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2015 GARDEN RESOURCE PROGRAM
COOL WEATHER SEED INSTRUCTIONS
These seeds are all cool weather crops that can be sown directly into the garden. They do not need to
be started indoors. You will receive additional seeds intended for warm weather planting at the Hot
Crop Distributions on May 14th or 16th.
VARIETY: Name of Variety (F1 indicates that it is a hybrid) (days to mature) and description
QUANTITY: Information on the estimated space each packet will be able to plant.
SOWING: Appropriate time to sow, germination notes, and information for continuous seeding.
SPACING: Appropriate seed spacing and depth.
NOTES: Other information gardeners might need to know.
All Greens Mix
VARIETY: ‘GRP Mix’ (21 days) A beautiful mix of greens including Mizuna, Red Mustard (Scarlet Frills and
Red Giant), Tatsoi, and Tokyo Bekana.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 16 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Cool weather crop. Sow in early spring or late summer.
SPACING: Gently shake the packet to mix the seeds. Sow about 5 seeds every inch, 1/8 inch deep, in
rows that are 2 inches apart.
NOTES: “Cut-and-come-again” harvest by cutting individual leaves when they are 3-4 inches tall, above
the growing point, but leaving the plants in the ground for re-growth and additional harvests. Young
leaves make great additions to salads; older leaves are excellent stir-fried. Flea beetles are fond of many
of the varieties in this mix. Using row cover can help to reduce damage.
Arugula
VARIETY: ‘Arugula’ (21 days for baby, 40 days for full size) A delicious salad green that gets spicier as the
weather gets hotter.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 15 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Cool weather crop; sow mid-spring through late summer. Sow every three weeks for a
continuous supply. Arugula will have a sharper flavor in the summer months.
SPACING: Sow about 5 seeds every inch, ¼ inch deep, in rows that are 2 inches apart.
NOTES: See All Greens mix notes
Beets
VARIETY: ‘Detroit Dark Red’ (60 days) Classic red beet with good size roots and tasty greens.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 6 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Cool weather crop, but does best slightly later than radishes and turnips, when soil has
thawed well and warmed some. Sow mid-spring through late summer, sowing every two weeks for a
continuous supply.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every inch, ½ inch deep, in rows 4 inches apart. Thin to 1 plant every 2-3 inches if
you want fewer, larger beets. If you thin, toss the baby leaves into a salad for a tasty addition.
NOTES: Beet greens are edible too! Prepare as you would other greens like chard, kale, collards, or mustard.
Carrots
VARIETY: ‘Nelson’ (F1) (56 days) A good variety for sowing early and harvesting during warm or hot weather.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 7 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Sow in early spring through mid-summer. Because of their long roots, carrots grow best in
deep, loose, rock-free soils. Keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Be patient as carrots can take as long
as 3 weeks to germinate.
SPACING: Sow ½ inch apart, ¼ inch deep, in rows 2-4 inches apart. After seedlings emerge, thin plants
to between ¾ and 2 inches apart, depending on how large of a carrot you want.
NOTES: Keep them well-weeded, as carrots will easily be taken over by weeds. Make sure to cover the tops of
carrots that are exposed with soil to keep the carrot tops from turning green. Late season carrots can stay in the
ground for much of the winter. Even if the green tops die or turn brown, go ahead and harvest the roots - they will
be sweet! Like many veggies, carrots are sweeter when grown in cooler weather than in the heat of summer.
The Garden Resource Program supports over 1,400 gardens and farms across our community and is made possible through
the collaboration of hundreds of community-based organizations and residents. The 2014 Garden Resource Program is
coordinated by Keep Growing Detroit. For more information please contact 313.757.2635, email [email protected], or visit www.detroitagriculture.net
Collards
Lettuce
VARIETY: ‘Champion’ (30 days for baby, 60 days for mature leaves) Dark green color with long, broad,
wavy, tender leaves.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 16 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Collard greens are hardy and can withstand light frosts. Sow in early spring and late summer.
SPACING: Sow seeds 1 inch apart, ½ inch deep, in rows that are 2 inches apart for baby leaves, or 12
inches apart for full-sized plants.
NOTES: Flea beetles are common pests of collards. Using row cover can reduce damage.
VARIETY: ‘GRP Lettuce Mix’ (28 days for baby mix, 55 days for full size heads) A mix of lettuces in
different colors and textures including Outredgeous, Black Seeded Simpson, Parris Island, and Rouge
D’Hiver
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 16 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Cool weather crop – if grown during the summer, it often bolts (goes to seed) or is bitter.
Lettuce sprouts very poorly in temp over 75 degrees. Begin sowing lettuce in early spring. Lettuce can
be grown in the summer if it is well-shaded.
