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About Perpetual Spinach Posted on 15 Oct 07:57 , 3 comments

If you're like me and you're looking to add a few more varieties to your garden that will produce for more than a season, Perpetual Spinach is a fantastic option!

Perpetual spinach is actually a swiss chard variety but looks and tastes more like spinach.

From seed, Perpetual Spinach is usually producing by 50 days.  I've had quite a few swiss chard varieties continue to produce for over 9 months so they're well worth the moderate amount of space they use in the garden.  Perpetual Spinach is a great container variety as well.

From Mary's Heirloom Seeds

50 days. European heirloom dating back to the 1860s. Belongs to the same species as chard and beets, but it has distinctive differences.

The taste is more like a true spinach than ordinary chard, and the leaves look like spinach too.  Pertetual Spinach leaves are flatter and more pointed than chard, with slimmer stems.

An excellent no-fuss warm weather substitute for spinach in the Southeast.

 

From Mary's Blog, Growing Swiss Chard from Seed to Harvest

Tip: Soak seeds overnight in water before planting to ensure strong germination.

Plant seeds 1/4 - 1/2 inch deep and 3-6 inches apart. Set out seedlings 8-12 inches apart. Indoors or out, thin newly germinated seedlings with cuticle scissors instead of pulling them out. Chard seed capsules often contain two or more seeds. If more than one germinates snip off all but the strongest sprout at the soil line. Gradually thin direct-sown seedlings to 8-12 inches apart.

Harvest individual leaves from the outer area but be sure to leave the crown intact.

Frequent picking helps to stimulate the production of new leaves. Rinse leaves with cool water immediately, shake off the excess moisture, and store in plastic bags in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Swiss Chard is not only heat tolerant, depending on your area, it is also a cool weather crop.  I have had several varieties withstand several days of frost and survive. 

Companion Plants for Swiss Chard:

Bean, cabbage family, tomato, onion and roses. Don't overlook chard's value as an ornamental plant in flower beds or wherever you have room for it. Don't grow chard near cucurbits, melons, corn or herbs.

CONTINUE READING

 

 

 

 

If you have additional questions please send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com


Happy Planting!


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Cool Weather Crops Posted on 16 Apr 20:13 , 0 comments

4/16/2018

It's been a bit chillier than normal so we're still able to plant a few more cool weather crops before it warms up.

Heirloom Radish is a favorite around here!


Artichoke- plant in late fall or early spring.  Artichoke is a perennial so plant in a place you intend to keep for several years.


Arugula: 40-50 days


Asparagus - Seeds can take awhile to germinate so have patience.  Asparagus is a perennial so plant in a place you tend to keep for up to 20 years


Broccoli: 50-100 days. Tips:  The leaves of the broccoli plant are also edible.  Cook them up just like you would spinach or swiss chard.  Livestock enjoy broccoli leaves as well.


Brussels Sprouts: 90-100 days

 

Bunching Onions: 65-110 days. Harvested the green tops as they grow or harvest the entire bunching onion.


Cabbage: 75-110 days

Chinese Cabbage: 21-75 days to harvest.  Also called Pak Choy or Bok Choy

Carrots: 60-75 days.


Cauliflower: 80 days.  Too-high temperature can prevent head formation


Celery: 110-120 days


Cilantro: 30+ days.  An excellent option for a kitchen herb garden

Collards: 70 days. Collards can handle cooler weather as well as warmer weather.


Kale: 55-80 days.  Kale can continue to grow into warmer days.  Lacinato Kale is known to grow in warmer climates such as Florida, Texas and South America

 


Kohlrabi: 55-60 days


Leeks: 110 days


Lettuce: 25-60 days.  Lettuce is a great option for just about any time of the year!


Bunching Onions: 60-80 days


Snap Peas: 55-70 days


RADISH: 23-70 days.  Most radish varieties mature in as few as 30 days and are very easy to grow

 

Rutabaga: 80-100 days. Rutabaga can tolerate light frost and warmer temps.


Swiss Chard: 60 days.  Swiss Chard can grow in cool and warm temperatures.  It's a great crop to add to your food garden because it  can offer a continual harvest of 6 months or more.


Spinach: 50 days. Spinach can tolerate cooler temps and a light frost.


TURNIPS: 50-70 days.  I Love turnips!  The leaves are edible or feed them to livestock.  I use them instead of potatoes to make "home fries."

*3/1/24 UPDATE* During a recent live chat, we discussed Cool Weather Crops. I went one step further and discussed specific seed varieties that can germinate in cooler soil temps. Check it out!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed another educational article.  If you have additional questions, please leave a comment below or send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com

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*UPDATED* October Planting Guide for the US Posted on 22 Sep 05:40 , 0 comments

We've added a few regions to our guide and a few new arrivals of Heirloom Seeds.
Happy Planting!
*Photo from The Self Sufficiant HomeAcre from our seeds*

 

Mary's Heirloom Seeds
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September 21, 2017
It seems to be cooling off in our area.
How about you?
If you're in a warmer climate like Florida, now is a GREAT time to start planting and re-planting.
Below you will find our updated
October Planting Guide as well as a few extra
If you have additional question we are happy to help!

FALL HERB GARDENS
 
With just a little early planning, you can have several herbs that like cool weather this Fall.  Fall Herb Garden suggestions include parsley (flat Italian or curled), sage, rosemary, thyme, chives, lavender, Basil, cilantro, and mint. Within a few weeks, you will be rewarded with the freshest flavors for autumn meals.
Cilantro is a great cool-weather herb!

