. For “baby” Leeks, plant 1" apart and harvest while tiny. To blanch, mound soil around Leeks as they grow. Harvest at your discretion, at whatever size you prefer. Leeks tolerate frost and partial shade. (If you plan to harvest Leeks for winter use, allow them

www.marthastewart.com
Launched in 1991, Martha Stewart Living is a distinguished magazine that inspires more than two million gardeners and cooks across the United States. Its monthly issues contain in-depth gardening and cooking articles that motivate us to try new vegetables and flowers in our gardens and ingenious, fresh recipes in our kitchens. Kindling our own desires for natural beauty and personal creativity in our everyday lives, Ms. Stewart and her fine staff offer us great ideas and practical tips on how to do just that. This tantalizing recipe is wonderful paired with pecan-crusted chicken breasts and crusty sourdough baguettes while dining al fresco.

Lemon Balm 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

John Scheepers
Bantam, CT
We love to have quick-fix recipes at the ready for items that we always have in the pantry and freezer, and this recipe qualifies. Frozen raw shrimp thaw out quickly in a cool to room temperature water bath and we always have a piece of peeled ginger root in the freezer ready to grate. By freezing peeled ginger root, you can avoid wasting unused ginger root, plus, it grates better when frozen. If we ever have too many lemons, we squeeze them and pour the juice into ice cube trays, and then store the frozen lemon cubes in airtight freezer bags for quick use. This recipe comes together so quickly.

Lemongrass Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Row Spacing:18”-24”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Raise as transplants 8 to 10 weeks prior to planting outside in the garden which should be a few weeks after all danger of frost has passed. As light aids germination, sow seeds very shallowly in sterilized seed starting mix. Provide warmth and even moisture. Cover soil with plastic until seeds germinate. Remove the plastic once seedlings have sprouted. Plant out to a garden site that has full sun in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Lemongrass is from the tropics, so provide plenty of water throughout the growing season. It will not survive frost, but can be dug up and grown in containers inside over the winter. Replant the next spring, but be sure to divide the plants to avoid overcrowding their root systems. Harvest the stems once the stalks have swollen and are 2" to 4" long. The leaves may be harvested

Direct-Sow Basics

Lettuce Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth: ¼”
Row Spacing: 12”-18”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination: 7-12 days
Germination Temperature: 45°-90°F

Lettuce prefers cool weather. To raise transplants, start seeds 5 to 8 weeks before setting out. Transplant out as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow thinly in flats or pots using sterilized starter mix, cover lightly and water. Provide light, moderate warmth and good ventilation. Avoid crowding: thin to 2" apart. Amend Lettuce beds with compost, organic fertilizer and/or well-rotted manure. Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor temperatures and moderate sunlight, water well at transplanting time, shade seedlings from scorching sun and protect from heavy frosts. Keep soil moist with regular watering and feed with a liquid fertilizer as needed. For “baby” greens, broadcast seed, harvesting leaves when 3" to 4" high with scissors. Make successive sowings every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.

Shade Tolerance

Lobelia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:6”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:70°F

Lobelia erinus. Start transplants indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out after the last frost date. Sow seeds on top of soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture of the soil and strong light. When seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight spaced 6" apart. Known as an edging Lobelia, perfect for abundant pathside borders, it may be planted 3" apart in cascading hanging baskets and lush window boxes. Shade-tolerant, it offers plump 8" trails of little, 5-petalled, 1⁄2" flowers with thin, somewhat sparse, foliage. Summer flowering. Height: 8".

Shade Tolerance