Super Starts: April 2013

Tomato 'Matina'

An heirloom variety, originally of German origin. These handsome apple-shaped 4-6 ounce fruit are packed with a balance of sweet and slightly tart flavor. Great fresh, canned, or stewed. This variety stands up well to cooler conditions and still produces abundantly and early. Plants grow to 5-6 feet tall. 65 days to mature.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. Support these heavily bearing plants with a sturdy tomato cage.

Harvest when fruit are bright red and slightly soft to the touch. It is excellent eaten fresh in salads and can also be use to make a great pasta sauce. Matina tomato may also be canned to preserve for later use.

Plant Sales @ 2 Locations in Santa Cruz, April 27, 2013

Super Starts will be selling hardy garden starts at 2 locations in Santa Cruz this Saturday April 27, 2013. Both sales support local nonprofits, Santa Cruz Parent Education Nursery School and the Live Oak Family Resource Center.

SCPENS is a non-profit parent cooperative preschool offering quality education to both child and parent. The SCPENS 5th Annual Spring Rummage Sale is a fundraiser to raise money for the co-op preschool which has been a community treasure since 1975. The 50+ family rummage sale will have scores of kids clothes and gear, sporting equipment galore, household stuff, books and DVDs, a bake sale and our plant sale. A portion of all Super Starts sales will be donated to SCPENS. Check out the event on facebook.

SCPENS 5th Annual Rummage Sale

Saturday, April 27 from 8am - 2pm
411 Roxas, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

The Live Oak Family Resource Center (LOFRC), a not for profit program of Community Bridges, is hosting its first annual community yard & craft sale to benefit its programs serving the Live Oak and greater mid-county communities. There will be more than 40 vendors of gently used items, handmade goods and craft items produced by local artists, and refreshments. Come join the fun and help support a valuable community resource.
LOFRC First Annual Community Yard & Craft Sale
April 27, 2013, 8 AM to 2 PM
1740-17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Parking next door at the Live Oak Senior Center

We will be selling the following varieties.

6 packs:
Sprouting Broccoli ‘Rudolph’
Romaine Lettuce ’Freckles’
Red Lettuce ‘Garnet Rose’
Lettuce ‘Buttercrunch’
Red and Green Curly Kale
Fennel
English Thyme
Catmint ‘Kit Kat’

4 inch pots:
Japanese Cucumber
English Cucumbers
Eggplant ‘Nubia’
Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’
Eggplant ‘Little Prince’
Eggplant ‘Long Purple’
Eggplant ‘Farmer’s Long’
Eggplant ‘White Star’
Pumpkin ‘Porcelain Doll’
Pumpkin ‘Mini Jack’
Pumpkin ‘Wyatt’s Wonder’
Pumpkin ‘Piacentina’
Luffa Gourd
Winter Squash ‘Festival’
Butternut Squash
Tomato ‘Matina’
Tomato ‘Brandywine’
Tomato ‘Black Krim’
Tomato ‘Black Cherry’
Tomato ‘Snow White Cherry’
Pepper ‘Coral Bell’
Pepper ‘Red Bull’
Pepper ‘Jalapeno’
Pepper ‘Padron’
Watermelon ‘Crimson Sweet’
Watermelon ‘Sugar Baby’
Lavender angustifolia ‘Ellagance Purple’
Italian Oregano
Italian Parsley
Pineapple Mint

Watermelon 'Sugar Baby'

80 days. Vines grow to 6 feet and set 4-6 melons roughly 10 inches across. Has crisp, sweet rich flavor. Terrific for home gardens. They require a lot of heat to produce fruit, so plant them in the most warm and sunny spot in the garden.

Plant in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly, but do not overwater while fruit is ripening. Contrary to their name, watermelons grow best and ripen the sweetest fruit if they are not overwatered.

Harvest when fruits are full size and the stem easily pulls off of the vine. Raise ripening fruit off of the ground with pieces of wood or place on a bed of straw to prevent them from rotting.

Tomato 'Snow White Cherry'

Plant produces good yields of white cherry tomatoes. Tomatoes are very sweet and turn from white to pale yellow as they mature. Try growing red, yellow, and white cherry tomatoes for a colorful salad. 74 days to mature. These large plants grow to 5-6 feet tall and are vigorous and disease resistant.

Plant in full sun in soil that is amended with compost and an organic vegetable fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. Support these large plants with tall tomato cages and space plants at least 3 feet apart.

Harvest when fruits have a pale yellow coloring for the sweetest flavor. They are great eaten raw right out of the garden, are also tasty in salads.

Tomato 'Black Cherry'

A unique and delicious variety producing clusters of beautiful cherries look like large, dusky purple-brown grapes. The vigorous vines can reach 8 feet tall and are very easy to grow.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. Support these tall, heavily bearing plants with a tall, sturdy tomato cage.

Harvest when fruits are fully colored up. Enjoy them as a snack right out of the garden, or add to salads.

Heirloom Tomato 'Black Krim'

Black Krim is an unique and extremely tasty, very dark maroon heirloom beefsteak tomato. This variety originated in Crimea, an island peninsula in the Black Sea . These large vines grow vigorously to 6-7 feet, and medium sized fruit has a wonderfully rich flavor.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. Support these heavily bearing plants with a tall, sturdy tomato cage.

Harvest when fruit are a deep mahogany color and slightly soft to the touch. The taste is fantastic so excellent eaten fresh in salads or in slices on a sandwich.

Heirloom Tomato 'Brandywine'

Brandywine is a very popular heirloom beefsteak tomato that dates back to 1885. The large fruit are a beautiful shade of red/pink with sweet flavor. These large vines grow vigorously to 6-7 feet, are very productive and have potato leaf foliage.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer that is not too high in nitrogen. Support these heavily bearing plants with a tall, sturdy tomato cage. Multiple plants need at least 3 ft. space between them.

Harvest when fruit are a fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. The taste is so fantastic eaten fresh in salads or in slices on a sandwich.

Culinary Sage

Grow in average, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates very light shade, but best in full sun. Drier soils are best for mature plants as they are short lived in wet soils.

This species of sage is the culinary variety most familiar to cooks. It also has excellent ornamental qualities. Also known as common sage or garden sage, this shrubby perennial typically grows 1.5-2.5' tall. It blooms in late spring with lavender-blue flowers (to 1 inch long) in short, upright spikes in late spring. Gray-green leaves (to 4" long) are strongly aromatic and are used fresh or dried in cooking as a seasoning. A mint family member that is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Sage is a nice garden plant that looks great in a garden mixed with perennials in borders, cottage gardens, wild or naturalized plantings.

Purple Pak Choi

Purple Pak Choi is a fast growing, cool season variety that produces small rosettes with purple large leaves and thick green stems. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for large leaves and juicy stems. Water regularly.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant seedlings 8 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting off the entire plant at the base when they are about the size of your hand. They are delicious simply steamed then sprinkled with soy sauce or added to stir fries.

Hungarian Breadseed Poppy

This easy to grow Eastern European heirloom has white to pale lavender flowers followed by decorative round seed heads filled with blue-black seeds. Flowers will bloom in late spring to early summer. Plants will reach 4 ½ to 5 ft. tall.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good flower fertilizer for the most robust and sturdy plants. Water regularly.

