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| Herb Growing Tips; Editable Database of Herb Tips | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 21 2018, 07:29 AM (61 Views) | |
| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:29 AM Post #1 |
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The start of our new plant database where we will gather all the tips and tricks of growing particular plants into one area. If this becomes popular enough and people are interested in helping add to the growing information here we will expand this section to it's own sub forum. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:29 AM Post #2 |
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How to Grow Oregano ![]() General Greek oregano is what makes Greek salad. Pizza too! The plants have tiny white flowers above fuzzy greyish-green leaves, make a lovely edging to the garden and are useful in containers. Latin Origanum vulgare hirtum Lamiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Full-sun or sun. Zone: Hardy from zone 5 and above. Planting Seeds Handling these tiny seeds is tricky. Prepare the seed mix, then set on bottom heat and sprinkle the seeds very lightly on the surface of the soil. Keep the seedlings mix on the dry side. Germination occurs in 7 to 14 days. Preparing Soil When the plants are about 5 to 10cm tall (2-4") set them in the garden about 45cm (18") apart. The planting location needs to be in full-sun and using well-drained soil. Planting The little seedlings will probably go into the garden as a tiny clump. That's okay! The oregano will spread 45cm (18") in several years. Oregano makes a very nice container plant with its grey-green hairy leaves and clusters of white tiny flowers. Harvest Pick the leaves whenever available for use. Oregano leaves can be dried or frozen. Nutrition Facts Oregano, dried Amount Per 100 grams Calories 265 % Daily Value* Total Fat 4.3 g6% Saturated fat 1.6 g8% Polyunsaturated fat 1.4 g Monounsaturated fat 0.7 g Trans fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg0% Sodium 25 mg1% Potassium 1,260 mg36% Total Carbohydrate 69 g23% Dietary fiber 43 g172% Sugar 4.1 g Protein 9 g18% Vitamin A34% Vitamin C3% Calcium159% Iron204% Vitamin D0% Vitamin B-650% Vitamin B-120% Magnesium67% *Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Etymology The word oregano is derived from Spanish orégano, from Latin orīganum, from Greek ὀρίγανον (orī́ganon).[3] This is a compound of όρος (óros), "mountain", and γάνος (gános), "brightness", whence "brightness of the mountain Description and biology Oregano is related to the herb marjoram, sometimes being referred to as wild marjoram. Oregano has purple flowers and spade-shaped, olive-green leaves. It is a perennial, although it is grown as an annual in colder climates, as it often does not survive the winter. Oregano is planted in early spring, the plants being spaced 30 cm (12 in) apart in fairly dry soil, with full sun. Oregano will grow in a pH range between 6.0 (mildly acidic) and 9.0 (strongly alkaline), with a preferred range between 6.0 and 8.0. It prefers a hot, relatively dry climate, but does well in other environments. Many subspecies and strains of oregano have been developed by humans over centuries for their unique flavours or other characteristics. Tastes range from spicy or astringent to more complicated and sweet. Simple oregano sold in garden stores as Origanum vulgare may have a bland taste and larger, less-dense leaves, and is not considered the best for culinary use, with a taste less remarkable and pungent. It can pollinate other more sophisticated strains, but the offspring are rarely better in quality. The related species, Origanum onites (Greece, Turkey) and O. syriacum (West Asia), have similar flavours. A closely related plant is marjoram from Turkey, which differs significantly in taste though, because phenolic compounds are missing from its essential oil. Some varieties show a flavour intermediate between oregano and marjoram. ![]() ![]() Edited by SJC Museum, Feb 21 2018, 08:31 AM.
