The Burpee Golden Beet, a cultivar of the traditional beetroot, is distinguished by its vibrant golden-yellow flesh and sweet flavor. This variety is particularly valued for its unique color, which not only adds visual appeal to dishes but also provides a different taste profile compared to the more common red beet. The golden beet is rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins A and C, potassium, and dietary fiber, making it a beneficial addition to any garden.

When cultivating Burpee Golden Beets, it is essential to consider their growing conditions. These beets thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. They prefer full sun exposure, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The optimal planting time for golden beets is in early spring or late summer, as they are cool-season crops. Planting seeds approximately 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart allows for adequate spacing, which is crucial for healthy root development.

Watering is another critical aspect of growing Burpee Golden Beets. Consistent moisture is necessary, especially during the germination phase, which typically takes 5 to 10 days. Once established, beets require about 1 inch of water per week. However, overwatering should be avoided, as it can lead to root rot and other diseases. Mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, contributing to a healthier growing environment.

Harvesting Burpee Golden Beets is generally recommended when the roots reach a diameter of 1 to 3 inches, typically around 50 to 60 days after planting. At this stage, the beets are tender and flavorful. It is advisable to harvest them before they become too large, as larger beets may develop a woody texture. The greens of the golden beet are also edible and can be harvested and consumed as a nutritious leafy green.

In terms of pest management, Burpee Golden Beets are susceptible to common garden pests such as aphids and leaf miners. Implementing integrated pest management strategies, including crop rotation and the use of beneficial insects, can help mitigate these issues. Additionally, maintaining healthy soil through organic practices can enhance the plants' resilience against pests and diseases.

In conclusion, the Burpee Golden Beet is a rewarding plant for both novice and experienced gardeners. Its unique color, nutritional benefits, and versatility in the kitchen make it an excellent choice for home gardens. By providing the right growing conditions and care, gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest of this vibrant vegetable.

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

Crosby's Egyptian beet (Beta vulgaris) is a distinctive variety of beet that has garnered attention for its unique flavor profile and adaptability in various growing conditions. This heirloom variety is characterized by its flat, round shape and vibrant red color, making it not only a nutritious addition to the diet but also an attractive choice for home gardeners.

The young greens are also edible and can be used in salads or cooked as a nutritious side dish. The versatility of Crosby's Egyptian beet allows it to be enjoyed in a variety of culinary applications, from roasting to pickling.

One of the notable advantages of growing Crosby's Egyptian beet is its resilience to various pests and diseases. This variety exhibits a degree of tolerance to common beet pests such as aphids and leaf miners, making it an excellent choice for organic gardening practices. Additionally, the deep taproot of the beet allows it to access nutrients and moisture from deeper soil layers, contributing to its overall robustness.

Harvesting Crosby's Egyptian beet can begin as early as 50 days after sowing, depending on the desired size of the roots. It is advisable to harvest beets when they reach a diameter of 2 to 3 inches for the best flavor and texture. The greens can also be harvested throughout the growing season, promoting continuous growth of the roots.

In summary, Crosby's Egyptian beet is a valuable addition to any garden, offering both aesthetic appeal and culinary versatility. Its ease of cultivation and resistance to pests make it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. By incorporating this heirloom variety into your gardening repertoire, you can enjoy the benefits of fresh, homegrown produce while contributing to the preservation of traditional plant varieties.

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

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📚 Beets Grow Guide

Black Salsify, also called Scorzonera and Black Oyster Plant, is a cold hardy perennial in the aster and lettuce family grown for its thin root with rough black skin over white flesh that can grow 1'-3' long if it has the room. Take care when harvesting, as the roots are delicate and snap easily.  Any root left behind will re-grow!

It would be fun for a blind taste test, as the edible yellow dandelion-like flower petals smell like cocoa, the edible flower buds taste like okra, and the roots taste like oyster, asparagus, or artichoke, turning sweeter and earthier after a frost.

