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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:Many people would love to have some handy, basic information on planting and don't have a source handy. This week were going to start a series we call our Vegetable Garden Planting Guide. In the future we hope to add this to our web site as a resource, and to also have a guide on flowers. (Can't guarantee when we'll get both on-line, so don't hesitate to put a bug in Tom's ear mailto:tomkrueger@rexseedco.com to get it online.) In this issue we continue on herbs, talk about scented geraniums, include a herb question regarding saffron for our reader mailbag, and more. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Tom Krueger Rex Gregor "Exotic & Unusual Seeds from Around the World" 2) Vegetable Garden Planting Guide: Part One
Before we get into it, here's a quick tip. If you have a small garden and you do not have room enough to grow everything you would like, there is nothing wrong in making narrow rows to give you more space. The only problems you'll have are using mechanical equipment such as a rototiller to clear between row, but there are narrow row rototillers being manufactured. Also, narrower rows mean you may have to be more careful later in the season as you harvest so you don't step where you shouldn't. Amaranth Plant seeds outdoors when soil is warm, or start inside in pots for early harvest. Seeds should be planted ¼” deep. Thin plants 8 to 10 inches apart. Amaranth requires well-drained soil. Mature plants withstand drought well. Artichoke, Globe Start seeds indoors in pots about three months before the last frost. After last frost, transplant seedlings about 2 feet apart in rows about 3 feet apart. Requires fertile, well drained, and well limed soil. Artichokes are perennial and usually produce edible buds their second year. Sometimes they will produce the first year if started early enough. Asparagus Most varieties of Asparagus will start producing after the third year. You should sow seeds outside in fall or spring. Seeds should be soaked in warm water before sowing. If started inside, transplants should be planted about 16 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. You should work mulch and humus into the Asparagus bed each year. Bean, Azuki After all danger of frost, when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees, plant the seeds in double rows, 4" apart, spacing the seeds about 2" apart. Bean, Fava As soon as the soil can be worked, plant the seeds about 1" deep, about 2"-3" apart, in rows 3 feet apart. Later thin the plants to 5"-6” apart. Bean, Lima Lima beans will benefit from a treatment of a bean inoculant -- this is generally available at most garden stores. You should wait to sow until the soil temperature has warmed to at least 70 degrees. The seeds might rot in cold soil. Plant the seeds about 1" deep, with the eye side facing down, in rows about 3 feet apart. Thin when the plants reach 5"-6" inches. Bean, Snap Snap bean seeds should be planted after all danger of frost is over. Plant the seeds about 1" deep, about 2" apart, in rows about 3 feet apart. Beets Sow beet seeds about a month before the last frost. Before sowing, all beet seeds will benefit from soaking in warm water a couple of hours. Plant the seeds about 2" apart, then cover with ½” of soil. Tamp the soil over the seeds because airspace in the soil can inhibit germination. Later, thin the plants to about 3"- 4" apart. Broccoli You should start the seeds in flats about six weeks before the last frost. Transplant outside as soon as all danger of frost is over. If you plan on transplanting, you should sow a couple of seeds in each plug tray. Then transplant the well adjusted plants about 20" apart in rows about three feet apart. You can grow another crop by planting seeds in early summer for a fall harvest. Brussels Sprout To raise a cool season crop you should plant the seeds in late spring for fall harvest. Sow the seeds about ½” deep. For transplanting, sow a couple of seeds in each plug tray. Transplant the well adjusted plants about 2 feet apart in rows 3 feet apart. Best results are generally obtained when transplanting into a fertile soil. You'll want to harvest after frost. Hope this wasn't too long. We'll continue next week. If you haven't visited Breck's yet, you're 3) Humor for Today:My 50-something friend Nancy and I decided to introduce her mother to the magic of the Internet. Our first move was to access the popular "Ask Jeeves" site, and we told her it could answer any question she had. Nancy's mother was very skeptical until Nancy said, "It's true, Mom. Think of something to ask it." As I sat with fingers poised over the keyboard, Nancy's mother thought a minute, then responded, "How is Aunt Helen feeling?" 