Caraway Seeds are a popular "spice" added to soups, stews, roasted potatoes and even cheese dips. Besides the seeds, caraway leaves are sometimes used as an herb, both fresh and dried, adding them to salads, soups and stews much like parsley. Caraway roots can be eaten similar to parsnips.
From Mary's Heirloom Seeds:
Caraway grows best in full sun, in a well-drained soil which is high in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Seed can be sown in spring or early autumn. Caraway should always be direct seeded as seedlings do not transplant well.
Carum carvi (Apiaceae —carrot family)
Caraway is a biennial herd that grows well in Zones 3 to 11. Caraway can tolerate both hot and cold weather and usually produces seeds in it's second year. Caraway flowers in spring and early summer of the second year on 2-foot stems.
Growing Caraway from seed
Caraway can be planted in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Caraway seeds germinate in 5 to 14 days under optimal conditions. Sow caraway outdoors in spring or autumn. For an early start, sow caraway in spring as early as the soil can be worked, about the date of the average last frost.
Sow seeds 1/4 deep and keep soil moist.
Caraway does not transplant well so it is best to sow outdoors if possible.
Companion planting with Caraway
Once in bloom, the plants will attract many species of predatory insects to control pest species. Plant near any crop that suffers from caterpillars (such as Brassicas) or aphids (such as peas).
If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask!
Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) flowers are daisy-like and come in colors of orange or yellow with single or double rows of petals. The genus name comes from the Latin word “calendae”, which means “the first day of the month” as it flowers all year round.
Also called Pot Marigold, Calendula grows quickly from wild flower seed, blooms heavily, and then dies with the first heavy frost. It will grow in all regions of North America. Calendula is very easy to grow from seed.
Calendula is grown to attract pollinators and for it's medicinal uses.
Direct sow Calendula flower seed into prepared seed beds after all danger of frost has passed in the spring.
Calendula seeds can also be planted in late Summer for a Fall harvest.
Lightly cover the flower seeds with peat moss, and sow 6 seeds per foot. Thin to 8 - 12 inches apart.
Seeds can germinate in as few as 7 days and plants blossom 6 to 8 weeks later.
Indoor or containers:
Sow Calendula seeds seeds in cell packs or coconut coir pellets, press into soil and lightly cover. Kept at 70F, germination averages 7 - 14 days.
Calendula prefers full sun, moderate water, and almost any soil with good drainage will work. Calendula flowers are long-lasting cut, and they attract bees and butterflies.
Once harvested, Calendula petals can be used to make your self-care products. I make Calendula Infused Oil.
Harvesting & Drying Calendula
You can harvest just the petals to use or the entire flower. The petals can be used in your homemade products and seeds can be saved for your next planting.
The best time to harvest Calendula is in the morning when the flower is fully open and dry. Snip off the flower head at the top of the stalk with scissors is the easiest way to harvest calendula. Once you harvest Calendula, lay out on a drying rack or screen in a well ventilated area and away from direct sunlight.
Make sure your Calendula is completely dry before storing. Store dried calendula in glass jars with airtight seals.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Is a perennial herb often grown for it's medicinal properties. Some consider it a weed. Some gardeners grow Yarrow to attract pollinators.
Grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Beautiful when used as a dried flower. When young and tender, the fresh early spring leaves of Yarrow can be finely chopped and added to salads, soups, meat dishes, stir-fry and cooked beans. Also popular as an herb; used for colds, fevers, and for healing wounds
Yarrow is drought tolerant and can grow in both hot and humid climates.
From seed, Yarrow usually germinates in 14 to 21 days. Sow in containers or 6 cell germination trays for best results. Lightly cover seeds and keep soil warm. You can speed up germination by covering seed trays with a clear lid to maintain heat and moisture.
Tor transplant:
Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. (compost is optional with yarrow)
Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly.
Yarrow grows until freezing conditions set in. Plant hardiness zones 3-9.
The leaves, flowers and root can be used for medicinal recipes. Yarrow is a fantastic addition to any herb garden!
If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask!
Basil is a favorite for most home gardeners and homesteaders. It's easy to grow and usually prolific. At Mary's Heirloom Seeds, we offer quite a few unique varieties such as Dark Purple Opal Basil, Thai Holy Basil and even Lemon Basil.
Seed Starting Basics
Sow Basil seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before your last frost day OR sow seeds outside when soil is warm and temperatures do not drop below 65 F during the day. Seeds should be sown less than 1/4 inch deep in moist, well-drained soil.
Basil seeds usually germinate in as few as 5-7 days. Make successive sowings of basil seeds for continuous summer harvests.
From seed to harvest, Basil is ready in as few as 45 days. Basil can grow in full sun as as little as 6 hours of sun. Space Basil plants about 12 inches apart or interplant basil between larger plants such as Tomatoes and Peppers.
Water basil when soil is dry to the touch and try to water soil and not leaves. In warmer months, Basil will need more water.
Basil is pretty pest tolerant but you might see the occasional flea beetle marks or leaf miners. Aphids can usually be sprayed of with a water hose.
