Monday, February 23, 2015

Starting seed for broccoli caulieflower and kale


Broccoli START INDOORS6 weeks before last frost
On Feb 21, two days after the new moon I started seed for (Calabrese green sprouting) broccoli. An Italian heirloom brought to America in the 1880s; 5”-8” heads and many side shoots. Harvest 60-90 days after transplant
On Feb 23, started seed for Broccoli, DeCicco
(Brassica oleracea) Italian heirloom introduced to U.S. gardeners in 1890. Compact 2-3' plants produce a 4" central head. After the central head is cut, many side shoots will form. Very early, great for freezing. 48-85 days from transplant. Great as both a spring and fall crop.
Germination temperature: 45 F to 85 F - Should germinate  in 3-10 days Germination temperature: 45 F to 85 F - Will germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40 F
Days to emergence: 4 to 7
Seed can be saved 3 years.
Feb 21  seeds planted for VatesBlue curled kale (Brassica oleracea ?)
Compact plants yield tender, blue-green, crinkled leaves that are quite delicious, very cold hardy, and rich in vitamin A. Days till harvest 60 +Zesty flavor is improved by light frost
Feb 21, seed started for Rainbow Chard 
Open-Pollinated shades of red, purple, pink, orange, yellow and white. Rainbow chard was sold by Thompson and Moran Seed co. in the early 1970s, but disappeared in the U. S. by the early 1980s. It was later discovered growing in Australia and introduced back to the market. 35 days to baby harvest and 55 days to mature harvest. Start planting about 2 to 3 weeks before last expected frost. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep, 2 to 6 inches apart, in rows 18 to 24 apart. Like beets, chard “seeds” produce more than one plant, and so will require thinning. Thin to 6" to 12" spacings.

If you plan to harvest whole plants, make succession plantings through late summer.
 
SAVING SEEDS Harvest seed stalks as they dry and thresh with a flail or by stomping. After threshed use a ½" and ¼" screen to help with cleaning. Chard seed remains viable for 4-6 years under cool and dry storage conditions.

 Feb 23 started  Snowball Cauliflowe
To ensure plump heads, time indoor sowing so that plants are no more than 5 weeks old at transplant time. Sow outdoors when soil temperatures are at least 60F. Germination: 6-14 Days Height At Maturity: 20"-26"Days To Maturity: 52-70 Days
Feb 23 Cabbage (Early golden acre) 

Golden Acre is an excellent early summer variety ball head cabbage. With small to medium-sized green, round solid heads on compact plants with few outer leaves.
Ideal for confined areas, it can be grown at 30cm spacings and give excellent small heads of first rate quality and flavor.
The heads are tightly folded, solid, 12 to 18cm (5 to 7 in) in diameter, round, grey-green in color and weigh three to five pounds. Matures in 64 days. It is not a long standing variety but is Yellows resistant

Golden Acre is an old heirloom variety, earliest references are in 1927 seed catalogs where they say…
“A first early type This Danish variety is highly praised by all who have grown it.”
By 1950 it was called... “The most popular variety for home and garden planting.”
Germination 10-21 days.   
 Dependable yields of good quality 2-4lb. round heads. Nice compact plant with a good, mellow cabbage taste. Average: 65 days

Sunday, February 15, 2015

I ordered Hardy Kiwi, Luffa, Celery, Carrots

NAME: Kiwi Fruit seed

OTHER COMMON NAMES: Kiwifruit / Hardy Kiwi / Tara Vine / Yang Tao / Chinese Gooseberry / Chinese Strawberry
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Kiwi Actinidia
COLOR: White flowers & bright green flesh covered with a brown fuzzy skin
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
BLOOM TIME: Spring - Summer
HARDINESS ZONE: 4 - 9
PLANT HEIGHT: 8 - 12 Foot Vine / Climber
PLANT SPACING: 10 - 12 Feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 100 Seeds
OTHER: The Kiwi Vine is fragrant and attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. It is said you can get up to 50 pounds of fruit per vine, so you will be able to share!

