Friends of the Libraries of Foster: March 2012

Herbs

Parsley – Extra Curled Dwarf

· 'Extra Curled Dwarf' is a Curly parsley variety in the Petroselinum genus with a scientific name of Petroselinum crispum.

· Finely cut, curly leaves, compact plants.

· Wonderful flavor and an excellent source of vitamins.

· Full Sun, Part Sun

· Height: 10-12 inches

· Days to Maturity: 40-60 days

· Sowing Method: Direct Sow/Indoor Sow

· Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 0.98" and sow at a depth of around 0.25".

· Position in a partial sun location.

· Water moderately.

· Extra Curled Dwarf is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures.

· Use USDA Hardiness Zones 5 - 9 as your guideline for the appropriate climate for this plant.

· Keep the PH of your soil between the range of 5.6 and 6.0 as Extra Curled Dwarf likes to be in acidic soil.

Parsley – Single Italian Plain Leaf

· Single Italian Plain-Leafed is part of the Petroselinum genus and is a flat leaf parsley variety. Its scientific name is Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum 'Single Italian Plain-Leafed'.

· Ensure a distance of 7.80" between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 0.25".

· Single Italian Plain-Leafed is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures.

· Use USDA Hardiness Zones 5 - 9 as your guideline for the appropriate climate for this plant.

· Grows best in a soil PH of between 5.6 and 6.0 meaning it does best in acidic soil.

Rosemary

· Common name for Rosmarinus officinalis, a hardy evergreen sub-shrub grown chiefly for its aromatic leaves which are used in culinary seasoning and which yield an oil once used in medicine.

· Small light blue flowers are borne in April or May, in loose clusters that spring from the leaf axils.

· The foliage is white and woolly on the underside and dark and shiny above.

· Plants can grow to a height of 6 feet and last for years if given winter protection.

· Rosemary prefers dry, well-drained soil and in the South and Pacific Coast States, where soil is dry and rocky, they are planted as hedges.

· There is also a low-growing or prostrate variety.

· Rosemary grows well with occasional watering, and does much better where the soil is alkaline.

· All varieties prefer full sun and most can tolerate slightly shady areas.

· Rosemary propagates easily by taking six inch long stem cuttings that are stuck in a mixture of sand, loam, and leaf mold, ideally in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse or cold frame.

True Lavender

· Scientific Name: Lavandula angustifolia P. Mill.
Synonym: Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula spica, Lavandula vera
Family: Lamiaceae

· Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 5-9

· Heat Tolerance: Resists summer heat in low deserts when established

· Sun Exposure: Full sun

· Origin: Western Mediterranean basin, in rocky, calcareous areas

· Growth Habits: Evergreen shrub, 2 to 4 feet tall and wide; narrow grey leaves, with smooth margins, up to 1.6 inches long; woolly when juvenile

· Watering Needs: Moderate water, well-drained soil

· Propagation: Softwood cuttings in spring, side shoot cuttings taken in the fall and kept in a cold frame, layering, division, since the seeds are not always germinating very well and don't come true to the varieties.

Lavender Lady (Lavanda)

· It flowers the first year from seed, so this beautiful herb will grow as an annual.

· It's excellent for edging, low hedges and containers.

· Height 16".

· Grows best in full sun.

· Zone: 6-10

· Sun: Full Sun

· Height: 16 inches

· Spread: 16 inches

· Uses: Beds, Borders, Container, Dried Flowers

· Sowing Method: Indoor Sow

· Bloom Season: Spring, Summer

Monarda – Bee Balm

· Monarda is a small genus consisting of only fifteen species, but offers many different cultivars of these species.

· These plants are found in dry scrub, prairies, and woodlands in North America.

· The square stems bear toothed to solid leaves that are normally aromatic, especially when brushed.

· In summer, tubular flowers are produced in colors ranging from white to violet.

· Flowers are borne in a circular fashion around the square stems.

