The White Emergo Runner Pole Bean twinkles with lots of sweet white flowers, which may be why it’s also known as Sweet White Runner Bean. Vigorous vines can grow to 10' to support long 8"-12" pods with creamy white beans inside. Pick young for snap beans and mature for shell beans, or let them dry for a bean similar to cannellini.

• Easy to grow
• Tasty white beans
• Long pods up to 8"-12”
• Eat fresh, shelled, or dried

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus coccineus
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
• Spacing between plants: 5" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 8-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 80-115 days

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

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This variety produces jewel-toned flowers, dark green foliage, maximum color! These flowers stand straight and will come in shades of red, orange, cream and gold. 

• Nasturtium flowers are one of the most popular edible flowers grown in home gardens. The petals have a slight peppery taste, and the seeds and leaves are also edible! You can even use the seeds as an alternative to capers.

• Not only are the flowers pretty, Nasturtiums are great companion plants! They are also known to deter aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles & more. Learn more >

• Nasturtiums should be planted in the spring for a "summer show". Plant in full sun, and in sandy, well drained soil. Generally, the poorer the soil quality, the more flowers the plant will produce! Deadhead your plants regularly to encourage new blooms, all season long. These flowers will self-seed resulting in more flowers for years to come!

• These are PERFECT for beginner gardeners! These annuals are very easy to grow from seed and can be grown just about anywhere, even places that are susceptible to drought.

• The bright flower petals will liven up any garden, with very little effort! They are also GREAT for planting in hanging baskets or containers.

Carrot gets its characteristic and bright orange colour from β-carotene, which is metabolised into vitamin A in humans when bile salts are present in the intestines. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals.

The Yellow Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), also called Mexican Hat, is the pure yellow form of the native Prairie Coneflower. Grows 15"-24" tall on slender stems with yellow petals that skirt a tall upright cone. This drought-tolerant droopy petaled daisy loves the heat. A cheerful mid-summer pick-me-up that blooms into fall.

• Life cycle: Perennial
• Bloom season: Spring, summer, fall
• Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Healing, health, strength

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Ratibida columnifera
• Hardiness zones: 4-9
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 2nd year
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-75F
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, chalky, rocky, dry, moist
• Soil pH: 6.8-7.2
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes

The Royal Burgundy Bush Bean has so many things going for it—colorful, beautiful, tasty, plentiful, long-producing—but the coolest thing is that it grows in cool weather. Dark purple 5"-6" pods produced high on the plant make for a doubly easy harvest. When cooked, watch them change color from royal purple to royal green.

• Easy to grow
• High yields
• Continuous production throughout growing season
• Grows in cool weather

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris
  
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
  
• Spacing between plants: 4" apart
  
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-10 days
  
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
  
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
  
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
  
• Days to maturity: 50-55 days
  

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

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The Slenderette Bush Bean is a sleek French-type green bean. A vigorous grower that produces high yields of slim 5" long stringless pods on a compact plant. This sweet, juicy, tender, crunchy bean would taste great in a European thin/thick bean salad served alongside wider Roma II Italian beans.

• Easy to grow
• Stringless variety
  
• Sweet, juicy, tender, and crunchy
• High yields

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus vulgaris
  
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
• Spacing between plants: 4" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-10 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
  
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
  
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 50-55 days

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

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The Scarlet Runner Pole Bean is just about as traditional a vegetable you can grow in your garden. Named for its showy red hummingbird attractors (flowers) it puts out on 6'-8' vines that will grow on fences, trellises, and yes, poles. This high-yielding runner bean produces foot-long pods with speckled red-purple beans, but pick them sooner for best flavor. Tolerates heat and drought, and doesn’t mind cool nights.

• Easy to grow
• Heat tolerant
• Long pods up to 8"-12”
• Eat fresh, shelled, or dried

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phaseolus coccineus
• Depth to plant seeds: 1" deep
• Spacing between plants: 5" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 8-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 65-75 days

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

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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.

