Nigra Hollyhock

Type:	Perennial
Planting Depth:	¼"
Direct Sow:	After danger of frost
Start Indoors:	6-8 weeks before last frost
Days to Germination:	12-21

Pastiche Sunflowers

• Flowers: Summer
• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Well drained
• Height: 5 feet
• Germination: Easy
• Aftercare: Easy
• Special Features: Edible flowers
• Ideal for: Bedding, Border, Children, Cut Flower

Description

A comprehensive mixture of sunflower colors in a host of evening sun shades - yellows, reds and buff, some with a bright yellow or a deep red disc. These medium sized flower heads (approx. 10-13cm (4-5in) in diameter), make fantastic cut flowers, lasting for a long time in water and help to give height and stature in the border. Flowers summer. Height 122-150cm (48-60in).

Sowing Instructions

Sowing time:	Outdoors after last frost. May also be sown indoors 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Sowing depth:	12mm (½in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart

Sow outdoors where they are to flower. Germination usually takes around 21 days.

Sowing can also be done indoors in early spring, sow the seed individually in 7.5cm (3in) pots. Germination takes 1-2 weeks at 20C (70F). Gradually acclimatize to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost has gone.

Growing Instructions

When large enough to handle, thin out the seedlings to 30cm (12in) apart. They prefer a sunny open site but will grow in most soils.

Kitchen Notes

The green buds before the flower opens are delicious cooked in butter sauce and the seeds make a tasty snack.

Scarlet Flame Zinnia

Annual. Blooms summer to fall frost. 2' - 3' tall. Full sun. 'Scarlet Flame' is a tall fiery red flower that suits its name well. Its traffic-stopping color is amazing when planted in mass. Very easy to grow. For long hot summers, nothing beats Zinnias for brilliant color and a long blooming period. Susceptible to mildew in humid climates. In all climates, it is preferable to water by soaking the ground (not from overhead) to keep leaves dry. Making sure that sprinklers do not hit them overnight or in the early morning will help prevent mildew. Fairly drought tolerant when established, it likes a rich, deep, well-drained soil. Low-maintenance plant - but deadheading will increase blooms. If you are often tired of the cool pinks and pastels of early summer by August and September, Plant 'Scarlet Flame' this year for its rich red glow that keeps going until hit by a good frost. Delightful as a cut flower. Attracts butterflies! OUTDOORS: Sow in late spring 2 weeks after average last frost date. (Zinnias don't benefit from being planted early. Sow outside after weather is warm or start inside.) INSIDE: Sow 4-6 weeks before average last spring frost. SPECIAL GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS: None. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed!"

Purple Long Eggplant

70-80 days.
Oriental-type, slender, dark purple fruits are best used before 8-10" long.
Each 24-30" plant produces 8 or more eggplants.

When to start inside: RECOMMENDED. 8-12 weeks before the average last frost. To germinate quickly, seed requires VERY warm soil temperatures, between 80 and 90 degrees F. Either use a heating cable or cover the seed tray with a plastic bag to contain warmth. Transplant seedlings outside 1 to 2 weeks after last frost.

Red Poppy

• Flowers: Summer
• Position: Full sun
• Height: 30 inches
• Germination: Easy
• Aftercare: Easy
• Ideal for: Bedding, Border, Cottage Garden

Description

An exclusive selection made from 'Angels Choir', Papaver Picotee Mixed comes in a range of colors including red, rose, pink and salmon shades. All complement one another in a mixture of bi-colors and picotees. Suitable for broadcast sowing in borders.

Sowing Instructions

Sowing time:	Early spring as soon as soil is workable to mid spring or early fall in mild winter areas
Sowing depth:	3mm (1/8in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart.

Sow thinly in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially in dry periods.

Can also be sown outdoors in August to September for early summer flowering next year.

Growing Instructions

When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 15cm (6in) apart.

Giant Tree Tomato

Vigorous 10 to 18 ft. vines have strong stems and heavy thick leaves. Globe- shaped, pinkish-red fruits, with few seeds, are smooth, tender and weigh 1 to 2 lbs. Indeterminate. Maturity: 80-90

Pompeii Tomato

Main-season, Italian, hybrid plum tomato for sauce and fresh eating. Indeterminate vines bear elongated, meaty, red fruit. Verticillium- and fusarium-resistant.
Days To Maturity:	76-76

Caspian Pink Tomato

Originally grown in southern Russia between the Caspian and Black Seas. Thought by some to be "Queen of the Pinks," these prolific,1-2 pound, globe-shaped, pink-red beefsteak tomatoes that rival brandywine in popularity and flavor. One of the best known and best-tasting Russian tomatoes. This tomato is perfect for cooler climates. Indeterminate. Days: 80

Brandywine Tomato

An Amish heirloom that dates back to 1885 and is generally considered to be the world's best-flavored tomato. Plants look like potato vines with good yields of extra-large (weighing up to 1-1/2 lbs.), firm, clear-skinned, light rosy-pink fruits. Indeterminate. Maturity: 90-100

Roma Tomato

(VFA) Roma is considered to be the most well-known paste-type tomato, perfect for sauces, pastes and ketchup. Its heavy crops of bright red, pear-shaped fruits are nice and meaty, with very few seeds. Determinate. Maturity: 75

San Marzano Tomato

A little later than Roma, with superb flavor in slightly rectangular-shaped fruits, 3-1/2" x 1-1/2", that are bright red and hang in large clusters. Holds well on the vine and in storage. Extra-high solid content is perfect for canning. Indeterminate. Maturity: 80

Ancho San Martin Pepper

Once restricted by climate to Mexico, this hugely popular, mild poblano chile rellano type can now be grown almost anywhere thanks to earlier maturity and improved setting capabilities. Called "Ancho" when dried, the dark green, 5 1/2" fruits are a favorite for roasting. One of the mildest chiles, typically just 500 to 1000 Scovilles, although they sometimes register slightly hotter. A better yielder than most others of its type.

