OCTOBER PLANTING GUIDE FOR FLORIDA Posted on 29 Sep 16:58 , 4 comments

This month we're breaking up our Seed Planting Guide.  October is another HUGE planting month for Florida and we've split up our guide into 3 regions. 

At Mary's Heirloom Seeds

We just added several new combo packs... 

Mary's Tomato Lover combo pack 

Organic Garden Starter Pack

"Flower Power" Herb Combo Pack - Check it out!!!

HAPPY PLANTING!

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Fall Planting Tips & More Posted on 28 Sep 06:59 , 0 comments

Mary's Heirloom Seeds FALL is officially here.  Happy Fall to you and best wishes for your Fall Garden. We have been sharing a lot of info about FALL gardening lately. Mary's Cool weather crop recommendations include Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, KALE and more. For complete details, read Mary's Cool Weather Crops 2 NEW Combo Packs have been added for FALL! FALL GARDEN SEED COMBO PACK Our unique selection of cool-weather crops is perfect for your fall garden.  This combo pack Includes 7 varieties of individually packed seeds. FALL GARDEN SUPER SEED COMBO PACK Our unique selection of cool-weather crops is perfect for your fall garden.  These are individual packs of seeds.  This combo pack includes the seed selection from our regular Fall Garden Combo Pack, plus quite a few more for a total of 12 seed packs ~~~~~~~~~ We offer numerous articles on growing from seeds on our page Organic Growing Tips & Videos SEPTEMBER Planting Guide for the US  SEPTEMBER Planting Guide for Florida (split in 3 sections) Tutorials include: Growing Organic Beets from Seed to Harvest All About KALE Growing Radish from Seed to Harvest Plant for Pollinators & Increase Crop Yield PLEASE VOTE for Mary's Heirloom Seeds! Please Vote for Mary! Once you've signed in, you get 6 votes a day and you can vote every day  RECENT ARTICLES & HELPFUL LINKS What is Humic Acid & How does it Work? What are Heirlooms, Hybrids & GMOs?  Seed Definitions Explained Growing Organic Garlic from Seeds (cloves) Save on these Soil Amendments HUMIC ACID MARY'S ORGANIC PLANT FOOD GREENSAND We hope you have a wonderful start of fall.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask.  We are available via email and phone. Sincerely, Mary Mary's Heirloom Seeds Mary's Heirloom Seeds (954) 654-3501 mary@marysheirloomseeds.com "Growing organic food, teaching organic gardening methods and saving seeds for future generations"   -Mary

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Mary's Cool Weather Crops Posted on 18 Sep 20:16 , 0 comments

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What is Humic Acid & How does it Work? Posted on 12 Sep 13:01 , 3 comments

• Addition of organic matter to organically-deficient soils
• Increase root vitality
• Improved nutrient uptake
• Increased chlorophyll synthesis
• Better seed germination
• Increased fertilizer retention
• Stimulate beneficial microbial activity
• Healthier plants and improved yields

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Growing Organic Garlic from Seed (cloves) Posted on 29 Aug 08:01 , 1 comment

It's that time to start thinking about GARLIC.  This is our second year of offering several varieties of Organic Garlic Seed at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  Pre-Orders of Garlic is still available for a limited time (August 20th).  Orders ship out after September 19th.

Red Chesnok Garlic (hardneck)

Fall is the time to plant for best yields and highest quality bulbs. Generally plant in September–January. In very cold areas, plant by mid-October, and protect your crop with a thick layer of mulch such as straw. Expect to harvest it in June–July.  One lb of garlic seed equals approx. a 25' row with 4" spacing between plants. For most garlics, expect an optimum 10 lb yield for every lb planted.

Before we get started...A garlic Clove is a garlic SEED.

HARDNECK
Rocambole garlic has wrappers that are typically reddish in color, such as Killarney Red.  However, color is not the only requirement for this category, as some varieties may be white or purple colored. Rocambole scapes are more tightly curled than other varieties.  Most rocambole varieties produce 8 to 10 cloves per head.

