Featured Plants : garden

Serrano del Sol Hot And Flavorful

patti-nhn — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:08:00 GMT

For a nice interesting change, why not try the Serrano del Sol Pepper. Capsicum Serrano del Sol (USDA Organic) HOT Pepper, Capsicum 'Serrano del Sol' is a large sized, candle-flame shaped fruit that is 3 inches long. It goes from a nice dark green to a bright red as it ages. It also can be harvested earlier than some other peppers at 60 to 65 days and is good for areas where it is best to have a short season type.

This is a hybrid and can be grown from zone 3 to zone 9. As with most peppers, it requires moderately moist well drained soil as well as full sun. Its flavor is medium-hot so good for those who prefer a less hot pepper. You can use this in salads, salsas, eaten fresh as well as many other recipes. Grown in your garden, you will always have the freshest of peppers and the taste is better than store bought. It is also more healthy as it is an organic variety. It can save you money by not having to go to the local grocer and the gas to get there. Try growing your own and see how much you will enjoy it.

Organic Sage Fresh From The Garden

patti-nhn — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:21:00 GMT

If you like Sage, you need to try this excellent variety. Salvia Sage, Salvia farinacea 'Blue Frost' is organic which is an added bonus. Sage is easy to grow, it requires moderate well drained soil as well as full sun. Alkaline soil is preferred. Support is not required. The Blue Frost is hardy from zones 3 to zone 9 which makes it versatile in different climates.

The Blue Frost is a perennial that is considered an evergreen subshrub. The leaves are gray and the plant shows off with its blue to purple colored flowers. The woody stems hold up the plant very well. Sage is great for use with meats that have a lot of fat and is often used in stuffing, tomato recipes as well as spaghetti sauce. The Blue Frost Sage would provide you with inexpensive, fresh herbs right from your back yard!

Walla Walla Is Not Just A City In Washington It's A Tasty Organic Onion Too!

patti-nhn — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:38:00 GMT

The Walla Walla Organic Onion "Allium (USDA Organic) Walla Walla Onion, Allium cepa 'Walla Walla' is a large sweet Spanish onion. Its flavor is sweet enough that it is often eaten like an apple. The Walla Walla grows to about 4 inches across and is white fleshed with a light brown skin. It is one of the most popular onions for fresh eating as well as added to many recipes.

Since it is considered a "long day" type of onion, it needs 13 to 16 hours of daylight and therefore produces best in the North. Like most Onions, they prefer moderately moist well drained soil. You can harvest the Walla Walla in early fall. They are hardy from zone 3 to zone 9. The leaves and flower stalks are hollow and the base forms a bulb. Onions are used in so many different recipes both cooked and raw. If you are interested in growing your own to save money on store bought vegetables, this would be a great choice. Growing your own allows you freshness you can't get at a store and is right in your own backyard. Try them, we think you'll be hooked from the very first taste.

Organic Dill, Hardy And Healthy

patti-nhn — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:59:00 GMT

Grow your own dill for the freshest taste and texture. This Anethum (USDA Organic) Dill, Anethum (Dill) is a very hardy and healthy plan. The seeds can be used to help any digestive problems you may have. Often, people use it to sweeten their breath. The oil of the plant is useful to kill bacteria in your body. Some people like the aroma of dill as well as the decorative attribute of its feathery and wispy leaves.

This dill is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9 so can stand up to cold and hot temperatures. It does require moderately moist and well drained soil and can be grown in full sun to partial shade which makes it versatile. The plant stems are blue green in color. The Anethum Dill can grow from 3 to 5 feet in height. Dill can be used in many ways especially known for its use in dill pickles. You can add it to pasta, salads, potatoes and fish among many of the options. Dill is an annual plant and cold hardy and can be harvested in the summer. Fresh dill can really add pizzaz to your recipes.

An Organic Cucumber Developed By The National Pickle Packers Association

patti-nhn — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Cucumis National Pickling (USDA Organic) Cucumber, Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling' is a cucumber that was developed by the National Pickle Packers Association. This is one of the best pickling cucumbers around. It has a high yield on vigorous vines. In comparison to the Northern Pickling, the Cucumis National Pickling cucumber has a longer, high quality season. Dill pickles made from these cucumbers are excellent specimens.

Cucumbers require moderately moist well drained soil and full sun. They do not need support but you can plant on a trellis if you wish to. The Cucumis is a sweet cucumber that is hardy from zone 3 to zone 9 and can be harvested in 55 to 60 days from planting. These cucumbers are 5 to 6 inches in length and have black spines. Being Organic adds to the plusses of this cucumber. Growing your own cucumbers provides the freshest picking and will also save you money on purchasing them from the grocery and also save money on the gas!

