Marconi Red Peppers (Capsicum annuum) are a delightful, sweet addition to any garden. To get started, sow
seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, planting them 1/4 inch deep. Once seedlings
are 6-8 inches tall and the weather is warm, transplant them outdoors, spacing them 12-24 inches apart
in a sunny spot with well-draining, loose soil. Consistent moisture is key, so aim for regular watering,
ideally with drip irrigation, and use a balanced fertilizer to support growth. These peppers thrive in
warm temperatures (70-85°F), and you can expect to harvest them about 73 days after transplanting.
Remember to avoid planting hot peppers nearby to prevent cross-pollination. While peppers can
self-pollinate, wind and pollinators will enhance fruit production. Keep an eye out for common pests and
diseases, and enjoy your delicious, homegrown Marconi Red Peppers in your garden, raised beds,
containers, or even a greenhouse!
Buy sweet Marconi Red Pepper seeds
Cucumbers are a fantastic addition to any summer garden, known for their ease of growth and bountiful harvests. These heat and drought-tolerant favorites come in both compact bush varieties and sprawling vining types, offering options for any garden space. For an early start, sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost, planting 3-4 seeds per cell, one inch deep, in loamy, sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-6.5. Seeds will germinate in 3-10 days. Once true leaves appear, transplant seedlings 36-48 inches apart, ideally onto 8-inch mounds and with a trellis for vining varieties to prevent overcrowding. Regular watering and a layer of mulch will benefit their shallow root systems. Bush varieties thrive in pots and containers. Most cucumbers are ready for harvest in 55-70 days, with pickling varieties often maturing sooner. Harvest when cucumbers are firm and a solid green, avoiding yellowing and bitterness. Slicing cucumbers are sweetest at 7-9 inches, becoming starchy if allowed to grow larger. Use scissors or a knife to remove fruits, preventing damage to the vine. Remember to watch for pests like cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and aphids, and address any mildew or leaf spotting promptly. With proper care, you'll enjoy a continuous supply of crisp, delicious cucumbers well into the fall.
Buy Straight Eight Cucumber Seeds
Genovese Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a classic, savory herb with rich, dark green leaves. 1 To grow this flavorful basil, provide it with full sun and consistently moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. This bushy shrub reaches 12-24 inches in height and width, so space plants 9-12 inches apart. Seeds should be sown 1/2 inch deep and will germinate in 5-10 days. From seedlings, expect a harvest in about 60 days, or around 90 days from seeds. Maintaining a temperature range of 65-80°F will support healthy growth. While generally pest-resistant, Genovese Basil can be susceptible to rot and mildew in overly wet soil, so ensure proper drainage. 2 This basil is a fantastic addition to any garden, both for its culinary use and its ability to help deter garden pests.
Buy Genovese Basil seeds
Painted Hills Corn (Zea mays) is a beautiful and delicious sweet corn variety, perfect for those with cooler springs and shorter growing seasons.
To get started, direct sow seeds 1.5-2 inches deep, spacing them 10-15 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart, once soil temperatures reach 60-95°F. Prepare a sunny growing area with loamy, well-draining soil, aiming for a pH of 6.0-6.8. This variety is an annual, so it won't overwinter. 1 These plants will grow upright to 72-84 inches tall. It is a sugary(su) type of sweet corn, so enjoy it soon after harvest. 1 These ears are not suited for machine harvesting. Side-dress with fertilizer when the corn reaches knee-high to encourage robust growth. Keep an eye out for common corn pests and diseases. Expect your colorful ears to be ready for harvest around 70-85 days after sowing. Beyond its sweet flavor, Painted Hills Corn also makes for a wonderful ornamental display. Enjoy your harvest fresh, and admire the beautiful mix of white, yellow, pink, red, and blue kernels!
Buy Painted Hills Corn
Ready to grow some delicious Cocozelle Zucchini? Pick a sunny spot with well-draining soil, aiming for at least six hours of sunlight daily. Before planting, enrich your soil with compost or aged manure to boost fertility and drainage, and ensure a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Plant seeds or seedlings in spring after the last frost, sowing seeds 1-2 inches deep in groups of 2-3, spaced 2-3 feet apart. If starting indoors, begin hardening off seedlings a week before transplanting. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist, watering deeply once a week, or more often in hot weather. Once seedlings sprout (7-10 days), thin to the strongest plant. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, being careful not to over-fertilize. Keep an eye out for pests like squash bugs and cucumber beetles, and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap as needed. Good garden hygiene will help prevent diseases like powdery mildew. Enjoy your bountiful harvest of Cocozelle Zucchini!
Buy Zucchini Seeds
Luffa gourds (Luffa aegyptica or L. cylindrica) are a unique and rewarding addition to the home garden. These green, vining plants thrive in warm, sunny conditions and require a long growing season of 100+ days, making them suitable for hardiness zones 3-12. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 6 feet apart in rows 8 feet apart, in rich, organic soil with a pH between 5 and 7. Due to their vining growth habit, a sturdy trellis is essential. While luffa doesn't offer a culinary flavor, its mature fruit provides natural sponges. Be mindful of rot and mildew, ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overly wet conditions. With patience and proper care, you'll be rewarded with your own homegrown luffa sponges.
Buy Luffa seeds
Keep up with our latest news, gardening tips, and seed offerings by following us on social media:
Simplify your plant care routine with our handy plant-watering reminder app:
Check out the app!