Cabbage, Brunswick

• Brassica oleracea.
• A heirloom variety dating back to 1924.
• Plant produces a large drumhead type cabbage.
• Used for making kraut.
• Suitable for spring, summer, and fall crops.
• Stores well. Suitable for home gardens and market growers.

Click here for complete Cabbage grow guide

Additional Details

Did you know? ❄️ Cabbage is an annual cool-season crop, hardy to frost and light freezes. A smaller cabbage head has better flavor and can stay in the field longer without splitting. To keep them small, plant close together or, when the head is almost full, give the plant a sharp twist to break up the roots. 😀 Cabbage is a wide spreading foliage plant with handsome leaves that form a tight, hard ball head on a strong central stem. Young plants may bolt if grown at 50F for a long time; however mature plants of late varieties improve flavor in cold weather.

• These seeds produces good yields of 2 lb heads of cabbage in the shape of a cone.
  
  - Excellent flavor and very sweet.
  
  - Open pollinated heirloom variety.
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65-75 days
  
  
• Cabbage Seeds | ❄️ Cabbage is an annual cool-season crop, hardy to frost and light freezes. A smaller cabbage head has better flavor and can stay in the field longer without splitting. To keep them small, plant close together or, when the head is almost full, give the plant a sharp twist to break up the roots. 😀 Cabbage is a wide spreading foliage plant with handsome leaves that form a tight, hard ball head on a strong central stem. Young plants may bolt if grown at 50F for a long time; however mature plants of late varieties improve flavor in cold weather.
  
  Click here for complete Cabbage grow guide

Did you know? Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C! It also contains significant amounts of glutamine, an amino acid that has anti-inflammatory properties. Cabbage can also be included in dieting programs, as it is a low calorie food.

• These seeds produces a medium-to-large hard round heads of cabbage
  
  - Suitable for spring, summer, and fall crops
  
  - Cold hardy
  
  - Stores well. Suitable for home gardens and market growers
  
  - Perfect for Kraut recipes
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Cabbage Seeds | ❄️ Cabbage is an annual cool-season crop, hardy to frost and light freezes. A smaller cabbage head has better flavor and can stay in the field longer without splitting. To keep them small, plant close together or, when the head is almost full, give the plant a sharp twist to break up the roots. 😀 Cabbage is a wide spreading foliage plant with handsome leaves that form a tight, hard ball head on a strong central stem. Young plants may bolt if grown at 50F for a long time; however mature plants of late varieties improve flavor in cold weather.
  
  Click here for complete Cabbage grow guide

Additional Details

Did you know? Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C! It also contains significant amounts of glutamine, an amino acid that has anti-inflammatory properties. Cabbage can also be included in dieting programs, as it is a low calorie food.

• Valerianella locusta (aka Corn Salad) is a small annual plant that is eaten as a leaf vegetable. It has a characteristic nutty flavor, dark green color, and soft texture, and is popularly served as salad greens.  //Wikipedia
  
  
• Corn Salad has a delicate flavor, similar to a butterhead lettuce. It is quite hardy and requires very little care while remaining practically free of pests & disease. Corn salad is also known for growing vigorously in almost any soil! 
  
  
• We think Corn Salad tastes best right out of the garden with a light drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Once you try this cold-hardy green, you'll be sure to make it a staple in your fall/winter gardens every year.

• Day to Maturity | only 40 days
  
  

• Valerianella locusta (aka Corn Salad) is a small annual plant that is eaten as a leaf vegetable. It has a characteristic nutty flavor, dark green color, and soft texture, and is popularly served as salad greens.  //Wikipedia

• Corn Salad has a delicate flavor, similar to a butterhead lettuce. It is quite hardy and requires very little care while remaining practically free of pests & disease. Corn salad is also known for growing vigorously in almost any soil! 
  
  
• We think Corn Salad tastes best right out of the garden with a light drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Once you try this cold-hardy green, you'll be sure to make it a staple in your fall/winter gardens every year.