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:30 AM Post #3 |
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How to Grow Basil ![]() General With its wonderful aroma and flavour, basil is one of the most popular and widely grown herbs in the world. We associate basil with Italian cooking, so you may be surprised to find that basil originated in the far eastern countries of India, Pakistan and Thailand. With so many uses for basil, every herb gardener will want to have a plant or two. Basil is an attractive plant that works well in vegetable, herb and flower gardens. Basil also makes a great kitchen windowsill plant and looks great in hanging baskets either alone or in combination with flowers. Striking in containers, especially when basil is combined with nasturtiums, zinnias or marigolds. Place pots of basil handy around the balcony or patio to enjoy the aroma. Latin Ocimum basilicum. Lamiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Full-sun. Zone: Hardy from zone 3 to 10. Plant Type Annual (A) Planting Seeds Start basil seeds indoors in small pots in mid-April. Bottom heat helps. It is important to keep the surface of the soil dry to avoid damping off, so water from below and use a fast-draining soil mix. Basil plants have large roots, so transplant carefully. Preparing Soil Rich, well-drained soil in full-sun grows big basil plants. Planting Set plants outside when it is reliably warm in June. Basil needs real warmth and regular fertilization. Space them 30cm (12") apart in rich soil and in full-sun. If this is not possible in the garden, grow these plants in containers in full-sun. Gather fresh leaves before the flowers appear by cutting the growing tip and the 2 pairs of leaves below it for the kitchen. Keep flowers picked to encourage new leaf growth. Once plants are established, pinch out the top to encourage a bushier plant. Diseases & Pests Diseases: Botrytis cinerea, Black spot, Damping off, Fursarium wilt. Harvest Frequent harvesting will prolong the life of the plant. Basil leaves have the best flavour just before the plant flowers, and if you plan to preserve some of your basil or make a big batch of pesto, this is the best time to harvest. Flowering can be delayed by pinching or clipping off new flower buds. Tear basil rather than chop with a knife because when you chop you will notice the basil going dark. The oil stays in the leaf and does not properly flavour your food. Try to add just before serving so as to get the full aroma and effect. Cooking for any length tends to make the minty side of basil come to the forefront. Basil is best fresh, but can be perserved by drying or by freezing. To do this, tear the leaves into small pieces and freeze small batches of them, with water, in ice cube trays. Once frozen, the cubes can be saved in zip-lock type bags and labeled for later use. This will preserve the fresh flavour of basil for up to four months. For a large harvest, you can cut off as much as a half the plant at once. Companion Plants Pepper, Tomato, Marigold. ![]() Amount Per 100 grams Calories 22 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.6 g0% Saturated fat 0 g0% Polyunsaturated fat 0.4 g Monounsaturated fat 0.1 g Cholesterol 0 mg0% Sodium 4 mg0% Potassium 295 mg8% Total Carbohydrate 2.7 g0% Dietary fiber 1.6 g6% Sugar 0.3 g Protein 3.2 g6% Vitamin A105%Vitamin C30% Calcium17%Iron17% Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-610% Vitamin B-120%Magnesium16% *Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Edited by SJC Museum, Feb 21 2018, 08:00 PM.
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:31 AM Post #4 |
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How to Grow Borage ![]() General The slightly fuzzy leaves of borage have a gentle cucumber-like flavour. But mostly, borage is grown to encourage the bees and other beneficial insects. Latin Borago officinalis. Boraginaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Full-sun, sun and part-shade. Zone: All. Plant Type Annual (A) Planting Seeds Outdoors: Sow seeds where they are about to grow. They have a large taproot, and dislike being disturbed. Indoors: For the earliest plants, sow a few inside in small containers. Preparing Soil Borage tolerates rather poor soil, so there's no need to fertilize heavily. They will tolerate shade. Planting Thin seedlings to stand 60cm (24") apart as they produce large, spreading plants. Diseases & Pests None. Harvest Keep the flower heads picked off to avoid self-sown plants. Pick fresh flowers for freezing or drying for bouquets. Cut the fresh leaves during the summer to add to salads or spreads. Companion Plants Tomatoes, Squash, Strawberries. Amount Per 100 grams Calories 21 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.7 g1% Saturated fat 0.2 g1% Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g Monounsaturated fat 0.2 g Cholesterol 0 mg0% Sodium 80 mg3% Potassium 470 mg13% Total Carbohydrate 3.1 g1% Protein 1.8 g3% Vitamin A84% Vitamin C58% Calcium9% Iron18% Vitamin D0% Vitamin B-65% Vitamin B-120% Magnesium13% *Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Edited by SJC Museum, Feb 21 2018, 08:04 PM.
