Herbs
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Cilantro – Santo Monogerm – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartRegular cilantro seeds, or coriander as they are sometimes called, are actually little nutlets containing more than one true seed. Monogerm seeds have been split by the grower for more precise seeding, either in trays or direct in the field. Each half seed produces a single plant. This is the same Santo variety that has been bred for bolt resistance. For precision seeding with a field seeder or into plug trays, use Santo Monogerm Cilantro Seeds and get the exact number of plants you need for your organic vegetable garden. If the plants eventually bolt in the summer, be sure to harvest the flavourful taproot, which is useful in Thai and Vietnamese recipes.
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.
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Mustard – Tokyo Bekana Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartA very nice, slightly curled mustard with light green, ruffled leaves. Although this heirloom variety can be grown to full size for cooking, the baby leaves are spectacular raw, and work particularly well in salad mixes for the market. Tokyo Bekana Organic mustard seeds are sometimes listed as “small Chinese cabbage,” but it’s closer to lettuce in texture, with a surprisingly sweet flavour that is neither hot (like some other mustards) or bitter (like some lettuces). At full size, its delicate leaves develop succulent white petioles, making it good for bunching. As if all that weren’t enough, it is slow bolt in summer, and is hardy enough to grow all winter if you provide some cover.
Timing: Mustards are cool season plants that grow quickly and then bolt. Direct sow with frost protection as early as late winter or without protection from early to late spring. Sowing short rows every 3 weeks allows for a continuous harvest of both baby leaves and full sized plants. Sow again in late summer for late fall and winter harvests. Optimal soil temperature: 21°C (70°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Starting: If growing to full size, sow 3-4 seeds in each spot you want a plant to grow. Sow 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep and thin to the strongest plant, spaced 10-15cm (4-6″) in the row. All mustards can be grown in containers for baby salad greens. Sow these as you would mesclun mixes, with seeds spaced as near as possible to 1cm (½”) apart.
Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. One cup of complete organic fertilizer will provide nutrition for 3m (10′) of row. Water regularly. Expect mustards to bolt in hot weather. Provide protection in winter by using a cloche or heavy row cover. At all other times, plan on growing fast and harvesting fast, like spinach. Planting short rows every two weeks works best for the home garden for a constant harvest.
Harvest: Cut individual leaves, or the whole plant at whatever stage of maturity you desire. Young leaves tend to be more tender and less powerfully flavoured as mature leaves. Some varieties will develop a slight bitterness in fully mature leaves. The leaves can be blanched (or run through a food processor) and then frozen, or even dried and flaked for soup mixes. But the plants are so cold hardy, fresh leaves should be available to the determined gardener 12 months of the year. Whole plants can also be pickled for long term storage.
Diseases & Pests: Slugs and woodlice (sow bugs) may nibble young seedlings, but overall, these plants are trouble free. Keep the garden free from debris and excess water, where both of these pests like to go during the day. If leaves show lots of tiny holes, flea beetles are the problem. Prevent early spring infestations by using lightweight row cover.