• Day to Maturity | only 40 days
  
  

The Holiday Marbles Pepper is an assortment of tiny peppers with a tiny spark of heat. Compact plants cast out lots of green peppers that ripen through cream, yellow, purple, orange, and red. Shoot fresh ones onto a salad, or play for keeps and dry them whole to use like peppercorns.

• High yields
• Edible ornamental
• Harvest any color
• Good for containers

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Capsicum annuum
• Pepper size: 1/4"-1/2"
• Scoville heat units (SHU): 300-500/mild
• Plant support: Tomato cage or stake
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/8" deep
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Spacing between rows: 24"-36" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-85F
• Soil needs: 6.0-7.0 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 90+ days

Good companion plants: Basil, Carrot, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Rosemary, Sage, Squash, Tomato

• Mini pumpkins about the size of a grapefruit
  
  
• Tiny pumpkins weigh about 14 ounces
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days

Additional Details

The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon". The French adapted this word to pompon, which the British changed to pumpion and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, "pumpkin".
 

• The Cushaw plant produces some of the most beautiful 20" long squash
  
• Curved/crook-neck variety
  
• Grows as a vine (not as a bush)
  
• Yellow colored flesh
  
• Very sweet and full of flavor - perfect for pies and canning
  
• Ideal for any sized garden and easy to grow
• Days to Maturity | 100 days

Additional Details

Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds). Squash can be served fresh (in salads) and cooked (squash stuffed with meat, fried squash, baked squash).
 

• The Chicago Warted Hubbard Warted squash is popular green skinned squash with orange flesh
  
• Very sweet and full of flavor - perfect for pies, canning, and processing.
  
• Ideal for any sized garden and easy to grow.
  
• Days to Maturity | 110 days
  
  

Additional Details

Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds). Squash can be served fresh (in salads) and cooked (squash stuffed with meat, fried squash, baked squash).
 

• The True Green Hubbard squash is popular 10 lb long dark bronze-green skinned squash
• Orange/Yellow flesh 
  
• Very sweet and full of flavor - perfect for pies and canning
  
• Ideal for any sized garden and easy to grow
  
• Days to Maturity | 110 days
  
  

Additional Details

Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds). Squash can be served fresh (in salads) and cooked (squash stuffed with meat, fried squash, baked squash).
 

• The Barese Swiss Chard variety produces delicious tender 10" tall dark glossy green leaves with curled edges
  
  
• A delicious baby leaf that grows quickly
  
  
• Ready to harvest in less than 30 days. Plant produces good yields of 10" tall leaves
  
  
• Excellent for salads and/or steamed with others greens
  
  
• Days to Maturity | Less than 30 days!

Additional Details

Swiss chard is high in vitamins A, K and C, with a 175g serving containing 214%, 716%, and 53%, respectively, of the recommended daily value. It is also rich in minerals, dietary fiber and protein.

The Bradley Tomato is a sweet little pink tomato. By sweet, we mean lightly sweet and slightly acidic. By little, well, that’s just what you say when you describe something darling; it’s a medium-sized fruit. As for pink, it’s a dark pink. To be precise, it’s a lightly sweet and slightly acidic medium-sized dark pink tomato. A reliable producer with good-old fashioned tomato flavor.

• Well-balanced flavor
• Dark pink color
• Reliable producer
• Good fresh or cooked

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

The Calypso Tomato is often referred to as a “common salad tomato". Calypso is tolerant of heat and humidity, and great for Southern gardens.

• Common tomato flavor
• Common tomato color
• Heat tolerant
• Great for Southern gardens

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Medium
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-80 days

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

The Orange Oxheart Tomato is what you call eye candy. High yields of deep orange heart-shaped fruits glowing against a backdrop of emerald green leaves provide a stunning visual in any garden. They’re tasty, too. Meaty, fruity, juicy slicers grow and ripen all summer long, giving you more time for more eyefuls. 