When the flower petals fall, the large seed capsules will form. Harvest the seed capsules when they have turned brown and the seeds are loose inside. Carefully spill the seeds from the seed capsule into a container for later use. Homegrown poppy seeds have a sweet and nutty flavor and are delicious for baking.

Sweet Mini Snack Pepper 'Yummy'

A mini sweet, 2 1/2 inch long pepper with bright orange skin and incredibly sweet flavor. Sturdy plants are loaded with small orange peppers. These tender-crisp, super sweet, nearly seedless that are perfect for vegetable trays, used with dips, stuffed with cheese or grilled on skewers along with shrimp.

Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer for best production and sweetest peppers.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up and bright orange.

Serrano Pepper

Spicy peppers beginning shiny green becoming fire engine red. Peppers are 2-3 inches x .5 inches in diameter. Medium upright plant to 25-30 inches tall. Excellent producer that benefits being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy. 77-88 days to mature.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Also feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer for the best production.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up and deep green, or let turn to red. Add to your favorite salsa raw or roasted.

Pepper 'Padron'

A specialty Spanish Tapas pepper. These tall plants produce an abundance of 1-2 inch long green peppers.

Plant in full sun in soil that has been amended with compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 2 feet apart. These heavy bearing plants may be supported with a tomato cage or sturdy stakes with twine to keep them from falling over from the weight of the peppers.

Harvest these peppers often and don’t let them got too big, they tend to get really spicy! Simply toss some in a frying pan with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Seer them in the pan until the skin starts to brown and bubbly. They put them on a serving plate sprinkled with sea salt and bite the tasty pepper off the stem. They are addicting!

Jalapeno Chile

These prolific plant will produce many tasty deep green chiles. Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up and deep green, about 3 inches long. Pepper may even be left on the plant to mature and turn red. Add to your favorite salsa raw or roasted, or try pickling them.

Anaheim Pepper

Mildly hot peppers that can be used green or red. Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up and deep green or let them turn red. These peppers are large enough for stuffing, make a great green chile sauce or chile rellenos. Try dicing some up and adding them to cornbread.

Pepper 'Antohi Romanian'

Pepper Antohi Romanian is a favorite heirloom from Romania that produces many 4" by 2 1/4" long colorful sweet peppers. They are great for stir fry's and added to many of your favorite dishes. Fruits turn from yellow, then orange then a mature red. Use them for making salsa and for horderves with your favorite stuffing.

Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up. Pepper may even be left on the plant to mature and turn red.

Pepper 'Red Bull'

Red Bull is a blocky four lobed, sweet bell pepper with smooth skin and thick walls. The fruit are large and slightly elongated. Red Bull's plants are substantial with a strong canopy for excellent fruit protection. Fruits turn from green to red. Eat them raw, roast them, fill with your favorite stuffing and bake, or make fajitas.

Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up. Pepper may be harvested green or left on the plant to mature and turn red for the best sweetness.

Pepper 'Purple Beauty'

Specialty variety with dark purple skin and bright green interiors. Sturdy compact plants are loaded with medium-sized peppers. Eat them raw, roast them, fill with your favorite stuffing and bake, or make fajitas.

Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer for best production and sweetest peppers.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up and deep purple.

Sugar Snap Peas

Plant Sugar Snap Peas in full sun, in soil amended with plenty of compost. If your soil is acidic, add ground dolomitic limestone or some wood ashes to raise the pH. Snow peas require a fertilizer high in phosphate and potash.

Plant each cluster of 2-3 seedlings 4-6 inches apart. Sugar Snap peas will grow and produce best when grown on a sturdy, vertical trellis. Keep peas well watered and remove weeds. The plants will benefit from mulching around the roots in order to help keep them cool. Plants grow 24-36 inches tall, with 3-4 inch pods.

Harvest when the peas are fully formed inside their pods. The entire pod of sugar snap peas are fully edible. Regular harvesting will keep plants producing for a long time. Peas produce best in cooler spring weather.

Pak Choi

Pak Choi is a cool season variety that produces rosettes of light green leaves and thick green stems. It is a miniature version of the larger Bok Choy. Plant in full sun in soil amended with plenty of compost. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for large leaves, juicy stems, and sweet taste. Water regularly.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedling 6 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting off the entire plant at the base when they are well filled out. They are delicious simply steamed then sprinkled with soy sauce or added to stir fries with ginger and garlic.

Mustard 'Purple Mix'

This is a great variety for a cold-season salad mix. Easy to grow with leaves that mature to deep purple. Plant in full sun to partial shade in soil that is amended with plenty of compost.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each 6 pack cell about 4-8 inches apart. It will also grow well in a container with fresh potting soil.

To harvest, shear off leaves at desired height, leave enough at the base to grow back. It will grow back several times. Young leaves are great in salads mixed with other lettuce greens. Leaves can be allowed to grow large and use for stir-fry or put in pasta or bean dishes.

Mizspoona

Mizspoona is a cross between mizuna, a Japanese mustard green, and Tatsoi (another mustard relative). Dark to emerald green leaves have a mild flavor and are extremely nutritious. It is easy to grow, plant in full sun to partial shade in soil that is amended with plenty of compost.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each 6 pack cell about 4-6 inches apart. It will also grow well in a container with fresh potting soil.

Mild Mustard 'Golden Frills'

Mild Mustard 'Golden Frills' is a fast growing variety that produces rosettes with finely divided, Lime Green leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This mustard will also grow very well in containers. If growing in a container, we recommend using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each cluster of seedlings 6-8 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the outer leaves of the rosette, and plants will regrow from the center. Or, you may shear the entire plant off at the top leaving about 1 inch from the base to re-grow, and they will re-grow many times. When weather begins to warm up, harvest entire plants before they begin to bolt. The leaves add a striking color, texture and flavor to any salad mix. The leaves may also be lightly steamed or sauteed.

Romaine Lettuce 'Jericho'

Romaine Lettuce is a fast growing variety that produces tall, flavorful heads of bright lime green leaves. This delicious, sweet lettuce is very cold and heat tolerant. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedlings 8-12 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by picking the outside leaves and the plants will regrow from the center, or by cutting off the entire head at the base when they are well filled out. When weather begins to warm up, harvest entire plants before they begin to bolt. Jericho makes a great Ceasar Salad!

Red Romaine Lettuce

Red Romaine Lettuce is a fast growing variety that produces tall, flavorful heads of red tinted leaves . Delicious, flavorful lettuce brings a nice color to salads. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedlings 8-12 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Red Leaf Lettuce 'Brigitte'

Red Leaf Lettuce 'Brigitte' is a fast growing variety that produces rosettes with ruffled, deep red leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This lettuce will also grow very well in containers. If growing in a container, we recommend using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil.

Planting your 6 pack: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 4-6 inches apart, and water immediately after. Or, plant the cluster of seedlings 8 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the outer leaves, and plants will regrow from the center. When weather begins to warm up, harvest entire plants before they begin to bolt. The leaves add a striking color to any salad mix.

Lettuce Mesclun Mix 'Starburst'

A mixture of sweet lettuces, savory spinach, arugula and asian greens that creates a perfect balance of sweet and bitter.

Plant in full sun to partial shade in a garden bed amended with compost and a high nitrogen fertilizer. It may also be planted in a container with fresh potting soil. The plants will grow thickly, and can be cut and let to grow back again many times.