One healthy, well pruned Basil plant can produce around 1/2 cup of leaves every week. If you're limited on space, there are even dwarf varieties such as Dwarf Greek Basil.
Once mature, harvest basil leaves regularly to promote healthy growth. It is usually recommended to harvest from the top of the plant, using scissors or fingernails. Try to cut as close to the stem as possible.
Pinching off flowers is recommended to keep a continuous harvest all summer long. Flowering is also called "bolting" and the plant will put forth more energy for flower production. If you wish to save the seeds, allow your plants to bolt.
Victory Gardens are making a comeback with an emphasis on sustainable food. Starting a garden is always a great idea so we have a few tips below.
During World War I, Victory Gardens began in backyards, empty lots and whatever space people could find as Americans were called to grow food. Food production had fallen dramatically as agricultural labor joined the military service.
During World War II, the victory garden movement resurfaced. Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden on the White House lawn and Americans were encouraged to “Sow the Seeds of Victory.”
At its peak, it is estimated that nearly 20,000,000 gardens were grown and about 40 percent of all vegetables produced in the U.S. came from Victory Gardens.
Getting started
In my article You Don't need a Farm to Grow Food, I mentioned several ways to grow including growing vertically, in buckets or growing in small spaces.
Growing from seeds allows you to choose unique varieties and grow them according to your area. Choosing heirloom seeds will give the opportunity to save seeds from your harvest to grow more food in the future. Growing from seed and then saving seeds is like printing your own money (only better because you can't eat money)
If this is your first time growing a garden, you might consider easier varieties to grow from seed. EASY CROPS to grow that do not require much space or heavy nutrients include
If you intend to grow enough to preserve for future consumption, don't overlook varieties such as Tomatoes, Cucumber, Dill, Okra, Peppers, Squash, Rosemary and Pumpkin
Know What to Plant and When to plant
For a successful garden it is important to know when to plant certain crops specifically in your area. Planting in Florida for example will be much different than Colorado.
Our Comprehensive Planting Guide includes 2 fantastic options. One is a Region-Specific Guide and the other is a USDA Zone Specific Planting Guide.
Our Comprehensive Planting Guide also includes seed-specific planting information, DIY garden tutorials, helpful videos and even a few recipes
Depending on your region, you might even be able to grow year round!
Purple Orach is a new one and it's such an exciting variety!!!
Atriplex hortensis
45 days from seed
Also known as Mountain spinach, French spinach, Giant Lambs quarters. Touted as a warm-season alternative to spinach, orach is actually a cool-season plant that just doesn't go to seed (bolt) as quickly as spinach. Harvest leaves that are less-bitter than spinach into the summer. Purple varieties in particular make good ornamental plants, though can reach 4 to 6 feet tall.
Reseeds easily.
For those of you in warmer climates, From U of F
Orach is a cool season vegetable and should be grown much like garden spinach. It is quick to bolt in summer. In South and Central Florida, plant in October through January. From Orlando northward, plant seeds mid-September through February. Sow seeds ½- to 1-inch deep in rows spaced 2-feet apart. Thin seedlings to stand 6-12 inches in the row. Seedlings may be transplanted.
If you have additional questions please give us a call or email
Garden Gifts are my favorite! Audrey Hepburn said, "To plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow." Sharing the gift of gardening is amazing! (that's my own quote)
At Mary's Heirloom Seeds, we offer quite a few starter kits and seed combo packs. In this guide, you'll find a few of Mary's favorites as well as our customer favorites.
We have moved our "garden necklaces" to a new Etsy shop Sunshine Homestead. There are a few "lorax" and Bee items available
Easy to grow and wonderful to eat. This pack contains a large variety of easy to grow seeds at a great value This combo pack includes one pack of each:
Little Gem Lettuce, White Egg Turnip, Detroit Dark Red Beet, Extra Dwarf Pak Choy Cabbage, Boston Pickling Cucumber, Kentucky Wonder "Old Homestead" Bean, Dynamite Popcorn, Sugar Ann Snap Pea, Black Cherry Tomato, Ruby Red Swiss Chard, Genovese Basil, Dill Bouquet, Lemon Queen Sunflower, Butterfly Garden Mix
Herb gardens make great gifts for beginner gardeners, "seasoned" gardeners and pretty much anyone that enjoys fresh herbs. Our "In the Kitchen" Herb Garden Kit is great for an indoor or outdoor garden.
This is a great starter kit for your Kitchen Herb Garden. Includes a full-pack of the following varieties: Genovese Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Oregano, Parsley, Tarragon, Thyme
Choose from seeds only or the starter pack.
STARTER PACK option includes 24 coconut coir pellets, 7 plant markers and Garden Tools set
At Mary's Heirloom Seeds, we have a few smaller packs that also make great gifts. Mary's favorite is the LUFFA STARTER KIT and we've just added more pellets to the kit for 2020!!!
UPDATED for 2020
Looking to start a garden but not sure where to start? Looking for a fun gift idea for just about any age? Each starter kit includes:
This combo pack includes thousands of seeds, planting instructions and an option to add coconut coir pellets. Our Back to Basics Homestead Pack has been updated with more seeds!!!