You may also like: Pink Oxheart Tomatoes ⟐ Yellow Oxheart Tomatoes 

• Sweet and juicy
• Small seed core
• High yields
• Good fresh and cooked

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Solanum lycopersicum
• Growth type: Indeterminate, trellis support, regular pruning 
• Tomato size: Large (1-2 lbs.)
• Depth to plant seeds: .25" deep
• Spacing between plants: 24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 36"-48" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 75F-95F
• Soil needs: 6.0-6.5 pH
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost hardy: No
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Days to maturity: 75-85 days

Click here to view our full Tomato grow guide

Good companion plants: Basil, Borage, Onion, Parsley, Pepper

• Cal Sweet is one of the sweetest tasting and most popular watermelon varieties available
  
  
• A commercial grower favorite - sells well at farmers markets
  
  
• Dark green stripes on the exterior with bright red flesh
  
  
• Grows to appx. 35 lbs
  
  
• Perfect-sized watermelon for any-sized backyard
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• The Jubilee is a very long shaped watermelon
  
  
• Deep red flesh
  
  
• Grows up to appx. 40 lbs
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• Organic

• Spicy

• Very beautiful red sprouts

• Popular amongst many culinary chefs

• Tastes like fully grown radish. If you like the taste of radish you'll love Radish Sprouts!

• The Tendersweet Watermelon is a classic heirloom variety with dark orange flesh
  
  - Very sweet and delicious
  
  
• Grows up to 35 lbs!
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 90 days
  
  
• Watermelons are heat-loving plants that need lots of sun. They grow on a long vine, so make sure to give them plenty of space to roam around.

    

• Dukat dill is a particularly fine plant with amazing flavor and large heads.  If you like dill you will love to try this new variety in your garden
   
  
• This variety is darker than most other dill varieties.
  
  
• Excellent fresh or dried.
  
  
• Grown for homemade dill pickles.
  
  
• Can be grown in containers, raised beds, and any other location in full sun.
  
  
• Annual plant.
  
  
• Adds great flavor and color to many culinary creations.
  
  

Additional Details

Dill has a very long history of herbal use going back more than 2,000 years. The seeds are a common and very effective household remedy for a wide range of digestive problems. An infusion is especially efficacious in treating gripe in babies and flatulence in young children. The seed is aromatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, galactogogue, stimulant and stomachic.

Other Medicinal Properties

Dill is also used in the form of an extracted essential oil. Used either in an infusion, or by eating the seed whole, the essential oil in the seed relieves intestinal spasms and griping, helping to settle colic. Chewing the seed improves bad breath. Dill is also a useful addition to cough, cold and flu remedies, it can be used with antispasmodics such as Viburnum opulus to relieve period pains. Dill will also help to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers and will then be taken by the baby in the milk to help prevent colic.

See Dill Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

Rapeseed is also used as a cover crop in the US during the winter as it prevents soil erosion, produces large amounts of biomass, suppresses weeds and can improve soil tilth with its root system.

Rapeseed is the third-largest source of vegetable oil.

Rapeseed is the second-largest source of protein meal in the world.

Rapeseed oil is used as diesel fuel, either as biodiesel, straight in heated fuel systems, or blended with petroleum distillates for powering motor vehicles.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus subsp. napus), is a bright-yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family), cultivated mainly for its oil-rich seed, which naturally contains appreciable amounts of toxic erucic acid.

Rapeseed is the third-largest source of vegetable oil and second-largest source of protein meal in the world.

Source and Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed

• The Cushaw plant produces some of the most beautiful white crookneck squash you've ever seen
  
  - Curved/crook-neck variety
  
  - Grows as a vine (not as a bush)
  
  - Very sweet and full of flavor - perfect for pies and canning
  
  - Ideal for any sized garden and easy to grow
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 100 days

Additional Details

Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds). Squash can be served fresh (in salads) and cooked (squash stuffed with meat, fried squash, baked squash).

The Bean Taylor Dwarf plant, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, is a popular choice among gardeners due to its compact size and high yield. This variety is particularly well-suited for small gardens or container gardening, making it accessible for urban gardeners and those with limited space.