 NAME: Luffa (Sponge) Gourd

OTHER COMMON NAMES: Vegetable Sponge / Smooth Luffa / Sponge Luffa / Climbing Okra / Dishrag Gourd
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Luffa Cylindrica
COLOR: Green
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 60 Days
HARDINESS ZONE: N/A
PLANT HEIGHT: 48 - 72"
PLANT SPACING: 5 - 6'
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 25 Seeds
OTHER: The Luffa Gourd is an open pollinated variety. You just allow the gourd to dry & peel off the skin to reveal the sponge. How cool is that?

 NAME: Tall Utah Celery

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Apium Graveolens var. Dulce
COLOR: Green
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 120 Days
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 - 18"
PLANT SPACING: 9 - 12"
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 1000 Seeds
OTHER: This is the same string-free variety of celery that is found in food markets. It produces thick stalks with a rich nutty flavor.  Open-Pollinated

Long, crisp stalks with unbeatable flavor. Once you’ve tasted organic celery grown at home, you will never go back to store-bought. Tall Utah produces large plants with compact hearts. Long, crisp, medium-dark green stalks. Best for late summer crops. 12” stalks • 30” tall. (Apium graveolens)
Days to maturity: 100 days
NAME: Riverside Sweet Yellow Spanish Onion
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Allium Cepa
COLOR: Yellow
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 115 Days
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 - 18"
PLANT SPACING: 12 - 18"
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun - Part Shade
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 500 Seeds
OTHER: Just like the name says, these extra large globe shaped onions are sweet & mild

NAME: Atomic Red Carrot

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Daucus Carota

COLOR: Red
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 70 Days
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 - 18"
PLANT SPACING: 3 - 6"
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 400 Seeds
OTHER: These fun brightly colored carrots measure 6-7” long and are crunchy, juicy, & sweet. Kids love them, and you can add a lot of great color to your garden dishes.

NAME: Cosmic Purple Carrot
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Daucus Carota
COLOR: Purple Skin / Orange Flesh
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 65 Days
PLANT HEIGHT: 6 - 12"
PLANT SPACING: 3 - 6"
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 400 Seeds
OTHER: These fun brightly colored carrots measure 6-7” long and are spicy & sweet. Kids love them, and you can add a lot of great color to your garden dishes.

NAME: Solar Yellow Carrot
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Daucus Carota
COLOR: Yellow
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 60 - 75 Days
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 - 18"
PLANT SPACING: 3 - 6"
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 300 Seeds
OTHER: These heirloom carrots measure 6-7” long and are mild. Kids love them, and you can add a lot of great color to your garden dishes.

 NAME: Lunar White Carrot
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Daucus Carota
COLOR: White
PLANT SEEDS: Outdoors after frost / Indoors weeks before last frost
HARVEST: 60 - 75 Days
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 - 18"
PLANT SPACING: 3 - 6"
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
SOIL & WATER PREFERENCES: Average
QUANTITY: 300 Seeds
OTHER: These heirloom carrots measure 6-7” long and are mild. Kids love them, and you can add a lot of great color to your garden dishes

Ordered Feb 12, 2015 
Already recieved 
 White Sage seeds, salvia apiana

Oct 2014 Potato seed and tomato order received
 1 x Diamond Toro
1 x Blue Doll
1 x Anna's Gold
1 x Physalis peruviana
1 x Muru
1 x Skagit Valley Gold
1 x Shadow Boxing (dwarf)
=====================
Tomato seed order recieved Dec 2014
 1    | AMETHJEWEL  | AMETHYST JEWEL         
                                                                                       
1    | BCC | BARRY'S CRAZY CHERRY - "NEW RELEASE" 
                                                                                       
1    | GP | NAPA GIANT - "NEW RELEASE"       
                                                                                       
1    | ICICLE| CANDY SWEET ICICLE - "NEW RELEASE" 

I ordered peanuts and popcorn today!