There are so many Seed Combo Packs and Starter Kits, it's hard to choose. But it's not like you have to pick just one. Try a few!
Companion planting is based around the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another.
EACH kit includes one packet of Borage, Marigold, Genovese Basil and Nasturtium as well as your choice of the following Vegetable: Brandywine tomato, Black Beauty Zucchini, Cal Wonder Bell Pepper or Black Beauty Zucchini
We offer several articles with our own tips & tricks to seed starting but this one is a bit more in-depth. We start planning and prepping for seed starting when it's still chilly outside.
I like to use Coconut Coir for seed starting. It's easy to use and less acidic than peat moss. Seeds do not need any fertilizer in the beginning stages so it is best not to use compost or treated soil for seed germination.
Coconut Coir Pellets or 6 Cell Germination trays work well for seed starting. Use garden markers to label the seeds you've planted. I hear from SO many gardeners that they forgot to label or lost their labels and they don't know what they planted! We recently posted 2 video to help you get started
Sowing depth varies, depending on the germination needs of the plant, but generally most seeds are sown at a depth about twice their width. Some seeds require light to germinate and so require sowing on the soil surface. Once depth is determined, sow one to two seeds per pot and mist the soil surface with water so it's evenly moist. Most seeds germinate best at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering when the soil surface feels dry is sufficient, but empty any collected water from the drip tray within 30 minutes of irrigation to prevent soggy soil.
Some seedlings may have to be transplanted into larger pots to give them room to grow and develop their root systems. Handle the baby plants gently by their leaves, not stems or roots, and try to keep the tiny rootballs intact as you move plants to their new pots. When watering seeds, I use either a spray bottle to moisten the soil or pour water into the reservoir so the soil wicks up the water. Heavy-handed pouring can displace tiny seeds so it is best to use caution. Kathryn at Little Bits of Heaven homestead mentioned her secret to avoid "dampening off" in her video Starting the Summer Garden & Cheap Seed Organization and it's cinnamon! We use Cinnamon as well and it definitely helps. Check on your plants once a day Harden off your seedlings prior to transplanting outdoors. Not sure how, we have an article Hardening Off Seedlings If you'd like to check out our very first video on seed starting, it's also on our youtube channel
If you have additional questions please give us a call or email
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 small 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. So far, Lacinato Kale is the most heat tolerant variety we carry
Chards: 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.
-Make sure soil remains moist but is well drained.
-Harvest the outer leaves continuously with both Kale & Swiss Chard.
-Once established, Swiss Chard can continue to produce for over 6 months and even a year!
-Swiss Chard will tell you when it needs water. Just look at it. If the leaves are wilting, sprinkle them anytime—even in the heat of the day—to cool them off and slow down the transpiration rate.
-Weed by hand if necessary, but be careful of plant roots:
Fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting. Most greens prefer soil that is high in humus, with plenty of compost and a steady supply of nitrogen to keep if growing fast. Alfalfa Meal or Alfalfa Meal Tea works well for Growing Greens.
If you have additional questions please send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist soil. It is best to sow lettuce or spinach seeds thinly in rows spaced about 1 ft. apart or simply scatter the seeds in blocks. Cover lightly with soil, firm in place and water well. Keep the soil moist until germination. Once the plants have a grown their true leaves, you can begin to thin the plants to about 6" apart.
Start lettuce or spinach indoors or direct seeded in the garden as soon as the soil is workable. Great for container gardens.
Depending on the type of lettuce, harvest outer leaves only or cut down the whole head. Succession planting can dramatically increase yields, especially in smaller areas. Succession planting is when you stagger plantings in the same area throughout the season. Each time a crop is finished you pull it and plant a new one.
Lettuce and spinach are great options for cold frames if you're growing in a cooler climate. Fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting. Lettuce prefers soil that is high in humus, with plenty of compost and a steady supply of nitrogen to keep if growing fast. Alfalfa Meal or Alfalfa Meal Tea works well for Growing Greens.
Spinach can be harvested in the cut and come again method of harvesting lettuce. Cut individual leaves, starting with the older, outer leaves, and letting the young inner leaves remain and continue growing for a later harvest. You can also cut down the whole plant, for a larger harvest.
Lettuce: Does well with beets, broccoli, bush beans, pole beans, carrots, cucumbers, onion, radish and strawberries. It grows happily in the shade under young sunflowers. Dill and lettuce are a perfect pair. Keep lettuce away from cabbage. Cabbage is a deterrent to the growth and flavor of lettuce.
Spinach: Plant with peas and beans as they provide natural shade for the spinach. Gets along with cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, onion, peas, strawberries and fava bean. Plant spinach with squash. It's a good use of space because by the time squash plants start to get big the spinach is ready to bolt.
-Make sure soil remains moist but is well drained.
- You should be able to sow additional seeds every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the growing season
- Consider planting rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce to control aphids. They act as “barrier plants” for the lettuce
-Lettuce will tell you when it needs water. Just look at it. If the leaves are wilting, sprinkle them anytime—even in the heat of the day—to cool them off and slow down the transpiration rate.
-Weed by hand if necessary, but be careful of plant roots: They are shallow.
If you have additional questions please send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