· Plant in a well-drained soil that has been enriched with organic matter or already has adequate amounts of organic matter.

· Make sure the soil is within the preferred pH range of 5.5.- 7.0

· Monarda plants prefer partially shaded to full sun locations.

· Keep soil moist at all times for best display.

· These are submarginal plants that prefer moist humus and are opposed to the dry fill dirt most developed properties are leveled with.

Beans/Cowpeas

Beans can be planted in hills or rows depending on your individual landscape needs, personal preference, and the type of beans grown.

Important Info:

Most beans are ready for harvest between 50 and 70 from germination.

Pick every 5 to 7 days or plant will stop producing if pods are allowed to mature.

Growing bush beans

· Bush beans are the easiest to grow, growing in the form of small, bushy plants, which are close to the ground.

· They need no support, require little care, and can be picked whenever you are ready to cook or freeze them.

· These types of beans typically produce an earlier crop; therefore, successive plantings may be necessary for a continual harvest.

· When bush beans are planted in hills, they should be about an inch deep and approximately 2-3 inches apart.

· For rows, plant the beans at the same depth with spacing about 18-24 inches apart. Once the seedlings begin to develop true leaves, the plants can be thinned to six inches apart.

· If the area you are in stays quite humid, allow more space between the plants for better airflow.

Growing pole beans

· Pole beans are known as vine-growing plants and will grow nearly anywhere.

· These types of beans require staking with supports that can be derived from items such as bamboo, string, a fence, trellis, or ladder.

· Sunflowers or corn stalks can also be used for bean supports. Pole beans can be planted in hills or rows as well with the same spacing and thinning as bush beans.

· Before you plant, however, it helps to incorporate the staking support of your choosing for the beans to climb on once they have reached adequate size.

· Growing pole beans gives you the advantage of maximizing your space, and the beans grow straighter and are easier to pick.

· Beans need adequate moisture; water bean plants about once a week or more frequently during dry weather.

· The use of organic mulches, such as straw, grass clippings, or composted leaves will help to retain moisture and control weeds.

· Beans are susceptible to a variety of insects with beetles being the most common; these insects can easily be picked off by hand or sprayed with soapy water.

· Excessive heat and humidity can cause a variety of disease problems in beans. The more common of these diseases are bacterial or wilt diseases, but there are numerous varieties of beans available that are disease tolerant.

Soya Bean Envy

· Envy is well established as the short-season favorite soybean.

· The upright, 2' tall plants bear an early crop of bright green beans for "edamame", fresh shelling, or drying.

· Much earlier but lower yielding, and not as flavorful as Butterbeans.

· After last frost date plant rows 15-30" apart. Upright plants are easier to cultivate.

· For nitrogen-fixing inoculants, use those formulated for soybean crops.

· Most pods ripen at once. Clip plants near base when the beans are plump in the pods.

· Beans attain their highest fresh weight just as pods begin to lose their bright green color.

· Hand-strip remaining leaves and tie small bunches of plants for retailing.

· Shelling tips: strip pods, rinse, and steam or boil about five minutes, or until tender. (Package for freezing at this point.)

· When at least 90% of the leaves have fallen and the pods are dry, pull the plants out by the roots. Complete drying under cover if weather is wet.

· Make sure beans are dry (max. 9% moisture) and then store in a cool place. Freeze dry beans to control storage insect pests.

Egyptian Pea Vine

· Also known as the common chick pea, the Egyptian pea is a staple legume in many parts of the world and is used either dry or fresh in a variety of foods.

· 100 days from sowing to harvest.

· This legume adds nitrogen to soil, improving the soil for other crops.

· The plant is suitable for a wide range of regions, but the long growing season means you have to start it indoors.

· After germination thin the pots to just one plant and move them to a sunny area. Continue keeping the plants moist and water every two weeks, adding fish fertilizer.

· Prepare a garden bed in a sunny location.

· Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, incorporating 3 inches of compost as you work the soil.