PEANUTS * VIRGINIA JUMBO * Arachis hypocaea * HUGE FLAVORFUL * SEEDS 

Common Name(s): Peanut
Botanical Name: Arachis hypocaea
Cultivar: Virginia Jumbo

Type: Vegetable
Days to Harvest: 120
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Height: 18 to 24 inches
Spread: 4 to 6 inches
Row Spacing: 30 inches
Packet Weight: 10 g.
Seeds per packet:  About 10*  

DescriptionPlants produce hefty shells containing 2 to 3 very large peanuts, about double the size of an average peanut.  These peanuts are full of flavor and great roasted or boiled.  Virginia Jumbo is a bush-type plant which requires a reasonably long growing season and loose soil for best performance.  This South American native performs well in hot climates and is also well suited to container gardens. 

*TREATED SEED* This seed is not intended to be used for food, feed or oil purposes, Seed has been treated with Azoxystrobin, Fluidioxonil, and Mefenoxam to prevent fungi contamination and reduce the potential for common peanut plant diseases.  NOT intended for consumption.


Culture:  Plants perform best in a well-tilled soil with good drainage that has been amended with some organic material.  Does not perform well in heavy or clay soils.

Germination requirements:  Sow direct to the garden in spring or indoors 6-8 weeks prior in areas with shorter growing seasons.


PEANUTS * CARWILE'S VIRGINIA * Arachis hypocaea * HEIRLOOM * SEEDS

Common Name(s): Peanut

Botanical Name: Arachis hypocaea

Cultivar: Carwile's Virginia

Type: Vegetable
Days to Harvest: 110
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Height: 18 to 24 inches
Spread: 4 to 6 inches
Row Spacing: 30 inches
Packet Weight: 10 g.
Seeds per packet:  About 12-15  

DescriptionThis heirloom peanut selection was named for grower Frank Carwile who grew this selection in southwest Virginia since 1910.  Shells contain 3 to 4 peanuts with red skins and outstanding flavor; great roasted, fried or boiled.  Plants have average disease resistance but  excellent resistance to drought.

Culture:  Plants perform best in a well-tilled soil with good drainage that has been amended with some organic material.  Does not perform well in heavy or clay soils.

Germination requirements:  Sow direct to the garden after danger of frost has passed in spring or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to last spring frost date in areas with shorter growing seasons.
======================================================
Details about  POPCORN * PENNSYLVANIA BUTTER FLAVORED * Zea mays *100% ORGANIC* SEEDS

Common Name(s): Popcorn

Botanical Name: Zea mays

Cultivar: Pennsylvania Butter-Flavored  *Organically Grown*

Type: Vegetable
Days to Harvest: 102
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Height: 6-8 feet
Spread: 14 inches
Packet Weight: 4.0 g.
Seeds per packet:  About 30


DescriptionPlants produce tall stalks and white-kernel ears each with 26-28 rows of kernels.  Slightly tapered ears grow 4-6 inches in length.  Kernels have superior flavor to commercial varieties with great texture and a buttery flavor.  This heirloom variety is named for the  Pennsylvania Dutch who cultivated it since prior to 1885.

Culture:  Plants perform best in a well-tilled soil with good drainage that has been amended with some organic material.  Corn requires full sun and moderately moist soil for best production

Germination requirements:  Sow direct to a prepared bed in spring
This is notes about the seed I ordered. So I can refer back to it.  

 Seed order received in Nov 2014 all .99c
80+ Rainbow Swiss Chard Seeds
Vibrant Rainbow colored  red, yellow, orange, white, and pink stems that merge into dark green leaves. Slow to bolt You can use them to make sprouts.