SPACING: Gently shake the packet to mix the seeds. Sow about 5 seeds every inch, 1/8 inch deep, in rows
2 inches apart for baby mix. For full size heads, thin to 1 plant every 8 inches, in rows 8 inches apart.
NOTES: Lettuce needs sunlight to germinate, so cover seeds with only a very light sprinkling of soil.
“Cut- and-come-again” harvest by cutting individual leaves when they are 3-4 inches tall, above the
growing point, but leaving the plants in the ground for re-growth and additional harvests. Harvest early
in the morning or in the evening in order to avoid bitter taste.
Mustard Greens
VARIETY: ‘Southern Giant Curled’ (21 days for baby, 45 days for full size) Bright green leaves can be used
young in salads, or cooked when fully mature.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 16 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Mustard greens are hardy and can withstand light frosts. Sow in early spring and late summer.
SPACING: Sow seeds 1 inch apart, ½ inch deep, in rows that are 2 inches apart for baby leaves, or 6
inches apart for full-sized leaves.
NOTES: Flea beetles are common pests of mustard greens. Using row cover can reduce damage.
Shelling Peas
VARIETY: ‘Premium’ (60 days) Sweet, crisp, 3 inch pods.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 8 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Peas are a cool weather crop. Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow
in mid to late summer for a fall crop. For faster germination, soak seeds in water for no more than 24
hours before planting.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every inch, 1 inch deep, in rows that are 1 foot apart. Vines will grow to about 2½
feet and can be grown with or without the support of a trellis.
NOTES: This variety is a shelling pea, meaning we are harvesting for the peas, not the pods. Wait to
pick until the pods are nicely swollen, about 3 inches long. The flowers and young shoots are also
edible, so pick a few and add them to your salads! However, be aware that each flower you pick will
decrease the yield of pea pods.
Snap Peas
VARIETY: ‘Sugar Sprint’ (65 days) Sweet, crisp, 3 inch pods.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 8 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Peas are a cool weather crop. Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, and again in mid to
late summer for a fall crop. For faster germination, soak seeds in water for no more than 24 hours before planting.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every inch, 1 inch deep. Vines will grow to about 2½ feet and can be grown with or without the
support of a trellis.
NOTES: This variety is a snap pea, meaning that the entire pea pod can be eaten. Wait to pick until the pods are
nicely swollen, about 3 inches long. The flowers and young shoots are also edible, so pick a few for your salads!
However, be aware that each flower you pick slightly diminishes the yield of pea pods
Spinach
VARIETY: ‘Space’ (F1) (39 days) A tried-and-true variety of spinach good for spring, fall, and overwinter growing.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 10 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Spinach is a cool weather crop which germinates well in early spring as soon as soil can be
worked. Sow again in late summer for fall crop.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every inch, ½ inch deep, in rows that are 2 inches apart for baby spinach, or 1
foot apart for full-grown plants.
NOTES: Spinach is a great crop for experimenting with season extension! Spinach planted in the late
summer or early fall should stay alive all winter long, under row cover or even just under the snow, and
be ready for harvest all winter long and into the early spring of the next year.
Radishes
VARIETY: ‘Cherry Belle’ (30 days) A good smooth red-skinned bunching radish.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 7 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Sow in early spring through late summer. Radishes are a cool season crop, among the hardiest of all vegetables. They should be planted slightly later than peas. Sow seeds every 2 weeks to
ensure a constant supply throughout season.
SPACING: Sow seeds 1 inch apart, ½ inch deep, in rows that are 2-4 inches apart.
NOTES: Flea beetles are especially fond of radishes. Row cover can be used to prevent damage, but
they usually grow fast enough that damage won’t affect them. Harvest on time for crisp radishes- they
will turn tough if they are left in the ground too long. Their greens are also edible! Try blending them
with olive oil and garlic for a spicy pesto.
Swiss Chard
VARIETY: ‘Bright Lights’(28 days baby, 55 days full) Produces a wide array of vibrant colored leaves and stems.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 15 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Chard prefers cool weather, but is one of the more heat-tolerant greens. Sow in spring
through late summer.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every 2 inches, ½ inch deep. Thin to 1 plant every 4-6 inches for larger leaves.
Sow every 4 weeks for continuous harvest.
NOTES: Each chard seed will sprout 1-3 plants. When harvesting, you can cut each leaf individually,
or cut across all stems at once. Be sure to leave the growth point and enough baby leaves so that the
plant can keep growing, and you should be able to harvest from the same plant 2-3 times. Aphids are a
common pest on chard leaves. Row cover can help keep the plants pest-free. Plants can also be blasted with a heavy hose spray to clear aphids from the leaves and base of the stems.
Turnips
VARIETY: ‘Purple Top White Globe’ (45 days) A classic turnip that can be grown for its greens or its root.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant up to 30 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Turnips are a cool weather crop, but will tolerate warm weather. Sow turnips early in the
spring through late summer, sowing every few weeks to ensure a constant supply.