· Rake the bed smooth and remove any debris or weeds.

· Once the plants have grown their second set of true leaves, cease watering them and gradually introduce them to longer periods outdoors. This is called hardening off.

· Dig small holes in the ground, just big enough for the plants, using a trowel. Sink the plants to the top into the soil and water the area until puddles form.

· Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the plants to minimize weed growth and conserve moisture.

· Push stakes 2 to 3 inches from the plants or erect a trellis for the Egyptian pea vines to climb.

· Water from the bottom in the morning at least once a week. Chickpeas can grow in slightly dry soil, but they need moisture occasionally in the summer.

· Harvest Egyptian peas when the leaves turn yellow.

· Suspend watering a week before harvest to allow the pods to harden.

Purple Queen Beans

· 50-55 days

· Tolerant of cooler temperatures, Purple Queen can be planted two weeks before most other varieties.

· Hardy and very productive, it has pretty, mauve-purple flowers on strong, upright plants.

· Its rich, burgundy beans grow to 5½" long with an attractive, straight and round shape.

· Purple Queen is known for its tender texture and rich taste.

· It changes to green as it is lightly cooked.

· This purple podded snap bean features smooth, round, meaty pods. They are delicious fresh and unbeatable for canning and freezing.

· Vigorous plants produce heavy yields.

· Sow seeds in a sunny location when all danger of frost is past.

· Plant in loose, fertile soil and moisten.

· Water regularly and fertilize when 3" tall.

· Thin seedlings to 6" apart.

· Pick when pods are plump.

Mellow Yellow Beans

· This summer you can anticipate an abundance of the crispest, most delicious yellow wax beans you've ever tasted.

· The compact 12" x 12" bushy plants are absolutely loaded with 6" crisp, sweet, golden-yellow pods, with an early harvest and continuous picking.

· Product Details

· Growth Habit: Bush

· Days to Maturity: 60 days

· Sun: Full Sun

· Height: 12 inches

· Spread: 12 inches

· Thinning: 12 inches

· Sowing Method: Direct Sow

· Fruit Size: 6 inches

Jacob’s Cattle

· Jacob's Cattle bean, also called a Trout bean or an Appaloosa bean, is a Prince Edward Island heirloom.

· Legend has it that it was a gift from Maine's Passamaquoddy Indians to Joseph Clark, the first white child born in Lubec, Maine.

· It is a plump, white and red speckled, kidney-shaped bean with vivid maroon splashes.

· It is full-flavored, holds its shape under long cooking, and stands up well to plenty of seasoning.

· The bean has a rich aroma. It is a little tannic on the tongue and tastes almost like a green bean with a slightly fruity aftertaste.

Scarlett Runner

· Grow Scarlet Runner Bean in full sun.

· Plants prefer a rich, soil.

· Scarlet Runner Beans require something to climb. Plant them along a fence or trellis.

· Add ample amounts of water and fertilizer.

· Weed around the plants, especially while bean plants are young.

· A heavy layer of mulch around the plants will look good, and keep weeds down.

· All bean plants are annuals that are very susceptible to frost. Cover them up whenever cold temperatures are expected.

· After the flowers have bloomed, bean pods will begin to grow.

· If picked very young, the pods are edible.

· They get tough and stringy very quickly.

· Beans must be cooked before eating.

· Picking beans continuously, will promote new flowers and more beans.

Kabouli Black Garbanzo

· Cultured like peas, this variety produces an abundance of two-seeded pods.

· Black seeds keep their color when cooked and can be used to make hummus or anything else typical of garbanzo beans.

· Plants grow to 2 feet tall with 4-5 main branching stems.

· This variety can be grown without any irrigation.

· Heat and cold tolerant.

· 18-24 in.

· High flavor and high protein.

· 95-105 days

· A cool weather crop, to be cultured like peas.

· Plant in the spring in a cool place.

