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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:We've been trying to add new items to our already vast selection of seeds, giving you even more to enjoy in your garden and around your home. With thousands of items to look through, we thought it would be a good idea for us to add a New Additions page to our site. Here you'll find only the newest items (of course each item will also be added to its appropriate category). If you haven't seen it, we invite you to take a look. This week we'll talk about a number of flowers, vegetables, and more. We look at the Snapdragon, the Swan River Daisy, continue our series on your vegetable garden planting guide, and also look at another herb, 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) Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Snapdragon is frost-sensitive and is usually grown as a annual. The dwarf varieties (8") are ideal for growing on balconies and in flower boxes. They come in almost every color in the spectrum. Snapdragons are a spectacular addition to any flower bed. They are very versatile and you will love their color and beauty. The plants are very easy to grow from seed. They grow best in a fertile, moist location where they also can get plenty of sun. (They hate being waterlogged.) The flowers are softly scented and the plant will produce more blooms if the temperature is on the cool side. When you plant the seeds, they should merely be sprinkled on top of the soil. When the plant reaches about 4" tall, you should pinch the top spikes; this will encourage the plant to branch out and produce more blooms on a bushier plant. You'll then want to continue to dead-head the plant which will force it to produce more flowers, the plant will last longer, and so will your enjoyment of them. TPF132 These seeds are a mixture of pink, red, yellow, orange,
white and orchid color. They grow to 36” tall. You'll love Breck's Ultimate Iris Collection. Click on the image or visit the link to see how beautiful they are.
3) Humor for Today:When our second child was on the way, my wife and I attended a pre-birth class aimed at couples who had already had at least one child. The instructor raised the issue of breaking the news to the older child. It went like this: "Some parents," she said, "tell the older child, 'We love you so much we decided to bring another child into this family.' But think about that. Ladies, what if your husband came home one day and said, 'Honey, I love you so much I decided to bring home another wife.'" One of the women spoke up immediately. "Does she cook?" 4) Vegetable Garden Planting Guide: Part TwoAs you may know, last week we had Part One of our Vegetable Garden Planting Guide. This is something we hope to get on-line in the near future as a resource for our visitors. Boy, there are a lot of vegetables that start with C. We don't even get through our list of Cs this week. Cabbage Cabbage is best grown as a cool weather crop. Start your seeds inside about 4 weeks before the last frost. You should cover the seeds with about ½” of soil. If you want fresh cabbage all summer long you should start another batch of seeds about a month later; then again in another month. Transplant the seedlings 16" apart in rows 3 feet apart when they are about 5 to 6 weeks old. Cabbage, Chinese Although many gardeners will raise Chinese Cabbage as a spring crop, it is actually best suited as a fall crop. Sow the seeds about 4" apart in rows about 3 feet apart in late summer. You can later thin the plants to about 12" apart. Carrots Sow carrots in early spring about one inch apart in beds or in wide rows 18" apart. Cover the seeds with about ¼” of soil. Later, thin the plants to 2"-4" apart. Keep the soil moist. Carrots like soil with lots of humus material worked into it. Cauliflower It is best to start your seed in trays inside about 7 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings outside about 2 to 3 weeks BEFORE the last frost since they grow best in cool weather. Space the transplants about 6" apart, in rows 3 feet apart. Celeraic Start your seeds in trays inside about six weeks before the last frost. Transplant the seedlings outside about 2 weeks after the last frost. Space the transplants about 6" apart in rows 3 feet apart. Celtuce Plant the seeds in early spring for a summer crop, or in early summer for a fall crop. Plant the seeds about ½” deep in rows 3 feet apart. Later, thin the plants to about 12-18” apart. Collards Collards are a cool weather crop that should be started as early as possible. Start the seeds inside in trays about 4 weeks before the last frost. Cover the seeds with ½” of soil. Plant another crop a month later. If you wish a third crop - plant more seeds a month later. This will give you a continuous harvest. Transplant the seedlings when they are 5 to 6 weeks old in rows 3 feet apart. The flavor of collards is best after a frost. We think that's enough for this week; we'll be back with more next week. 5) Highlight on Herbs: Hyssop (Hyssopolus officinalis)When someone asks you which herb is the oldest in cultivation, you can tell them it is Hyssop. The herb was used in biblical times. It is even mentioned in St. John's Gospel when it was mixed with vinegar and given to Jesus on the cross. It was also used by monks. Hyssop leaves can be used to make hyssop tea, which in herbal medicine is considered to be a cure for bronchitis and chest complaints. Herbalist also use it to reduce inflammation, and is said to have a tonic effect on the nervous system. It used to be considered a cure for dropsy, tinnitus, and head lice -- but no longer. It is also an ingredient of both Chartreuse and Benedictine liqueurs. Oil extracted from Hyssop is used in perfumes. The leaves can be used in soups, salads, and stews to add a bittermint flavor. Be warned that the flavor is strong and some may not care for it. The plant is attractive with brilliant blue flowers held on a spike. It grows well with other scented herbs such as lavender and sage. If you keep them trimmed, the flowers will make a dense display. It is also a great bee and butterfly attractor. HR145 HYSSOP (Hyssopolus officinalis) [P] Save
up to 70% at gardeners.com Outlet 6) Quote for Today:"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has
a chance to get its pants on." 7) Swan River Daisy (Bachyacome iberidifolia)
The Swan River Daisy is native to Australia and New Zealand. It has a wonderful display of bright flowers that emerge during the summer months. The blooms are one inch with a sweet scent, and range in color from blue, to white, to purple. The flowers have a yellow-eyed button in the center. The leaves are dark green and serrated, and the foliage is lacy-like. The blooms will last until frost. Swan River Daisies belong to the caterpillar family of plants. They love bright sun and fertile, well drained soil. Unfortunately snails also love the tender leaves, so be on the lookout for them. It makes a great border plant, or a nice center piece in a hanging basket since they only grow about ten inches high. Swan River plants are late growing plants because they love warmer weather and drier conditions, but they will bloom all summer long. FL290 Swan River Daisy Mix (found on our hanging basket page) This
plant only grows to 10 inches tall and will be loaded with small 3/4” flowers
in white, blue or violet colors. Seeds will germinate in about 2 weeks. 8) Recycle Your Old Mouse Pads:If you're reading this, chances are pretty darn good you have a computer. And if you're like us, you have extra mouse pads hanging around. In fact, for those that are using the new optical mice, you don't even need a mouse pad. Why not put those lonely squares of foam to good use -- take them into the garden with you as a cushion while kneeling? Keep a few stacked alongside your tools and do your knees a favor this gardening season. 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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The ancient Greeks called the Snapdragon by a word that meant "nose-like." The
French used a word that meant "wolf’s mouth." The two
lipped structure of the flower, especially the prominent bulge of the
under lip, reminded them of an animal’s mouth.
