Keep seedlings under very bright light to prevent legginess. Artificial lights are ideal, but a bright (ideally, south-facing) room will work for the short term. You may have to pot on seedlings more than once before they go out to allow for root growth. This is done by transplanting them into a slightly larger container with enough additional soil to keep the container mostly full.
Continue ReadingPlanting basil from seed is truly enjoyable. Seeds germinate slowly, a bit faster when heated from below, and basil enjoys hot weather and full sun. Be sure to try Thai basil, holy basil, and Genovese basil — each variety has...
Continue ReadingSow indoors in the winter. An earlier start may result in berries the first year. Start any time between December and the beginning of February. After that time, they will still work, but you will not harvest berries during the first season. Transplant out at least 3 weeks after last frost.
Continue ReadingPeppers are tropical plants that need lots of heat and attention to detail when starting them. Well grown in a warm summer, they are the gardener’s triumph. Interestingly, the hot peppers often do better in a cool summer than the...
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Barely cover the tiny seeds. Use fresh seed starting mix and keep it moist until germination. Harden seedlings off over the course of at least one week. Transplant out after last frost at 25-30cm (10-12″) apart.
Continue ReadingBlack Velvet Rose Geranium seeds should be started indoors in early spring. Once the weather warms up in late spring to early summer, and night time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F), the curious little seedlings can be transplanted outdoors....
Continue ReadingPlectritis is a member of the honeysuckle family that is native to western North America, from Vancouver Island to southern California. LatinPlectritis congestaFamily: Caprifoliaceae DifficultyEasy but slow Season & ZoneExposure: Full sun to partial shade TimingDirect sow in early spring,...
Continue ReadingDouglas Asters are somewhat inconspicuous plants until they burst into bloom at the end of summer. This perennial is an important food source for skipper butterflies and many other late season pollinators. LatinSymphyotrichum subspicatumFamily: Asteraceae DifficultyModerately challenging Season & ZoneExposure: Full sun to...
Continue ReadingThese massive plants are highly attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects.. LatinEutrochium purpureumFamily: Asteracea DifficultyModerately challenging SeasonExposure: Full sun to partial shadeHardiness: Hardy to Zone 4. TimingStart seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds may take...
Continue ReadingStatice is also known as sea-lavender and marsh-rosemary. it is widely grown for cut flowers and for dried flower arrangements. LatinLimonium sinuatumFamily: Plumbaginaceae DifficultyEasy but slow SeasonExposure: Full sun TimingStart Statice seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Keep soil...
Continue ReadingSalvia is a close relative of conventional sage, but is grown for its handsome blue flowers rather than as a culinary herb. It is a member of the mint family. LatinSalvia longispicata x farinaceaFamily: Laminaceae DifficultyEasy but slow Season & ZoneExposure:...
Continue ReadingLearn how to grow microgreens from seed, and you’ll have an unlimited supply of fresh, nutritious, and tender salad greens. Microgreens can be pulled from the soil and rinsed until all the soil particles have washed away. They can be...
Continue ReadingOats are not particularly cold hardy, so a summer planted crop will die back, holding the soil in place, and providing ample carbon-rich organic matter to till under before planting spring vegetables.
Continue ReadingGai lan is commonly known as Chinese broccoli due to its origin in east Asian cuisine, but it is easy to grow and well suited for all vegetable gardens. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Gai Lan from Seeds Guide.
Continue ReadingStart indoors in peat or coir pots 8-10 weeks before planting out. Alternately, direct sow in early spring or early autumn. For best results, place the seeds on the surface of pre-moistened soil, and tuck inside a plastic bag.
Continue ReadingWhatever type of carrot seeds you plant it’s easy to learn how to grow carrots from seed. Carrots are biennials so they use their leaves in the first year to gather energy from the sun to build a big, starchy root....
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Dactylis (orchard grass) is a long-lived and fast growing perennial that produces faster re-growth in summer than Timothy grass.
Latin
Dactylis glomerata
Family: Poaceae
Collinsia is a wonderfully easy annual to grow from seed. Like Alyssum and a handful of others, it's pretty much a matter of simply placing the seeds where the flowers are to grow and add some water. The only challenge with Collinsia seeds is that the plants tend to fade in very hot summer weather.
Continue ReadingSpace or transplant China Asters 30-45cm (12-18″) apart. This spacing is key to success later in the season, so please follow the guidance. Do not pinch back young plants. Water regularly during dry spells. This plant is particularly sensitive to over-watering, and will not thrive if over-crowded, poorly ventilated, or situated close to a heat-reflecting surface. Mulch around the plants in summer to help keep the roots cool.
Continue ReadingCerinthe (AKA Honeywort) is an elegant looking plant that stands out for its unusual habit. Each stem arches upward out forward with a seemingly endless series of purple-blue bell shaped flowers. This plant works very well in larger containers or...
Continue ReadingSquirrel Tail Grass begins the season as a fairly unremarkable grassy plant, but once the warm weather and long days of summer arrive, it sends up remarkable, silky, silvery grey panicles on 60cm (24") stems. These bend with the wind and retain their ornamental value until frost.
Continue ReadingMonkshood is a very traditional perennial for the cottage garden. The plant is so well known for its toxicity that it plays a role in ancient Greek mythology, and folklore from Europe to India. So please don't eat it.
Continue ReadingFenugreek is an annual herb that is native to the Mediterranean region. Seeds found in ruins in modern day Iraq were carbon dated to 4000 BCE. It grows best in fertile soil in full sun. Learn more about how to...
Continue ReadingAsparagus crowns are live goods that have been freshly harvested from the soil. Like seed potatoes and hops rhizomes, they have only recently been dug from the soil, and are in a state of dormancy. This dormancy is broken in response to temperature, day length, and available moisture.
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