Dinner for Beginners

Black Seeded Blue Lake Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

I grew bushels of this super productive climber last year. Besides being delicious and easy to grow, green beans are an excellent source of vitamins A-B6 , thiamin (vitamin B-1) and vitamin-C.
The lush, tender pods of the Blue Lake are exceptional for fresh eating as well as freezing and canning, and the vigorous vines produce abundant yields of straight beans.  Far more productive than any bush bean I know.

• Planting Depth: 1″
• Soil Temp. for Germ.: 60-80°F
• Days to Germ.: 7-15
• Plant Spacing: 6-10″
• Days to Maturity: 55-65
• Conditions: Partial Shade
• Moderate Water

Mesclun Salad Mix

This Seeds of Change Classic is an abundant potpourri of color, shape, taste, and texture.  Harvest a new combination each day.  Early greens (Arugula, Purple Wave Mustard, Persian Garden Cress, Red Russian Kale, and Très Fin Endive) complement an assortment of lettuces (Brune D’hiver, Merlot, Red Salad Bowl, Formidana, and Simpson Black-Seeded). 
These lettuces are incredibly productive. Try cutting the tops off 2” above soil when half grown and watch then grow back 2 or three times!

• Planting Depth: 1/8″
• Soil Temp. for Germ.: 50-80°F
• Days to Germ.: 2-15
• Plant Spacing: 3″-8″
• Days to Maturity: 25-65
• Conditions: Partial Shade to Full
• Sun. Water Often

Lemon Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Dating as far back as the 1890s, these 3-4″ oval to round, yellow beauties are juicy and sweet.  Thin, tender skins and succulent white flesh make them a joy to eat whole-like an apple- right from the garden. Pick when just starting to turn yellow.  (70-75 days). This summer treat is rarely found in stores, so grow your own or offer it at your farm stand to enjoy.

• Planting Depth: 1/2″
• Soil Temp. for Germ.: 70-90°F
• Days to Germ.: 4-12
• Plant Spacing: 2-3′
• Days to Maturity: 70-75
• Conditions: Partial Shade to Full Sun.
• Moderate water.

Cherry Belle Radish (Raphanus sativus)

this no brainer is a tasty, round, brilliant red radish with crisp white flesh. Tolerant of poor soils, retains tenderness, resists pithiness. 1949 All America Selection Winner, it may be planted and harvested all summer long. Sow 1-2 seeds per inch in rows 6 inches apart in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow every two weeks for a continuous supply. Be sure to thin seedlings. Watering tips. During germination, keep entire seedbed evenly moist. Harvesting tips. Harvest as soon as they reach eating size.

• Planting depth: 1/2″
• Soil temp for Germ.: 45-75°F
• Days to germ.: 3-6
• Plant Spacing: 1″-2″
• Days to maturity: 20-30
• Conditions: Full sun.
• Water Often

Genovese Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

I call this classic Italian heirloom the ‘Gerry Bruckheimer’ of Basil because it’s such a huge producer. You’ll get bunches of continuous aromatic leaves bursting with sweet, liquoricy flavor.
Genovese has a high leaf to stem ratio and grows 14”-20” tall. It’s slow to bolt, and you can snip the flowers off to extend the harvest period.

• Planting depth: 1″
• Soil temp for Germ.: 65-90°F
• Days to germ.: 3-7
• Plant Spacing: 3′
• Days to maturity: 55
• Conditions: Full sun.
• Moderate water

Cocozelle Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)

Zucchini is such an amazingly versatile vegetable, and this ancient Italian favorite is both easy to grow and prolific for several months. Cocozelle’s soft flesh, with contrasting green stripes, has a slightly nutty flavor. The fruit, seeds and flowers are all edible, but what I like about this variety is that the fruits stay slender even at 12″.
These little beauties will be one of the first things you can harvest from your baby food garden and like all zucchinis, taste best when harvested young. 

• Planting depth: 1″
• Soil temp for Germ.: 65-90°F
• Days to germ.: 3-7
• Plant Spacing: 3′
• Days to maturity: 55
• Conditions: Full Sun
• Moderate Water