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:36 AM Post #5 |
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How to Grow Chamomile General Two very dissimilar plants go by the name Chamomile. The annual form is known as German Chamomile, and grown for its aromatic and medicinal flowers and leaves. The perennial form, known as Roman Chamomile, is a small and spreading perennial grown as an ornamental. Latin German Chamomile: Matricaria recutita. Asteraceae family. Roman Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile. Asteraceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Sun to part-shade. Zone: Roman Chamomile: Hardy from zone 5 to 8. German Chamomile: All. Plant Type German Chamomile: Annual (A) Roman Chamomile: Perennial (P) Planting Seeds Start seeds in the Spring, either indoors or outdoors. Seeds germinate in 10 to 14 days. Preparing Soil Plant seeds in well-drained and warm soil in a sunny spot in the garden. Planting German Chamomile: Is grown to harvest the flowers for their medicinal properties. Set the transplants or thin seedlings to stand 15cm (6") apart. Roman Chamomile: Is a lightly scented perennial ground cover with tiny white flowers to brighten the lawn or a novelty bed. Diseases & Pests None. Harvest Harvest the small, sweet smelling flowers when they are fully open. Use the petals fresh or dry. The leaves can be gathered in the Spring to early Summer and used fresh or dry. Companion Plants Cabbage, Onion. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:42 AM Post #6 |
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How to Grow Chervil General A delicate, parsley-like plant with a hint of licorice, chervil is one of the traditional fines herbes. Latin Anthriscus cerefolium. Apiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Sun or part-shade. Zone: All. Plant Type Annual (A) Planting Seeds Start Chervil in the Spring or Fall, inside or outside. The large seed should sprout in 10 to 14 days. Because these plants have a long taproot, transplant or move them before they are too large. Preparing Soil Chervil will go to flower if grown in full-sun in the Summer, so give it some shade and moisture. Since you're gathering the leaves, soil high in nitrogen is helpful. Planting These delicate plants don't get very large, so you can set them 15cm (6") apart. Harvest regularly and if they go to flower, reseed. Diseases & Pests Aphids. Harvest Gather the sprigs of the leaves and use generously in salads and sprinkled on vegetables. Its delicate flavour disappears when cooking, so add just prior to serving. Companion Plants Radish. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:44 AM Post #7 |
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How to Grow Chives General Chives in salads. Chives in baked potatoes. Chives make delicious additions to many types of meals! Latin Allium spp. Alliaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Sun or part-shade. Zone: Hardy from zone 3 and above. Plant Type Perennial (P) Planting Seeds Seeds require heat to sprout, so wait until the soil is warm and sow small slumps of seeds where they are to grow. Or inside the seedling warmer will help germination. Preparing Soil Soil should drain well in a rich, moist soil in a fairly sunny location. Using the chives as an edging, set transplants 15cm (6") apart in the garden. Planting Clumps of chives (small bulbs) spread to be about 30cm (12") across. They should be divided at this time and replanted to stand 30cm (12") apart and given as gifts or potted into flower pots to bring indoors. Diseases & Pests None. Harvest The whole plant can be cut down to 4cm (2") from the ground. Use scissors and take as much as needed. Chives don't dehydrate well, so use fresh portions regularly. The flowers can be used in salads or to flavour vinegars. Companion Plants Carrots. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:49 AM Post #8 |
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How to Grow Cilantro General Cilantro is challenging to grow in some gardens. The big leaves that we see in stores are harvested from tiny plants. The secret is to give cilantro deep soil for the roots, try placing the plant in shade, pick frequently and resow. Latin Coriandrum sativum. Apiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Sun or part-shade. Zone: All. Plant Type Annual (A) Planting Seeds Direct-seed in the garden in shallow rows. Sow thinly and lightly cover, then water. Sow short rows every two weeks for maximum production of the leaves. Preparing Soil Plant in a shaded area during the height of the Summer, as this may prevent bolting. Ensure the soil is deeply dug and moist. Suitable for containers that can be moved into the shade and replanted as necessary. Planting Thin seedlings to stand 5-10cm (2-4") apart. Surprisingly, this tender plant will overwinter during a mild winter. Diseases & Pests None. Harvest The coriander leaves are gathered regularly, or allowed to go to seed. The flowers will be attractive to beneficial insects. The seeds don't taste at all like the leaves, and can be eaten or used in cooking. To gather the seeds, pick the flower stems before they open and before the seeds start to fall out. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:50 AM Post #9 |
