Amaranthus tricolor, commonly known as Joseph's Coat, is a vibrant and visually striking flowering plant that is often utilized in ornamental gardening. This species is characterized by its broad, colorful leaves that can display a range of hues including red, yellow, and green. The plant typically reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet and can spread up to 3 feet wide, making it a prominent feature in garden landscapes.

One of the notable aspects of Amaranthus tricolor is its adaptability to various soil types. It thrives in well-drained soils and can tolerate poor soil conditions, which makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to enhance their landscapes with minimal maintenance. The plant prefers full sun exposure, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to achieve optimal growth and color vibrancy.

In terms of cultivation, Amaranthus tricolor is relatively easy to grow from seeds. The seeds should be sown directly into the garden after the last frost date, as the plant is sensitive to cold temperatures. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days under suitable conditions. Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant, requiring watering only during prolonged dry spells.

From a nutritional perspective, Amaranthus tricolor is not only ornamental but also edible. The young leaves can be harvested and consumed in salads or cooked as a green vegetable, providing a source of vitamins A and C, as well as essential minerals. This dual-purpose nature enhances its appeal for gardeners interested in both aesthetics and food production.

Furthermore, Amaranthus tricolor attracts beneficial insects, such as pollinators, which can enhance the overall health of the garden ecosystem. The flowers, which are small and clustered, bloom throughout the summer and into the fall, providing a continuous source of color and attracting various species of bees and butterflies.

In conclusion, Amaranthus tricolor is a versatile and attractive addition to any garden. Its vibrant foliage, ease of cultivation, and nutritional benefits make it a valuable choice for both ornamental and edible gardening. Gardeners should consider incorporating this plant into their landscapes to enjoy its beauty and contributions to biodiversity.

Health Benefits of Amaranth

Do you have grey hair? Amaranth helps to prevent premature graying, mainly due to the minerals it contains. It helps to lower bad cholesterol and also can reduce inflammation and ease pain.   Especially important for people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.  Great for tackling high blood pressure and may even help prevent cancer.  Don't forget it is a wonderful source of protein.  

Ways to Consume Amaranth

Amaranth is a lot like quinoa as far as being a "protein packed" seed.  You can roast, pop, or boil these seeds.  Use as a breakfast cereal, or combine it with other grains.  Amaranth is a wonderful soup thickener because of it's gelatinous quality when cooked.  Cook the leaves of the Amaranth plant, similar to how you would cook/use spinach leaves. 

See Amaranth Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

• Organic
• Ready to eat as a sprout just a soon as they pop.
  
• Sweet and delicious in salads and casseroles.
  
  
• Day to Maturity | 3-7 days

The Paris Market Carrot (Daucus carota) is a tender, adorable 2" round carrot with very sweet flavor. Grows well in containers, shallow beds, and rocky soil. Half-hardy to frost and light freezes. Good steamed, roasted, and fresh.

• Very sweet and crunchy
• Size: 2" in diameter
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Days to maturity: 35 days

Good companion plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chives, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tomato

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 2" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.8 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Hardiness: Half-hardy to frost and light freezes
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 16 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 70-75 days

The Maximillian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) is a drought-tolerant perennial. Produces a 3"-5" blossom with veined, pointed bright yellow petals around a dark golden center. Grows 3'-10' tall on branching, hairy stems with multiple blooms per stem, and long, narrow, drooping foliage. Bold, robust, and cheerful.

• Life cycle: Perennial
• Bloom season: Summer
• Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Admiration, devotion, happiness, honesty, loyalty, optimism, peace, vitality

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Helianthus maximiliani
• Hardiness zones: 4-9
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 90-100 days
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/2" deep
• Spacing between plants: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-25 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, rocky, dry, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.5-7.8
• Water needs: Low - do not overwater
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes

The Thessaloniki Tomato is a Greek heirloom. A tomato so epic that Homer could have written an ode to its plump round fruits that ripen from golden yellow to vivid red, high yields in high temps, and a rich, earthy flavor that’s well-balanced between sweet and acidic. This one’s a keeper, both in the garden and on the countertop. By the time you eat a few of these, you may even be able to pronounce it.

