Planting Instructions
General Guidelines -
Many types of seeds can be planted directly into the ground such as poppies, lemon balm, columbine, chamomile, calendula,
peppermint, mugwort. These varieties can be sprinkled directly over freshly turned damp soil. After sprinkling seeds gently tamp the seeds into the soil but do not cover them. Many seeds need light to germinate. Keep the soil damp until
germination and then water regularly. Some seeds will germinate better if they receive stratification.
Some seed varieties require 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 conversation message through Etsy.
In alphabetical Order:
Asparagus - Asparagus can be sown directly and does very well this way. It can be started in peat pots but this is not necessary.
Find an area in the garden as soon as the soil can be turned. Plant the seeds in rows 2 inches apart and less than 1/4" deep. Asparagus only needs a light covering of soil for excellent germination results. Water regularly. Once the plants are about 6 inches tall thin them to
16 to 18 inches apart. If sowing indoors in peat pots is desired, soak the seeds for 5 hours prior to planting 1/4" deep in individual peat pots.
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 varieties) - 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 or simply use a squirt bottle. Basil can also be
started indoors in peat pots or outside in a container. 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.
Broccoli (All varieties) - Broccoli should be started indoors in peat pots. The seeds should be planted 1/2" deep in the pots and then watered well. They can be transplanted into the garden when the seedlings are about 4" tall or 6 weeks old. They should be spaced 16 to 18 inches apart. Broccoli is fairly frost hardy and these seedlings can successfully go into the ground even if it is still lightly frosting in the area. The soil should be well drained or the heads will be small. Broccoli can be grow successfully in partial shade, so 5 hours of sunlight will due.
Bell Peppers (All varieties) - 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.
Cantaloupe - After all danger of frost has past sow cantaloupe is can be sown directly into the soil in rows. The seeds should be
3 inches apart and planted 1" deep. They should then be covered with well tilled soil and watered well. Germination occurs in
7 to 14 days.
Cauliflower (All varieties) - Cauliflower should be started indoors in peat pots. The seeds should be planted 1/2" deep in the pots and then watered well. They can be transplanted into the garden when the seedlings are about 4" tall or 6 weeks old. They should be spaced 16 to 18
inches apart. Broccoli is fairly frost hardy and these seedlings can
successfully go into the ground even if it is still lightly frosting in
the area. The soil should be well drained or the heads will be small.
Corn (All varieties) - 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
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. Do not plant two types of heirloom
species in the same garden as they will cross pollinate.
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 or spray with a squirt bottle. Chamomile does very well
when started directly into the soil. It can be started in trays but does not transplant well.
Dill - Sow directly in rows or mounds with 10 to 20 seeds per mound. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water well. Dill
can be planted very early even 2 weeks prior to the last frost date.
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 general 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 varieties) - 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 in the soil after frost danger has past. Water regularly until about 2 to 3 feet tall. They require little care after
reaching that height, water weekly.
Mullein - Mullein is pretty simple to grow. It is a biennial which means
that it will form leaves the first year and send up a stock of beautiful
flowers the second year. Start the seeds indoors and
transplant them once they are about 2 inches tall. This can be can be
done either in peat pots or a whole flat filled with potting soil. Put
2 to 3 seeds per peat pot or scatter lightly on the flat. Do not cover
the seeds, they will need light to germinate. Mist them with a
squirt bottle if in the flat so they do get washed around, or water
from the bottom if in peat pots.
Seedlings will appear in 12 to 18 days. This plant is hardy to zone 4. These seeds can be sown directly into the soil as well, there will be less germination if there are birds around as they will eat the seeds, but good germination should be expected either way.
Radish (All varieties) - Sow directly in 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep with 10 seeds per foot. Radish can be planted as soon as the soil can be turned, even if it is still frosting in the area. Thin the seedlings so there is a single plant every 2 inches. Plant a new row every two weeks and enjoy radishes for the entire growing season.
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. Water regularly. This plant gets to 3 feet tall.
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, even if it is still frosting in your area. 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 thinned to about 6 inched apart to prevent bolting. Water regularly.
Swiss Chard (All varieties) - 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.
Stevia Stevia rebaudiana - All of the Stevia I offer for sale has been tested for germination rates and all exceed 50%.
Stevia requires some special care for proper germination results. One study has show that dark or black seeds vs. tan
seeds tend to have significantly higher germination rates. In addition, germination rates go up significantly when
the seeds are not covered and are exposed to sunlight. Sunlight commonly increases germination rates for many species
of seed and Stevia is no exception. Stevia may also benefit from stratification prior to planting.
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 tomatoes 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.
Upland Cress (Watercress) - Plant in peat pots. 1 or 2 seeds per pot. Water regularly and transplant when the
seedlings are 2 to 4 inches tall. This plant is very easy to grow.
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.
Zucchini - Sow zucchini directly in rows or single mounds 1/2" deep and 3 feet apart in full sunlight. Thin to a single plant once
they reach 4 inches tall. Zucchini reaches 25" to 30" tall. Germination begins in 7 to 14 days. Zucchini is very simple to grow.