Garden Source

The Blue Victoria Salvia, ‘Salvia farinacea, is native to Texas and New Mexico. Lovely spikes of deep purple-blue flowers cover this dwarf variety. The 1/2 inch long flowers are clustered densely along upright stems which rise above the foliage. Blue Victoria Salvias bloom summer through fall. Place this flower in full sun and in average well drained garden soil for best results. Blue Victoria Salvias require moisture but not too much. The ideal soil condition is slightly dry. Do not over water or over fertilize. Over fertilization causes more vegetative growth and less flowers. More flowers will be produced if the plants are deadheaded often. Plant 2 weeks after the last frost where the Blue Victoria is an annual.

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The Cilantro Coriander Cal Long Standing, ‘Coriandrum sativum’, is one of the most useful and tasty herbs available. Both the foliage (cilantro) and seed (coriander), make this herb very versatile. Cilantro is also called Chinese parsley. Cilantro has a thousand uses from as simple as a sprig in chicken soup to chopped in Mexican food. The crushed seeds season stews, cookies, and beans. The Cal Long Standing Cilantro will bolt (flower) later than regular Cilantro. This plant was cultivated 3000 years ago by the Greeks and Romans to make vinegar to preserve meat. The foliage of the Cilantro plant has a sage flavor with a strong suggestion of citrus and is used more than the seeds at this time. The seed, Coriander, has a strong citrusy, lemon flavor. Senna tea is made from crushed Coriander. Plant in the spring after the last average frost date.

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The Bean Bush Snap Blue Lake 274, ‘Phaseolus vulgaris’, is an old time favorite with exceptional Blue Lake flavor. It is noted for retaining excellent flavor and texture as a frozen bean. The snap bean or green bean is eaten pod and all like one of those vegetables, such as tomatoes, that tastes significantly better when grown at home rather than bought at the store. Blue Lake 274 produces a very large crop of round, 6 inch pods all at once. Plant the Blue Lake 274 Snap Bean after the last average frost date. Bush beans can be planted in succession to produce beans all season. Seed in new crop every 7 to 14 days. In hot summer areas, the beans should be planted in March for June harvest. This bush bean prefers rich, organic, well drained, and warm soil. The soil must be kept evenly moist but not soggy.

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