• Well-balanced flavor
• Heat tolerant
• Early producer
• Stores well

SEED PLANTING INFO

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

The Purple Haze Carrot (Daucus carota) is dark purple on the outside and bright orange on the inside. Fun when sliced into coins. Grows 6"-8" with tapered roots, good texture, and sweet flavor. Half-hardy to frost and light freezes. Good steamed, roasted, and fresh.

• F1 hybrid
• Sweet and crunchy
• Size: 6"-8" long
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Days to maturity: 70-75
• Can be harvested sooner for mini sized carrots

Good companion plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chives, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tomato

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 2" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.8 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Hardiness: Half-hardy to frost and light freezes
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 16 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 70-75 days

The Solar Yellow Carrot (Daucus carota) is a sunny yellow carrot with a crispy crunch and a flavor slightly sweeter than the orange ones. Grows 7" long with a tapered root. Harvest sooner for small carrots. Half-hardy to frost and light freezes. 

• Sweet and crunchy
• Size: 7" long
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Days to maturity: 75-80

Good companion plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chives, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tomato

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 2" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.8 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Hardiness: Half-hardy to frost and light freezes
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 16 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 70-75 days

The Golden Wax Bush Bean is a beautiful buttery treat in the garden. With its long, straight yellow pods, this heavy producing stringless bean is easy to cook or can. Grow these alongside Borlotti Bush Beans and Royal Burgundy Bush Beans for an artistic change from the usual green beans.

• Easy to grow
• Stringless variety
• Produces long 5"-7" pods
• Buttery wax bean flavor

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 4"-6" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 10-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 65-75 days

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

Shop more:  
BUSH BEANS
FAVA & BROAD BEANS
LIMA BEANS
POLE BEANS

The Snow White Carrot (Daucus carota) is a creamy white carrot with a crispy crunch and mild, sweet flavor. Grows 7" long with a tapered root. Harvest sooner for small carrots. Half-hardy to frost and light freezes. Good steamed, roasted, and fresh.

• Sweet and crunchy
• Size: 7" long
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Days to maturity: 70-75

Good companion plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chives, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Tomato

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 2" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.8 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Hardiness: Half-hardy to frost and light freezes
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 16 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 70-75 days

Chocolate Cherry

The Sub Arctic Plenty (Early) Tomato is trying to tell you something: It produces a lot of fruits very quickly (45 days!), and really likes cooler temps. It would also like you to know that you can quickly (45 days!) grow the plants closer together without a stake or cage, or in a container or hanging basket. One more thing: It doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture by ripening so many fruits so quickly (45 days!). You’ll harvest clusters of robust, red, juicy, tart, smallish medium-sized fruits in no time (45 days!). Plenty of them.

• Very high yields
• Very quick production—45 days!
• Good for containers
• Good for an early Southern or short Northern growing season

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Determinate, tomato cage support, no pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 12"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 45-60 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

• These tomatillo seeds will produce delicious 3-5 ounce fruits.
  
  
• Tomatillo is popularly used to make salsas.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 85 days

• These tomatillo seeds will produce delicious 3-5 ounce fruits.
  
  
• Tomatillo is popularly used to make salsas.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 85 days

• These tomatillo seeds will produce delicious 3-5 ounce fruits.
  
  
• Tomatillo is popularly used to make salsas.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 85 days

The Violet Star Artichoke is a dramatic alternative to the traditional Green Globe Artichoke. It produces a vibrant purple flower bud with a nutty flavor and creamy texture. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with lots of room for this dark beauty to grow. Artichokes are perennial plants that keep coming back bigger and more productive every year.

• Heat tolerant
• Drought tolerant
• Usually produces in 2nd year
• Perennial

• The Walla Walla Sweet Onion variety will produces a globed shaped white onion
  
  - Bulbs can reach 2 lbs
  
  - This is one of the most popular Long day onion varieties available  
  
  - Easy to grow 
  
  - Perfect for beginners
  
  - Grows well in containers and tight spaces
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 110-120 days
  
  Onion Seeds | Onions are easy to grow, have a fairly short growing period and take up little space in the garden. Plant onions 1/4 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart in double rows, leaving 6 to 10 inches between rows.
  
