Heirloom Selections

Annual USDA Zones 5-8

Bluebonnets require full sun and well-drained ordinary soil of moderate alkalinity. They will not tolerate heavy clay soils, so if you have dense clay soil, grow them in raised beds amended with compost and sand to give them the good drainage they need. Bluebonnets are drought-adapted; do not overwater them during active growing periods.

HOW BLUEBONNETS GROW AND WHAT THEY NEED

Bluebonnet’s large, hard-coated seeds respond best to late summer/fall planting as exposure to winter soil abrasion. Precipitation and weather changes break down the naturally tough outer coat of the seeds to produce germination in fall or early spring. As spring breaks, plants respond to sun and warmth, and then bloom gloriously, attracting happy bees and butterflies. The beautiful flower spikes are deep blue with white tips. After flowering, seedpods form, dry and drop seed to rebloom the next season.

SOWING AND GROWING BLUEBONNETS

Plant seeds in late summer or early fall to overwinter and bloom the next spring (in hard winter areas, sow in very early spring). Plant in ordinary garden soil, preparing the soil by removing weeds, grass and stones. Evenly loosen the top 4 inches of soil with a shovel or digging fork and break up soil clumps, then rake smooth.

Broadcast the seed over the seed bed, aiming for 6 inch spacing. Cover lightly with soil, tamping it down to make sure the seeds get good soil contact. Water in well at planting time, then keep moist but on the dry side until seasonal rains take over. Seeds may take 3 to 4 weeks to slowly and unevenly germinate. Foliage rosettes of 5-7 leaves will develop close to the ground and overwinter that way. (If cold weather comes on, seeds may delay germination until the next spring.) After germination, seedlings develop long tap roots and usually don’t require additional irrigation.

In mild early spring weather, bluebonnets will actively begin growing again. Plants rapidly develop multiple 8-12 inch flowering stalks that bloom in a gorgeous blue color with white tips. After the colorful flowers fade, green seedpods form. When they are dried up and dark brown, pods pop open and drop seed to self-sow for next spring’s flowers.

WHEN TO PLANT

In Mild Winter Climates, where ground does not freeze hard, sow in late fall to overwinter.

In Cold Winter Climates, where ground freezes hard, plant in fall for winter die back, then incorporate in spring, OR sow as early as possible in spring.

TO PREPARE THE PLANTING AREA

Remove weeds, grass and large stones. Break up soil clumps and evenly loosen the top 2 inches of soil with a rake. Scatter seeds thinly, 1 to 2 inches apart. Using a rake, cover seeds with fine soil 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and lightly firm the soil. Water thoroughly and evenly.

Keep soil moist while germinating and when seedlings are small. Growing plants thrive best if watered regularly.

INCORPORATING YOUR COVER CROP

Method 1: When mustard is 5 to 6 inches tall, use a garden fork, shovel or rototiller to turn plants into the ground to break down and enrich soil for planting, which takes about a month.

Method 2: When mustard is about 1 foot tall, pull plants out, shake off soil, and then compost plants to incorporate into soil later as finished compost. Timing depends how long your composting process takes.

Method 3: When plants are 1 foot tall, weed whack the mustard to chop it down. Cover the chopped crop with black plastic to hasten decomposition and then turn the nutritious residue into the soil 2 to 3 weeks before sowing garden crops.

ANNUAL

Spring/summer/fall harvest
Can handle light frosts

START OUTDOORS DIRECTLY INTO THE GARDEN

In early spring, sow cilantro seed directly into well-drained fertile soil 1 to 2 inches apart in wide rows in full sun. Cover 1/2 inch deep and firm soil over seeds. Keep seed bed evenly moist as seedlings emerge over 10 to 20 days. Make new sowings every few weeks until mid summer for continuous harvests of fresh leaves. Plant again in cool fall weather. Thin plants 3 to 4 inches apart before they get crowded so seedlings have room to grow.

GROWING AND HARVEST NOTES

GROW IN POTS INDOORS OR OUT

Wheatgrass can be grown indoors year round; it prefers temperatures between 65-75° F (18 to 24° C) or or grow outdoors in pots after spring weather is warm, and nights are over 50° F (10° C). This generous packet provides more than enough seed for 6 separate sowings in 6 inch pots. Disinfect pots before use by soaking in a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water for 30 minutes and air dry.

GROWING AND HARVESTING

Fill a 6 inch in diameter or larger pot (that has a drainage hole) with moistened organic planting mix. Sprinkle seeds evenly over the surface about 1/4 inch apart. Cover 1/2 inch deep with planting mix. Water gently but thoroughly. Check often; keep moist but not soggy. Keep pot in bright light or full sun. Harvest by cutting with scissors when wheatgrass is 4 to 6 inches tall, about 10 to 14 days after sowing. Wheatgrass grows back for a second harvest, but the second harvest will be weaker.

For a constant supply, sow more seeds in a new pot weekly, always using fresh soil mix. Harvest and use pots of grass in succession. After the second harvest in each pot, discard and start again with more seeds and fresh soil mix. (Each sowing uses up the available nutrients in soil mix so discard and use fresh mix) A 6 inch pot of wheatgrass will yield about 5 to 6 ounces of fresh juice.

HOW TO USE

Wheatgrass must be consumed as juice. If you want to juice regularly, we recommend buying a specialized wheatgrass juicer, which makes juicing easy and produces a superior product. A lesser, but passable alternative is to put a handful of cut wheatgrass in a blender with a cup of water, blend until liquefied and carefully strain out pulp from the juice. Drink immediately or keep refrigerated and drink soon: juice loses quality and nutrient value quickly. Drink 1 ounce of wheatgrass juice per day for general health.