One of the defining characteristics of the Bean Taylor Dwarf is its growth habit. Typically, this plant reaches a height of approximately 18 to 24 inches, which allows for easy harvesting without the need for extensive bending or stretching. The dwarf nature of this plant also means that it can be planted closer together than taller varieties, maximizing space efficiency in the garden.

In terms of productivity, the Bean Taylor Dwarf is known for its prolific output. Under optimal growing conditions, a single plant can produce an impressive yield of beans, often exceeding 1 pound per plant. This makes it an excellent choice for home gardeners looking to supplement their vegetable intake with fresh produce.

The growing requirements for the Bean Taylor Dwarf are relatively straightforward. It thrives in well-drained soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sun exposure is essential, as this plant requires at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily to achieve optimal growth. Additionally, regular watering is crucial, particularly during dry spells, as beans are sensitive to drought conditions.

From a nutritional standpoint, beans are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. The Bean Taylor Dwarf, like other bean varieties, contributes significantly to a balanced diet. It is particularly rich in folate, iron, and magnesium, making it a valuable addition to any meal plan.

When considering pest management, the Bean Taylor Dwarf may be susceptible to common garden pests such as aphids and spider mites. Implementing integrated pest management strategies, including the use of beneficial insects and organic pesticides, can help mitigate these issues while promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.

In conclusion, the Bean Taylor Dwarf plant is a versatile and productive option for gardeners seeking to grow their own food. Its compact size, high yield, and nutritional benefits make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike. By understanding its growing requirements and potential challenges, gardeners can successfully cultivate this plant and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Click here to view our full Bean grow guide

Good companion plants: Cucumber, Pea, Rosemary, Thyme, Tomato

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Ratibida columnifera, commonly known as the prairie coneflower or Mexican hat, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This species is native to the central and western regions of North America, thriving in a variety of habitats, including prairies, open woodlands, and disturbed areas. Its adaptability to different soil types and conditions makes it a valuable addition to gardens focused on sustainability and biodiversity.

One of the notable characteristics of Ratibida columnifera is its distinctive flower structure. The plant typically features a central cone surrounded by drooping, red petal-like ray florets. The height of the plant can range from 1 to 3 feet, making it suitable for both foreground and background planting in garden designs. The flowering period generally occurs from late spring to early fall, providing a long-lasting display of color.

In terms of ecological benefits, Ratibida columnifera serves as an important nectar source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Studies indicate that native plants like Ratibida columnifera can increase pollinator diversity by up to 50% in garden settings. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to support local ecosystems and promote pollinator health.

Furthermore, this species is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance once established. It is well-suited for xeriscaping and can thrive in poor soil conditions, making it an excellent option for sustainable gardening practices. Ratibida columnifera can also help prevent soil erosion due to its deep root system, which stabilizes the soil and improves its structure.

When incorporating Ratibida columnifera into a garden, it is advisable to plant it in full sun to partial shade, ensuring that it receives adequate light for optimal growth. Spacing should be considered, as these plants can spread over time. A distance of 12 to 18 inches between plants is recommended to allow for proper air circulation and to minimize competition for nutrients.

In summary, Ratibida columnifera is a versatile and beneficial plant for gardens, particularly those aimed at enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Its aesthetic appeal, ecological contributions, and low maintenance requirements make it a valuable addition to any garden landscape. By choosing to cultivate this native species, gardeners can contribute to the preservation of local flora and fauna while enjoying the beauty it brings to their outdoor spaces.

Medium Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a widely recognized cover crop that plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture and gardening practices. This leguminous plant is particularly valued for its ability to improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to sustainable farming systems.

One of the primary benefits of using Medium Red Clover as a cover crop is its nitrogen-fixing capability. Clover plants have a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria, which allows them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that is accessible to plants. Research indicates that clover can fix approximately 100 to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year, significantly reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and promoting a more sustainable approach to soil fertility.

