Sweet Chocolate Bell Pepper

Botanical name: Capsicum annuum

Description
Originally introduced in 1965, Sweet Chocolate is an early maturing, medium sized pepper which matures from green to chocolate brown. Plant produces good yields of medium sized chocolate red sweet peppers. Peppers are very sweet, have thick walls, and turn from green, to chocolate when mature. The interior walls are brick red. Plant has green stems, green leaves, and white flowers. Excellent fresh in salads. Maturity in 80 days (brown color)

How to grow
Full sun is ideal. Keep soil warm and evenly moist during germination, but do not allow to become soggy. Water regularly. Sow seeds at 1/4 inch depth in fertile, well drained, neutral ph soil.

Temperature: 27 to 30 degrees Celsius (80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit)
Spacing: 2 inch spacing, in rows 18 to 24 inches apart
Germination Time: 2 to 4 weeks

Bell Pepper - Big Red

Botanical name: Capsicum annuum

Description
Bell pepper or sweet pepper is a cultivar group of the species Capsicum annuum (chili pepper). Big Red variety bell pepper produces thick, sweet fleshed fruits maturing to a bright red with 3 to 4 lobes. High yielding and excellent for either fresh markets or home gardens.

How to grow
Full sun is ideal. Keep soil warm and evenly moist during germination, but do not allow to become soggy. Water regularly. Sow seeds at 1/4 inch depth in fertile, well drained, neutral ph soil.

Temperature: 27 to 30 degrees Celsius (80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit)
Spacing: 2 inch spacing, in rows 18 to 24 inches apart
Germination Time: 2 to 4 weeks

Maturity
Approximate 80 days

Nutrition:
A red bell pepper is simply a mature green bell pepper. As a bell pepper ages, its flavor becomes sweeter and milder. Red bell peppers contain eleven times more beta carotene than green bell peppers. It contains rich in Vitamin C, A and dietary fiber.

Cooking info
Eating raw as salad, stuffed, roasted, stir-fried, and making soup.

Large Red Cherry Tomato

Botanical name: Lycopersicon esculentum
Other name:

Description
The cherry tomato plant is large and vigorous, bearing large clusters of cherry size tomatoes. Large Red Cherry produces 1 1/4 inch fruits that sweet and firm. Grows on indeterminate vines; Plants are vigorous and need staking. It is great for salad. Try this popular cherry tomato variety in your vegetable garden this season.


How to grow
Plant seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before danger of frost is past. May also be planted directly outdoors after last frost. Plant seed 1 inch apart and cover with 1/4 inch of fine soil, well pressed down. Place seed starting tray in a very warm spot (both night and day) and cover with frame of glass or polyethylene to preserve the moisture until seeds start to grow. When plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin or transplant 2 inches apart in another tray. After danger of frost is past, transplant outdoors in rows 2 to 3 feet apart, spacing plants 2 to 3 feet apart in the row. Germination take places in 5-10 days. Maturity in about 60 days.

Tips: Tomatoes are of tropical origin and like warm weather. Do not set outdoors too early. Maintain good fertility and moisture during the season.

Mustard Mizuna

Botanical Name: Brassica rapa
Other name: Kyona, Japanese Mustard, Potherb Mustard, Japanese Greens, California Peppergrass, Spider Mustard

Description
A Japanese mustard green, Mizuna is believed to have evolved originally from India and is prized as much for its ornamental beauty as its culinary value. The mounds of thin, holly-like serrated leaves seem to “float” above the ground when planted as a border, or in the flower garden as a backdrop for low-growing flowers such as alyssum or lobelia. The plants grow quickly which also makes them great for hiding daffodil and crocus foliage once flowers are done blooming. Grown as an annual plant.

Leaves are ready to harvest in just three weeks after seedlings emerge and will withstand heat longer than lettuce without bolting. Mizuna’s looks are deceptive – this beautiful, graceful, branching plant may have a delicate appearance, but its seedlings are tough and will germinate outdoors under cold and wet spring conditions.

How to grow
Sow seeds in early spring to early summer and late summer to early fall. It can be sown as early as 3 weeks before the last spring frost. It typically takes about 55 days to reach maturity. Sow at 1/2 to 1 inch in fertile, well-drained loamy soil, should should not be sandy. Keep soil moderately moist during germination, avoid soggy conditions, 6 inch spacing in rows 12 to 18 inches apart to grow to maturity. Germination in 10-14 days.

Cooking info
The delicate leaves add crisp, fresh beauty to a salad of other micro greens or mixed with white daikon. Milder than arugula, the peppery mustard flavor is an excellent addition to soups and stir-fries, as well. The Japanese enjoy the spicy leaves pickled.

Brussel Sprouts - Catskill

Botanical name: Brassica oleracea
Other name:

Description
An heirloom from 1941, Catskill is a dwarf variety with high yields. Sprouts are 1.25 to 1.75 inches on 20 to 24 inch plants, dark green and firm.