From Seed to Harvest:

Basil - 60 to 90 days *I've harvested as early as 30 days*
Chives - 80 to 90 days
Garlic Chives - 80 to 90 days
Cilantro - 60 to 90 days *I've harvested as early as 30 days*
Lavender - 90 days
 Italian Parsley - 40 to 60 days
French Parsley - Chervil - 80 to 120 days
Peppermint - 90 days - Perennial
Rosemary - 90 days - Perennial (grows for several years) *I have seen Rosemary "trees" almost 5 feet tall
 SAGE - 90 days
Thyme - 90-180 days
 
FALL GARDEN INFO


**Just a reminder**  Organic Garlic is now available as a Pre-Order thru August 20th
Please read all of the ordering info before placing your order. Organic Garlic must be purchased in advance and we usually sell out by August/September  
 
GARLIC Planting info is separate and can be found in our article WHEN to Plant Garlic 
 

FLORIDA FIRST!
 
Arugula, Bush & Pole Beans, Beats, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collards, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Melon, Mustard, Okra, Onions, Peas-English & Southern, PEPPERS, Pumpkin, Radish, Romaine, Sorrel, Summer Spinach (Malabar Spinach), Bloomsdale Spinach, Summer Squash, TOMATOES, Turnips and Watermelon.
 Herbs: Anise, Basil, Borage, Calendula, Catnip, Chamomile, Caraway, Chives, Cilantro, Comfrey, Dill, Echinacea, Lavender,  Lemon Bee Balm, Lemonbalm, Lemongrass, Mugwort, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Tarragon, Toothache Plant, Thyme and Yarrow 
Don't forget the HERBS &  Wildflowers!   
Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Eggplant, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Onions, Peas-English & Southern Radish, Romaine, Sorrel, Summer Spinach (Malabar Spinach), Bloosmdale Spinach, Strawberry, Cherry TOMATOES and Turnips.
 Herbs: Anise, Basil, Borage, Calendula, Catnip, Chamomile, Caraway, Chives, Cilantro, Comfrey, Dill, Echinacea, Lavender,  Lemon Bee Balm, Lemonbalm, Lemongrass, Mugwort, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Tarragon, Toothache Plant, Thyme and Yarrow 
Don't forget the HERBS & Wildflowers
 
Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Onions, Radish, Romaine, Sorrel, Summer Spinach (Malabar Spinach), Bloomsdale Spinach, Strawberries and Turnips.
 Herbs: Anise, Basil, Borage, Calendula, Catnip, Chamomile, Caraway, Chives, Cilantro, Comfrey, Dill, Echinacea, Lavender,  Lemon Bee Balm, Lemonbalm, Lemongrass, Mugwort, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Tarragon, Toothache Plant, Thyme and Yarrow 
Don't forget the HERBS & Wildflowers!  

 
 
CHERRY BELLE RADISH 
 *NEW*
 
 
 
 
Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Cucumber, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard greens, Onion, Pak Choy, Parsley, Peas-English & Southern, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel, *Malabar Spinach,* Spinach and Turnips
Herbs & Wildflowers 
Cover Crops: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Oats and Wheat


Arugula, Basil, Beets , Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Head Lettuce, Leaf Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Turnips
HERBS: Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel and Poppy

IMPORTANT: If you live in cool/colder climates but are growing in a greenhouse or use a hoop to cover your crops, you are able to grow more varieties and for a longer period. 
Read Mary's Cool Weather Crops
Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard Greens, Eggplant, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onions, Pak Choy, Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Rutabaga, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Turnips 
 
Arugula, Calabrese Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, KALE, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce,  Bunching Onions, Radicchio, Radishes, Rutabaga, Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard and  Turnips
HERBS: Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel and Poppy
 

Arugula, Calabrese Sprouting Broccoli, Chinese Cabbage, Cilantro, Fennel, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel, Spinach and Swiss Chard
*Turnips if you have a later frost date*
Read about Cool Weather Crops

 
Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Mustard and Turnips can withstand a touch of frost and do well during Fall.
Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Parsnips, Collards and Artichokes can actually improve with a bit of frost.
 RADISH is an excellent Fall crop. 
It is easy to grow and a quick harvest!


If you have warmer days and cold nights, consider planting greens in small containers to bring inside at night.  Or, plant a windowsill garden to harvest fresh greens such as European Mesclun Mix and Arugula.
RADISH is an excellent Fall crop. 
It is easy to grow and a quick harvest!

If you have warmer days and cold nights, consider planting greens in small containers to bring inside at night.  Or, plant a windowsill garden to harvest fresh greens such as European Mesclun Mix and Arugula.
RADISH is an excellent Fall crop. 
It is easy to grow and a quick harvest! 
 

If you have warmer days and cold nights, consider planting greens in small containers to bring inside at night.  Or, plant a windowsill garden to harvest fresh greens such as European Mesclun Mix and Arugula
RADISH is an excellent Fall crop. 
It is easy to grow and a quick harvest!  


If you have warmer days and cold nights, consider planting greens in small containers to bring inside at night.  Or, plant a windowsill garden to harvest fresh greens such as European Mesclun Mix and Arugula
  RADISH is an excellent Fall crop. 
It is easy to grow and a quick harvest!  
 

Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Mustard and Turnips can withstand a touch of frost and do well during Fall.
Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Parsnips, Collards and Artichokes can actually improve with a bit of frost.
 RADISH is an excellent Fall crop.  It is easy to grow and a quick harvest! 

Vates Blue Curled Kale


Arugula, Basil, Beets , Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Head Lettuce, Leaf Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Rutabaga,  Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Turnips
HERBS: Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel and Poppy 


HELPFUL LINKS  
Wondering when to plant ORGANIC GARLIC?
 
   
If you have additional questions please feel free to ask. 

Have a safe and happy weekend!

 

Happy Planting,

 

Mary's Heirloom Seeds, P. O. Box 3763, Ramona, CA 92065