Garden Source

The Pepper Chile Ancho/Poblano, ‘Capsicum annuum’, is called “Pablano” in the fresh green form and “Ancho” as a dried pod. This Chile Pepper is mildly hot and is used for chilies rellenos and mole sauces. The Poblano is one of the most popular chilies in Mexico. The green Pablano is stuffed with cheese or meat for chilies rellenos and the dark, reddish-brown dried Ancho is used in a variety of sauces such as the traditional “mole pablano”. Transplant outside in the spring 3 to 4 weeks after last frost date. Note: To get a jump on the season transplant outside, use a walls-of-water or some black plastic to maintain and increase temperatures. Plant in average garden soil with sufficient organic matter. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often. Harvest when 3. 5 inches long and 2 inches wide and when the peppers are a dark green.

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The Sweet Pea Bouquet Blend, ‘Lathyrus odoratus’, was developed with longer, heavier stems and larger flowers to make an ideal sweet pea for cut flowers. The Bouquet Blend has 1. 5 to 2. 5 inch flowers in colors of purple, rose, white, pink, blue, scarlet, cream, and salmon. The sweet peas bloom in the spring and the duration of blooming depends on the weather. The plants stop blooming once the weather warms up. They will generally bloom 3 to 5 weeks. A key element in successful growing of the Sweet Pea Bouquet Blend is very early planting. The Bouquet Blend prefers deep, rich, fertile soil. Use lots of peat or compost for early spring planting. Plant this Sweet Pea in full sun, but in a cool a spot as possible. Position them away from winds and rotate locations from year to year to prevent sweet pea pests. In cold climates plant the seed in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. In warm climates, plant in October through January for spring bloom. They are used for cut flowers and covering for fences and walls if given proper support.

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The Texas Bluebonnet, ‘Lupinus texensis’, is the state wildflower of Texas and it displays impressive spikes of blue flowers in the spring. Texas Bluebonnets are a great annual for naturalized wildflower areas. It also can be seen along roadsides and in fields in the southern USA. The Texas Bluebonnet has multiple 1/2 inch blue flowers on spokes and a white terminal tip. The blooms last for about 4 weeks in the spring. The Texas Bluebonnet can be planted anywhere, but it does best in climates where it can be planted in the fall and overwinter to produce spring flowers and planted in well drained soils that are sandy or loamy. In cold climates plant in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Texas Bluebonnets are used for cut flowers and for planting in mass in wildflower areas.

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The Parsley Green River, ‘Petroselinum crispum’, has more vitamin C than an orange and freshens your breath! Do you push your parsley aside after a meal? Don’t. Consume it for the vitamins and breath freshener for garlic breath. Parsley is not just a garnish. Parsley has a gentle flavor that does a great job of blending the flavors around it. The 1 foot tall by 1 foot wide plant is dark green with double curled foliage that is densely packed. Parsley is quite cold hardy and stays green and harvestable through much of the winter, even in cold climates. The Green River Parsley is also a very attractive edging plant. They are great in window boxes and pots either inside or outside. Their culinary uses includes salads, soups, butters, fish, and poultry. Green River Parsley is a very nutritious herb containing large quantities of vitamins and mineral such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Plant in the spring in well drained soil.

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The Grass Cat Oats, ‘Avena sativa’, is an important part of a cat’s diet. We have chosen the best grass for cats, Oat Grass. It provides nutrients and is a good digestive aid. Plant this grass to keep your cats from eating potentially harmful house plants. It assists cats with furball elimination and provides certain vitamins and mineral to the cat’s diet. Place Oat Grass seed by a window and the window light will supply enough light to get Oat Grass to the 2 to 4 inch height needed for cats to start munching down. Normal household temperature is ideal for germination and plant growth. Place seeds in potting soil to start the growth process. Use a container that is over 6 inches in diameter so the cats will not knock over the container.

