Bloomin' Bin - Seed_Instructions

Strawberry

Strawberries - Mignonette

These tiny seeds can take up to 6 weeks to germinate (be patient!)
Use a shallow tray with a well-draining soil mix
Keep your tray in a sunny area or grow indoors under a grow light
Sprinkle seeds across the top of the soil - if putting outdoors, lightly cover with soil
Allow plants to grow strong roots Before transplanting
Easy to take care of once it is well established!
Small but tasty fruit
Unlike most strawberries, this plant has very few runners, making it ideal for containers
A disease hardy plant
Like most strawberries, use mulch to keep berries out of the soil and their roots protected

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BEANS

Beans - Bush

Bush beans will not climb like pole beans
Beans can be planted directly about 1/2" deep
Beans can be up to 3 feet wide, so keep your plants at least 1 foot apart
Plants can take about 50-60 days to mature, then will produce regularly
Pick beans when they are 5-7" long
Pinch beans off the stalk or pull the stem to ensure you get the full bean
Do not pick or handle bean plants when wet as this can spread "rust", a common fungus
If your bean palnt starts to lean, you can use a pole to give it support
3 varieties available: Venice, Early Contender, Royal Burgundy (Purple)

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Beans - Pole

Pole beans climb and require a trellis or fence (they will also climb other plants, such as corn and okra
Beans can be planted directly about 1/2" deep
Vines can be up to 10 feet long, so Make sure your trellis is large and your plants are at least 1 foot apart
Plants can take about 60-70 days to mature, then will produce regularly
Pick beans when they are 5-7" long
Pinch beans off the stalk or pull the stem to ensure you get the full bean
Do not pick or handle bean plants when wet as this can spread "rust", a common fungus

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WATERMELON

Vining plants that require a lot of water
Takes 75-90+ days to produce fully ripened fruit
Look for closest curly cue to turn brown when ripe
Watermelon sounds hollow when tapped
Vines can be 6-10 ft long and can be trained up
If training a melon, be sure to support the fruit
Water for juice, sun and heat for sweetness
1 variety available: Crimson Sweet

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CABBAGE

Grow in fall or spring when temperature is under 80°
Water evenly to avoid splitting
Soaking for 24 hours can improve germination
For microgreens, harvest in 7-10 days
For full cabbage, it can be 75-80 days
Once temperature is 80°+, cabbage will go to seed
1 variety available: Red Acre

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COLLARD GREENS

Great for spring or fall, but not in 90°+ weather
Plants can be 2-3 feet tall and wide
Grow in full sun
Soaking for 24 hours can improve germination
For microgreens, harvest in 7-10 days
For full leaves, harvest in 85-95 days
1 variety available: Vates

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LETTUCE

Can tolerate partial shade to full sun
For microgreens, harvest in 7-10 days
For leaves, harvest in 21 days
For full head, harvest in 75
Grows about 1 foot tall and wide unless it is crowded
Slow bolting and disease-resistant variety
1 variety available: Parris Island Cos Romaine

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ARUGULA

Prefers shade to full sun
For microgreens, harvest in 7-10 days
For baby leaves, harvest in 24 days
For mature leaves, harvest in 35 days
Does not form a head like other lettuce varieties
Slow bolting unless grown in too much heat
1 variety available: Slow Bolt

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RADISH

Radishes are great in-between plants
Be sure to plant in a sunny area. With how fast radishes grow, it is best to avoid transplanting them
For any root vegetable, choose an area with well-draining soil that is free of rocks/clumps
Keep soil moist to prevent cracking, which can lead to insects and disease
For microgreens, sprouts can be harvested in as few as 7-10 days. Radish seeds tend to open almost immediately after contact with water, so do NOT soak them
For full radishes, harvest when large enough to use, usually 50-60 days. Ensure the plant has plenty of room (at least 5 inches apart), and plant every 10 days for a continuous harvest
Radishes like cooler temperatures to develop crisper flavors. Avoid growing in the heat of the summer as radishes can develop an odd taste
Radishes can survive freezes as low as 26 degrees, so as long as it is not a sudden weather change, your radish roots will still be harvestable
Enjoy radish leaves in your salad - just be sure not to harvest too many, as this will stunt root development
4 varieties available: Easter Egg, Watermelon, French Breakfast, Black Spanish

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SUCCULENTS

Tiny seeds, almost as fine as dust can be difficult to handle. Sometimes, in fact, the packet seems to contain nothing except a trace of dust-sized particles.

