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.

Romanesco

romanesco

Romanesco, also known as Roman cauliflower or broccoflower has lime green heads with many spiraled points. It has a wonderful taste, similar to broccoli. The large plants will grow to 24-36 inches wide. Plant in full sun in soil amended with compost. Romanesco needs fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and potassium. Water regularly for best head formation.

Planting: Space seedlings 24-36 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest when heads look fully filled out and have nice color. Romanesco may be cooked in the same way as broccoli or cauliflower. It is excellent baked tossed with a little olive oil and bread crumbs, or simply steamed or sauteed. Romanesco is also delicious raw, the texture is more tender than cauliflower, making it suited for raw use as crudites.

Purple & Green Kohlrabi

purple & green kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is a cool season variety that produces an edible globe shaped stems. The taste and texture of kohlrabi is similar to that of a broccoli stem or cabbage heart, but milder and sweeter. The young stem in particular can be as crisp and juicy as an apple, although much less sweet. The plants grow to 10-12 inches tall. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for sweet, tender stems. Water regularly.

Planting your 6 pack: Separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 8 inches apart, and water immediately after.

Harvest when the rounded stem is about 2-3 inches in diameter. They can be eaten with the skin on, or if the stems are harvested older, they are best peeled. Kohlrabi are delicious grated or sliced up in salads or eaten with dips. They may also be steamed or used in stir fries.

Dill

Dill

Dill is a fast growing herb that produces finely textured leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Dill will also grow very well in containers. If growing in a container, we recommend using Gardener and Bloom organic potting soil or Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil.

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

Harvest by picking off individual leaves, and plants will regrow from the center. Or, you may shear the entire plant off at the top leaving about 3 inches from the base to re-grow. Dill tastes great on oven roasted potatoes or even fresh on salads. It can also be used to make delicious homemade pickles.

Dinosaur Kale 'Lacinato'

Dinosaur Kale 'Lacinato'

Dinosaur Kale 'Lacinato' is a cool season variety that produces large blue/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 tender leaves.

Planting your 6 pack: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 10 inches apart, and water immediately after. Or, plant the whole 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.

Mini Iceberg Lettuce

Mini Iceberg Lettuce

Mini Iceberg Lettuce is a cool season variety that produces miniature heads of sweet lettuce perfect for a single serving. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Water regularly for optimal growth. Have patience for this variety is slow growing, but worth the wait!

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

Harvest when the heads are filled out and dense to the touch. Mini Iceberg Lettuce can be served simply sliced in half and drizzled with your favorite dressing. Their petite size makes for a very special treat.

Gai Lan

Gai Lan

Gai Lan, also known as Chinese broccoli, is a cool season variety that produces glossy blue-green leaves with thick stems and a small number of tiny flower heads similar to those of broccoli. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for tender leaves and stems.

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 whole cluster of seedlings 10 inches apart and water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting off the entire plant at the base when it just begins to flower. Gai Lan is eaten widely in Chinese Cuisine, especially in Cantonese Cuisine. A common preparation is Gai Lan stir fried with ginger and garlic. Gai lan is also common in Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.

Chives

Chive in Blossom 2

Easy to grow, chives are a 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, long leaves. Regular water is best. Chives can also be planted in containers.

Planting: Plant the each cluster of seedlings about 6 inches apart.

Harvest when chives are about 4-6 inches long, shearing them off very close to the base. They will regrow quickly. Clusters of chives plants can be divided and replanted if they get too large. When sauteed they become very sweet and they are a great addition to rice, omelets, and soups. They are also great raw in salads. The purple flowers are also edible. Use them raw in salads like any other edible flowers. Or add flowers to bottles of white vinegar to infuse it with flavor and give it a nice color.

Lettuce 'Merveille des Quatre Saisons'

Lettuce 'Merveille des Quatre Saisons' is a fast growing butterhead variety that produces very large, flavorful heads of red tinted leaves. "Quatre Saisons" translates literally to four seasons - meaning this hearty lettuce grows very well all year round! 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: Either separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots and plant each seedling 8-10 inches apart, and water immediately after. Or, plant the cluster of seedlings 12 inches apart, and water in after planting.

Harvest by cutting off the entire head at the base when they are well filled out and firm to the touch. The sweet leaves add a striking color to salads.

Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'

Photo Credit National Garden Bureau

Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights' is a cool weather, heirloom variety that produces rosettes with very large leaves and multicolor stems. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost. Feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer for large, flavorful leaves. Water regularly.

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. Water in after planting.

Harvest by picking off the outer leaves. Plants will regrow from the center. When weather begins to warm up, harvest entire plants before they begin to bolt. Swiss Chard is great steamed or sauteed with olive oil and garlic.

Italian Parsley

Photo Credit National Garden Bureau

Italian Parsley is a cool season herb that produces rosettes with finely divided, deep green leaves. Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil amended with plenty of compost, and feed with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Italian Parsley 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. Chop up the raw leaves to add to salads, pasta dishes and soups. Parsley is highly nutritious and beneficial to your health!

Kale 'Red Russian'

photo credit National Garden Bureau

'Red Russian' Siberian kale is one of the hardiest and most tender of all kale. Beautiful purple-veined leaves tinged with reddish-purple. 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. Amended soil with plenty of compost, and a high nitrogen fertilizer to get the most tender leaves.

Planting your 6 pack

There are 2 methods for planting.

1. Separate each seedling by carefully teasing apart the roots. Plant each seedling 10-12 inches apart. Water in after planting.
2. Plant the cluster of seedlings 12-18 inches apart. Water in after planting.

Harvest

Pick 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.