April 3rd, 2012
Spring is officially in full swing, and many of us are eager to get back into our gardens and harvest the delicious benefits. Selecting the seed varieties that work best for your own growing conditions, environment and dinner plates is all part of the fun – and can produce very positive results in your garden. With this in mind, Humble Seed is pleased to offer a popular demanded option to take advantage of: the opportunity to customize your own seed kit! We are thrilled to partner with Very Jane once again to bring gardeners this much requested option for a limited time. We also look forward to featuring a permanent customized seed kit option in the near future on our own website. Review the details below so you can begin your seed selecting right away!
How To Customize Your Seed Kit
To get started, simply review the 28 varieties of premium seeds that are offered exclusively for this promotion. Select 10 different seed packs of your choice. Due to inventory demand, we will not be able to fulfill multiple packs of the same seed type within a single order. Each customized seed kit is priced at $32.00, a 20% discount from the retail price ($40.00) and offered exclusively for this promotion! We are offering the following premium seeds for each customized kit:
Vegetables:
Scarlet Nantes Carrot
White Bunching Onion Scallion
Crimson Sweet Watermelon
Amazing Cauliflower
Tavera Green Bean (organic)
Red Express Cabbage (organic)
Green Romaine (organic)
Rosa Bianca Eggplant (organic / heirloom)
Washington Cherry tomato (organic)
Rose Tomato (heirloom / organic)
Black Seeded Simpson (heirloom)
Marketmore Cucumber (organic)
DeCicco Broccoli (organic /heirloom)
Peppers:
Yankee Bell Pepper
Antohi Romanian Specialty Frying Pepper (organic)
Padron Pepper (heirloom)
Joe’s Long Cayenne (organic)
Conchos Jalapeno
Herbs:
Superbo Basil
Purly Chives
Banquet Dill
Bronze and Green Fennel (organic)
Greek Oregano
Cumin
German Winter Thyme
Titan Parsley
Common Sage
Santo Cilantro (coriander)
As always, Humble Seed offers non-GMO and non-hybrid seeds with heirloom and certified organic options at an exceptional value. You can also trust that our premium seeds have one of the highest germination rates when compared with other seed companies, and we ship them directly to you in a re-sealable and airtight Mylar® bag; guaranteed for long-term storage and effective seed saving. At Humble Seed, you can trust that “ex-seeding expectations” is an affirmation we take seriously.
Click here to start building your seed kit!
Tags: basil, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, customized seed kits, gardening, growing your own foods, Hot Mama's Peppers and Chiles, Humble Seed, non-GMO seeds, non-hybrid seeds, oregano, organic seeds, pepper, peppers, promotion, The Producer, tomatoes, Uncle Herb's Favorites, Veggin' Out, Very Jane
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October 17th, 2011
Children are fascinated by plants and animals, especially if the
outcome is edible or impressive. The only problem is that they’re also quite
quick to lose interest when less-than-spectacular results are achieved after a
long wait. Obviously there’s an element of risk to cultivating any plant, but
we felt we should draw up a list of the plants we found the easiest and the
most satisfying to grow. Most of them don’t require too much specialist
knowledge, and nearly all of them can be grown in confined spaces. All of them
will capture the minds of youngsters and adults alike, hopefully inspiring more
people to grow their own vegetables at home.
We’ve decided to split this post into two categories – vegetables,
and everything else. The “everything else” category is an eclectic mix of
this-and-that, but we felt we ought to give precedence to the vegetables
section for two reasons: Most youngsters are interested in food and, boys
especially, will be doubly entertained by the notion of snacks growing in the
garden. Also, healthy eating is one of the most important elements of education
and the knowledge your child needs to nourish itself will last a whole
lifetime.
Vegetables
Lettuce
This might not get your child’s heart racing at dinner time, but
if they’re used to the dingy, dank stuff from supermarkets then they have no
reason to be excited. Home-grown lettuce with vinaigrette will bring your child
‘round to salad being acceptable, even if they’re unconvinced currently.
Carrots
The only thing we should mention with this is that carrots are
liable to bend and be knocked out of shape by rocks in the soil. Your child will have the opportunity to
plant a seed in the ground, and then mysteriously dig up an eight-inch root in
that exact spot a few months later.
Radishes
Your child may or may not like radishes, but they’re among the
easiest plants to grow and will encourage an interest into more diverse tastes.
If your child does not like them, consider “sculpting” them by scoring them
slightly then plunging them into cold water. They’ll look cool, and taste a bit
less tangy.
Bell peppers
Incredibly easy to grow, but even easier to incorporate into
dishes. You can toss them into salads, add them to kebabs, use them to garnish
dishes, put them in your Bolognese… they have a certain sweetness which you’ll
be able to appreciate even more when you eat them straight from the garden.
Tomatoes
Again, so easy to grow and they work in many summer meals. These
are so easy that a lot of people don’t even bother with planting or pots – just
score some holes into a bag of compost and away you go. Watch out for tomato
blight – the same spores which demolish potato harvests - and if you detect signs of blight in your plant, pick all the
fruit at whatever stage and turn it into chutney.