  Click here for complete Onion grow guide

Hybrid

Mint, Peppermint

• Peppermint is typically used in teas, jellies, deserts, and salads.
  
  - Extremely fragrant.
  
  - Sweet smelling.
  
  - Acts as a natural wasp repellant.
  
  - Perennial.
  
  - Can be used as a garnish on ice cream and drinks.
  
  

Click here to see 7 Awesome Mint Drink Recipes HERE

 Follow SeedsNow.com's board Mint on Pinterest.

Monstrous Viroflay spinach is a variety of spinach known for its large, dark green leaves and delicious flavor. It is a popular choice among gardeners and spinach enthusiasts due to its impressive size and nutritional value.

This variety of spinach is named after the town of Viroflay in France, where it was first cultivated. It is known for its vigorous growth and ability to produce abundant harvests.

Monstrous Viroflay spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber. It is a nutrient-dense leafy green that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including salads, sautés, and smoothies.

One of the key features of Monstrous Viroflay spinach is its size. The leaves can grow up to 10 inches long, making them perfect for salads or as a side dish. The large leaves also make it easier to harvest and prepare the spinach.

When growing Monstrous Viroflay spinach, it is important to provide it with well-drained soil and ample sunlight. This variety thrives in cool weather and can be planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.

Monstrous Viroflay spinach is a versatile and nutritious addition to any garden or kitchen. Its impressive size, delicious taste, and health benefits make it a favorite among spinach lovers.

• How to Grow | Spinach is very hardy and can tolerate cold — in fact, it thrives in cold weather.  Spinach grows really well during winter months in the South.  Spinach also grows well in early spring and late summer in the North. These seeds should be planted about four weeks before your area's average date of last frost.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 45 days

• Fruits are black and round
  
  
• Excellent flavor and a must -try if you you enjoy eggplant
  
  
• Easy to grow
  
  
• Eggplant Seeds | Start seed indoors to allow at least 10 weeks for young plants to develop. Plant in rows 3 feet apart, with 2 feet between plants.
  
  Click here for complete Eggplant grow guide

Echinacea, also called Purple Coneflower, is an easy care perennial in the daisy family. Blooms bunches of blossoms with lavender petals skirting a brown spiky cone center atop sturdy stems that can grow 2'-4' tall. The leaves, flowers, buds, stems, and roots have been used medicinally for centuries, both dried and fresh, as an herbal tea, tincture, and oil infusion. Plant a deep pot, a small plot, or an entire lot!

• Immune system booster
• Attracts pollinators
• Long-lasting cut flower
• Good for containers

As a medicinal herb, Echinacea supports the immune system and has been used internally as a preventative against colds, flu, and chest congestion. It has also been used internally to treat anxiety, arthritis, asthma, colds, constipation, cough, depression, diphtheria, headache, inflammation, pain, rheumatism, sore throat, stomach cramps, strep throat, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. Externally, Echinacea has been used to treat insect bites and stings, burns, dry or wrinkled skin, tired eyes, toothache, and wounds.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness zones: 3-9
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 2 years; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-30 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, shallow, poor, rich, dry, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.5-7.2
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Low - do not overwater
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

• Dukat dill is a particularly fine plant with amazing flavor and large heads.  If you like dill you will love to try this new variety in your garden
   
  
• This variety is darker than most other dill varieties.
  
  
• Excellent fresh or dried.
  
  
• Grown for homemade dill pickles.
  
  
• Can be grown in containers, raised beds, and any other location in full sun.
  
  
• Annual plant.
  
  
• Adds great flavor and color to many culinary creations.
  
  

Additional Details

Dill has a very long history of herbal use going back more than 2,000 years. The seeds are a common and very effective household remedy for a wide range of digestive problems. An infusion is especially efficacious in treating gripe in babies and flatulence in young children. The seed is aromatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic.