250+ Tropeana Lunga Onion Seeds *RARE*
Item# 96



100+ Golden Detroit Beet Seeds
Item# 97



200+ Purple Orach Seeds
Item# 101



10+ Cherry Rose Nasturtium Seeds
Item# 102



150+ Giant Noble Spinach Seeds
Item# 110



8+ Pink Banana Squash Seeds (Winter)
Item# 108



700+ Danvers 126 Carrot Seeds
Item# 114



150+ Corn Salad (Mache) Seeds
Item# 125



250+ Tokyo Long Bunching Onion Seeds *Perennial*
Item# 36



650+ Tendersweet Carrot Seeds
Item# 42



250+ Mizuna Red Streaks Mustard Seeds
Heirloom 30 day maturity.
Culinary herb that has great leaves for salads, grows up to 36 inches tall. Mustard seeds can also be used as a spice or can be ground to make condiments. Dandelion-type leave. It can be gradually harvested or the whole plant at once. This was once only used as a garnish, but now is making headlines for its nutrient packed leaves



400+ French Breakfast Radish Seeds
Item# 64



300+ Hailstone Radish Seeds
Item# 65



20+ Black Beauty Zucchini Summer Squash Seeds
Item# 25



200+ Leisure Splits Cilantro Seeds
Item# 77



50+ Lemon Cucumber Seeds
Item# 23



Thursday, February 12, 2015

When to start seed in my area 5b Missouri

Seed starting guide for my area in Zone 5b
Crop Number of weeks to start seeds before setting-out date When To start inside   Setting-out date
From To Safe time to set out plants (relative to frost-free date) From To
Artichoke 8
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Basil 6
18-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Beets* 4 to 6
25-Feb
11-Mar
2 weeks before
8-Apr
Broccoli 4 to 6
25-Feb
11-Mar
2 weeks before
8-Apr
Cabbage 4 to 6
11-Feb
25-Mar
4 weeks before
25-Mar
22-Apr
Cauliflower 4 to 6
25-Feb
25-Mar
2 weeks before
8-Apr
22-Apr
Celery & celeriac 10 to 12
4-Feb
18-Feb
1 week after
29-Apr
Collards 4 to 6
11-Feb
25-Feb
4 weeks before
25-Mar
Corn salad/mache 4 to 6
28-Jan
4-Mar
3 to 6 weeks before
11-Mar
1-Apr
Corn* 2 to 4
25-Mar
22-Apr
0 to 2 weeks after
22-Apr
6-May
Cucumber 3 to 4
1-Apr
15-Apr
1 to 2 weeks after
29-Apr
6-May
Eggplant 8 to 10
25-Feb
18-Mar
2 to 3 weeks after
6-May
13-May
Kale 4 to 6
11-Feb
25-Feb
4 weeks before
25-Mar
Kohlrabi* 4 to 6
11-Feb
25-Feb
4 weeks before
25-Mar
Leeks 8 to 10
28-Jan
11-Feb
2 weeks before
8-Apr
Lettuce 4 to 5
18-Feb
4-Mar
3 to 4 weeks before
25-Mar
1-Apr
Melons 3 to 4
8-Apr
15-Apr
2 weeks after
6-May
Mustard* 4 to 6
11-Feb
25-Feb
4 weeks before
25-Mar
Okra* 4 to 6
25-Mar
22-Apr
2 to 4 weeks after
6-May
20-May
Onions 8 to 10
14-Jan
28-Jan
4 weeks before
25-Mar
Parsley 9 to 10
21-Jan
4-Feb
2 to 3 weeks before
1-Apr
8-Apr
Peas* 3 to 4
28-Jan
18-Feb
6 to 8 weeks before
25-Feb
11-Mar
Peppers 8
11-Mar
2 weeks after
6-May
Pumpkins 3 to 4
8-Apr
15-Apr
2 weeks after
6-May
Spinach 4 to 6
28-Jan
4-Mar
3 to 6 weeks before
11-Mar
1-Apr
Squash 3 to 4
8-Apr
15-Apr
2 weeks after
6-May
Swiss chard 4 to 6
25-Feb
11-Mar
2 weeks before
8-Apr
Tomatoes 6 to 8
4-Mar
25-Mar
1 to 2 weeks after
29-Apr
6-May
Watermelon 3 to 4
8-Apr
15-Apr
2 weeks after
6-May