To harvest, use sharp scissors to shear off as many leaves as you want leaving about an inch to grow back again. After the leaves have been cut back, fertilizer with a liquid high nitrogen fertilizer to encourage good new growth and vigor.

Lettuce Bowls

Our lettuce bowls are a nice blend of sweet lettuces in different colors and textures. Harvest the leaves by the “Cut and Come Again” method. With sharp scissors, shear off as much as you want at a time, leaving about ½ - 1 inch to grow back. The Lettuce bowl will keep growing back for many harvests.

Placing Lettuce Bowls in partial sun is best, not total shade and not full sun. Water regularly to keep evenly moist. To keep it growing vigorously, feed every few weeks with a high nitrogen liquid fertilizer. This will help to keep producing big sweet leaves.

This lettuce mix is delicious dressed with a simple vinaigrette. The lettuce bowls are also nice to have near your kitchen if you just want a little fresh lettuce to cut for your sandwich.

Lettuce 'Outredgeous'

A fast growing variety that produces rosettes with ruffled, red leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade in hotter areas in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This lettuce will also grow very well in containers. If growing in a container, we recommend using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil.

Planting your 6 pack: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 4-6 inches apart, and water immediately after. Or, plant the cluster of seedlings 8 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Butterhead Lettuce 'Matina'

This “Little Gem” variety forms small buttery heads of crisp lettuce. This lettuce will also grow in containers in full sun or partial shade. If growing in a container, we recommend using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil. In the garden, plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedling 6- 8 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting the entire head at the base when they are fully formed and firm to the touch.

Lettuce 'Garnet Rose'

A fast growing variety that produces rosettes with ruffled, red leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade in hotter areas in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This lettuce will also grow very well in containers. If growing in a container, we recommend using Fox Farm Ocean Forest or Gardner and Bloome Organic potting soil.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedling 6-8 inches apart, and water immediately after.

Romaine Lettuce 'Freckles'

Romaine Lettuce 'Freckles' An unusual bright green romaine with crimson splashes. Upright growth, and crisp texture make this an excellent choice for both baby leaf and full-sized heads. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This lettuce will also grow in containers. If growing in a container, we recommend using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil.

Planting your 6 pack: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 6-8 inches apart, and water immediately after. Or, plant the cluster of seedlings 10 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the outer leaves, and plants will regrow from the center. Plants can be sheared to 2 inches from the base and plants will regrow. When weather begins to warm up, harvest entire plants before they begin to bolt. The sweet leaves add a striking color to any salad mix.

Lettuce 'Buttercrunch'

One of the classic butterheads, Buttercrunch has a tender-crisp texture with sweet flavor. The big heads grow more vigorously than many others, ready in just 65 days. Plant in full sun or partial shade in garden beds amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Or, grow in containers using fresh potting soil, and feed every few weeks with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Vegetables grown in containers usually need more water and fertilizer than if grown in the ground.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling 12-18 inches apart, and water in after planting. These heads get big, they need plenty of space!

Harvest by cutting off the entire head at the base when they are well filled out and firm to the touch. The sweet leaves make very delicious salads and are tasty on sandwiches.

Leeks

Leeks will grow through the winter and mature in the spring. Plant leeks in full sun, in soil that is amended with plenty of compost and mix in a dry, high nitrogen fertilizer at planting time. Additionally, feed every 3-4 weeks with a liquid high nitrogen fertilizer. Leeks will grow nice and thick, and be very sweet with plenty of nitrogen.

Planting your 6 pack: IMPORTANT! Each Leek plant needs to be separated and planted 4 inches apart. Remove plants from the 6 pack cell, and gently tease apart the roots of each plant. Place each plant deeply into the soil so that just the tip is sticking out. This will help to form long white leeks.

Harvest when they are an inch or 2 in diameter in spring by carefully pulling them, roots and all, out of the soil. Make sure to pull them well before they bloom or they will form woody centers. Wash them well, first taking off the first layer to remove any soil. Slice into rings and saute in olive oil until caramelized. They make a tasty potato and leek soup, or quiche and even all them to pasta dishes.

Lavender Angustifolia 'Ellagance Purple'

'Ellagance Purple' is a wonderful garden plant, producing masses of fragrant, intense purple-blue blossoms atop bushy mounds of silver-green foliage from midsummer through early fall. It is a staple item of every sunny garden, and its dried flowers are widely used in potpourris and arrangements. Use to line sunny pathways, planted in drifts, or added to combination containers.

Plant in full sun, in very well draining soil. When the blossoms are finished, it is important to cut the entire plant back about halfway down the stems where you see new growth sprouting. Cutting plants back helps to renew their growth and prevent long, woody, leafless stems and to maintain their shape.

The flowers can be harvested and dried to make fragrant sachets to keep in drawers and closets. Dried flowers can also be used in many different recipes like lavender cookies, lavender lemonade, even to season fish and chicken.

Red & Green Curly Kale

Our mix of Curly Kale, aka “Borecole Kale” is a cool season variety that produces large blue/green and purple/red leaves on plants that reach 18-24 inches tall. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for large, tender leaves. Use Safer’s Soap if aphids appear.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedling 8-10 inches apart, and water immediately after.

Harvest by picking off the lower leaves, and plants will continue to grow from the top. Young leaves are great raw in salads. Older leaves are best steamed or sauteed, and in soups. The leaves are great steamed, then tossed with olive oil, lemon juice and sesame seeds. This variety also makes great kale chips. Tear the leaves into large pieces, toss with olive oil and soy sauce and bake at 350 deg. F for 5-10 minutes.

Kale 'White Russian'

Kale 'White Russian' is one of the hardiest and most tender of all kales. These vigorous plants grow 18-36 inches tall and have a mild sweet flavor. Hardy to -10 deg. F. Plant in full sun or partial shade in hotter areas in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer to get the most tender leaves.

Planting your 6 pack: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 10-12 inches apart, and water immediately after. Or, plant the cluster of seedlings 12-18 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the lower leaves, and plants will continue to grow from the top. Young leaves are great raw in salads. Older leaves are best steamed or sauteed, and in soups.

Green Onions

Easy to grow. Green Onions also known as Bunching Onions are actually perennial plants that will live year after year. Plant in full sun, in soil that is well amended with compost. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for nice sweet green onions. Regular water is best.

Planting: Either separate each seedling by gently teasing apart the roots, and planting each seedling 2-3 inches apart. Or, plant the entire cluster of seedlings, spacing each cluster about 5-6 inches apart.

Harvest when the green onions are about ¼-1/2 inch in diameter. Green Onion clusters may be left in the ground and the clump of plants can be divided each year. When sauteed they become very sweet and they are a great addition to rice, omelettes, and soups. They are also great raw in salads.

Fennel 'Romanesco'

A bulbing variety of fennel that is easy to grow and pretty to look at!

Plant Fennel in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good high nitrogen fertilizer. Water regularly and keep soil consistently moist to produce large, thick bulbs. Harvest when bulbs are about 3-5 inches wide and have a nice white coloring.

Put thin slices of fennel in a salads. Fennel also has an amazing flavor cut into large chunks, coated with olive oil and sea salt and baked until very tender.