The stems and long, wide leaves that can grow 3'-4' tall are also edible. Delicious roasted, mashed, grilled, and pickled, or simply sautéed in a little butter for a rich, unusual side dish.

• Sweet, earthy flavor
• Roots can grow 1'-3' long if they have the room!
• Prefers cooler weather
• All parts are edible
• Cold hardy

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Scorzonera hispanica
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness zones: 5-9
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 100-120 days
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/2" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-28 days
• Germination soil temps: 60F-75F
• Spacing between plants: 3"-4" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 16 plants per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.5-7.0
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Water needs: Average
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: No
• Culinary use: Yes

Good Companion Plants: Beet, Carrot, Kohlrabi, Parsnip, Potato, Rosemary, Rutabaga, Sage, Thyme, Turnip

⚠️ Always consult with your doctor and primary care provider before using or consuming herbs, flowers, seeds and/or plants for medicinal purposes.

The Blazing Star/Gayfeather flower (Liatris spicata) produces a long, spiky, fluffy flower that begins blooming at the top of the stem, working its way down until it looks like a wild bottlebrush. This hardy perennial is tolerant of heat, drought, frost, and cold. Stem grows 2'-3' tall, with the purple, pink, or white flower taking it as tall as 6'.

• Life cycle: Perennial
• Bloom season: Summer, fall
• Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Blissfulness, happiness, joy

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Liatris spicata
• Hardiness: Zones 3-10
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 55-70 days
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Spacing between plants: 8"-12" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 21-35 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-75F
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, rocky, chalky, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.5-7.5
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes

Blueberry seeds from a certified organic blueberry farm in Kentucky, USA. 

Northern and Southern blueberry seed mix.

BLUEBERRY PLANTS ARE EASY TO GROW FROM SEEDS

These seeds have been stratified to get the highest possible germination rate. They are NON GMO.

Blueberry seeds are slow germinators, the first seeds will probably start to germinate in about a month, and finish germinating over the next 2-3 months.  Blueberries should be started in a separate container from other varieties that germinate quickly because they can take longer to sprout up.

Borage, also called Starflower, is a fast-growing flowering herb with bright blue star-shaped flowers and fuzzy stems and leaves, all edible and they taste like cucumber. Grows 1'-3' tall and reseeds liberally, so it can become invasive. Use the young leaves like spinach and the sweet little flowers as a charming garnish on salads and cakes, or frozen into ice cubes. Easy to dry and use as a refreshing herbal tea. 

• Cucumber flavor
• Garden companion superstar
• Culinary and medicinal
• Spreads easily

A valuable companion in the vegetable garden, it repels cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, and tomato hornworms; attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; acts as a trap crop for grasshoppers; and feeds the soil as a green manure or mulch.

As a medicinal herb, Borage is used internally to treat anxiety, colds, congestion, cough, depression, fever, hot flashes, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upset stomach, and urinary problems, and externally to treat insect bites and stings, skin irritations, and swelling.

⚠️ Toxic to pets and livestock. Do not ingest while pregnant or nursing, or if you have liver problems.

⚠️ 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: Borago officinalis
• Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
• Hardiness zones: 2-11
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• Days to maturity: 55-60 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-14 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, poor, dry, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 4.8-8.3
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Average
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes

Good Companion Plants: Basil, Broccoli, Bean, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Cucumber, Eggplant, Fava Bean, Kale, Marigold, Melon, Mustard, Pea, Pepper, Pumpkin, Radish, Soybean, Squash, Strawberry, Tomato, Zucchini

Borage is a fairly common herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times. It's best when grown in containers because it is extremely invasive.  The flavor of these flowers is crisp and refreshing.

What is Borage?

This gorgeous, but highly invasive medicinal herb will boast lovely blue and purple flowers and will get at least 5 feet tall wherever you plant it. Very easy to grow, it will re-seed year after year and will be a lovely piece for your garden.  The flavor of the Borage flowers resemble cucumbers... cool and crisp.