Use a small pan or pot for sowing, about 4 or 5 inches is adequate.
Fill the pan or pot to overflowing with the seed compost, then firm it first with your fingers, then with a wooden presser (if you have one).
Pour a bit of fine sand into the seed packet and shake to mix sand and seed. If you do not have sand, you can use a fingertip to swirl and pick up the tiny seeds, or tap bag gently over pot.
Sow the seed direct from the packet, tapping it slowly to release the sand-seed mixture evenly over the compost.
Do not cover the seed with compost, simply press them into the surface with a wooden presser or your finger.
Water the compost from underneath by standing the tray or pot in a bowl of tepid water.
Cover with a piece of glass, cling film or seal inside a polythene bag to keep the compost moist and the atmosphere slightly humid.
Remember that very fine seeds have a lower germination rate than normal-sized ones and the correct temperature for germination is very important.

Sowing: Sow indoors at any time of year. Fill small pots or trays with a light and well-aerated compost. Do not firm the mixture down too much. Stand the pots in water, moisten thoroughly and drain. You can stand the containers on a tray of damp sand, so that they do not dry out. Scatter the seed onto the top of the compost. Do not cover seed as they require light for germination, but avoid direct sunlight by shading the seeds after sowing.
If possible, germinate in a propagator otherwise, secure a polythene bag around the pot or cover the container with glass and place in a warm shaded place. Care should be taken to prevent the pots drying out from below. The majority of seeds germinate best at a temperatures of 68 to 72°F. Germination will usually take 30 to 180 days, patience is required, don't throw away the tray too soon.
Once germination has taken place, remove the glass or plastic and move into a good light. Be careful to keep the top of the compost damp. As soon as the first seeds have germinated, remove the plastic or raise the lid slightly to permit some circulation of air. From now on, the tiny seedlings need to be in a good light, but must be protected from direct sun. Shading from all but winter sun is desirable for the first 12 months.
Cultivation: Growth is slow, 6 to 8 weeks after sowing, transplant to single small pots (2-3in). Keep the temperature 64 to 77°F during daytime and 59 to 65°F during night. Cooler temperatures at night are better for the foliage pigmentation. Temperatures below 59°F will result in leaf deformation. After 12 to 14 months, transplant into a bigger pot. Avoid over-head irrigation, because wet leaf rosettes rot rapidly. Moderate fertilization levels are required during the spring and summer, but don't fertilize after mid-September.
3 varieties available: Cheiridopsis robusta, Lapidaria margaretae, and Aloe variegata

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TOMATOES

Tomatoes are easy to grow, and should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost
Once there is no more danger of frost, you should have fairly large seedlings to transplant to containers or your garden
Tomatoes need temperatures between 55 and 85 to properly set fruit
Mulching helps to maintain moisture and soil temperature
If you grow your plants in containers, be sure to add nutrients to your soil every few weeks, or you’ll end up with small fruits (or blossom-end rot)
For Determinate Tomatoes: These are great for a container, or use a tomato cage to offer support to your growing tomatoes
For Indeterminate Tomatoes: These are vining tomatoes and need some room to spread out
Water your plants in moderation! Too much water, and they crack or develop blossom-end rot, while too little water will cause the fruit to sag and possibly fall off the plant
Tomatoes and peppers can be planted close together, but they are the same family, so diseases and pests can affect them both
Watch for Tomato Horn Worms (or related caterpillars) which can strip your tomato plants in days and are practically invisible!
2 varieties available: Roma (Determinate) and Large Red Cherry (Indeterminate)

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PEPPERS

Follow the same instructions as Tomatoes
3 varieties available: Sweet Banana, California Wonder, and Early Jalapeno