Escarole "Verde a Cuore Pieno'

Escarole 'Verde a Cuore Pieno' is a very cold hardy winter green that produces very large loose leaf heads with a golden yellow heart and wavy deep green outer leaves. One of my favorite foods especially in the early winter. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for large, sweet and flavorful leaves. Water regularly.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedling 12-16 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the outer leaves, and plants will regrow from the center. You may also shear off the entire head leaving 2 inches above the base to regrow. When weather begins to warm up, harvest entire plants before they begin to bolt. Escarole is good for salad with a sweet, citrus dressing. Escarole is also great sauteed with olive oil and garlic, in pasta dishes and in soups.

Eggplant 'White Star'

White Star has a classic, tapered, teardrop shape and white fruit that are very sweet. The 5-7" long fruit are smooth when mature. The tall, vigorous plants are high yielding and provide good coverage to the fruit. 75 Days to mature.

Eggplants want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5 feet apart and water regularly. Support these heavy bearing plants with a tomato cage or sturdy stakes.

Harvest when fruits are full size and fully colored up. Use in any of your favorite eggplant recipes. They are delicious in thick slices simply brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and herbs and baked, or go all out with the Eggplant Parmesan! Its flavor pairs perfectly with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses,topped with tomato sauce.

Dianthus 'Perfume Mix'

A hardy perennial will bloom year after year with fragrant, very lacy, carnation like blossoms on gray-green stems. A beautiful and delicate flower that is surprisingly easy to grow.

Plant in full sun in a garden border, in soil that is well amended with compost and a good all purpose fertilizer. Plants will grow and bloom best in fertile soil. Water regularly during the growing season. Feed every few months with a good liquid flower fertilizer.

Makes a nice and long lasting cut flower. Cut back spent flowers to encourage longer blooming.

Sweet Corn 'Silver Dutchess'

This sweet corn variety produces large ears that are packed with sweet, silvery white kernels.

Plant in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good high nitrogen fertilizer. Plant closely in a block, spacing seedlings about 10 inches apart to ensure the best pollination and development.

Harvest when the corn silk starts to turn brown and the kernels are fully developed. Throw some on the grill in their husks and slather with salty butter, a summertime favorite!

Corn 'Bodacious'

This sweet corn variety produces large ears that are packed with sweet, yellow kernels.

Plant in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good high nitrogen fertilizer. Plant closely in a block, spacing seedlings about 10 inches apart to ensure the best pollination and development.

Harvest when the corn silk starts to turn brown and the kernels are fully developed. Throw some on the grill in their husks and slather with salty butter, a summertime favorite!

Collard Greens 'Georgia'

Collard Greens 'Georgia' is a cool season variety that produces large green leaves on plants that reach 18-24 inches tall. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for sweeter, tender leaves.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant each seedlings 12-18 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the lower leaves, and plants will continue to grow from the center. Young leaves are great raw in salads. Older leaves are good steamed or sauteed and topped with olive oil and lemon juice, and added to soups, pastas, bean or grain dishes.

Christmas Pole Bean

Pole beans are tall vining plants that need to be grown on a trellis. Produces many large, red and white lima beans. The bean's chestnut flavor combined with its festive coloring are the reason for the name Christmas Lima. The Christmas Lima has a buttery flavor and creamy texture.

Plant in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Space each plant 5 inches apart and water regularly.

Let the large pods dry on the vine. When the pods are dry and the beans inside are hardened, pull them from the vine. Remove the beans from their shells, lay the beans out to dry for another week if necessary. Store in an airtight container.

Purple Cauliflower 'Graffiti"

This is the darkest of the purple cauliflowers. It is best planted in full sun, too much shade will cause heads to be small. Soil should be amended with compost and cauliflower benefits from a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium. It is essential to water regularly so that the plants will produce large, uniform heads.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling about 18-24 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Cauliflower Graffiti won't lose its essential purple hues when cooked. And to keep the color even stronger, add some lemon juice or vinegar to the pot before cooking. It is also great baked tossed with a little olive oil and bread crumbs. It also delicious raw in a salad or to have with dips.

Catnip

Catnip is an easy to grow, perennial herb. Plant in full sun, in ordinary garden soil. It can tolerate poor soil, but will grow more full if the soil is amended. Catnip will grow to 36 inches tall and makes a nice garden plant. Catnip will also grow well in a large container. We recommend using Gardener and Bloom organic potting soil or Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil.

1 quart containers: Space plants about 18 inches apart in the garden.

Harvest leaves of catnip and give to kitties as a treat, they really love to eat the fresh leaves. Catnip also makes a relaxing tea for humans. The flowers as well as the leaves can be dried and stored in an airtight container. Protect young plants from curious cats until plants grow enough to withstand some grazing.

Catmint 'Kit Kat'

Catmint is an aromatic, easy to grow perennials that provide a beautiful show of color all summer long. Plants grow 15-18" tall, compact with short spikes of dark purple-blue flowers and small gray-green foliage. Flowers June through September.

Planted in full sun and ordinary, well-drained soil. Space plants 8-12 inches apart. Shearing the plant back in the springtime will promote more compact growth. In addition, cutting plants back by half after their first bloom will stimulate a second bloom cycle.

The small, grey-green leaves form a wide, dense clump that can be used as a ground cover in sunny, dry areas or rock gardens, and will also grow well in containers. When Nepeta's stems are broken, they release an aroma into the air cats tend to like, thus its common name, Catmint. However, it is not as attractive to cats as catnip.

Cantaloupe 'Pixie'

A palm sized melon with solid and sweet orange flesh, with a small seed cavity. The fruits weigh 1.5-2.2 lbs.

Cantaloupes want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 2 feet apart and water regularly.

Harvest when fruit is fully sized, smells very sweet and the stem slips easily off the vine when tugged on.

Calendula

Calendula is an incredibly easy to grow spring flower. Plant in full sun to partial shade in regular garden soil. These 2-3 ft tall plants are excellent in garden borders and for colorful cut flowers. The soft yellow/orange colored petals are showy in the garden. Let some flowers dry on the plant and go to seed to grow and re-bloom the next season.

Planting your 6 pack: Space seedlings 6-8 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Cut Calendula flowers for bouquets by snipping the stems about 8 inches down the plant. The petals of calendula flowers are edible and make a colorful addition to salads. The petals may also be dried and used as a tea or to make beauty products like soaps and shampoo.

Calendula 'Mandarin Twist'

Calendula is an incredibly easy to grow spring flower. Plant in full sun to partial shade in regular garden soil. These 1-2 ft tall plants are excellent in garden borders and for colorful cut flowers. The bright orange petals are showy in the garden. Let some flowers dry on the plant and go to seed to grow and re-bloom the next season.

Planting your 6 pack: Space seedlings 6-8 inches apart, and water in after planting. ‘Mandarin Twist’ also grows very well in a container.

Savoy Green Cabbage

This easy to grow variety has deep green crinkly (savoy) leaves, and develops very dense, heavy heads. Plant in full sun, in well amended soil and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. These large plants will grow to 24 inches across, so give them plenty of space between each other.

Planting your 6 pack: 24-36 inch space between plants. Water in after planting.

Harvest when heads feel very dense when squeezed. These cabbage heads will keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator. Use to make a fantastic cole slaw, baked cabbage wraps, or Chinese Mu Shu.