Hungarian Yellow Wax Pepper

Spicy, fairly hot banana shaped fruits, 6" long and 1-1/2" across - perfect for pickling. Matures from light yellow to bright red. Best hot pepper for cooler climates. Ever-bearing plants are 16 to 24" tall, strong, upright.

Canary Belle Pepper

Huge fruits, 3-1/2" by 4", weigh approximately 8 oz. Pick at the green stage in 70-80 days or allow to mature to bright yellow. Peppers are very sweet and are excellent when used fresh or cooked in your favorite recipe. Sturdy plants are highly productive and resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus.

Lincoln Peas

(Homesteader)

English or garden peas are frost hardy, thrive and like to be planted in cool weather (55 to 60°F) They can become bitter with heat. Therefore, plant outdoors in full sun, in early spring for an early summer harvest or mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Plant the seeds 1½ inches deep spacing them at a rate of one to two seeds every two inches. Space the rows 2½ feet apart.

As a rule, smooth seeded varieties are more starchy and used for soups while wrinkled seeded varieties are sweeter and generally eaten fresh.

68 days — Does well in the Northern United States, resists wilt and is tolerant of heat. The vines are eighteen to thirty inches tall and the pods are easy to shell. Lincoln was one of the better post-war varieties and continued in commercial production until the mid-1960s.

Golden Sweet Snow Peas

67 Days. HEIRLOOM from India. This heirloom variety produces vigorous vines 6' long. The very attractive two toned purple blossoms yield lemon-yellow pods that are best picked when small. Flavor is sweet and nutty.

Bittermelon

Ku Gua, Foo Gwah)" vspace="0" width="239" border="0" height="28" hspace="0">

Bitter Gourd is one of the most popular vegetables in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, India and the Philippines. Bitter Gourd, also called Bitter Melon, has an acquired taste. The plant is grown mainly for the immature fruits although the young leaves and tips are edible. Bitter Melon seed has hard skin and needs warm/moist soil conditions during germination. It may fail or take a long time to germiante if the soil temperature is too low. Bitter Melon is a long-season, high-humidity and warm-climate vine plant and needs to grow along supports.

NOTE: Bitter Melon needs insects to carry out the pollinating process for setting fruits. If the insects are not available in your area, the pollinating process can be done manually, by picking up male flowers and transferring pollens (face-to-face touching the center part of flowers) to femal flowers. Femal flowers have a fat section between the flower and vine stem. This process should be carried out when flowering is active during the daytime. If the pollination is success, the fat portion will grow into full size fruit.

Mache

Also known as Cornsalad this member of the Valarian family is very popular in France. Its fine, nutty taste enhances salads. It is very cold tolerant, so it's a great early or late season green.

Spacemaster Cucumber

59 days.
A full sized 7 1/2 inch cuke, primarily a slicer, on a short 3 foot vine; good for trellising in a tight spot or in a container. Its nice flavor and appearance is enhanced by its resistance to mosaic and scab.

This very compact bushy plant won’t take over your garden. Spacemaster’s 2’-3’ vines make it an ideal choice for small growing areas. It can even be grown in a large container! The full-sized fruits are great for pickles when small and for slicing when mature. Regular picking will help the plant produce prolifically throughout the season. It is resistant to cucumber mosaic virus and scab and also somewhat resistant to downy and powdery mildew. This packet plants: 4 mounds of 3 plants per mound.

When to plant outside: Spring after average last frost date AND when soil temperatures are warm, at least 65 degrees.

When to start inside: 4-6 weeks before average last frost.

Special Sowing & Germination Instructions: Plant in mounds or rows, as you prefer. If rows, plant every 4”, thinning to 1 plant per foot. Mounds should be 1’ to 2’ apart with 6 seedlings on each mound thinned to 3 per mound. Another HIGHLY recommended method is to plant with a trellis. Cucumbers grow straighter and are easier to see when harvesting with this method. Use recommended row spacing and tie the main stem to the trellis with string or twist ties. (If growing in a container, you can place the container next to a tall trellis, or insert a 2’-3’ trellis inside the container.)

Lutz Beet

80 days. HEIRLOOM This old time variety remains the best for both storage and beet greens harvested at any time. The roots are half long, deep purple and will retain their sweetness if properly stored throughout the winter.

Special Directions for Short Season Climates

SOWING: Sow seed from early spring through late summer. Cover seed with 1/2 inch of fine soil firmed down.

SPACING: Space rows 12 to 16 inches apart or plant seeds 4 inches apart in all directions.

THINNING: Thin 3 to 4 inches apart when seedlings are a few inches tall. Enjoy the removed young greens in a salad.

GERMINATION: 2 to 3 weeks depending upon weather and soil temperature, Keep soil moderately moist during germination.

Ed's Special Advice

Sow seed In July and August for Fall and Winter crops. Beets prefer fairly rich yet light sandy loam type soil. Add lime and fertilize soil prior to planting for best growth, flavor and texture. Space sowing times several weeks apart for longer harvest season.