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POTATOES

Potatoes are some of the easiest plants to grow! Have you ever gotten a potato from the grocery store and it started to sprout on your countertop? That’s how easy it is to start a potato plant!
What’s the difference between store bought potatoes and seed potatoes? Not a lot, except that store bought potatoes can come from anywhere. There is no way to be sure that a store bought potato is not from a field that contained a disease. Potato diseases compound year after year when using potatoes from the same original source, so the longer you continue to use a family of potatoes, the more likely disease will propagate in future generations, which can lead to smaller yields. We purchased our seeds from Colorado’s certified seed potato program, which actually grows potato plants in vitro (in test tubes) and tests them for diseases while in the plant stage!
Saving Your Own Seed Potatoes

Select seed from only the healthiest plants and healthiest potatoes
Choose medium size tubers, (the size of a hen egg), that are well-shaped, uniform and typical
Select seed potatoes that are free from scab, cuts, bruises or blemishes
Store them in a good cellar with constant 40º F and high humidity

Growing in the garden:
Dig a hole that is at least a foot deep in an area with good drainage. Use acidic soil (around a 5 on the pH scale) and only partially fill the hole. Let the potato plant break through the soil, then add more acidic soil. Continue this pattern, even after the plant reaches the surface (you’ll need to hill dirt around the potato plant). Once the plant on top dies, your potatoes are ready to harvest. Carefully dig up the entire plant and separate the potatoes from the roots. Try to avoid washing the potatoes until you are ready to use them, as this cuts down storage time
Growing in a container:
Add a drainage layer of rocks/loose soil to the bottom of the container. Add 1-3 potatoes depending on the size (5 gallon buckets/containers can take 1-2 easily). Only add enough acidic soil to cover the potato and any shoots. Continue to add soil as the shoots push through until you reach the top. Hilling isn’t recommended for containers. If you have a potato container (with a flap or opening on the side), you can harvest potatoes as they grow. Otherwise, ensure that your container maintains good drainage. Once the plant on top dies, simply dump out the entire container. Separate the potatoes from the roots. Try to avoid washing the potatoes until you are ready to use them, as this cuts down storage time

MARIGOLD

Marigolds are great companion plants that will protect your garden from many pests. Utilize them around your potato plants as they provide benefit both to the top of the plant AS WELL as the roots and tubers below!
Marigolds need lots of sunshine
Though they grow in almost any soil, marigolds thrive in moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Sow them directly into the garden once the soil is warm, or start seeds indoors about a month to 6 weeks before the last spring-frost date
The seeds germinate easily, but watch out for damping off if you start them inside
Separate seedlings when they are about 2 inches tall. Plant them in flats of loose soil, or transplant them into the garden
Space tall marigolds 2 to 3 feet apart; lower-growing ones about a foot apart
If planting in containers, use a soil-based potting mix
Germination from large, easily handled seeds is rapid, and blooms should appear within a few weeks of sowing
If the spent blossoms are deadheaded, the plants will continue to bloom profusely
When you water marigolds, allow the soil to dry somewhat between watering, then water well, then repeat the process
Do not water marigolds from overhead. Water at the base of the plant
Do not fertilize marigolds. Too rich a diet stimulates lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Marigolds bloom better and more profusely in poor soil
The densely double flower heads of the African marigolds tend to rot in wet weather
Marigolds will grow quickly, so thin as needed. If handled carefully, they can be transplanted elsewhere and will bloom through the summer
2 varieties available: African (Tall) and French (Dwarf)

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COSMOS

Plant seeds in moist, well-drained soil about ¼-in deep and 12–18 in apart after the danger of frost has passed. If you still have 4-6 weeks before your frosts are done, you can start them indoors. Move them to larger pots when they are 3-4 inches tall.
Cosmos like soil that is not too rich, as rich soil will encourage foliage at the expense of bloom.
They can tolerate warm, dry weather.
Depending on the type of flower (you're getting a variety), cosmos can grow anywhere between 18–60 in tall.
When growing cosmos from seeds, it takes about 7 weeks to first bloom. After that, your flowers should continue to bloom until the next frost.
If you let the seed heads blow away during the fall, cosmos might sow themselves throughout your garden.
2 options available: Orange Sulphur and "Crazy for Cosmos" Mix (may include Orange Sulphur variety)