Cabbage 'Filderkraut'

Cabbage 'Filderkraut' is a very unique heirloom variety that develops long pointed heads that are about 6 inches across at the base. Plant in full sun, in well amended soil and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. These large plants will grow to 24 inches across, so give them plenty of space between each other.

Planting: 24-30 inch space between plants. Water in after planting.

Harvest when heads feel very dense when squeezed. These cabbage heads will keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator. This is an old variety that was originally used in Europe to make sauerkraut. It may be used like any other cabbage to make a fantastic cole slaw, baked cabbage wraps, Chinese Mu Shu or even Kim Chi.

Calabrese Sprouting Broccoli

This incredible heirloom broccoli is fast growing and long lasting in the garden. It produces 5 inch blue/green heads and then many side shoots after the initial head is cut. The plants grow to 30-36 inches tall. Broccoli is a rewarding vegetable to grow and is best planted in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer. Too much shade will cause plants to be susceptible to aphids. If aphids appear, we recommend using non-toxic Safer's Soap at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water in a large sprayer, or 1-2 teaspoons per quart of water in a regular spray bottle.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling about 18-24 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest the central head when the broccoli buds of the head are firm and tight, about 4-6 inches down on the stalk. This will promote the growth of many side shoots over a long period. For best flavor, cook broccoli until tender/crisp or use raw in salads or with dips. Broccoli freezes well, maintaining it’s color, texture and taste. It is high in vitamins A and C and is also considered to be a cancer fighting food.

Broccoli 'Gypsy'

This broccoli variety is versatile for summer or fall harvest and provides uniform heads. Large, healthy plants tolerate heat and are resistant to downy mildew. Broccoli is best planted in soil amended with compost and a good fertilizer where it will be better able to fight disease.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling about 18 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest when the broccoli buds of the head are firm and tight, cutting 5 to 10 inches down on the stalk. This will promote the growth of many side shoots over a long period. For best flavor, cook broccoli until tender/crisp or use raw in salads or with dips. Broccoli freezes well, maintaining its color, texture and taste. It is high in vitamins A and C and is also considered to be a cancer fighting food.

Broccoli 'Early Dividend'

Broccoli 'Arcadia'

This vigorous broccoli variety is versatile for summer or fall harvest and provides uniform heads. Large, healthy plants tolerate heat and cold and are disease resistant. Broccoli is best planted in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling about 18 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Bok Choy 'White Stem"

Bok Choy ‘White Stem’ is a cool season variety that produces large rosettes with dark green leaves and thick white stems. Plant in full sun in soil amended with plenty of compost. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for large leaves and juicy stems. Water regularly.

Planting your 6 pack: Plant seedlings 8-10 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting off the entire plant at the base when they are well filled out. They are delicious in stir fries with ginger and garlic or steam like spinach. Bok Choy is essential for won ton soup.

Pole Bean 'Purple King'

Vibrant purple pods develop quickly on these tall vining plants. Harvest before seeds inside begin to appear.

Space each cluster of plants about 6-8 inches apart. Plant in full sun in well amended soil, and water regularly. Grow these vigorous vines on a tall trellis. Harvest before the seeds inside start to develop.

They are very versatile and can be used like any green bean. They will lose some of their purple color when they are cooked, but they are still tasty. Try them sauteed with tomatoes and garlic.

Bush Bean 'Fin Gourmet'

Tender, pencil thin green pods develop quickly on these bushy plants. Harvest before seeds inside begin to appear.

Space each cluster of plants about 6 inches apart. Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer, and water regularly. Harvest well before the seeds inside start to develop.

They are very versatile and can be used like any green bean. Try them sauteed with tomatoes and garlic, they are delicious!

Basil 'Magic Mountain'

'Magic Mountain' basil is edible and sweet, and also one of the best ornamental varieties. It has large, deeply colored flowers all summer. The purple-hued, dark green leaves are great for adding flavor to pesto, sauces, salads and meat dishes. Less cold-sensitive than other basils. Use as you would in recipes calling for a milder, sweet basil taste. The blooms are long and purple and edible in salads, providing color and appeal. An annual that will freeze back in cold weather.

Full sun to part shade in moist but well drained soil amended with plenty of compost. Best grown in containers for year round gardening. Bring indoors when night temps fall below 50. Feed regularly with a high nitrogen fertilizer for big, fragrant leaves.

This is notably one of the most favored ornamental basils for it's aromatic long, purple blooms. Depending on your growing area, some growers have claimed their plants blooms lasted all summer. 'Magic Mountain' basil attracts bees and butterflies.

Agastache 'Blue Fortune'

This fabulous perennial herb, also known as Hummingbird Mint, is a summer garden must have! The stunning powder blue flowers bloom on long spikes from July onwards. It is a magnet for butterflies.

Plant in full sun, in well draining soil amended with a little compost. These plants thrive happily in the summer heat, requiring little water.

Space plants 12-15 inches apart. Height is 3-4 feet.

Earth Day Santa Cruz

Super Starts is stoked to be a vendor at the Earth Day Santa Cruz event held in San Lorenzo Park from 11am to 4pm on April 20, 2013. This is an exciting community event offering educational information, activities for kids including an arts and crafts tent, live music and a focus on green businesses. Event highlights include:

Electric Vehicle Showcase and Free Test Drives
Recycled Fashion show
Arts and Crafts Booths
Kid Zone with Tons of Activities
Tumbling Gymnastics for Kids
Compost Workshops
Solar Powered Event provided by Sandbar Solar
Free Valet Bike Parking Provided by People Power
Live Music by Coffee Zombie Collective & SambaDa
Green Vendor and Environmental Information Booths

Super Starts will be selling our organic veggie and herb starts for your home garden. Available varieties include:

6 packs
Sprouting Broccoli ‘Rudolph’
Cabbage ‘Capture’
Collard Greens
Romaine Lettuce ’Freckles’
Red Lettuce ‘Garnet Rose’
Green Butterhead Lettuce
Red and Green Curly Kale
English Thyme
Dill
Catmint ‘Kit Kat’

4 inch pots
Lemon Cucumber
Japanese Cucumber
English Cucumbers
Eggplant ‘Nubia’
Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’
Eggplant ‘Little Prince’
Eggplant ‘Long Purple’
Eggplant ‘Farmer’s Long’
Pumpkin ‘Porcelain Doll’
Pumpkin ‘Mini Jack’
Luffa Gourd
Winter Squash ‘Festival’
Butternut Squash
Tomato ‘Sweet Gold’
Tomato ‘Matina’
Tomato ‘Brandywine’
Tomato ‘Black Cherry’
Watermelon ‘Crimson Sweet’
Watermelon ‘Sugar Baby’
Lavender angustifolia ‘Ellagance Purple’
Basil ‘Magic Mountain’
Italian Oregano
Pineapple Mint

Pickling Cucumber

These vining plants produce abundant cucumbers with a knobby skin and crunchy texture. Grow plants on a tomato cage to save space and keep the plants and fruit clean. Growing the plants trained upwards will help the cucumbers stay nice and straight.

Cucumbers want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5-2 feet apart and water regularly.

Harvest pickling cucumbers between 2-4 inches long, before they are too mature and the seeds inside are over developed. Use them to make your favorite pickle recipe.

