Planting Instructions
General Guidelines -
The majority of seeds can be planted directly into the ground. Sprinkle seeds over freshly
turned damp soil. After sprinkling seeds be sure and gently tamp the seeds into the soil. Keep the soil damp until
germination and then water regularly. Seeds will generally germinate better if placed in a damp paper towel in a plastic
bag and refrigerated for 2 to 4 weeks prior to planting.
Some seed varities require some special care to achieve maximum germination. Please review the list below for
further instructions regarding your seeds. If your seeds do not appear below please follow the above instructions.
If you are unsure please email me or send me a converstion message through etsy.
In alphabetical Order:
Bear's Garlic - This variety provide the best germination rates in the fall. After soaking seed, sow directly in an area
of your choosing about 1/8 of an inch deep. Alternatively, put the seed in a damp (not wet) paper towel in a plastic bag
and refrigerate for 2 to 6 weeks. Then plant them in peat pots and wait it, might take a while for them to germinate. Once
they get started they go crazy in your garden. Alternatively, you can plant the directly in the garden in the fall. When seeds
arrive on your plants in the summer plant them right then for growth next year. This plant is hardy to zone 5.
Basil (All varities) - Basil needs light to germinate. Follow the same instructions as above except do not tamp or cover the seeds. Water the seeds from beneath if possible. Basil can also be stared indoors in peat pots. Set
two to three seeds on the top of wet pots and water from beneath, set in the sun. Transplant after the last freeze
date for your area has past.
Bell Peppers (All varities) - Start indoors in peat pots 8 to 10 weeks before the last freeze date for your area. Plant
1 or 2 seeds per pot about 1/8 of an inch deep. Water, keeping the peat pots moist but not soaking wet. Peppers like
warm soil, and will germinate best if the soil is 80 degrees. Setting the soil in the sun or placing the tray on a heated
plate or warm surface will help with this. Two weeks prior to the planting outdoors set the plants outside during the day
and move indoors at night then transplant into containers or directly into the garden after the last freeze date.
Corn (All varities) - Wait until the soil is at least 65 degrees. This may be two week after the last freeze date for
your area. Plant in short rows or block rows (in insure pollination) 1 inch deep 4 to 6 inches apart. Plant 1 to 2 seeds
each inch and water regularly. Plant a new crop every two weeks and you will have corn for most the harvest season. The
old saying goes corn should be "Knee high by the 4th of July," for a good harvest.
Chamomile - Chamomile needs light to germinate. Follow the same instructions as above except do not tamp
or cover the seeds. Water the seeds from beneath if possible. This is easily achieved when starting
Chamomile indoors in trays.
Elderberry, Black - Start by placing these seeds in a moist paper towel in a zip lock bag and referigerate for
2 weeks. Take them out and start them in peat pots 2 seeds per pot 6 to 8 weeks before last freeze date.
Keep the pots evenly moist. Transplant outdoors in bunches of 3 for pollination.
Feverfew - Follow above directions.
Hollyhocks - Hollyhocks do well to spend some time in refrigerator prior to planting. Wrap the seeds in a damp paper
towel and place in a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 weeks. If you start them indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior
to the last freeze date for your area they will bloom the first year. The seeds can also be planted directly into the ground
when the soil reaches 50 degrees F at 1/2 inch deep in the desired area in clusters about 12 to 24 inches apart. Note,
if they do not bloom the first season, they will bloom the second.
Lavender, English - Start lavender indoors in flats or peat pots 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last freeze date for your area.
Plant them 1/8 of an inch deep. Keep the soil moist but not soaking.
Moonflower - Follow instructions for planting Morning Glories.
Morning Glories (All varities) - First, sand off a small area with a nail file or sandpaper until you just see white, not much
sanding at all then soak the seeds overnight in warm water. Start indoors in peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost
date, or plant directly after frost danger has past. Water regularly until about 2 to 3 feet tall. They require little care after
reaching that height, water weekly.
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant - The seeds of this plant need light to germinate. Do not cover or cover very lightly with
soil after sprinkling on soil surface.
Sage, California White - Some seeds like White Sage like to have smoke to germinate. This occurs naturally
when wild fires go through California. Smoke coats the seeds with a chemical that promotes germination. There is no
need to light a fire though and you will still have good results without any smoke treatment. However, if you wish
mix one part of liquid smoke with 9 parts of water and soak the seeds overnight and then plant. You can also water
these seed ONE time with the smoke water and achieve the desired results. Sprinkle these seeds over sandy soil, cover
gently with a rake and water regularly. Germination takes about 15 days. Seeds can also be started indoors in peat pots
6 to 8 weeks before last freeze date and transplanted. Transplant only after the second set of leaves have appeared.
California White Sage is only hardy to 20 degrees and will have to be harvested and re-planted in colder zones.
Spinach - Sow as soon as the ground can be turned. Plant the seeds in rows 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Spinach can be sown every two weeks until the weather begins to warm up to 75 degrees. Plants should be thined
to about 6 inched apart to prevent bolting. Water regularly.
Swiss Chard (All Varities) - Sow as soon as the ground can be turned, early frosts will not harm this plant. Plant
the seeds in rows, 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Swiss Chard can tolerate a lot of crowding so if they are
spaced close that is fine. Harvest the Swiss Chard often but cutting it about 3 inches from the ground, and it will
produce for the entire season. Swiss Chard does well even in shaded areas and poor soil.
Tomatoes - Cherokee, Tula, Brandywine, Super Sioux - Tomatoes are best started indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to
the last freeze date for your area. This can be done by placing 1 or 2 seeds in a jiffy pot about 1/8 of an inch
deep press firmly and keep moist. Germination should occur in 5 to 10 days. It is important to transplant the
tomato seedlings up to the first set of leaves, this help them to be sturdy. After the tomatos are about 3 feet
tall remove the first set of leaves. Planting tomatos where the ground is covered in plastic improves the
production rate.
Thyme, English - Thyme requires light to germinate. It should be sown on the surface of the soil outdoors by
sprinkling on the surface of the soil. Do not tamp or cover the seeds. Water the seeds from beneath if possible.
This is easily achieved when starting Thyme indoors in trays. Thyme has an uneven germination rate of between
15 and 30 days or more. Thyme is hardy in zones 4 - 9.
Viola - Follow directions above. These do especially well in containers.
Watermelon, The Moon & Stars - Soak the seeds for about 15 minutes in water. Build hills and plant the seed 3 or 4
to a hill about 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Each hill should be 8 to 10 feet apart. Thin to 2 seeds per hill after germination
has occured. When the curled tendril at the stem dries and the bottom is a pale yellow the melon is ripe. You can also
thump it for and listen for a deep resonant sound.