SPACING: Sow seeds 1 inch apart, ¼ inch deep, in rows that are 6 inches apart. Thin to 1 plant every
2-3 inches for good sized roots. Do not thin if you only want to harvest the turnip greens.
NOTES: Flea beetles are fond of turnips; using row cover can help to reduce damage. Turnip greens
are edible too! Prepare as you would other greens like chard, kale, collards, or mustard. To store turnip
roots, chop off greens first, then keep roots in plastic in a refrigerator or a cool corner of the basement
at roughly 40 degrees.
Cilantro
VARIETY: ‘Santo’ (50 days leaf, 90 days seed/coriander) Santo is a slow-bolting selection grown for its
leaves.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 12 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Sow in spring or late summer. Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous supply.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every 2 inches, ¼ inch deep. Thin to a spacing of 1 plant every 4 inches, in rows
that are 4 inches apart.
NOTES: To harvest leaves, cut straight across stems, leaving the growth point intact. Leaves will regrow for another harvest. Harvest early to avoid plant going to seed, though it can also be grown for
the cilantro seed, known as coriander.
Chamomile
Dill
VARIETY: ‘Common Chamomile’ (60-65 days) Good yields of small, sweet-smelling, daisy-like flowers.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 20 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Sow in spring though late summer. Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous supply.
SPACING: Gently sprinkle seed into 2 inch wide bands, ¼ inch deep.
NOTES: Harvest flowers continually to stimulate more flower production.
VARIETY: ‘Bouquet’ (40 days for leaf, 90 days for seed) Delicious, mild leaves that will bloom into
yellow flowers.
QUANTITY: Each pack will plant about 50 feet in 1 row.
SOWING: Sow in spring though late summer. Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous supply.
SPACING: Sow 1 seed every 2 inches, ¼ inch deep, in rows that are 4 inches apart.
NOTES: To harvest leaves, cut straight across stems, leaving growth point intact. Leaves will re-grow
for another harvest. Harvest early to avoid plant going to seed, though it can also be grown for the dill
seed.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS: PLANTING SEEDS DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN
PLANT SEEDS AT THE RIGHT TIME!
Make sure you plant seeds when it is the right temperature outside as defined for each variety above. Below is more information
about how to make sure you get crops in the ground at the right time as it can be hard to interpret “early spring” sometimes!
• “Sow after danger of frost has passed”: This means these seeds might not germinate well or rot in the ground if they
are planted before a frost. The average last frost date in Detroit is May 10th, but can vary greatly from year to year. Pay
attention to weather reports!
• “Sow in spring through late summer/early fall”: This means these seeds can be sown repeatedly throughout the
• summer for a continuous harvest. Pay attention to the days to maturity and plan for enough time for them to grow
before the first frost. The average first frost date is October 9th in Detroit, but can vary greatly from year to year.
• “Sow in spring or late summer/early fall”: This means these are the “cool weather” crops which don’t do well in the
summer heat. Plan for two separate plantings and harvests. Some of these crops actually taste better after the first
light frost of the fall.
PREPARE A PROPER SEED BED
Make sure the soil is free of weeds that could compete with slower growing vegetables. Remove any rocks and use a rake
to make it as smooth as possible. This ensures that all seeds are at the same depth, makes it easier to water evenly, and
provides an even and smooth seed bed for consistent seed germination.
MAKE SURE TO MAINTAIN GOOD MOISTURE
Check the seeds daily to make sure they are getting enough water, but be aware that seeds do not need to be wet constantly.
Watering in the morning is better than evening to avoid fungal issues. Once plants have germinated keep a consistent watering
schedule. One thorough watering per week is a good rule of thumb; this means watering until the soil is moist 4 to 6 inches deep.
DON’T GIVE UP!
Some crops can take a long time to germinate. Carrots are famous for taking as long as three weeks. Don’t give up and
replant too soon. If you have done everything else right, it is often just a matter of waiting.
THIN CROPS THAT NEED TO BE THINNED
Plants need room to grow! For some plants it is a good idea to plant too many seeds, in case not all of them germinate.
When they are baby-sized, the extras need to be removed (thinned) so that the others have room to mature. Gardeners are
often reluctant to thin crops because they cannot stand killing their little babies, but if you do not thin them they ALL suffer.
Thin out so there is enough room for the plants to develop.
DEVELOP A GOOD CROP ROTATION
Moving crops to different places in your garden each year helps to keep insects and disease at bay, as well as keeping
soil from being stripped of its nutrients. Crops should be rotated according to their family.
GET A GOOD REFERENCE GUIDE
Find a book to go to whenever you have questions! A great FREE reference is Johnny’s Selected Seeds catalog. You can get
one by calling 1- 877-JOHNNYS or check them out online at www.johnnyseeds.com.