Lemon Thyme

Grows easily in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils of somewhat low fertility. Loose, sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage are best. Over-watering will cause the stems to rot. Cut back stems as necessary to maintain shape and to renew fresh growth. Harvest leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.

Lemon Thyme typically grows 4-12" tall with upward branching stems. Tiny, dark green leaves have a strong lemon scent which are most aromatic just before flowering. Leaves are frequently used fresh or dried (much better fresh) as a seasoning in a variety of dishes like salads, soups, stews, sauces, and meat or fish dishes. Fresh sprigs may be used as a garnish. Whorls of tiny, tubular, pale lilac flowers appear on the stem ends in early summer. Flowers are attractive to bees.

Lemon thyme is a staple of most herb gardens. The plants are highly ornamental, and can also be grown in containers, rock gardens or as edging along garden borders.

English Thyme

Thyme grows easily in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils of somewhat low fertility. Loose, sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage are best. Over-watering will cause the stems and roots to rot. Cut back stems as necessary to maintain shape and to renew fresh growth. Harvest leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.

English Thyme typically grows 8-12" tall with upward branching stems. Tiny, dark green leaves have a strong scent which are most aromatic just before flowering. Leaves are frequently used fresh or dried (much better fresh) as a seasoning in a variety of dishes like soups, stews, sauces, and meat or fish dishes. Fresh sprigs may be used as a garnish. Whorls of tiny, tubular, pale lilac flowers appear on the stem ends in early summer. Flowers are attractive to bees.

Thyme is a staple of most herb gardens. The plants are highly ornamental, and can also be grown in containers, rock gardens or as edging along garden borders.

Lemon Cucumber

Heirloom. These vining plants produce abundant crunchy cucumbers the shape of small lemons, with a juicy sweet flavor. Grow plants on a tomato cage to save space and keep the plants and fruit clean, and to provide good air circulation.

Cucumbers want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5-2 feet apart and water regularly.

Harvest cucumbers when they are greenish yellow, before they are too mature and the seeds inside are over developed. Slice them up in salads, or have them with dip. They are also delicious on a sandwich or wrap.

Italian Oregano

Italian Oregano is easy to grow in well-drained soil, forming an attractive, mound of trailing branches with rounded, aromatic light green/gray leaves about 1 inch long. In early summer, it's topped with spikes of tiny violet flowers. Very adaptable, you can plant it at the edge of your herb garden, in the front of a border, or in a container. Grows 12-24 inches tall. Shear the plants all the way to the ground in the spring to encourage fresh new growth each season.

Plant oregano in full sun, in well draining soil. It will grow very well in ordinary garden soil without extra amendments.

Harvest leaves when they are still young for the best fragrance. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. Lay out or hang branches to dry in a cool, well ventilated place. The flowers may also be harvested and dried for culinary use. When dry, store the leaves and flowers in an airtight container. Use the dried leaves and flowers in tomato sauces, to season meats and vegetables.

Watermelon 'Crimson Sweet'

Large, round melons averaging 15-25 lb. are light green with dark green stripes. Flesh is dark red, firm and fine-textured. Disease resistant, 80 days to mature. Vines grow to 6 feet and require a lot of heat to produce fruit, so plant them in the most warm and sunny spot in the garden.

Plant in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly, but do not over water while fruit is ripening. Contrary to their name, watermelons grow best and ripen the sweetest fruit if they are not over watered.

Harvest when fruits are full size and the stem easily pulls off of the vine. Raise ripening fruit off of the ground with pieces of wood or place on a bed of straw to prevent them from rotting.

Pepper 'Coral Bell'

Coral Bell is a blocky four lobed, sweet bell pepper with smooth skin and thick walls. Fruits turn from green to orange. Eat them raw, roast them, fill with your favorite stuffing and bake, or make fajitas.

Plants will grow to about 24-30 inches tall and benefit being supported by stakes once they are bearing fruit, they become very heavy.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Water regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Feed every month with liquid vegetable fertilizer.

Harvest when peppers are fully sized up and orange colored for the sweetest flavor.

Pumpkin 'Wyatt's Wonder'

Giant pumpkins are a fun and rewarding variety to grow. Wyatt's Wonder pumpkins can easily reach 150 pounds or larger. They have a nice round shape and a deep orange color. Impress your neighbors by growing a giant size pumpkin!

Plant these large vines in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give them plenty of space, each plant needs about 8 feet.

To get the largest pumpkin possible, pick off all but 1 or 2 fruits when they are about softball size. If you just let them produce as they will, they will get about 3 good sized pumpkins per plant. Harvest when the skin is tough and fully colored up. Elevate the pumpkin onto a square of plywood before it gets too heavy to prevent it from rotting.

Sprouting Broccoli 'Summer Purple'

Summer purple sprouting broccoli grows well in warmer climates as well as cooler climates. This attractive and robust variety will be ready to pick in the summer unlike other varieties. Huge yield of tasty purple spears.

Broccoli is best planted in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer. Too much shade will cause plants to be susceptible to aphids. If aphids appear, we recommend using non-toxic Safer's Soap at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water in a large sprayer, or 1-2 teaspoons per quart of water in a regular spray bottle.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling about 18-24 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest when the broccoli buds are firm and tight, about 4-6 inches down on the stalk. This will promote the growth of many side shoots over a long period. For best flavor, cook broccoli until tender/crisp or use raw in salads or with dips. Broccoli freezes well, maintaining it’s color, texture and taste. It is high in vitamins A and C and is also considered to be a cancer fighting food.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Rudolph'

Rudolph purple sprouting broccoli is quick to produce huge yield of tasty purple spears.

Broccoli is best planted in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good organic fertilizer. Too much shade will cause plants to be susceptible to aphids. If aphids appear, we recommend using non-toxic Safer's Soap at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water in a large sprayer, or 1-2 teaspoons per quart of water in a regular spray bottle.

Planting your 6 pack: Space each seedling about 18-24 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Eggplant 'Nubia'

Eggplant Nubia bears 4-6 inch long, oval-shaped eggplants with splashes of lilac and cream. Not only is Nubia gorgeous in the garden, it's an excellent choice for the grill or fried. 68 days to maturity.

Eggplants want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5 feet apart and water regularly. Support these heavy bearing plants with a tomato cage or sturdy stakes.

Harvest when fruits are full size and fully colored up. Use in any of your favorite eggplant recipes. They are delicious in thick slices simply brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and herbs and baked, or go all out with the Eggplant Parmesan! Its mellow, refined flavor pairs perfectly with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses,topped with tomato sauce.

Eggplant 'Long Purple'

Long Purple eggplant is an Italian heirloom eggplant, producing long 8-10 inches, dark purple fruit with firm, mild flesh and thin skin. Good yields

Eggplants want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5 feet apart and water regularly. Support these heavy bearing plants with a tomato cage or sturdy stakes.

Harvest when fruits are full size and fully colored up and slightly soft. Use in any of your favorite eggplant recipes. They are delicious in thick slices simply brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and herbs and baked. They are excelling stir fried with ginger, basil and soy sauce. They even make a great eggplant parmesan.

Eggplant 'Farmer's Long'

Farmer’s Long Eggplants bear beautiful long, glossy, magenta/purple fruits that are 7-10" long. The tall, vigorous plants are high yielding and early to mature.