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CARROT

Make sure your soil is free of stones; carrots need deeply tilled soil that they can push through.
Plant seeds using seed strips or individually. If planting individually, plant seeds about 2 inches apart, with about a foot between rows.
Gently mulch to retain moisture, speed germination and block the sun from the roots.
Soil should be well drained and loose to prevent forking and stunting of the root growth.
Once plants are an inch tall, thin so they stand 3 inches apart. Snip them with scissors instead of pulling them out to prevent damage to the roots of remaining plants.
Water at least one inch per week.
Fertilize 5-6 weeks after sowing. Manure can cause carrots to fork and send out little side roots. Don’t use it before you plant your seeds.
For the Fall: Carrots taste much better after a couple of frosts. Following the first hard frost in the fall, cover carrot rows with an 18-inch layer of shredded leaves to preserve them for harvesting later.
2 varieties available: Rainbow and Parisian

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SUNFLOWER

Sunflowers are fairly easy to grow, as long as they get sunshine, water, and occasional fertilizer. They are not usually bothered by pests (except for birds eating freshly planted seeds
IMPORTANT: Sunflowers leach a chemical into the soil that will prevent some plants from growing near them. Keep them in a separate area of the garden and rotate your sunflower location to prevent chemical buildup
Sunflowers need to be planted somewhere that gets about 6 hours of sun each day
Mammoth variety can get up to 10 feet tall - these will need support of some kind, dwarf varieties are usually about 2 feet tall
2 varieties available: Mammoth Grey-striped and Sunspot Dwarf

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SQUASH

If you are experiencing freezing temperatures, start your seeds indoors in a tray
Use compost or soil additives to feed squash - this will help to avoid blossom-end rot
Most summer squash varieties tend not to spread, but it's best to plant seeds about 1" deep and 2-3 feet apart
Water consistently - soil should be moist about 4" down
Squash vines are usually hollow to allow water to travel freely - this makes them especially susceptible to Squash Vine Borers (see our blog for more details)
Squash have 2 flower types, male, which appear first and look like a normal flower, and female, which have a bulb/baby squash starte. If your squash still has a flower on the end, it is not ready for harvest and can still suffer blossom-end rot
Harvest squash when they are large enough for your use (when squash gets too large, it can be tough/woody and the seeds will need to be removed when cooking)
2 varieties available: Early Summer Crookneck and Dark Green Zucchini

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EGGPLANT

Eggplant is a variety of nightshade (related to Tomatoes and Peppers) - keep away from other nightshade plants, potatoes, and corn, rotate crop placement each season
Eggplant germinates best at temperatures above 75 degrees F
Use a heat pad to help germination
Plant only 1/4-1/2" deep and 1-2 seeds per cell in a seed starter. If directly planting in the garden, plant at least 18" apart
Eggplants will flower throughout the summer (unlike tomatoes)
Plant in partial shade if temperatures regularly reach 100F
Eggplants are heavy feeders, and need consistent watering
Add fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), to add magnesium, use Epsom salt
If planting in containers, be sure to fertilize every few weeks
To harvest, cut the eggplant just above the cap. Long Purple Eggplants should be harvested between 8-10" long. Black Beauty should be 4-6", but can be up to 8"
Harvest eggplants when they are glossy and have no brown streaks. If the eggplant turns dull, it is overripe
Companion plants: bush beans or southern peas
Common pests: flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, and hornworms
2 varieties available: Black Beauty and Long Purple

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NASTURTIUM

Nasturtium is an odd duck plant. It does better in bad soil
If you fertilize or have good soil, your Nasturtium will not produce as many flowers
Plant in an area that gets plenty of sun
Plant 1/2" deep and 10-12 inches apart
Nasturtiums can spread out as they grow
Nasturtiums take 10-12 days to germinate - to speed up this process, scratch the out covering of the seed (scarification) and soak the seeds in warm water overnight
Water consistently and ensure the soil does not fully dry out
If planting in containers, you may need to trim them back a few times over the season
Common pests: flea beetles, aphids, slugs, and caterpillars
Special note: Nasturtium flowers are edible!
3 varieties available: Vesuvius, Black Velvet, and Whirleybird Double