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How to Grow Dill General The big flowerheads of dill are one of the best nectar sources for beneficial insects in the garden. The big plants produce lots of leaves for more than just pickles. Latin Anethum graveolens. Apiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Full-sun, sun and part-shade. Zone: All. Plant Type Annual (A) Planting Seeds Sow the seeds at about the same time you put the cucumber plants out. Sow seeds in small clumps, 2cm (3/4") deep in rows 45cm (18") apart. Thin the plants to stand 10cm (4") apart. Seeds germinate in 10-14 days. Preparing Soil Keep the seed bed moist and well-weeded. Planting For leaves which have more flavour (before flowering starts) plant several times in the Summer. Diseases & Pests Aphids. Harvest Edible seeds and greens are used fresh for dill pickles! Try them in sauces and flavouring for soups, stews and fishes. If you leave the seeds on the plant they will self-sow. Companion Plants Cabbage. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:50 AM Post #10 |
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How to Grow Fennel General Lacy, beautiful fennel plants grace planter boxes and the delicate leaves are choice in salads. Like dill and parsley, beneficial insects need these small flowers. Latin Foeniculum vulgare. Apiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Full-sun and sun. Zone: Hardy from zone 7 to 10. Plant Type Perennial (P) Planting Seeds Indoors: Raise transplants to set out after frost. This is often used as a container plant for its lacy foliage. Handle the transplants very carefully, as the root can snap easily. Outdoors: Sow seeds directly after frost, from Spring to Summer. Preparing Soil Plant fennel in a sunny location using well-drained soil. Growing in a dry spot may produce a taller plant with more aromatic leaves. Planting Set transplants out to stand 30cm (12") apart in rows 60cm (24") apart. Direct-seed by setting a few seeds in clumps 15cm (6") apart and thin to stand 30cm (12") apart. In their first year, the plants will grow 60cm (24") tall. Diseases & Pests Aphids. Harvest Gather the fronds to use in salads and dressings. Use the seeds in baking. These plants will self-sow readily and become a weed if the seedheads are not removed in the fall. In mild areas, one plant can grow 2m (6') tall and take up a lot of room in the garden. It is better to raise fresh plants and use the leaves regularly. Beneficial insects like the fresh flowers, not the seeds. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:51 AM Post #11 |
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How to Grow Garlic General Garlic is good for what ails you! Did you know that the longer garlic is cooked, the milder the flavour? So for the strongest garlic flavour, add it toward the end of cooking. A solution to garlic breath is to offer cardamon seeds to chew at the end of a meal, or: parsley, basil, mint, lemon or thyme, all of which reduce the aroma of garlic on the breath. Latin Allium spp. Alliaceae family. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Full-sun. Zone: All. Plant Type Planting Seeds Separate the cloves and set each one, pointed end up, 10-15cm (4-6") apart and with the tip of the clove 2-5cm (1-2") deep in rich, well drained soil. Don't skin the clove! Use deeper planting if rains or frost may expose the cloves, and shallower planting if using mulch or planting into heavy soil. Largest cloves will make largest bulbs. Preparing Soil Rich, well-drained soil. Dig well, add compost (lots of it if your soil is heavy) and do not compact it by stepping on it. Fertilize when spring growth starts. Water as needed and keep weeded. If your soil pH is below 5.5, the addition of wood ash or dolomite lime might help. Planting Plant garlic in October. Cut flower stalks to keep energy in the bulb. If individual cloves haven't formed, either eat the clove or replant and it will bulb next year. Diseases & Pests Many growers and home gardeners have been hit with White Rot that causes black spots and decay on the bulbs. It is spread in infected soil and water and is very persistent in the soil. Flooding the bed for 4 weeks in the spring may kill it. Best way to avoid it is not to leave decaying alliums in the ground and by using a strict 4 year rotation. Harvest Garlic matures between the end of July to early August. When the tops begin to dry, pull and air-dry like onions. Harvest when 1/2-3/4 of the leaves have turned yellow (depending on variety). Try to avoid puncturing the bulbs when digging them out. Cure the bulbs in a single layer in a warm spot for 1 week to 10 days. Clean the bulbs by peeling off outer muddy layers. Cut off the stems and leaves of the hardneck varieties, but leave the leaves on the softneck to use for braiding or hanging. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space. Do not store garlic in the refrigerator, as this will induce sprouting, changing the garlic's texture and flavour. Use any damaged bulbs first, store the best. Set aside your best bulbs for planting in the fall. To maximize bulb size, cut off the scapes (the curling tip) just as they begin to curl. These are wonderful in stir fries. Companion Plants Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage family, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chamomile, Collard, Cucumber, Dill, Kale, Lettuce, Pepper, Potato, Radish, Rose, Savory, Squash, Strawberry, Tomato. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:51 AM Post #12 |
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How to Grow Parsley General Parsley has been cultivated in Europe since ancient times and is currently no longer found in the wild. Parsley is a cold hardy biennial often surviving temperatures as low as -12C and even when the tops die off it can regrow from the roots. Parsley is an excellent garden plant, not just for use as an herb, but also for attracting beneficial insects. Leave in the garden to overwinter and in its second year the small white flowers will draw many very small parasitic wasps to your garden where they will lay their eggs on aphids and caterpillars. This free service brought to you by nature! Parsley also readily self-sows. Latin Petroselinum crispum Apiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Part-shade or full-sun. Part-shade beneficial during hot weather. Zone: Unknown. Planting Seeds Soak the seeds overnight or freeze moistened seeds to hasten germination. Seeds will sprout in 12-28 days, depending on soil temperature, so be patient. In the garden sow three seeds 1cm (1/2") apart, and .5cm (1/4") deep. On the farm 14 grams will sow a 100' row, 2-3 kg an acre. Make the rows 12-18" apart. Thin or transplant to at least 6" apart in the row. If production slows, side dress with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Parsley seeds germinate slowly (up to 3 weeks) and the soil must be kept moist during this time. An early planting in cold moist soils will probably work well. Direct-seed in May if you can keep the soil moist during this time, otherwise raise transplants. In optimum conditions, at least 60% of the seeds will germinate. Soil temperature for germination: 10-70 C (50-80 F). Usual seed life: 1 year. Preparing Soil An area that had manure applied the previous fall will grow parsley well. Or use Organic Fertilizer or composted chicken manure, 1 cup per 2m of row. Parsley can grow in part shade, and is very deep rooted, so loosen the soil well. Planting Rows of parsley should be 30-45cm (12-18") apart. Thin to 15-20cm (6-8") for well-formed plants. Transplants are most successful when they're quite young because parsley has a very long taproot. Moving thinnings has to be done when plants are very small for this reason. Harvest Cut individual sprigs from the outside of the plant or the whole plant as needed. Sprigs can be dried in the food dehydrator. Chop sprigs into the portions that your favourite recipes call for, place into an ice cube tray and add water to cover. When frozen, bag and store until needed. This keeps the parsley fresh for months. Companion Plants Tomato. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:52 AM Post #13 |