Eggplants want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5 feet apart and water regularly. Support these heavy bearing plants with a tomato cage or sturdy stakes.

Harvest when fruits are full size and fully colored up. Use in any of your favorite eggplant recipes. They are delicious in thick slices simply brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and herbs and baked. They are excellent stir fried with ginger, basil and soy sauce.

Pumpkin 'Porcelain Doll'

Porcelain Doll produces good yields of 10 to 20 pound pink pumpkins. Pumpkins start out pale yellow, then cream, then pink when fully mature. They keep for a very long time after harvesting and are nice decorations as well as delicious to eat.

Plant these large vines in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give them plenty of space, each plant needs about 5-6 feet.

Harvest when the skin is tough and they are fully pink and the stem is corky. They are great for making amazing pumpkin pie or even a blended pumpkin soup. Treat them as you would any winter squash for cooking.

Pumpkin 'Blue Doll'

Blue Doll is an exotic, eye-catching blue pumpkin with an almost square appearance. It’s deep-orange, sweet flesh can be used for pies, soup, and gourmet culinary delights. Full vine plant habit. 100 days to mature. 20-24 lbs.

Plant these large vines in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give them plenty of space, each plant needs about 5-6 feet.

Harvest when the skin is tough and they are fully blue/gray and the stem is corky. They are great for making amazing pumpkin pie or even a blended pumpkin soup. Treat them as you would any winter squash for cooking.

Pumpkin 'Mini Jack'

Abundant plants produce many 3-4 inch miniature pumpkins with deep orange skin. They are much earlier to mature than large pumpkin varieties.

Plant these large vines in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give them plenty of space, each plant needs about 3-5 feet. They are easy and fun to grow on bamboo teepees by training the vines up the poles with twine.

Harvest when the skin is tough and they are fully deep orange. They make a nice autumn decoration. They are even edible, just slice in half and bake, then coat them with a little butter and sea salt.

Pumpkin 'Piacentina'

Pumpkin 'Piacentina' is a rare heirloom from Italy also known as the "Beret of Piacenza". A terrific pumpkin/winter squash, with a beautiful grey-green, knobby skin. The flesh is yellow/orange, very firm, sweet, and nutty, with the fruit weighing in at 3 to 5 lbs each. Known not only for the great flavor, but also for exceptional storage capabilities.

Plant these large vines in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give them plenty of space, each plant needs about 5-6 feet.

Harvest when the skin is tough and they are fully blue/green. They are great for making amazing pumpkin pie or even a blended pumpkin soup. Treat them as you would any winter squash for cooking.

Luffa Gourd

Luffa gourds, sometimes called “sponge gourds”, are grown primarily for their fibrous tissue skeleton, which is commonly used as a bath or sauna sponge, but young fruits, less than 7 inches long, can be cooked and eaten as squash or substituted for cucumber in salads. Fruits look a bit like overgrown zucchini or cucumbers, and can reach a length of 2 feet. They remain green until they’re thoroughly ripe.

Luffas are extremely vigorous plant; vines reach lengths of 15 feet or more! They make an excellent summer screen plant, as they will thoroughly cover every inch of fencing available to them. The plants flower and set fruit all season.

Plant in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Grow the luffas on a sturdy, tall trellis or a fence at least 5-6 feet high. Without a trellis, vines will quickly overrun the garden.

When the gourds are ripe, their skins will dry and the stems will turn yellow. Full-size fruits that are still green produce soft, fine-textured sponges that don’t last. Leave the gourds on the plant to get as mature as possible before harvesting.

After harvesting, let the ripe gourd dry for 2 weeks in the sun. When its skin has hardened and turned brown, open the larger end of the squash and shake out the seeds. Soak the gourd overnight in water, then peel off the skin to expose the “sponge”. Let it dry in the sun for another day.

Pineapple Mint

A variety of apple mint, with white variegated leaves which make it a pretty herb to grow in the garden and perfect as a food garnish. A perennial plant, it produces long spikes of pale white or cream flowers in summer.

Pineapple mint grows to a height of 8-12 inches and prefers partial shade and a moist, rich soil. As its name suggests, it has a pleasant pineapple flavor and the leaves are ideal to add to fruit cups and punches.

Pineapple mint leaves make a good addition to potpourris, particularly those with a fruity scent, such as a mix of lemon verbena, apple mint and other herbs with similar scents.Like all mints, it can be an invasive plant if it is not kept strictly under control, so we recommend it as a good herb for container growing.

Japanese Cucumber

Japanese cucumber are vining plants that produce abundant 10-12 inch long smooth skinned cucumbers with a juicy sweet flavor. Grow plants on a tomato cage to save space and keep the plants and fruit clean. Growing them trained upwards will help the cucumbers stay nice and straight.

Cucumbers want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5-2 feet apart and water regularly.

Harvest cucumbers before they are too mature and the seeds inside are over developed. Slice them up in salads, or have them with dip. They are also delicious on a sandwich or wrap. Chilled cucumber soup is delicious on a hot summer day.

Winter Squash 'Uchiki Kuri

'Uchiki Kuri' is a very productive Japanese variety of winter squash with thick walled deep orange skin. Its creamy yellow flesh is nutty and sweet. Each squash weigh between four and seven pounds, with a flavor that is reminiscent of chestnuts. Harvest when skin feels tough and can resist being punctured with a fingernail.

Hard-skinned squash can be difficult to peel and are most easily cooked in their skin. Split squash in half, scoop out seeds and roast, cut-side down until tender.

Blend cooked squash flesh into soup with fennel, onions, root vegetables, curry or fall spices. Grate flesh and bake into gratins or casseroles with cream and cheese. Puree with syrup or vanilla for compote or bake diced squash into bread pudding with apples. Hard red kuri squash will keep in cool, dry storage for up to six weeks.

Container Zucchini 'Patio Star'

Zucchini 'Patio Star' is a small scale zucchini, perfect for containers and small garden spaces. It produces many straight, 10 inch long, deep green summer squash with excellent flavor.

Plant in a large container using fresh potting soil, and feed every few weeks with a liquid vegetable fertilizer. Vegetable plants in containers need extra fertilizer and water in containers compared to planted in a garden bed. In the garden, plant in full sun in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer.

Harvest zucchinis while they are still tender and before the seeds develop for best flavor. Try them sauteed in olive oil with a little garlic, then sprinkled with parmesan. They make great breaded and fried zucchini sticks. Slice them up and put them in pasta or lasagna.

Eggplant 'Little Prince'

Eggplant 'Little Prince' grows great in containers or in a garden bed. It produces many 3-4 inch round, deep purple eggplants. 65 days to mature.

Eggplants want full sun and very warm conditions for best production. Plant them in a deep garden container with fresh potting soil. Feed with a liquid vegetable fertilizer every few weeks, vegetables grown in containers need extra fertilizer and water. Or in the garden, amend soil with plenty of compost and a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Space plants 1.5 feet apart and water regularly. Support these heavy bearing plants with a tomato cage or sturdy stakes.

Harvest when fruits are full size and slightly soft to the touch. Use in any of your favorite eggplant recipes. They are delicious in thick slices simply brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and herbs and baked, or go all out with the Eggplant Parmesan!