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OKRA

Plant okra in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun about ½ to 1 inch deep and 12 to 18 inches apart
You can soak the seeds overnight in tepid water to help speed up germination
Okra plants get tall, space out the rows 3 - 4 feet apart (by the end of the season they can be well over 7 feet!)
Add mulch to reduce nearby weeds
Use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 NPK
Thin plants when they are 3" tall to 10 to 18 inches apart
Keep well watered throughout the summer months 1"/week, use more if you are in a hot, arid region
Okra are usually ready to harvest in 50-60 days
After the first harvest, remove the lower leaves to help speed up production
Harvest okra when small (2-3" long), and the tip is flexible, these are the best for eating/pickling/canning
Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife or shears
If your okra get too large, is too hard to cut, or the tip has become rigid, leave these to develop seeds for next year
Wear gloves/long sleeves when cutting the Burgundy okra, the tiny spines can irritate your skin
To store okra, put the uncut and uncooked pods into ziploc bags to freeze, or can/pickle them.
3 varieties available: Emerald, Red Burgundy, and Clemson Spineless

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SAGE

Sage Flowers

Plant Sage seeds outdoors after frost danger has passed and prepare soil by weeding it and loosening it
Lightly rake seeds into the soil and keep the seeds and young seedlings moist until well-established
If you want to save your seeds for spring, start these seeds indoors 10 weeks before last frost. Sow in starter trays, press the seed
into the soil and barely cover. Sage needs light to germinate. When the frost season has passed, transplant the seedlings
into the garden 12 - 18 inches apart in a sunny location
Give them plenty of water in dry weather
Seeds will fall into the soil and germinate continuously all year except during freezing temperatures
Great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds!
3 varieties available: Scarlet, Blue, and White Swan

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Sage Herb

If growing indoors, start anytime. Do not move outside until there is no danger of frost
Plant in loose/well-drained soil
Water regularly, to ensure the plants do not dry out
Plants can grow up 30" (outdoors)
If planting outside, keep away from cucumbers
Harvest sparingly during the first year until the plant is established
Prune any heavier/thicker stems in spring
Use sage fresh or dried (fresh is best!)

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SWISS CHARD

You can soak the seeds in water for 15 minutes to help speed up germination
Start your seeds as soon as possible, or if waiting til spring, be sure that the soil is at least 50°F
Swiss Chard needs loose, well-draining soil with full sun to partial shade (they like shade)
Keep your Swiss Chard well spaced (they can get quite large, but need a minimum of 6-12")
If you're expecting early frosts, use a hoop house or row covers to protect your plants and extend your season
Swiss Chard can be harvested when it is 9-12" tall, but can grow up to 2 feet
Plant near tomatoes, cabbage and brassicas, alliums, beans, radish, lettuce, mint, and celery
AVOID planting near most herbs, potatoes, corn, cucumbers, and melons
Swiss Chard is a perfect plant for containers and can be grown indoors for a year-round supply (just give extra water)
Swiss Chard is super hardy - it tolerates summer heat, poor soil, neglect, and light frosts (not frozen ground)
When harvesting, remove no more than half the stems and leaves, use fresh or cooked
If the plant bolts (goes to seed), the leaves will taste bitter
3 varieties available: Rainbow, Fordhook, Large White Rib

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CONEFLOWERS

Plant in an area of your garden that will get at least 6 hours of sun each day
If your area has cold winters, plant in the fall so that the seeds can chill, in warmer areas,
put your seeds in the fridge about 3 weeks before planting in early spring
Coneflowers are fairly drought resistant and thrive in dry summers, so avoid overwatering
Coneflowers don't need a lot of fertilizer, but if your flowers are small, work in some compost to the roots
Cut back coneflowers to rejuvenate them and grow new blooms until the first frost
Coneflowers reseed themselves year after year and are great pollinator attractors
3 varieties available: Mexican Hat, White Swan, and "Conehead" Mix