SOFTNECK

Softneck garlic, also called artichoke garlic due to their numerous cloves that give them an appearance similar to the “petals” of an artichoke head, is the most common garlic due to its excellent storage characteristics.  This is the kind you will find in grocery stores. 
Softnecks are the most heat tolerant of garlic, and have a sweeter, milder flavor than hardnecks.  If you’re looking to make garlic braids, this is the type to grow. 
 

Inchelium Red (softneck)

From The Old Farmer's Almanac,

Planting

• Garlic can be planted in the spring as soon as the ground can be worked, but fall planting is recommended for most gardeners. Plant in the fall and you'll find that your bulbs are bigger and more flavorful when you harvest the next summer.
• In areas that get a hard frost, plant garlic 6 to 8 weeks before that frost. In southern areas, February or March is a better time to plant.
• Break apart cloves from bulb a few days before planting, but keep the papery husk on each individual clove.
• Plant cloves about one month before the ground freezes. 
• Do not plant cloves from the grocery store. They may be unsuited varieties for your area, and most are treated to make their shelf life longer, making them harder to grow. Instead, get cloves from a mail order seed company or a local nursery.
• Ensure soil is well-drained with plenty of organic matter. Select a sunny spot.
• Place cloves 4 inches apart and 2 inches deep, in their upright position (the wide root side facing down and pointed end facing up).
• In the spring, as warmer temperatures come, shoots will emerge through the ground.

Care

• Northern gardeners should mulch heavily with straw for overwintering.
• Mulch should be removed in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. (Young shoots can't survive in temps below 20°F on their own. Keep them under cover.)
• Cut off any flower shoots that emerge in spring. These may decrease bulb size.
• Weeds should not be a problem until the spring. Weed as needed.
• Garlic requires adequate levels of nitrogen. Fertilize accordingly, especially if you see yellowing leaves.
• Water every 3 to 5 days during bulbing (mid-May through June).
• A note on garlic scapes: Some folks love cooking the scapes (the tops of hardneck garlic). Whether you trim the scapes or let them keep growing is your preference. We like to stir fry scapes the way we cook green beans—similar with a spicy kick!

 From Organic Gardening,

Planting Garlic: Step 1
Break a garlic bulb apart into individual cloves, being careful to keep the papery skins covering each clove intact. Then fill a quart jar with water and 1 tablespoon of liquid seaweed. Soak the cloves in this mixture for 2 hours prior to planting to prevent fungal disease and encourage vigorous growth.

Planting Garlic: Step 2
In the meantime, prepare your bed for planting. Garlic grows best in rich, well-drained soil that is free of weeds. Dig a furrow about 3 inches deep. Place the presoaked cloves into the furrow, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart. Be sure the flat root end is down and the pointy end is up.

Planting Garlic: Step 3
Cover the cloves with 2 inches of soil and side-dress the furrow with compost or scratch in granulated organic fertilizer. Water the bed in well and cover it with 6 to 8 inches of straw mulch. You should see shoots poking through the mulch in 4 to 6 weeks. The garlic stops growing in the winter months and resumes in spring.

 THAT my friends is how it's done!  Are you ready to plant organic garlic?





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FALL Garden Prep Specials Posted on 25 Aug 05:19 , 0 comments

Fringed Kale

Mary's Heirloom Seeds

Quick Links   Echinacea Coconut Coir Pellets POPPY Seed Starting SUPPLIES Organic Plant Food Organic Pest Control Heirloom BEANS   Heirloom BEETS Heirloom CABBAGE Heirloom CARROTS   Heirloom CORN    Heirloom CUCUMBERS Heirloom EGGPLANT Heirloom GREENS Heirloom ONIONS   Heirloom PEAS   Heirloom PEPPERS  Heirloom RADISH  Heirloom SEEDS Heirloom SQUASH & PUMPKIN Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Organic Wildflowers Seed Pack Combos FRUIT: Berry Seeds Melon Seeds Watermelon Seeds  SPROUTS DIY Tincture Kits Order Online and we SHIP! All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo & non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds. Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.  $10 Order Minimum Most orders place Monday-Thursday ship within 24 hours, except for Holidays. Join Our List