Other Medicinal Properties

Dill is also used in the form of an extracted essential oil. Used either in an infusion, or by eating the seed whole, the essential oil in the seed relieves intestinal spasms and griping, helping to settle colic. Chewing the seed improves bad breath. Dill is also a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, it can be used with antispasmodics such as Viburnum opulus to relieve period pains. Dill will also help to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers and will then be taken by the baby in the milk to help prevent colic.

See Dill Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

• The Tendersweet Watermelon is a classic heirloom variety with dark orange flesh
  
  - Very sweet and delicious
  
  
• Grows up to 35 lbs!
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• The Moon & Stars Watermelon dark green rind and bright yellow spots
  
  - Yellow spots are very unique and can be small or large in size
  
  - All American classic heirloom watermelon
  
  
• Deep yellow flesh
  
  
• Grows over 40 lbs
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• The Moon & Stars Watermelon dark green rind and bright yellow spots.
  
  - Yellow spots are very unique and can be small or large in size. 
  
  - All American classic heirloom watermelon.
  
  
• Deep red flesh.
  
  
• Grows over 40 lbs!
  
  
• Day to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around. 

Carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.


 

Carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.


 

The Holiday Marbles Pepper is an assortment of tiny peppers with a tiny spark of heat. Compact plants cast out lots of green peppers that ripen through cream, yellow, purple, orange, and red. Shoot fresh ones onto a salad, or play for keeps and dry them whole to use like peppercorns.

• High yields
• Edible ornamental
• Harvest any color
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Capsicum annuum
• Pepper size: 1/4"-1/2"
• Scoville heat units (SHU): 300-500/mild
• Plant support: Tomato cage or stake
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/8" deep
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 90+ days

Good companion plants: Basil, Carrot, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Rosemary, Sage, Squash, Tomato

The Marion Tomato is the perfect tomato for Southern gardens—tolerant of heat and humidity, resistant to cracking and disease, producing gobs of scarlet globes that ripen mid-season, and with just enough sweetness and acidity to know you’re eating the perfect tomato. A great-tasting and versatile fruit for sauce and paste or salt and pepper.

• Heat tolerant
• Early producer
• High yields
• Good for Southern gardens

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

The Bradley Tomato is a sweet little pink tomato. By sweet, we mean lightly sweet and slightly acidic. By little, well, that’s just what you say when you describe something darling; it’s a medium-sized fruit. As for pink, it’s a dark pink. To be precise, it’s a lightly sweet and slightly acidic medium-sized dark pink tomato. A reliable producer with good-old fashioned tomato flavor.

• Well-balanced flavor
• Dark pink color
• Reliable producer
• Good fresh or cooked

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

Carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.

• The Jubilee is a very long shaped watermelon
  
  
• Deep red flesh
  
  
• Grows up to appx. 40 lbs
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• Cal Sweet is one of the sweetest tasting and most popular watermelon varieties available
  
  
• A commercial grower favorite - sells well at farmers markets
  
  
• Dark green stripes on the exterior with bright red flesh
  
  
• Grows to appx. 35 lbs
  
  
• Perfect-sized watermelon for any-sized backyard
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• Sparky Marigold flowers are bright, bold, and beautiful
  
  
• Colors range from orange, red, and yellow
  
  
• Grows only 12" - 14" tall
  
  
• Most popular for attracting butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators   
  
  
• Sparky is easy to grow and will grow all summer
  
  
• Great for cut flowers and floral arrangements
  
  
  

Roman Chamomile, also called English Chamomile, has been cultivated as a medicinal herb since Medieval times. This hardy, aromatic, mat-forming groundcover perennial in the daisy family produces small white flowers with large yellow solid cone centers and aromatic, fern-like foliage. Easily spreads through both reseeding and creeping roots, and can become invasive. Use it to fill in space between stones or pavers, or create a fragrant, low-maintenance “chamomile lawn” like the royals do at Buckingham Palace. Both the apple-scented flowers and stems are used fresh or dried, and steeped into a calming herbal tea sipped before beddy-bye time.

