Cherry Orchard Seed Packet Planting Instructions:

Swiss Chard Seeds:

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

Family: Amaranthaceae

Difficulty: Easy

Season & Zone Season: Cool season

Exposure: Full sun

Timing: Direct sow any time from early spring to mid-summer. Chard is moderately winter hardy and may perform into the following spring where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). You can get your seeds to germinate even better by soaking them in water for 15 minutes immediately before sowing.

Starting: Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep, spaced 10-30cm (4-12″) apart in rows 45cm (18″) apart.

Days to Maturity: Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days from direct sowing.

Growing:

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Swiss chard prefers loose, deep, and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Plenty of consistent moisture is required, especially as plants grow larger. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade in summer. A liquid fertilizer or compost tea applied twice during summer will keep chard growing well.

Harvest: For salad mix, seed more densely and cut as baby leaves. Cut individual mature stalks using the large outer ones first.

Seed Info: In optimal conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.

Companion Planting: Beans, Brassicas, and onions make the best companions for chard.

*Information compiled from westcoastseeds.com*

Cilantro//Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Family: Apiaceae

Difficulty: Easy

Season & Zone Season: Cool season

Exposure: Sun or part-shade

Zone: Will overwinter with protection in Zones 7+

Timing: Direct sow from just after the last frost date to late spring. Direct sow in the fall under cover for a winter crop. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 15°C (60°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.

Starting: Sow 2cm (1″) deep in short rows. Thin seedlings to stand 5-10cm (2-4″) apart if harvesting leaves. If growing for seed, allow 23cm (9″) between plants.

Growing: Cilantro is tricky because several factors can cause it to bolt. Avoid transplanting for this reason, and avoid hot conditions as well as too much moisture. It does best in light, well-drained soil in partial shade, in relatively dry conditions. This is easy to achieve beneath a cloche in winter, where cilantro will thrive. Once it blooms, the seeds ripen suddenly, in only a couple of days, so care should be taken to prevent self sowing or simply losing those useful seeds.

Harvest: Pick young leaves once they have reached about 10cm (4″) in height. The flavour, though intense when fresh, diminishes quickly when dried or cooked, so always add cilantro just before serving. Try freezing it in ice cube trays with water. The stems and roots are also full of flavour. Harvest the seeds by sticking 6 or 8 seed heads in a paper bag and hanging it up somewhere airy, away from direct sunlight. The bag will catch the seeds as they ripen and fall out.

Seed Info: Usual seed life: 3 years.

Companion Planting: Cilantro repels aphids, potato beetles, and spider mites. It attracts hoverflies and other beneficial predatory insects.

*Information compiled from westcoastseeds.com*

Hollyhock 

Alcea rosea

Family: Malvaceae

Difficulty: Easy

Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Zone: Hardy to Zone 5

Timing: Start hollyhocks 6-8 weeks before planting out after the last frost date. In mild winter areas, start seeds indoors in late February to early March, and transplant out in April or May. An early start usually results in flowering the first year. Seeds germinate in 10-14 days. Ideal soil temperature for germination: 15-21°C (60-70°F).

Starting: Sow seeds on the surface of the soil, and provide bright light. Use peat or coir pots in an effort to minimize root disturbance. Transplant at 45-60cm (18-36″) apart.

Growing: Grow in rich, moist soil with good drainage and a neutral pH range of 6.0-7.5. The most important factor is good air circulation, so do not crowd plants or plant too close to structures, hedges, etc. Keep well watered and feed a few times during the growing season. If the flower stalk is cut back immediately after finishing, plants may bloom again. Stake tall plants.

Rust is a leaf disease to which hollyhocks are especially prone. It is worse on older plants and can be kept in check by replacing plants every couple of years.

*Information compiled from westcoastseeds.com*