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The Tomato Pole Cherokee Purple, ‘Lycopersicon lycopersicum’, is an old Heirloom variety from Tennessee that is extremely productive and also has a very rich tomato flavor. The Cherokee Purple produces large numbers of 10 to 12 ounce tomatoes with a strong tomato flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. The flesh is a unique red brick color with a rose/purple skin color. Tomatoes are generally started inside. They may also be seeded outside after the last average frost date. In warm winter/hot summer areas, tomatoes can be planted in early fall for winter harvest. Tomatoes prefer well drained soil that is high in organic matter. Tomatoes need at least 1 inch of water a week. Soak to depth of 6 to 10 inches when watering. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

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The Kohlrabi Purple & White Vienna Blend, ‘Brassica oleracea’, is a curiously shaped member of the cabbage family. Kohlrabi is a crisp, mild and sweet source of fiber, potassium, calcium, and vitamin C. It may look like a space alien has invaded your garden, but you’ll welcome not only Kohlrabi’s unusual shape and it’s crisp, juicy flavor in salads and slaws. Also try steamed, sauteed, or stir-fried. Its flavor has been described as similar to apples, mild turnips, broccoli stems, radish and cucumber. Plant in early spring, 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost or in late summer for fall harvest. Kohlrabi prefer rich, moist, and well drained soil with lots of organic matter. Harvest when round portions are 2 to 3 inches wide.

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The Cucumber Lemon, ‘Cucumis satiovus’, is a very good slicer or pickler. The Lemon cucumber is very sweet, crisp, easy to digest and looks just like a lemon. If you love cukes, eat these like an apple. Don’t dismiss their unusual lemon-shaped cucumber variety as a simple oddity; the white flesh has excellent flavor, plants are somewhat drought tolerant, and they are a great slicer or pickler. They are hard to find in a grocery store. The Lemon cucumber stores well in a refrigerator. Plant in the spring after the last average frost date. Do not plant late as hot temps may preclude good flowering. Cucumbers prefer light, rich, well drained fertile soil with lots of organic matter. Cucumbers have a shallow root system and therefore require regular moisture. Do not let cucumbers get too big because the vines stop producing if over mature cucumbers stay on the vine

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The Lavender English Tall, ‘Lavandula angustifolia (vera)’, has the intoxicating fragrance of lavender that has been sought for centuries to lift spirits and freshen scent in the house. If you like the really tall, old fashion, wonderfully fragrant Lavender, choose this variety. The flowers are edible. The English Lavender has lots of flower spikes growing dark purple, fragrant, 1/4 to 1/2 inch flowers. The Lavender blooms in late spring and into the summer. It also has the characteristic square stems of the mint family. The Tall English Lavender prefers full sun and loose. light, well drained soil. Do not fertilize, over rich soil will cause the plant to be less fragrant. Plant in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked or in late fall. The Lavender can be used for a short hedge, edging, rock gardens, and pots. Lavender also are used in sachets and pot pourri.

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The Arugula Mediterranean Rocket Salad, Roquette, ‘Eruca sativa’, is a select variety grown in Italy to maintain the traditional taste and color of Italian Arygula. Descriptions such as hot with a hint of nut flavor, tart, and spicy are used to describe Arugula. Nothing adds such an exciting, interesting flavor and texture to salads as this green. It is most often eaten raw in salads but it is also steamed or added to many other dishes like pizza. The Mediterranean Arugula is also a good container plant. Arugula, when mature, grow to 2 to 3 feet tall, but the leaves are tastiest and less bitter when harvested 2 to 6 inches long. The flowers are also edible. Plant in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before the last average frost date and plant successive plantings thereafter every 3 weeks until first fall frost approaches. Rocket Salad Arugula prefers light, fertile, moist, and well drained soil. In warmer climates, delay planting during the heat of the summer.

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The Coreopsis American Dream, Coreopsis rosea, has a rosy pink daisy-like flower with a yellow center. In the Tickseed family, the dark green fernlike, thin and delicate foliage makes a great contrast to any garden. Blooming from June to October, American Dream stands at 15 tall and a plant spread of 18-24. American Dream should be planted in full sun. It is drought-tolerant and tough but does need well-drained soil. It should be cut backing early and late summer to extend the bloom period. Coreopsis American Dream looks great with any type of grass, in borders or mass plantings in sunny gardens. It is very effective in naturalized areas, rock and cottage gardens, ground cover or wild gardens. No garden should be without it.

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