Apple fragrance
Grows 3"-6" tall
Can be invasive
Good for containers

As a companion plant, it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; repels cabbage moths, cabbage white fly, cabbage worms, cucumber beetles, and mosquitoes; and is said to increase the fragrance and flavor of aromatic herbs such as basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

German Chamomile has many of the same uses as Roman Chamomile, but it’s a tall, bushy annual with more, but smaller flowers. You can determine which type of Chamomile you have if you cut open the yellow center of the flower. German has hollow centers while Roman has solid ones.

As a medicinal herb, Chamomile has been used internally to treat allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, colds, colic, cough, flatulence, gum disease, headache, indigestion, inflammation, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menstrual cramps, morning sickness, stress, nervousness, restlessness, and stomach upset, and externally to treat burns, earache, hemorrhoids, mouth sores, skin problems, sunburns, teething pain, tired eyes, toothache, and wounds.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Chamaemelum nobile
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness zones: 4-9
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 60-65 days
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 55F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 6"-9" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, silty, chalky, shallow, poor, rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.5-7.5
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Low - do not overwater
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: No
• Medicinal use: Yes

Good companion plants: Basil, Bean, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chives, Collards, Cucumber, Fava Bean, Garlic, Hyssop, Kale, Lavender, Marigold, Mint, Mustard, Onion, Oregano, Pepper, Parsley, Rosemary, Soybean, Sage, Thyme, Squash, Tomato, Zucchini

More facts about Chamomile:

• Chamomile helps combat headaches, toothaches, and earaches.
  
• Sometimes known as "the plant doctor", because it is thought to help the growth and health of many other plants, especially ones that produce essential oils.
• Thought to increase production of those oils, making certain herbs, like mints (spearmint, sage, oregano) and basil stronger in scent and flavor.
  
• Can be taken as a herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea, which should be steeped for ten to fifteen minutes while covered to avoid evaporation of the volatile oils. 

See Chamomile Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

• Shungiku, Edible Chrysanthemum is a very versatile asian green
  
  
• Known as Shungiku, Edible Chrysanthemum, Garland Chrysanthemum, Chop Suey Greens and many other names
  
  
• This is a salad green that can be grown in winter and again in spring
  
  
• The flowers of Shungiku can be dried and stored to be used for tea. Often considered a substitute for Chamomile - with its soothing and stomach quieting properties

• Days to Maturity | 30 - 50 days
  
  

• Annual plant
• Adds great flavor and color to many culinary creations
• 3 ft. plant with strongly aromatic foliage, stems, and heads
  
• Excellent for fresh pickling
  
• Days to Maturity | 40 - 65 days
  

Additional Details

Dill has a very long history of herbal use going back more than 2,000 years. The seeds are a common and very effective household remedy for a wide range of digestive problems. An infusion is especially efficacious in treating gripe in babies and flatulence in young children. The seed is aromatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic.

Other Medicinal Properties

Dill is also used in the form of an extracted essential oil. Used either in an infusion, or by eating the seed whole, the essential oil in the seed relieves intestinal spasms and griping, helping to settle colic. Chewing the seed improves bad breath. Dill is also a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, it can be used with antispasmodics such as Viburnum opulus to relieve period pains. Dill will also help to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers and will then be taken by the baby in the milk to help prevent colic.

See Dill Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

Can a tomato be a celebrity? Ask the San Marzano Tomato—if you can get past its bodyguards. One commercial grower proclaims it the “gold standard for taste.” Martha Stewart devoted an entire blog post to it. Certified tomatoes from Italy are regulated. It even has its own Wikipedia page. But at the end of the day, it’s still just a tomato. One that’s longer and thinner than other plum/paste tomatoes, with exceptional tomato flavor, meaty and thin skinned for slicing, few seeds and fleshy for saucing, and very high yields. We’ve joined the fan club. How about you?

• Sweet, intense flavor
• Very high yields
• Compact plant
• Good fresh or cooked

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-90 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

The Scarlet Runner Pole Bean is just about as traditional a vegetable you can grow in your garden. Named for its showy red hummingbird attractors (flowers) it puts out on 6'-8' vines that will grow on fences, trellises, and yes, poles. This high-yielding runner bean produces foot-long pods with speckled red-purple beans, but pick them sooner for best flavor. Tolerates heat and drought, and doesn’t mind cool nights.