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SPINACH

Prepare the soil with aged manure or Blood Meal about a week before planting - if you live in an area with mild winters, fall is the best time for planting. Spinach is hardy so it can last through some frosts, but if your area gets very hard frosts early, it may be better to wait until spring
It is better to start spinach wherever you will grow it (transplants are hard on leafy vegetables)
Spring plantings can be made as soon as the soil can be properly worked. It’s important to seed as soon as you can to give spinach the required 6 weeks of cool weather from seeding to harvest. As the weather warms, spinach can start to become bitter
Select a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil.
Sow seeds ½ inch to 1 inch deep, covering lightly with soil. Sow about 12 seeds per foot of row, or sprinkle over a wide row or bed
Soil should not be warmer than 70º F in order for germination. For fall planting in warmer areas, you can still put your spinach in the ground now, but you may not see any germination for another few weeks
In northern climates, you can harvest early-spring spinach if you protect the plants with thick mulch or a fleece cover through the winter, then remove the protection when soil temperature in your area reaches 40º
When seedlings sprout to about two inches, thin them to 3-4 inches apart - Beyond thinning, no cultivation is necessary. Roots are shallow and easily damaged
Keep soil moist with mulch and water regularly
Spinach can tolerate the cold; it can survive a frost and temps down to 15ºF
Fertilizer is mostly unnecessary for spinach, unless it is growing slowly
Watch for Leaf Miners (they make squiggly trails all over the leaves) - Radishes attract leaf miners away from spinach. The damage that the leaf miners do to radish leaves doesn’t prevent the radishes from growing underground
Harvest when leaves reach your desired size - Don’t wait too long to harvest, or wait for larger leaves; bitterness will set in quickly after maturity
The whole plant can be harvested at once, and cut at the base, or leaves may be picked off plants one layer at a time, giving inner layers more time to develop
3 varieties available: Bloomsdale, Noble Giant, and Lorelay

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MUSTARD GREENS

In warmer areas, plant Tatsoi Mustard for another leafy green to add to your salad. They should be planted by the end of October at the latest. For cooler climates, save your seeds for next spring and sow them as soon as the soil is workable
Prep the planting site by tilling down 6-12 inches to loosen any compacted soil
Incorporate 2-4 inches of compost or manure prior to seeding or add a balanced organic fertilizer
In spring: Sow tatsoi seeds directly into the garden two to three weeks prior to the last expected frost. If frosts are expected to go longer, this can cause the plants to bolt. Start seeds inside six weeks before the last frost and then transplant the young seedlings no earlier than three weeks before the last frost
In fall: Sow tatsoi directly in a sunny, well draining area. Tatsoi does very well next to other leafy greens, like spinach and lettuce
Thin young plants to at least 6 inches apart when they are about 2-4 inches tall
Water your tatsoi with 1 inch of water each week
Laying a 2- to 3-inch layer of hardwood mulch will aid in water retention and regulate soil temperatures
Tatsoi can be harvested as early as three weeks from planting for baby greens, or wait the full seven weeks to harvest the mature outer leaves of the rosette. Leave the rest of the plant to continue growing or cut tatsoi off at soil level to harvest the entire rosette
Watch out for flea beetles - they are less likely to cause damage in the fall due to the weather becoming colder
1 variety available: Tatsoi

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MUSTARD GREENS

In warmer areas, plant Tatsoi Mustard for another leafy green to add to your salad. They should be planted by the end of October at the latest. For cooler climates, save your seeds for next spring and sow them as soon as the soil is workable
Prep the planting site by tilling down 6-12 inches to loosen any compacted soil
Incorporate 2-4 inches of compost or manure prior to seeding or add a balanced organic fertilizer
In spring: Sow tatsoi seeds directly into the garden two to three weeks prior to the last expected frost. If frosts are expected to go longer, this can cause the plants to bolt. Start seeds inside six weeks before the last frost and then transplant the young seedlings no earlier than three weeks before the last frost
In fall: Sow tatsoi directly in a sunny, well draining area. Tatsoi does very well next to other leafy greens, like spinach and lettuce
Thin young plants to at least 6 inches apart when they are about 2-4 inches tall
Water your tatsoi with 1 inch of water each week
Laying a 2- to 3-inch layer of hardwood mulch will aid in water retention and regulate soil temperatures
Tatsoi can be harvested as early as three weeks from planting for baby greens, or wait the full seven weeks to harvest the mature outer leaves of the rosette. Leave the rest of the plant to continue growing or cut tatsoi off at soil level to harvest the entire rosette
Watch out for flea beetles - they are less likely to cause damage in the fall due to the weather becoming colder
1 variety available: Tatsoi