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How to Grow Lemon balm General Lemon balm is beloved by bees, so it is a very important plant in the garden. Remember to crush a leaf to enjoy the smell as you walk past and admire the bees at work. Latin Melissa officinalis. Lamiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Cool season. Exposure: Sun or part-shade. Zone: Hardy from zone 5 and above. Plant Type Perennial (P) Planting Seeds Indoors: Start seeds in early Spring. Germination takes between 10 and 14 days. Do not over water them. Outdoors: Sow small clumps of seeds over prepared soil. Thin to stand 45cm (18") apart. Preparing Soil You will want the lemon balm plants to stand near where you can rub the leaves because that's when you release their lemony scent. It's worthwhile to prepare the soil well for the few plants you will need. Keep the area weeded until lemon balm plants are well established. They will grow 60cm (24") tall and spread 60cm (24") wide. Planting This herbaceous perennial grows vigorously and will self-sow if you let it. Move self-sown seedlings into pots as gifts, but keep some tucked around the garden because bees love lemon balm. Diseases & Pests None. Harvest Pick leaves throughout the Summer for fresh use. The aroma is rapidly lost when dried or stored. Companion Plants Brassica plants. |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:52 AM Post #14 |
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How to Grow Lavender General Can you ever have too much lavender tucked around the garden? To maintain lavender as a bushy plant means clipping it every year in the Spring. Do not cut back into the old brown stems though because they do not resprout. When you pick the flowers, cut right back to the leaves, and by early September ensure you clip again. Latin Lavandula angustifolia. Lamiaceae family. Difficulty Moderately difficult. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Full-sun or sun. Zone: Hardy from zone to . Plant Type Perennial (P) Planting Seeds To grow lavender from seed, freeze for 2-7 days, using just the few seeds you wish to plant at this time. Start the process in the Fall. The starting mix must include sharp drainage. Avoid peat in the starting mix and add sand and/or vermiculite. Barely cover the seed, as they germinates in 14-21 days in warm soil. Do not use a plastic lid or covering because this will make the surface of the soil too moist. If watering is necessary, water from below. If germination is low after 3-4 weeks, lower the temperature to 5-10°C (40-50°F) for 2 weeks, then raise it again. Pot up the tiny seedlings and grow them on in a protected greenhouse or windowsill to set into the garden in the Spring. Preparing Soil Lavender requires full-sun and a well-drained, fertile soil, although they will survive in part-shade as long as the soil drains well. Planting Set your seedlings out in the garden as a hedge, in the borders, or in long rows to gather the leaves and flowers. Space plants 30cm to 45cm (12-18") apart, in rows 60cm (2') apart. Small plants may require protection to over winter if you started them in the Spring. Lavender plants make wonderful container plants and in cold winter areas containers should be brought in to protection for the coldest months. Diseases & Pests None. Harvest Gather the flowers just as they open. Dry on open trays, or by hanging in small bunches. Pick the leaves anytime to use fresh, or if you're dehydrating lavender leaves, gather before flowering starts. Companion Plants |
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| SJC Museum | Feb 21 2018, 07:53 AM Post #15 |
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How to Grow Lovage General This easy-to-grow plant looks like an overgrown celery plant and is used to flavour soups and stews. Lovage will attract beneficial predatory wasps with their blooms shaped like big cartwheels. In Germany and Holland, a common name of Lovage is Maggikraut (German) or Maggiplant (Dutch) because the plant's taste is similar to Maggi soup seasoning. Latin Levisticum officinale Apiaceae family. Difficulty Easy. Season & Zone Season: Warm season. Exposure: Full-sun, sun and part-shade. Zone: Hardy from zone 3 and up. Planting Seeds Indoors: Start a few seeds in a pot, then transplant into the garden 60cm (24") apart. Outdoors: Start in the garden in the Fall and thin when plants are large enough to stand 60cm (24") apart. Preparing Soil Choose the site for your lovage plants very carefully, as they are long lived and very large! They will tolerate shade or lots of sunshine. Lovage has a long tap root, so dig the soil well and add well-rotted manure. Planting Most gardens need only one or two of these plants. Consider placing lovage with other perennial vegetables, such as asparagus and rhubarb. Allow for a spread of 1 metre (36") at least. Diseases & Pests Aphids. Harvest The leaves of lovage can part a wonderful meaty flavour to vegetable soups, stews and stocks. After the herb has flowered, the leaves gain a bitter taste, so it is best harvested in early Summer and frozen as you would parsley. Chop the leaves finely and distribute them in ice cube trays, then cover with water. When the cubes are frozen, put them in ziplock bags. Chopping back a big plant may expose you to the sap, which can burn skin. Companion Plants |
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9:19 AM Jul 11