August 25, 2015 FALL is in the air!  Some of you are thinking about your favorite fall crops.  Those of you in warmer climates like South Florida are gearing up for big-time planting season. Our September Seed planting Guide is HERE!!! FALL Planting Preparations        All FALL Prep Specials available   thru 8/31/15 **Just a reminder for those of you with pest issues, especially tomato hornworms and squash borers** Companion Planting is very important for your organic garden. Plant BORAGE with tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and squash.  Plant Nasturtiums with squash, pumpkins & cucumber.   Organic Plant Food 3-4-4 **SAVE on 2 pounds or more** FREE SEEDS with purchase of   Coconut Coir Pellets  FREE seeds with purchase of $10 or more  SALE Extended thru 8/31/15 AZOMITE *Save on 2 pounds or more* GREENSAND *Save on 2 pounds or more* Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth **SAVE Big on 2 pounds or more** NEW DE in a Glass Jar BACK IN STOCK: Thyme Oregano Lemon Basil **The last day to Pre-Order Organic Garlic is Wed, August 26th** Organic Garlic must be purchased separate or all items will ship together after Sept 19th FALL Planting Guide Part 1 SEPTEMBER SEED PLANTING GUIDE FOR THE US BY REGION September Planting Guide for Florida Have you seen this??? We are FOOD FINALISTS! View our profile Voting begins September 21st!!! *We'll send out a reminder*

All About KALE Posted on 20 Aug 13:08 , 0 comments

I'm growing more KALE in the garden this year.  At the moment, they are tiny seedlings but they are growing! KALE is a Rockstar!

KALE is considered a Superfood.   From WHF,
"Kale's risk-lowering benefits for cancer have recently been extended to at least five different types of cancer. These types include cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from glucosinolates in kale play a primary role in achieving these risk-lowering benefits.

Kale is now recognized as providing comprehensive support for the body's detoxification system. New research has shown that the ITCs made from kale's glucosinolates can help regulate detox at a genetic level.

Researchers can now identify over 45 different flavonoids in kale. With kaempferol and quercetin heading the list, kale's flavonoids combine both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in way that gives kale a leading dietary role with respect to avoidance of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress."

Why is KALE a Rockstar?
"Kale's cancer preventive benefits have been clearly linked to its unusual concentration of two types of antioxidants, namely, carotenoids and flavonoids. Within the carotenoids, lutein and beta-carotene are standout antioxidants in kale. Researchers have actually followed the passage of these two carotenoids in kale from the human digestive tract up into the blood stream, and they have demonstrated the ability of kale to raise blood levels of these carotenoid nutrients. That finding is important because lutein and beta-carotene are key nutrients in the protection of our body from oxidative stress and health problems related to oxidative stress. Increased risk of cataracts, atherosclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are three such problems. Also among these chronic health problems is cancer since our overall risk of cells becoming cancerous is partly related to oxidative stress."

We have 4 varieties of Organic Kale seeds at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.

ORNAMENTAL FRINGED KALE

This lovely mix contains pretty shades of pink, purple, and white. Contrasts nicely with the deep green outer leaves.
Also known as Flowering Kale, the plants look like huge frilly flowers.
The leaves make a superb garnish and are good as cooked greens. Best grown as a fall plant because colors are more intense in cool weather.