Winter Squash 'Festival'

This winter squash produces an abundance of tri-colored squash. Its creamy yellow flesh is nutty and sweet. Each squash weigh about 2 pounds. Harvest when skin feels tough and can resist being punctured with a fingernail.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give each plant about 2-3 feet of space to grow.

Hard-skinned squash can be difficult to peel and are most easily cooked in their skin. Split squash in half, scoop out seeds and roast, cut-side down until tender. Sprinkle with parmesan and herbs. Blend cooked squash flesh into soup with fennel, onions, root vegetables, curry or fall spices. Hard winter squash will keep in cool, dry storage for up to six weeks.

Butternut Squash 'Waltham'

Butternut Squash forms uniform, 4-5 lb fruits with smooth, tan skin that is easily peeled with a potato peeler. Flesh is finely textured and dark orange. Harvest when skin feels tough and can resist being punctured with a fingernail.

Plant in full sun in soil that is well amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give each plant about 4 feet of space to grow.

Blend cooked squash flesh into soup with fennel, onions, root vegetables, curry or fall spices. Slice thin and bake into gratins or casseroles with cream and cheese. Bake diced squash into bread pudding with apples or use it in place of pumpkin for a delicious pie. Butternut Squash will keep in cool, dry storage for many weeks.

Cinderella Pumpkin

This centuries-old French heirloom pumpkin produces glowing mahogany orange colored pumpkins with the very pronounced lobes and flattened tops. Each plant sends out 8-10 foot vines. It sets up to 6 fruit as large as 15 inches across. Enjoy baked and for pies.

Plant these large vines in full sun, in soil amended with compost and a good vegetable fertilizer. Give them plenty of space, each plant needs about 4 feet between them.
Harvest when the skin is tough and they are fully deep orange. They are great for making amazing pumpkin pie or even a blended pumpkin soup. They can also be carved for jack o'lantern for Halloween.

French Tarragon

Tarragon is a perennial herb with a sweet anise flavor. Clip the leaves and put into salads and on top of soups. It is also great to use it to flavor sauces, in traditional béarnaise sauce it is an essential ingredient. It also makes a great mustard sauce, just add a few tablespoons of minced tarragon to dijon mustard. It is particularly good with shellfish, fish, chicken, and turkey.

French tarragon plants grow up to 24 inches high and 12 inches wide in two years. The leaves are narrow, up to 2 inches long, and have a fresh green color. The flowers are tiny, pale green.

Plant in full sun to partial shade in soil amended with compost and a high nitrogen fertilizer to promote leafy growth. French Tarragon will die back in the winter in cold climates and regrow in the spring. Cut the plants back to the ground in early spring and then fertilize to encourage new, invigorated growth.

Super Starts at The Spring Garden Market

Super Starts is proud to be selling our veggie, flower and herb starts this Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the The 19th Annual Spring Garden Market from 9am to 2pm. This wonderful event is put on by the Friends of Master Gardeners Santa Clara County. The Spring Garden Market is held at beautiful History San Jose located at 1650 Senter Rd, San Jose CA.

As always our garden starts are grown from seed, outdoors and in the Santa Cruz sun, fog, rain, and wind, so they are vigorous, hardy and ready to go in the ground. All veggie, herb and flower starts are grown in organic potting soil in jumbo 6 packs or 4 inch pots made of 100% recycled material. Varieties for sale include:
6 packs:
Sprouting Broccoli ‘Summer Purple’
Sprouting Broccoli ‘Rudolph’’
Broccoli ‘Gypsy’
Napa Cabbage ‘Kaboko’
Cabbage ‘Capture’
Collard Greens
Lettuce ’Merveille de Quatre Saisons’
Green Romaine Lettuce
Italian Parsley
Pak Choi
Swiss Chard
Spinach ‘Palco’
English Thyme
Dill
Catmint ‘Kit Kat’
Calendula
4 inch pots:
Pickling Cucumber
Lemon Cucumber
Japanese Cucumber
Eggplant ‘Nubia’
Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’
Eggplant ‘Little Prince’
Eggplant ‘Long Purple’
Eggplant ‘Farmer’s Long’
Watermelon ‘Crimson Sweet’
Pumpkin ‘Porcelain Doll’
Pumpkin ‘Blue Doll’
Pumpkin ‘Wyatt’s Wonder’
Cinderella Pumpkin
Pumpkin ‘Mini Jack’
Pumpkin ‘Piacentina’
Luffa Gourd
Winter Squash ‘Festival’
Butternut Squash
Zucchini ‘Romanesco’
Yellow Zucchini ‘Golden Girl’
Green Zucchini ‘Black Beauty’
Container Zucchini ‘Patio Star’
French Tarragon
Lavender angustifolia ‘Ellagance Purple’
Basil ‘Magic Mountain’
Italian Oregano
Pineapple Mint

Grow tomatoes like a rock star

Super Start's method for growing tomatoes like a rock star is not hard or complicated. Here are the 5 things to keep in mind to have plenty of tomatoes in your garden this season.

Sun exposure

Tomato plants need full sun, 6 to 8 hours is the minimum. The more sun exposure you give them, the happier they will be.

Soil Prep

The most important thing is to amend the soil with compost. Compost is important for adding nutrients to the soil as well as improving the soil texture. Compost acts like a sponge to absorb and hold onto water for use by the plants. Compost also lowers the pH of the soil, making it more acidic. This helps make soil nutrients more available to the plants. Mix 1, 5 gallon bucket of compost per tomato plant into the existing soil. Turn the compost into the soil so that it is about a ½ and ½ mixture.

Use a fertilizer that is not high in nitrogen. You want tomato plants to grow vigorously, but not so much that it inhibits fruit production. Add 1 cup of dry fertilizer at planting for each tomato plant and mix well into the soil. Good organic fertilizers we recommend are:
Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable, and Herb fertilizer
Down To Earth All Purpose Fertilizer

Support

Tomatoes grow best when supported by a tall tomato cages, and the larger the cage, the better. You can buy tomato cages at any nursery center but they usually are not supportive enough. Rock star tomatoes need a very sturdy cage. Its easy and inexpensive to make your own out of 6 ft. tall wire fencing with a 6x8 inch mesh. Cut 6-6.5 foot sections of the fencing and make a cylinder, wiring the mesh so it stays in shape. Place it over the tomato plant after planting. Support the cage on 2 sides with wooden stakes. This cage makes it very easy to harvest your tomatoes and allows for good sun exposure.

Watering

How much you need to water depends on your soil type. If the soil is very sandy, they will need more water. If it is denser soil with more clay content, you want to water less. Never water tomatoes too much after they have set fruit because they will be too watery. A good, deep watering every week to week and a half should work.

Tomatoes growing in containers need more watering than tomatoes growing in the ground. When the top few inches of soil in the container is dry go ahead and water.

Harvesting

Harvest tomatoes when they are fully colored up and slightly soft to the touch. Don’t put tomatoes in the refrigerator! Refrigeration causes the sugars to turn into starch and ruins their flavor. Store tomatoes on the kitchen counter and they will keep their sweetness.

Following the above tips will make you a tomato rock star. You will have an abundance of tomatoes for your household. Eat them raw, cook into sauce or give them away to all your neighbors.

Happy Gardening.