How To Grow

Potatoes are important to the self-sufficient gardener and the gourmet gardener. Easy to grow, highly nutritious and there is a variety for every use in the kitchen. Kids of all ages love to grow potatoes. Some are for baking, some are for salads, some for French fries. You should try them all! Follow along with this handy How to Grow Potatoes Guide and grow food.! Latin Solanum tuberosum Family: Solanaceae Difficulty Easy We Recommend: Sieglinde “German Butter” Potato (PT610). This heirloom variety is so loved for its delicate flavour that many growers don’t bother with the other varieties. Potatoes are usually selected by...

General Annual Gaillardia is known as Blanket Flower in its native North America. Latin Gaillardia pulchella Family: Asteraceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 1-10 Timing Direct sowing is easiest, and is done after last frost or in the autumn, in places where winter is mild. They can also be sown indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost — in late February on the coast. These would be transplanted out in early April. Seeds will germinate in 7-20 days. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 21°C (70°F). Starting Sow on the surface of...

Majestic yet unpretentious biennial plants for shady spots and cottage gardens. Latin Digitalis purpurea Family: Plantaginaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun to shade Zone: 3-9 Timing Direct sow outdoors after last frost for flowers the following year. In mild winter areas, direct sow in autumn as well. For flowers the first year, sow indoors very early, in December or January for transplanting 2-3 weeks before last frost. Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 15-18°C (60-65°F). Starting Sow on the surface. Space or transplant 45-60cm (18-24″) apart....

The immature seeds of the edible soya bean are a nutritious snack. Steam or boil the whole pods for 3-5 minutes and set out, salted or unsalted, as a fun finger-food. This treat is called edamame. The small, slightly fuzzy pods hold fat green beans that pop out easily from the cooked soybean pods. They have a smooth rich taste that kids love. Good for freezing also. The plants are big and vigorous but the seeds are delicate, so don’t drop or crush them. Soya beans contain the most protein out of all the beans, and are a healthy addition...

Salad greens are usually picked at an immature size and coaxed into regrowing several times. They are a perfect choice for container gardening, as long as a good soil mixture is in place. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Mescluns and Salad Greens Guide and grow great salad all year long. Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Season: Cool season Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Zone: 2-12 Timing Seed every three weeks from March to September for a continuous harvest. Provide frost protection with a cloche or heavy row cover starting in late October, and many mesclun types and mixes will...