• Easy to grow
• Heat tolerant
• Long pods up to 8"-12”
• Eat fresh, shelled, or dried

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus coccineus
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
• Spacing between plants: 5" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 8-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 65-75 days

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

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BUSH BEANS
FAVA & BROAD BEANS
LIMA BEANS
POLE BEANS

The Royal Burgundy Bush Bean has so many things going for it—colorful, beautiful, tasty, plentiful, long-producing—but the coolest thing is that it grows in cool weather. Dark purple 5"-6" pods produced high on the plant make for a doubly easy harvest. When cooked, watch them change color from royal purple to royal green.

• Easy to grow
• High yields
• Continuous production throughout growing season
• Grows in cool weather

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris
  
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 4" apart
  
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-10 days
  
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
  
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
  
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
  
• Days to maturity: 50-55 days
  

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

Shop more:  
BUSH BEANS
FAVA & BROAD BEANS
LIMA BEANS
POLE BEANS

Catnip is not the most beautiful plant you can grow, but it’s quite useful. The small spikes of white speckled flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the vegetable garden. And the same compound that sends cats flying to the moon also sends mosquitoes flying away. Also repels ants, aphids, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, potato beetles, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, mice, roaches, slugs, squash bugs, voles, and weevils, which makes it a great companion for just about everyone (except Parsley). Reseeds easily and can become invasive. Use the minty leaves to flavor tea, pasta, vegetables, soups, and sauces.

 
As a medicinal herb, Catnip has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, cough, fever, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, sore throat, and upset stomach, and externally to treat black eyes and other bruises.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Nepeta cataria
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness zones: 3-9
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 75-85 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 18"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, poor, rich, dry, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.8
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Low
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Cat resistant: No
• Culinary use: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes

Good companion plants: Bean, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Collards, Cucumber, Eggplant, Fava Bean, Hyssop, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lavender, Lettuce, Mustard, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Rutabaga, Soybean, Strawberry, Squash, Tomato, Turnip, Zucchini

More facts about Catnip:

• Nepeta cataria. Perennial.
• Classic aromatic scent that is proven to attract cats. They absolutely love to roll around in it.
• Plant produces flavorful leaves that can be used in many culinary dishes and teas.
• Said to have medicinal properties to relieve cold and flu symptoms.
• Catnip is also a VERY effective mosquito repellent.
• According to ScienceDaily.com, nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.
• Simply grow catnip near the backyard or patio of your house.
  
  

Let us tell you about Lettuce Leaf Basil. It’s a lovely Italian basil that grows huge leaves as big as your hand, with a flavor that’s sweeter and less spicy than other basils. Its crinkles hold onto dressing in salads, you need only one leaf for a sandwich or wrap, and you can use the rest as you would any other basil. Save the edible flower spikes to garnish seafood dishes and cocktails.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top part of the plant, and pinch off edible flower buds as they appear, which prevents the leaves from turning bitter, and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, making a bushier plant. The more you harvest, the more it grows!

• Sweet and mild
• Huge 5"-6" leaves
• Grows 1'-2' tall
• Good for containers
• Tons of medicinal benefits!

As a medicinal herb, Basil has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, colic, cough, depression, diarrhea, fever, flatulence, flu, indigestion, insomnia, intestinal parasites and worms, exhaustion, gastric pain, gonorrhea, lactation problems, migraine headache, nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, and vomiting, and externally to treat acne, insect bites and stings, loss of smell, skin problems, snake bites.

⚠️ Do not use medicinally while pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

As a companion plant, Basil attracts hummingbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, and repels asparagus beetles, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, carrot rust fly, flies, maggots, mice, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, and tomato hornworms.

Health Benefits of Genovese Basil

Basil is a known health tonic for expecting mothers and when mixed with tea it increases lactation in mothers.  It is also a nerve tonic and young children are sometimes encouraged to chew on the leaves of basil because it stimulates brain cells and can increase memory.  

See Basil Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

Lemon Basil, also called Hoary Basil (for its fuzzy stems), is a hybrid cross between traditional basil and lime basil.