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ASPARAGUS

Usually, you will find asparagus for sale as crowns (bare root plants). When starting asparagus’s from crowns, you can expect it to be about 3 years before your asparagus reaches the expected thickness you find at the store (when starting from seed, just add one more year)
Asparagus is easy to grow, and once it is in place, should never be moved, so when you plant it outdoors, make sure it’s a forever home with decent drainage. Asparagus can last up to 20 years, so make sure you can easily access the site!
Asparagus is very easy to start from seeds, you just have to have some patience!
Soak the seeds for several hours
Plant your seeds 1/2” deep in either individual pots or a seed tray
Soil temperature needs to be between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit, so either start them indoors or wait until your soil warms up if you’re going to plant them outdoors
Sprouts can take 2-8 weeks to appear (so be extra patient and keep the soil moist, but not overly saturated)
If transplanting, wait until the seedlings are 10-12 weeks old and there is no danger of frost
Placement depends on your eventual desired thickness of the baby shoots
For thin spears, plant 8-10 inches apart
For thick spears, plant 12-14 inches apart
**Side note - Asparagus repels nematodes that attack tomato plants, and tomatoes repel the asparagus beetle - consider keeping these near each other (but avoid planting tomatoes in the same bed/area year after year)**
Asparagus comes in male and female plants (dioecious). These plants need to “mate” to help with root development that will lead to larger spears. For the first 3-4 years, you will watch the asparagus grow tiny little sprouts, that will then “fern”. Once this occurs, the stem becomes very woody. The ferns will get large and fluffy and start to lean on each other. This is when the mating occurs. Leave the plant alone until the fern turns brown/yellow and dries out, then cut it to the soil level
In winter, areas with milder winters don’t need to do anything further. In colder areas, it’s a good idea to mulch your asparagus bed. It will slow down your sprouts showing in the spring, but it will add nutrients and protect the crowns, so the benefits outweigh the cost
Upkeep on asparagus is very low once it is established. Check your shoots as they come up, as this will tell you when your asparagus is ready to harvest. Once the shoots are the desired thickness, cut when they are about 8-10 inches tall. You will need to watch your plants to see how fast the shoots are coming up. Something that is too short to harvest in the morning may actually be too large to harvest by noon. When the top of the shoot starts to separate from the spear, it is usually too late and the stem will be too woody
2 varieties available: Mary Washington and UC 72

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HOLLYHOCK

Hollyhocks are beautiful flowers and can be started now or in the spring (starting now will usually cause the plant to make flowers its first growing season)
Starting your plants in the fall
If your area is experiencing temperatures under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you can sow your hollyhock seeds directly in the ground (if your area is still having warmer temperatures, please wait a few weeks)
Sow the seeds in an area with good lighting. Hollyhock is a tall flower, and doesn’t transplant very well, so try to place it along a fence line or in an area where it will not be disturbed for the winter
Ensure the area has good amendments and compost
Soak hollyhock seeds for 12 hours in 60-70 degree water
Lightly cover seeds with soil (to prevent them from being eaten by birds) - hollyhock needs light to germinate
Hollyhock will germinate in the spring and, because of the cold, may flower in it’s first year
Starting your plants in spring
If you decide to wait until spring, you can directly sow outdoors or start indoors
Outdoors, the temperature needs to be around 60-65 degrees for germination
Indoors, start hollyhock about 9 weeks before the last predicted frost date. Be sure to use individual pots, and peat/biodegradable pots are better, as hollyhock can develop a long taproot
When starting hollyhock in the spring, it will very likely not flower the first year, unless you force it (we don’t recommend this)
When transplanting outdoors, be sure to play them in a sunny location with fertile soil
Plant maintenance
Keep the young plants moist. After a few weeks, when their roots are established, the hollyhock plants will need little care
If blooms develop the first growing season, the stalks may need to be staked to prevent them from falling over under the weight of the plant's full, heavy flowers
Hollyhock will cross pollinate, so if you save seeds year to year, your flowers will change! To prevent cross pollination you can plant one type of hollyhock at a time
When saving the seeds, allow the flower to die and the pods to form. You can pluck the pod and allow it to dry out, then break open the pod and harvest your seeds
3 varieties available: Majorette Double Yellow, Henry VII Red, and Single Mix

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Seed Instructions

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