Ageratum 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)* 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Amaranthus 4 to 6
18-Mar
1-Apr
1 week after
29-Apr
Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)* 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Artemisia (Sweet Annie) *** 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Asclepias (Butterfly Weed) 10 to 12
28-Jan
11-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Aster, China 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Bells of Ireland** 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Calendula* 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Cardoon 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Carthamus (Safflower)* 4 to 6
11-Mar
25-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Castor Bean 6 to 8
4-Mar
18-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Celosia 6 to 8
4-Mar
18-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Centaurea (Bachelor's Button)* 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Chinese Lanterns 8 to 12
28-Jan
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Coleus 8
4-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Cosmos* 5 to 7
4-Mar
18-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Datura (Angel's Trumpet) 8 to 12
11-Feb
18-Mar
2 to 3 weeks after
6-May
13-May
Delphinium 10 to 16
31-Dec
11-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Dianthus (Sweet William) 10 to 12
14-Jan
4-Feb
1 to 2 weeks before
8-Apr
15-Apr
Digitalis (Foxglove) 10 to 12
28-Jan
11-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Eucalyptus 10 to 12
28-Jan
11-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-Mountain)* 4 to 6
11-Mar
25-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Flower Collections & Mixes* 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Forget-Me-Not 8 to 9
18-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Helianthus maximillianii 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Hibiscus 8 to 10
18-Feb
4-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Hollyhock 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Hyacinth Bean 4 to 6
18-Mar
1-Apr
1 week after
29-Apr
Impatiens 8 to 10
18-Feb
4-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Kale, Ornamental 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Larkspur* 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Lisianthus 12 to 13
21-Jan
28-Jan
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Lupine 6 to 8
11-Feb
25-Feb
2 weeks before
8-Apr
Marigold 6 to 8
4-Mar
18-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Monarda (Bee Balm) 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Morning Glory 3 to 4
15-Apr
29-Apr
3 to 4 weeks after
13-May
20-May
Nigella* 4 to 6
11-Mar
25-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Phlox** 4
25-Feb
1 to 2 weeks before
8-Apr
15-Apr
Pepper, Ornamental 8
4-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Petunia 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Polygonum (Prince's Feather) 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
California Poppy* 2 to 3
1-Apr
8-Apr
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Corn Poppy* 2 to 3
1-Apr
8-Apr
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Iceland Poppy 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Ptilotus 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Salpiglossis (Painted Tongue) 4 to 6
11-Mar
25-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Salvia 6 to 8
11-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Sanvitalia 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) 4 to 6
11-Mar
25-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Scarlet Runner Bean 2 to 3 soil 60 degrees
Snapdragon 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Statice 8
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Stock 8 to 10
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Sunflowers* 3-4
25-Mar
1-Apr
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Strawflower 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Sweet Pea* 4 to 6
25-Feb
18-Mar
1 to 2 weeks before
8-Apr
15-Apr
Thunbergia (Black Eyed Susan Vine) 6 to 8
25-Feb
11-Mar
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)* 6
18-Mar
1 week after
29-Apr
Verbena 8 to 12
28-Jan
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Viola (Pansy) 8 to 12
14-Jan
18-Feb
1 to 2 weeks before
8-Apr
15-Apr
Yarrow 8 to 12
11-Feb
25-Feb
on frost-free date
22-Apr
Zinnia 4
1-Apr
1 week after
29-Apr
* Usually direct-sown, but may be started indoors
** Specifically recommended for direct seeding outdoors
*** We have left current crop failures in the list because they may be available next year.
Note: Dates are the same from year to year, but this table requires a year for computation simplicity