How to grow
Brussel sprouts grow best in cooler seasons when the temperatures are 5 to 19 degrees Celsius (41 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit). Plant seed 1/2" deep, spaced 3" apart. Rows should be 6" - 8" apart. Thin or transplant seedlings to 18" if necessary when a few inches tall. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until the seeds germinate. After germination, water as needed. Mulch plants when they are 4" to 6" tall to keep the soil cool and to retain moisture. To increase the size of Brussels sprouts pinch 4" - 6" off the top of the plants when the lower sprouts are 1/2".

Harvest when the heads are 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Plant in spring after the last frost once the soil can be worked or in the mid summer about 12 to 14 weeks before the first frost.

Wheat Grass Sprouting Seeds (Hard Red Wheat)

Botanical name: Triticum aestivum
Other name: Hard Red Wheat

Description
Wheatgrass grown from hard red wheat berry seeds is extremely nutritious and offers a number of health benefits. The grown wheatgrass is often used to make juice. Growing your own red wheat berry seeds at home makes the cost of this nutritional drink very affordable.

How to grow
Growing wheatgrass can be fun and enjoyable. The process is simple and the end result is nutritious as well as delicious. Soak seed for six to twelve hours. Spread seed evenly within a propagation tray and water thoroughly, but do not saturate. Cover the tray with a humidity dome or plastic until germination. After germination, the plastic can be removed and a regular light misting, as necessary, is sufficient to keep the sprouts moist. After about five days of growth, the nutrients within the seed will be expended and a low-strength, liquid hydroponic fertilizer will be necessary. Seaweed fertilizers are usually recommended when doing a soilless germination. After an additional week's growth the wheat grass can be harvested. Trays should be cleaned and sterilized prior to reuse.

Uses
You can juice the wheat grass sprouts to make a highly nutritious beverage, use the sprouts on sandwiches for a satisfying crunch, or add them to baked goods for a nutritious edge.

Lupine - Russell Strain Mix

Botanical Name: Lupinus polyphyllus
Other name:

Description
One of the most decorative plants, thanks to it's tall stalks bearing large flowers in a number of brilliant colors. Very hardy, long-lived and low maintenance. The popular Russell Lupine produces a mixture of pastel shades including rose, lavender and blue flowers and blooms from April through July.

How to grow
Lupines do not require a lot of moisture and grow well in both full sun and partial shade conditions. For best results, seeds should be soaked in cold water overnight and planted in the early autumn. Keep soil moderately moist during germination, do not overwater. Cover with 1/8 inch of soil, use light, sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil. It germinate in temperature 55-70F. Days to germination in 15-70 days. Direct sowing is recommended as Lupines do not transplant well.

Chinese Forget Me Not

Botanical name: Cynoglossum amabile
Other name:

Description
Chinese Forget Me Not is native to Europe. Forget-me-not is the state flower of the American state of Alaska. Forget-me-not can be annual or perennial plant, produces clusters of medium blue flowers and blooms from early spring through summer. Forget me nots are versatile, being small enough to be planted where larger plants would not fit. They do not require much maintenance. Just plant, feed once in a while and enjoy.

How to grow
Forget me nots are grown from seed. They can be sown in the spring directly into the garden after all danger of a frost has past. Mix organic compost into the soil. Cover them lightly with 1/8 inch of soil. Put the seeds 4 to 5 inches apart. Germination temperature is 65-75F and it takes about 2 to 4 weeks to germinate. When the seedlings start to grow, thin them out to 4 to 5 inches apart. They can be started indoors about 3 weeks before the usual time of the last frost. They prefer shady areas, but they can do well in the sun. Hardiness zone is zone 3 to zone 9.

China Aster Crego Mixed

Botanical Name: Callistephus chinensis
Other name:

Description
China Aster are long-stemmed daily-like flowers head about 4-6 inches diameter. The Crego Mix variety contains flowers of white, pink, red and blue. China Asters are good as cut flowers in bouquets, beds, borders or pots because of their longevity.

How to grow

Temperature germination : 70F
Days to germination: 10 days
Bloom time: Mid summer - early fall
Light: Full sun
Soil needs: Moderately fertile, well drained, consistently moist soil with a Ph of 5.1-7.5.

Sow indoors 6 - 8 weeks prior to last frost or direct sow into garden after last frost.Sprinkle seeds over soil mix and cover to a depth of 1/16". Thoroughly moisten soil and keep moist throughout germination. Soil should not be soggy. Transplant to garden when all danger of frost is gone.

Plant established plants 9" -12" apart. Root stimulator will encourage quicker rooting and stronger root system. Use a slow release fertilizer at planting time or begin using water-soluble fertilizer at planting time and continue to use every 3 weeks throughout the growing season. Apply 3 inches of vegetative mulch plants in summer to help retain soil moisture. Water regularly - don't over water. Dead head to keep plants neat and prevent self seeding.