Six-Week Purple Hull

· An early Pink Eye, Purple Hull type, produces lots of tasty cream-colored seeds that have a pink "eye."

· Small plants with reddish-purple pods.

· 65 days

· Bush to semi-vining plants that produce pods that are six to seven inches long and purple.

· The purple hull pea is a type of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), also called southern pea.

· Native to India, purple hull peas are shade- and drought-tolerant and thrive in warm weather.

· Plant purple hull peas in the spring or summer when the soil has warmed to 62 F.

Holstein Cowpea

· Very unique, this pea is mottled half black and half white, just like a Holstein cow.

· The small bush plants yield well and are easy to grow.

· Very rare.

Hutterite Soup

· They are easy to grow, mature quickly, and store easily.

· Hutterite Soup Beans grow between 24 and 30 inches tall.

· 80-85 days.

· These bush-style bean plants are compact and highly productive.

· Plant as early as possible after the last expected hard frost in the spring.

· Hutterite Soup is thought of as tender, so remember to wait until your soil is warm and the night time temperature is well above freezing before moving outside.

· Hutterite Soup normally grows to a max height of 15.60".

· Seed spacing of at least 3.90" .

· Plant in a location that enjoys full sun.

· Water moderately.

· Leave beans on the plant until completely dry, then harvest and break out of pods.

· The heirloom cream-tan seeds cook in record time: 20 minutes or less with an overnight soak.

· They can replace pinto beans or black eyed peas in any recipe but really come into their own when featured in soup.

· USDA Hardiness Zones typically associated with Hutterite Soup are Zones 5-13.

· A soil PH of between 6.0 and 6.8 is ideal for Hutterite Soup as it does best in acidic soil.

· Sow this variety about 14 days after your last frost date.

Dragon Tongue

· This famous Dutch heirloom bean has an incomparable flavor.

· The tender and superbly delicious 7" pods are yellow with amazing purple streaks.

· Makes a tasty shelled bean.

· Compact plants set high yields.

Royalty Purple Pod

· Royalty Purple Beans are purple, round podded, string less beans that has an unusually rich flavor.

· Pods are about 5 inches long.

· Mature in 51 days.

· Full sun.

· Height: 24”.

· Soil: Well-Drained.

· Spread: 12-18”.

· Hardiness Zones: All
Plant in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.

Chinese Red Noodle

· Deep red 18-inch pods

· Yard long beans are sometimes called Asparagus beans or Chinese Long beans.

· Red Noodle beans have an unusual purple-red color and are a well-known variety in southern China.

· The bean will lose its red color when cooked.

· Heat tolerant.

· Maturity: Approx. 50-80 days

· Planting season: Late spring to early summer

Lima Bean – Henderson’s Bush

· The Henderson Bush Lima bean plant is a bush type that doesn't need support.

· Pods grow large with 3-4 seeds apiece.

· Great bean for growing in the heat of summer.

· Pods good for canning or freezing.

· Days Until Harvest: 67 days.

· Origin: 1885, originally found growing along a Virginia roadside.

· Bushy 2' plants bear loads of pods, 3-4 small creamy white seeds per pod.

· Early maturity.

Garden Bean – Bush Blue Lake 274

· Plump, tender pods 5 to 6" long, with white seeds.

· Plants yield early and need no support.

· Heavy producer over a long season.

· Excellent fresh or frozen.

· Product Details

· Growth Habit: Bush

· Days to Maturity: 58 days

· Sun: Full Sun

· Height: 15-20 inches

· Spread: 10 inches

· Thinning: 6 inches

· Sowing Method: Direct Sow

· Fruit Size: 5-6 inches

Friends of the Libraries of Foster

Saturday, March 17, 2012

2012 Annual Heirloom Plant Sale Dates & Times

Herbs - Monarda Bee Balm, Parsley, Rosemary & Lavender

Thursday, March 15, 2012

2012 Plant Sale Posts

Beans/Cowpeas