Health Benefits of Borage

Borage is wonderful and has a great reputation for it's beneficial affect on the mind. It's been used to dispel melancholy and induce euphoria.   It's a soothing saline, diuretic herb that helps treat damaged or irritated tissues.   The leaves can be used as well as an emollient and expectorant.

 

Ways to Consume Borage

Consume these edible flowers in your favorite fresh salads or as a lovely garnish to any dish!  Dry the leaves and flowers to make an herbal tea.  Freeze these lovely flowers into ice cube trays.  Try adding them to wine, cider, and other fruit drinks. Borage pairs well with all salads, most cheeses, summer-like beverages and even fish.  You can even "candy" these flowers and use them as edible decorations on cakes, tarts and ice cream.

See Borage Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

 

 

• This popular broccoli variety produces a short, 24 inch plant with medium-large heads. Withstands cold well. Best used for a fall crop.
  
  
• Extremely flavorful heads of broccoli.
  
  
• ‘Calabrese’ is an old Italian heirloom variety that sprouts side shoots that will mature for harvesting.
  
  
• Once the main head is cut off the plant will continuously produce many broccoli shoots during the season
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  
  
• Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.
  

• This variety of Broccoli produces tightly packed, blue/green flower heads on strong short stems.
  
  - Can be picked regularly and new shoots will continue to grow!
  
  - This is one of the more popular Broccoli varieties available. 
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  
  
• Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.
  

• The Early Purple Broccoli Plant produces extremely flavorful heads of broccoli that are bright purple.
  
  - Ideal for garnishes or used fresh in salads and other gourmet culinary creations.
  
  - Once the main head is removed this variety will continuously produce many offshoots during the season.
  
  - Can be planted late winter and early spring.
  
  - An extremely easy to grow variety that can withstand cold temps.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  
  
• Broccoli Seeds | Start seed indoors 6 weeks before the last killing frost, for early spring crop. Plant in rows 2 1/2 feet apart, with 18 inches to 2 feet between the plants.
  
  
• Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.

• The Rapini (raab) broccoli produces excellent yields of large dark green broccoli raab.
  
  
• It has no central head like regular broccoli, but instead has side broccoli shoots.
  
  
• Excellent for stir fry, salads, and many other culinary creations.
  
  
• Extremely healthy with tons of health benefits: high in vitamin A and C.  It's said to be very good for your heart.
  
  
• Plant early in the spring and harvest before the weather gets too hot. 
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  

• Old italian heirloom variety that produces excellent yields of beautifully unique green broccoli heads.
  
  - This is a unique Italian variety with better taste and texture than other broccoli.
  
  - It has beautiful apple green spiraling buds and is especially well adapted to the north.
  
  - A heirloom variety from Italy.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 75 days
  
  
• Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.

• This popular broccoli variety produces a short, 24 inch plant with medium-large heads.
  
  
• Withstands cold extremely well.
  
  
• Best grows for a fall crop.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 85 days
  
  
• Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.
  

• Brussels sprouts have shallow roots, so as they become top heavy, you may need to stake them, particularly if exposed to strong winds.
  
  
• As with other brassicas, Brussels Sprouts are susceptible to pests and diseases that must be kept under control early in the season. As with other brassicas, composting roots should be avoided.
  
  
• Brussels Sprouts should not be grown within a 10 foot radius of any brassica growing location within the last 3 years, preferably 7 years.
  
  
• Brussels Sprouts are high in calcium and iron, as well as a good source of vitamins A and C.
  
  
• This popular Brussels Sprout variety produces miniature cabbage-like heads which are extremely tasty and nutritious.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90-120 days
  
  
• Brussel Sprouts | Start seed indoors in early May so plants are ready to set out in June or early July. The sprouts develop best in cool weather. Plant in rows 3 feet apart, with 30 inches between the plants.
  

Additional Details

Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties. Although boiling reduces the level of the anti-cancer compounds, steaming, microwaving, and stirring.

Good Companion Plants for Brussels Sprouts

📚 Grow Guide: Brussels Sprouts