55-60 days. Compact plants yield tender, blue-green, crinkled leaves that are quite delicious, very cold hardy, and rich in vitamin A

LACINATO KALE

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SEED SALE -- Last Chance Posted on 17 Aug 07:32 , 0 comments

NEW - Wild Strawberry

 

 

 

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SEPTEMBER Seed Planting Guide for the US Posted on 12 Aug 21:20 , 5 comments

FALL is fast approaching!  Some of you are thinking about your favorite fall crops.  Those of you in warmer climates like South Florida are gearing up for big-time planting season.

Our September Seed planting Guide is HERE!!!

SEPTEMBER SEED PLANTING GUIDE FOR THE US BY REGION **Just a reminder for those of you with pest issues, especially tomato hornworms and squash borers** Companion Planting is very important for your organic garden. Plant BORAGE with tomatoes and Nasturtiums with squash   FLORIDA Gardeners, we have split the state into 3 sections.  Click the links for complete details Northern Florida Central Florida South Florida   Gulf Coast Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli (Transplants), Brussels Sprouts (Transplants), Carrots, Cauliflower (Transplants), Cilantro, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumber, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard greens, Onion, Pak Choy, Parsley, Peas, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel, *Malabar Spinach,* Spinach, Summer Squash and Turnips  Cover Crops: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Oats and Wheat SAN DIEGO Arugula, Basil, Beans Beets , Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Head Lettuce, Leaf Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Turnips Southwest  Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli (transplant), Brussels Sprouts (transplant), Cabbage (transplants, Carrots, Cauliflower (transplant), Collard Greens, Endive, KALE, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onions, Pak Choy, Peas, Radicchio, Radishes, Rutabaga, Sorrel, *Malabar Spinach,*  Spinach, Swiss Chard and  Turnips HERBS: Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Parley, Rosemary, Tarragon and Thyme  Southern Interior  Arugula, Beans, Beets, Carrots, Chinese Cabbage, Cilantro, Collards greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard greens, Parsley, Pak Choy, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard and Turnips  Pacific Northwest Arugula, Beets, Cilantro, Collard greens, Endive, Lettuce, Mache, Mustard Greens, Pak Choy, Radicchio, Radishes, Rutabaga, Sorrel and Spinach Mid Atlantic Arugula, Beets, Cilantro, Collard greens, Endive, Lettuce, Mache, Mustard Greens, Pak Choy, Radicchio, Radishes, Rutabaga, Sorrel and Spinach New England & Maritime Canada Arugula, Beets, Cilantro, Endive, Lettuce, Mache, Pak Choy, Radish, Rutabaga, Sorrel and Spinach Cover Crops: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Oats and Wheat North Central & Rockies  Arugula, Cilantro, Endive, Lettuce, Mache, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Sorrel and Spinach Cover Crops: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Oats and Wheat    Central Midwest Arugula, Basil, Cilantro, Collard greens, Lettuce, Mache, Mustard Greens, Peas, Radishes, Sorrel, Spinach and Turnips Cover Crops: Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Oats and Wheat We've added Organic Neem Oil at Mary's Heirloom Seeds to help you grow a healthy, organic garden!  About Neem Oil FREE SEEDS with purchase of   Coconut Coir Pellets  FREE seeds with purchase of $10 or more  SALE Ends 8/18/15 FALL Planting Guide Part 1 We are FOOD FINALISTS! View our profile Voting begins September 21st!!! *We'll send out a reminder*

If you have additional questions please feel free to ask.  Happy Planting, Mary Mary's Heirloom Seeds

 

SEPTEMBER Seed Planting Guide for Florida Posted on 12 Aug 14:13 , 3 comments

This month we're breaking up our Seed Planting Guide.  September is a HUGE planting month for Florida and we've split up our guide into 3 regions. 

At Mary's Heirloom Seeds

HUGE SEED SALE thru 8/18/15 

**Organic Seed Packs as low as $1**

We just added several new combo packs... 

Mary's Tomato Lover combo pack 

Organic Garden Starter Pack

"Flower Power" Herb Combo Pack - Check it out!!!

HAPPY PLANTING!

Sign up for our E-Newsletter