The bright green leaves have a sweet lemony aroma and a tangy lemon-anise flavor that’s best used fresh in seafood dishes, fruit salads, lemonade, cocktails, and salad dressings. Add at the end of cooking to preserve the citrus flavor, then garnish with the edible flowers.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top part of the plant, and pinch off edible flower buds as they appear, which prevents the leaves from turning bitter, and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, making a bushier plant.

The more you harvest, the more it grows!

• Tangy lemon-anise flavor
• Culinary and medicinal
• Good for indoor gardens
• Good for containers
• Tons of medicinal benefits!

As a medicinal herb, Basil has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, colic, cough, depression, diarrhea, fever, flatulence, flu, indigestion, insomnia, intestinal parasites and worms, exhaustion, gastric pain, gonorrhea, lactation problems, migraine headache, nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, and vomiting, and externally to treat acne, insect bites and stings, loss of smell, skin problems, snake bites.

⚠️ Do not use medicinally while pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

As a companion plant, Basil attracts hummingbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, and repels asparagus beetles, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, carrot rust fly, flies, maggots, mice, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, and tomato hornworms. 

Health Benefits of Lemon Basil

Basil is a known health tonic for expecting mothers and when mixed with tea it increases lactation in mothers.  It is also a nerve tonic and young children are sometimes encouraged to chew on the leaves of basil because it stimulates brain cells and can increase memory.  

See Basil Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

Greek Basil is a small-leaf dwarf variety that grows into a tight dome, about 1’ tall and wide. A great one for containers, hanging baskets, and indoor gardens. The bright green, oval leaves and soft stems have hints of clove and anise, and keep their flavor when dried.  Use this variety to flavor herb butters and vinaigrettes, and the edible flowers as a garnish or salad green.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top part of the plant, and pinch off edible flower buds as they appear, which prevents the leaves from turning bitter, and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, making a bushier plant.

The more you harvest, the more it grows!

• Basil-clove-anise flavor
• Compact plant
• Good for indoor gardens
• Good for containers
• Tons of medicinal benefits!

As a medicinal herb, Basil has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, colic, cough, depression, diarrhea, fever, flatulence, flu, indigestion, insomnia, intestinal parasites and worms, exhaustion, gastric pain, gonorrhea, lactation problems, migraine headache, nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, and vomiting, and externally to treat acne, insect bites and stings, loss of smell, skin problems, snake bites.

⚠️ Do not use medicinally while pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

As a companion plant, it attracts hummingbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, and repels asparagus beetles, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, carrot rust fly, flies, maggots, mice, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, and tomato hornworms. 

See Basil Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

• Plant produces good yields of egg shaped tomatoes.
  
• The tomatoes are the size and shape of an egg.
• A firm tomato that keeps well. Does well in poor growing conditions.
  
  

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Small
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/8" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

The Delicious Tomato has been known to produce huge 2-3 lb beefsteak tomatoes. This delightful slicer is solid, meaty, and juicy with a small seed core. No surprise that one of these grew to 7 lb, 12 oz, and held a 28-year world record for largest tomato. The typical size is 1-2 lbs, but stake well in case a record breaker grows on one of your vines.

• Extra large fruit
• Juicy and meaty
• Small seed core
• Delicious flavor

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Large to Extra-Large
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24"-36" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 3 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

Squash (Winter), Burgess Buttercup

• Cucurbita maxima.
  
  
• Plant produces heavy yields of 8" long turban shaped green squash with silvery white stripes.
  
  
• The yellow orange flesh is very sweet and grows 3 to 5 lbs.
  
  
• The Burgess strain stores well.
  
  
• A winter squash variety.
  
  
• Day to Maturity | 90 days
  
  

• Wormwood is a very bitter plant with a long history of use as a medicinal herb
  
  - Acts as a natural wasp repellant - many people plant wormwood as a garden border
  
  - It is valued especially for its tonic effect on the liver, gallbladder and digestive system
  
  - It is an extremely useful medicine for those with weak and under-active digestion
  
  - It is known to increase stomach acid and bile production, improving digestion along with the absorption of nutrients
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days

Additional Details

Wormwood also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness.  Use with caution, the plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It should not be prescribed for children or pregnant women.