4) Highlight on Herbs: Marjoram (Marjorana hortensis)Marjoram has creeping roots that will grow stems reaching about 12 inches tall. These stems are often purplish in color. There is also a variety with white flowers and variegated leaves. It is usually used extensively for culinary purposes. Marjoram has a very ancient medicinal reputation. In early days, the Greeks used it both internally and externally. It can be propagated from seed and should be sown about ½-inch deep and covered with soil. Be aware, the seeds are very slow to germinate. When transplanting they should be placed about 12 inches apart in your garden. Many horticulturists consider Marjoram as actually a species of Oregano. (In Spanish, Oregano means Marjoram.) The whole plant has a strong, peculiar fragrant smell, with a bitter aromatic taste. The flavor is preserved when the leaves are dried. When used as a medicinal agent, it takes 200 lbs. of the herb to make a pound of the volatile oil. Marjoram is most familiar today as a kitchen herb and is cultivated for its aromatic leaves either in a green or dried state. The leaves are excellent in salads or for other culinary purposes such as putting in stuffing. Marjoram is also often used to flavor sausages, lamb, beef, chicken, fish and tomato dishes. HR540 SWEET MARJORAM (Marjorana hortensis) Visit Rex’s Seedco Favorite Garden Herbs at http://www.rexseedco.com/ 5) Scented Geraniums:The geranium is native to Cape Province in South Africa. Geraniums were introduced to Europe at the beginning of the 17th Century. There are currently over 200 species and a large number of varieties. Among them are many large flowered varieties developed by breeders. Oil derived from the geranium is used in the perfume and cosmetic industry, often used to replace more expensive rose oil. Geraniums are best known as a bedding plant, but are also a window box plant, an excellent container plant, and there are even new hanging basket types. Geraniums will happily over- winter in a bright room with a temperature of about 50° to 60° F (10°-15.5° C). They should be kept relatively dry during the winter, but in the summer, they need plenty of water. The scented-leaved pelargoniums have recently experienced a revival. They are a vigorous, densely branched plant that contains ethereal oils that can have the smell of peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, apple, rose, and many other fragrances. The scent becomes more intense if the leaves are rubbed lightly. We strongly recommend that you try some scented varieties this spring. Zonal geraniums can be propagated from seed but this does take longer. It is better and much easier to simply visit your local greenhouse, a nursery, or even a professional grower. If you are unable to find a local source for scented geraniums, please email us and perhaps we can help you search for a source. Save
up to 70% at gardeners.com Outlet 6) Quote for Today:"We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we
are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal
we've established
for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our
sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile." 7) Reader Mailbag: Saffron"Can you tell me a bit about saffron and whether Saffron seeds are available?"If someone asks you which spice is the most expensive, you're asking about it right now. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It is often called 'The Golden Spice.' Saffron's aroma is unique and there is no substitute for it. What is it? Well, it is a slender, dried, reddish-brown flattened stigma of a small crocus of the Iris family. It is cultivated mainly in Spain and Iran where together they produce 80% of the world's production. The Jammu & Kashmire Valley of India is said to raise the Saffron with the best reputation. This area has a cool dry climate and rich soil which makes it ideal for growing. This area is considered superior to every other area of the world. But it very difficult to obtain it from there because they just cannot grow enough of it. The reason Saffron is very expensive is twofold. First, it is labor intensive because it must be handpicked; and second, it requires approximately 225,000 stigmas to produce one pound of spice. Think about -- 225,000 stigmas for only a pound of spice. Wow! In its pure form, Saffron is a mass of compressed threadlike, dark orange strands. Saffron is used in many Middle Eastern dishes. It has a spicy pungent and bitter flavor with a sharp penetrating odor. We do not sell Saffron seeds. You may wish to contact the India
Agro Industry for information. 8) Cicada Follow-up:Last issue we had an article concerning the much talked about Brood X cicadas coming to life after 17 years. Thought you might be interested in a map we came across showing where this "infestation" is or will be taking place. You'll also be able to find much more information on the topic. Click Cicada Watch 2004 or visit http://www.msj.edu/cicada/ 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added, or are a valued customer of Rex's Seedco. PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times Click Here or send email to subscribegtt@goalsmint.com To unsubscribe Click Here or send email to unsubscribegtt@goalsmint.com Tom Krueger, Editor and Publisher Rex Gregor, Contributing Editor Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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[ Past Issues Index ] [ Rex's Seedco Home ] [ Our Seed Catalog ] [ About Us ]
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Have you wanted a source for simple info on an item you want to place
in your garden? We think that's a great idea and are starting a series
for a Vegetable Garden Planting Guide. We hope to get this info compiled
on our web site in the future.