Adaptable & Dependable Organic Freemont Cauliflower

patti-nhn — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:36:00 GMT

The 'Brassica Freemont (USDA Organic) Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea 'Fremont (Cauliflower)' is a wonderful variety of cauliflower due to its dependability of yield and adaptability in your garden setting. It is cold hardy from zone 3 to zone 10. The Freemont is an annual that can be planted in late spring to early summer. If you are in the cooler regions, you should be able to harvest in summer and fall. In milder temps where you typically don't have heavy freezes and longer growing times, it can be overwintered for a spring harvest as well.

The Freemont is uniform with 2 to 2 1/2 pound heads that are white. While the head can be eaten fresh and cooked, the green leaves are not generally eaten although they can be cooked in broths and stocks for some added flavor. They would then be discarded after use. Well-drained, moderately moist soil is best and it is best if there is a good amount of organic matter combined with the soil. The pH of the soil should also be in the range of 6 to 7 for best production and quality. The nutrition in the vitamins from cauliflower and the fact that you will be able to eat it right as you harvest it, make it a great combination that you will want to try.

Flat Head Cabbage Grows Quickly

patti-nhn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:02:00 GMT

Our USDA Organic approved 'Premium Late Dutch Flat Organic USDA Cabbage Brassica oleracea' is known for it's flat head and large size, about 10 to 15 pounds. It is a low growing variety and is very solid. This cabbage requires well-drained soil with moderate moisture and full sun. It can be grown from zone 3 to zone 8 and is considered a very winter hardy plant. The Premium Late Dutch Flat is a fast grower as it can be harvested from 105 to 160 days from planting.

Cabbage is full of healthy vitamins and is said to help deter diseases. Growing your own cabbage will save you money and is also fresher than what you may obtain at the local grocery. You will also have the satisfaction and exercise from working in your garden. Cabbage is easy to grow and keeps well if you are unable to eat it right away. Mainly known for making coleslaw there are many other recipes that are out there. Stuffed cabbage leaves being one of many that you will enjoy.

Spice Up Your Life, Grow Some Fresh Organic Basil

patti-nhn — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:52:00 GMT

Basil 'Ocimum Genovese (USDA Organic Basil) can be grown at home in your own garden saving you money as well as giving you the freshest quality. The Ocimum Genovese variety is known for its aromatic sweet scent, which you can enjoy as you garden and compliments your cooking. You will want to plant Basil in moderately moist, well-drained soil. Once you are past the danger of last frost in your area, you will want to wait 2-3 weeks to plant. Be sure to plant in full sun for the best production. This Basil grows annually in zones 3 to 11 and in zones 9-11 can actually be perennial.

Basil is great fresh in many recipes. You will often find it in recipes that include tomatoes. It is good tossed among fresh tomatoes as well as cooked in many other dishes. Some people will also dry the basil for future use and can be kept in the refrigerator for a short period of time, it can be frozen as well to keep for those cold winter meals for a reminder of summer.

Early blooming Tulip - Single Early - Apricot Beauty

patti-nhn — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

If you are like me and have trouble waiting for the snow to melt and the flower bulbs to begin poking their heads up then this is the one for you. The Apricot Beauty, Tulipa single early 'Apricot Beauty', is a fall bulb that will start your garden out in early spring with fragrant light peach colored flowers. If you are not familiar with Single Early Tulips, they are very hardy from zones 3-8. They flourish on 10-12 inch stems and have one flower with 6 petals. They are a great addition to any area of your landscape. These would be great to be planted in front of other bulbs that will begin growing after these have begun their flowering.

Peach is a color you rarely see in bulb gardens. I think it would be quite pretty next to the purple of grape hyacinths or yellow daffodils especially. While I'm not one to show off, I wouldn't mind having the neighbors asking me where I got such beautiful tulips. Maybe I could start a new trend! I'm looking forward to their early blooming so I can finally know that spring has sprung!

"A Presidential" Asparagus - Mary Washington!

patti-nhn — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:26:00 GMT

Asparagus 'Mary Washington' is a hardy perennial and extremely delicious. I was never an asparagus lover until I tried it fresh off the plant in the garden. It takes about three years before you get your first harvest. If you try to harvest before that time, removing the spears will weaken the plant. Generally, you will have spears to harvest in the spring through May or June. To remove them you'll want to either snap them off or cut them off with a knife. Asparagus is full of vitamins A and C, folate and fiber. You'll want to cook the asparagus as soon as you can as it will lose flavor and moisture once it is cut from the plant. You can eat asparagus in a number of ways, there are lots of recipes, you can even eat it raw!

I'm beginning to think about planting my garden items, although here in Nebraska I have time to do that planning so the plants don't freeze. Planting should be done in the spring as soon as you can work the ground. You should place the plants about 9-12 inches apart. Sometimes the crown of the plant will rise above the ground after some time and you can add a couple of inches of soil at that time. At first the plants will look spindly but as they age they will fatten up. After you you have a winter freeze, the tops should be removed, this will allow less chance of disease. Enjoy growing and eating your own home grown asparagus, you'll never want it any other way.