Planting book

A collection of instructions and tips for planting seeds and nurturing plants.

Double dark pink hibiscus

Space hibiscus plants 3 to 6 feet apart. The seeds might be small at first but will grow into balls.

Select a site in full sun. Hibiscus requires six to eight hours of direct sun daily in order to thrive. If you live in an area prone to windy conditions, place plants in protected locations, as flowers are delicate and tear easily.

They like well-draining, acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8.

Elephant ear

Full sun, partial shade. Plant when nighttime temps are 50-60 F. 2-6 feet apart, 4-6 inches deep.

Lemongrass

Pant outside 2 ft apart, on top of the soil. Full sunlight.

Marshmallow seeds

Start the seeds indoors three to four weeks before the last frost date, or sow outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. Sow them in groups of five or six seeds, in groupings 18-24 inches apart. Lightly cover them with soil, and keep them moist until they germinate. This usually takes about three to four weeks.

Mountain mint

This native plant grows n valleys and in the mountains. It's a great pollinator and extremely attractive to bees.

Sew on the soil surface at 70 F in the spring. Keep moist. Seeds need light to germinate.
Water regularly until they become established. Mountain mind tolerates drought well once older and can even flourish in rocky areas.

Thrives in average, wet soil.

Pineapple mint

Full sun, partial shade.

Turtlehead

Chelone glabra

Some say that this unusual native plant looks like the head of a turtle.

Best if planted outside in fall or late winter. If cold is past, place seeds on oiist sand for 16 weeks at 40F to break dormancy.

Sow seeds just below the soil surface at 70 F. Keep moist. Adapts to clay, sand, or woodland soil with adequate moisture. Watering might be neccessary. Developing slowly, they might not flower until the second or third year.