In addition to nitrogen fixation, Medium Red Clover also improves soil structure and health. Its deep taproot system helps to break up compacted soil layers, enhancing aeration and water infiltration. This can lead to improved root development for subsequent crops and increased resilience against drought conditions. Studies have shown that cover crops like clover can increase soil organic matter by 0.5 to 1.5 percent over several years, which is crucial for maintaining soil fertility and structure.

Furthermore, Medium Red Clover serves as an excellent weed suppressor. The dense foliage of clover can outcompete many common weeds, reducing the need for herbicides and manual weeding. This natural weed control mechanism not only saves labor but also minimizes chemical inputs, aligning with organic gardening principles.

Medium Red Clover is also beneficial for attracting beneficial insects and pollinators. The flowers of clover are a rich source of nectar and pollen, supporting a diverse ecosystem in the garden. This can lead to improved pollination rates for other crops and contribute to overall biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.

When incorporating Medium Red Clover into a garden or farming system, it is essential to consider the timing of planting and termination. Clover is typically sown in the late summer or early fall, allowing it to establish before winter. It can be terminated in the spring before planting the main crop, either through mowing or tillage, to incorporate its biomass into the soil, thus enhancing nutrient availability for subsequent crops.

In summary, Medium Red Clover is a valuable cover crop that offers numerous benefits, including nitrogen fixation, soil improvement, weed suppression, and support for beneficial insects. Its use in sustainable gardening practices can lead to healthier soils, reduced reliance on chemical inputs, and increased biodiversity, making it an essential component of modern agricultural systems.

Roman Chamomile, also called English Chamomile, has been cultivated as a medicinal herb since Medieval times. This hardy, aromatic, mat-forming groundcover perennial in the daisy family produces small white flowers with large yellow solid cone centers and aromatic, fern-like foliage. Easily spreads through both reseeding and creeping roots, and can become invasive. Use it to fill in space between stones or pavers, or create a fragrant, low-maintenance “chamomile lawn” like the royals do at Buckingham Palace. Both the apple-scented flowers and stems are used fresh or dried, and steeped into a calming herbal tea sipped before beddy-bye time.

Apple fragrance
Grows 3"-6" tall
Can be invasive
Good for containers

As a companion plant, it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; repels cabbage moths, cabbage white fly, cabbage worms, cucumber beetles, and mosquitoes; and is said to increase the fragrance and flavor of aromatic herbs such as basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

German Chamomile has many of the same uses as Roman Chamomile, but it’s a tall, bushy annual with more, but smaller flowers. You can determine which type of Chamomile you have if you cut open the yellow center of the flower. German has hollow centers while Roman has solid ones.

As a medicinal herb, Chamomile has been used internally to treat allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, colds, colic, cough, flatulence, gum disease, headache, indigestion, inflammation, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menstrual cramps, morning sickness, stress, nervousness, restlessness, and stomach upset, and externally to treat burns, earache, hemorrhoids, mouth sores, skin problems, sunburns, teething pain, tired eyes, toothache, and wounds.

⚠️ 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: Chamaemelum nobile
• Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness zones: 4-9
• Planting season: Spring, summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 60-65 days
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 55F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 6"-9" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 4 plants per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, silty, chalky, shallow, poor, rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 5.5-7.5
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Low - do not overwater
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: No
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: No
• Medicinal use: Yes

Good companion plants: Basil, Bean, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chives, Collards, Cucumber, Fava Bean, Garlic, Hyssop, Kale, Lavender, Marigold, Mint, Mustard, Onion, Oregano, Pepper, Parsley, Rosemary, Soybean, Sage, Thyme, Squash, Tomato, Zucchini

More facts about Chamomile:

• Chamomile helps combat headaches, toothaches, and earaches.
  
• Sometimes known as "the plant doctor", because it is thought to help the growth and health of many other plants, especially ones that produce essential oils.
• Thought to increase production of those oils, making certain herbs, like mints (spearmint, sage, oregano) and basil stronger in scent and flavor.
  
• Can be taken as a herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea, which should be steeped for ten to fifteen minutes while covered to avoid evaporation of the volatile oils. 

See Chamomile Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board