Page 23 - Blog

Direct-Sow Basics

Minutina Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1/2”
Plant Spacing:4”-6”
Days to Germination:2-15 days
Germination Temperature:45°-70°F

Syn: Buckhorn’s Plantain. Cold-hardy Minutina can tolerate moderate frosts and be grown all winter in temperate climates. This Italian Salad Green prefers the cool, moist seasons of early spring, late fall or a mild winter, but can be grown through the summer without becoming bitter. Sow it directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring in full to partial sunlight. Plant the seed 1⁄4" deep and 1⁄2" apart in a garden bed high in organic matter. If direct-sown in late summer, grow it in partial shade for protection from the sun and heat. Carefully thin seedlings to 6" apart and keep them well-watered to maintain the succulence of the tender leaves. Harvest young and tender at 5" tall. Minutina will re-sprout but for the best results, sow seed successively for multiple harvests. Mildly flavored,

John Scheepers
Bantam, CT
I fell in love with sate and peanut sauce the first time that I had it at Restaurant La Plume in Haarlem, the Netherlands. Since then, we have worked on recreating it in our own kitchen at home. It is another recipe that is great for company since you can prepare it in advance and be part of your own party (with a little help at the grill). If I wanted to simplify things and just grill one meat, I would make it a pork sate.

We’re always looking for wonderful desserts to pair with Strawberries because if fresh berries are involved, it’s healthy, right? We adore the combination of sweet Stem Ginger and lemon with Strawberries and came up with this easy and most delicious treat. When Strawberries are in season, make our Strawberry Topping so that you can experience the fresh Strawberry explosion on these cakes all year long. (*If you can’t find Stem Ginger locally, you can use ginger jam or order a jar of Stem Ginger from Litchfield’s Dutch Epicure: www.dutchepicure.com. Once you use it, you won’t be able to live without it.)

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

Lunaria annua. When Money Plant’s pink flowers go to seed, the seed pods are flattened and the size and shape of a silver dollar, and are wonderful in dried flower arrangements. Sow seeds outdoors in full sun or partial shade, in either fall or early spring. Cover them lightly with soil and keep them evenly moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 12" apart. Provide even moisture throughout the season. The plants prefer full sun in cooler climates, while they benefit from afternoon shade in warmer climates. They will produce only foliage the first year and flowers and seeds the second year before dying. The plants, if left uncut, will usually self-seed. To dry for arrangements, cut entire stems just as the seed pods lose their color, and hang upside down in a dark, dry place. When dry, gently remove the outer coverings to reveal

Moonflower 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 alba. A spectacular climbing annual, this old-fashioned favorite will scramble up supportive structures for beautiful nighttime floral displays until the first fall frost. Prior to planting, carefully nick the hard seed coat and/or soak the seeds overnight. Then, direct-sow them where they are to grow after all danger of frost is past. Or start the seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting outside. Carefully thin or transplant Moonflowers to a spacing of 6" to 8" apart without disturbing their roots, and plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, as Moonflowers prefer dry conditions. Only fertilize lightly, as soil that is too rich will discourage flower production. Moonflowers require a trellis, fence, string, lamppost or mailbox post to support their long, climbing vines and profuse flowers. Summer flowering.

Morning Glory 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. A spectacular climbing annual, this old-fashioned favorite will scramble up any type of supportive structure for a beautiful floral display until the first frost in the fall. Prior to planting, carefully nick the hard seed coat and/or soak the seeds overnight. Then, direct-sow them where they are to grow after all danger of frost is past. Or, start the seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting outside. Carefully thin or transplant Morning Glories to a spacing of 6" to 8" apart without disturbing their roots, and plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water moderately, as Morning Glories prefer dry conditions. Only fertilize lightly, as soil that is too rich will discourage flower production. Morning Glories require a trellis, fence, string, lamppost or mailbox post to support their long, climbing vines and profuse flowers.

Moss Rose Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-60°F

Portulaca grandiflora. Easy to grow, Moss Roses prefer to be direct-sown in full to partial sunlight in a sandy, well-draining spot in the garden after the last frost date, by just pressing the seeds lightly into the soil, as light is needed for germination. Or raise as transplants 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after threat of 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. Once seedlings are 2" tall, thin or transplant 12" to 24" apart. Moss Roses, when established, love heat, blazing sun, and dry soil, making them perfect for sun-baked patio containers. Summer flowering. Height: 3" to 6".

Nasturtium Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Tropaeolum majus. Easy to grow in full to filtered sunlight, it is best to direct-sow in well-draining, loamy soil after the last frost. Plant 1" deep, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 days after sowing. Weed and keep well-watered until established. Or, start indoors 5 weeks before the last frost date. Sow in a good seed-starting mix at 65° to 70°F. 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. Thin or transplant the seedlings 8" to 12" apart in the garden. Drought-tolerant, water moderately once established. They flower best with cooler nights. Summer flowering. Dwarf varieties: 12" to 18" tall. Taller varieties: 5' to 8' tall.

The

We love having Creamed Spinach leftovers so we can make lazy weekend morning Nestled Baked Eggs Florentine. If there's a crowd expected, we'll make a fresh batch of Creamed Spinach and assemble the nestled eggs in a baking dish rather than individual ramekins.

Nicotiana Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination:7-21 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Nicotiana. This old-fashioned favorite is best started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in the spring. Sow shallowly since light aids germination. Pamper with 70°-80°F temperatures, strong light, good air circulation and moist soil by covering flats or pots with plastic wrap. Remove plastic wrap once the sprouts emerge. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to larger, deeper pots for full root system development. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. An heirloom favorite, Nicotiana is a tall, elegant plant graced with long, tubular white flowers with an intoxicating fragrance.

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

Nigella damascena. aka Love-in-a-Mist, it is best direct-sown in the garden, although it may be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after the danger of hard frost has passed. Prepare a bed with rich, well-draining soil in a sunny spot. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds barely covered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Use individual peat pots or seed-starting cells to avoid root disturbances. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting or potting outside. Once the plants are 2" tall, thin them to 10" apart. If transplanting, be gentle! A prolific annual, rose, white, indigo and sky-blue Nigella self-sows readily. Summer flowering. Height:

Night Phlox Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Zaluzianskya capensis. Night Phlox is what dreams are made of. As the sun goes down, its tiny burgundy buds begin to open until they reveal masses of starry white blooms that glow in the moonlight. But it’s their fragrance that really rules the night. Sweet and intoxicating, it floats on the breeze, making one think of honey and freshly baked vanilla cake. The scent intensifies with the darkness until, near midnight, you’ll be swooning. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden after the last frost date, or indoors 3 to 4 weeks earlier. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep them moist until germination. Once 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 transplant them to 12" apart in full sun and consistently moist, well-drained