Everything Else
Basil
This will grow indoors quite happily, provided it has the sunlight
it needs to photosynthesise. (Never too young to start
learning about these processes!) The magic of basil lies not in its biology but
in its taste, which brings any Italian dish to life. Try cooking the leaves on
pizza for an aromatic addition.
Rosemary
Alongside its sister Thyme, these two stalwarts of the herb
cupboard are evocative smells for anyone who grew up in a foodie household.
There are different types of thyme for your child to explore (try the
distinctly citrus-scented lemon thyme) and rosemary goes almost too well with
lamb.
Strawberries
Who doesn’t like strawberries? They’re incredibly good for you,
even if served with cream, and they’re fun to grow. Once they’ve established
themselves, they’ll put out “runners” and colonise whole areas of the garden.
After three years, dig them up and start again to maximise fruit production.
Garlic
Plant garlic in Autumn or even Winter, covering them up with hay
and watering them in the Spring (once you remember what all that hay is doing
all over the garden). The flavour of garlic is a brilliant addition to many
dishes and is a key ingredient in a lot of French cuisine.
About the Author:
Dee is a freelance writer and a proud mother of two. She writes for several sites, one of which
deals in truck rental which might be handy if the kids grow too much vegetables!
Tags: basil, bell peppers, carrots, easy plants to grow, gardening, gardening with children, gardening with family, gardening with kids, garlic, grow your own food, growing your own foods, lettuce, radishes, rosemary, strawberries, sustainability, sustainable living, tomatoes
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August 2nd, 2011
Super foods—some grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and more—offer a great source of antioxidants and essential nutrients. And they’re low in calories, which make them an excellent choice for weight control and weight loss.
Did you know that the colors of fruits and vegetables also put them in their own group of super foods?
Green super foods, such as broccoli, parsley and spinach, contain large amounts of chlorophyll, which is what gives green vegetables their wonderful green coloring. When chlorophyll found in green vegetables is consumed, hemoglobin in blood is increased. Hemoglobin provides more oxygen-rich blood, and oxygen-rich blood helps cells thrive. Green super foods also contain large amounts of easily digestible nutrients, minerals, proteins and vitamins.
Orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, mangoes, oranges and pumpkins, are high in beta carotenes. Beta carotenes may help improve immune function and reduce the risk of heart disease. And beta carotenes help strengthen eyesight, the esophagus, the lungs, and the stomach and may help fight cancer in these areas.
Red fruits and vegetables, such as pink grapefruit, red bell peppers, tomatoes and watermelon, offer large amounts of lycopene. Lycopene, a bright red carotenoid pigment and phytochemical, helps protect cells against damaging free radicals. Studies have demonstrated that lycopene may help fight lung and prostate cancers.
In the moments when we’re enjoying a refreshing, tasty slice of watermelon or flavorful, crunchy carrot we don’t always think about the increased health benefits they offer, but they’re there—super benefits from super foods!
Tags: antioxidants, beans, beta carotenes, broccoli, cancer, carrots, chlorophyll, esophagus, eyesight, free radicals, fruits, grains, green super foods, hemoglobin, improved immune function, lungs, lycopene, mangoes, minerals, nutrients, oranges, parsley, pink grapefruit, proteins, pumpkins, red bell pepper, spinach, stomach, super foods, tomatoes, vegetables, vitamins, watermelon, weight control, weight loss, yogurt
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June 17th, 2011
Our guest chef has done it again! Check out Katheryne’s spanish shellfish recipe. Fresh mussles and clams come together with tomatoes, fresh herbs and white wine to create this great dish. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 lb of cleaned de-bearded mussels
1 1/2 lbs cleaned little neck clams
2 cups white wine (a white table wine will work perfect)
1 cup of organic canned crushed tomatoes
1 small onion finely diced
4 cloves of garlic finely diced
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon of dried oregano leaves
the juice of one large lemon (about 1/4 cup)
3 tablespoons of butter or olive oil
handful of roughly chopped or torn cilantro leaves to garnish
Directions:
First heat either the oil or the butter on med-low heat in a big deep soup pot with a lid or dutch oven. Once the oil/butter is hot add the finely diced onion. Sweat the onions for about five minutes. Once the onions have turned translucent, add the minced garlic and continue to cook for another two minutes. Now add the crushed tomatoes, white wine, smokey paprika, cumin, thyme, and oregano to the pot to make a broth. Turn the heat up to medium or until the broth begins to simmer. Let the alcohol in the wine cook off for about twelve minutes. Add the mussels, clams, and the lemon juice and cover the pot with the lid. Cook covered for about three to four minutes or until all of the shell fish have opened (that’s how you know they are ready). Serve in a big bowl with crusty bread and garnished with cilantro from the Humble Seed. The bright cilantro really awakens this hearty seafood dish.
*NOTE always check your shell fish prior to cooking to make sure they are all alive. To do this look to see if all of the shells are closed. If the shell is open, tap it on the counter, if it does not close, its dead, throw it away.
About Katheryne:
Sustainability is very important to me because I believe that we should take care of the planet that gives us so much. Love the earth and it will love you back. Know where your food comes from; be informed about what you are consuming. By choosing to eat organically grown produce the impact that you are making on the environment and your own health is a positive one. Living sustainably to me, is not about what you are giving up, it’s about all that you get! You can check out my website and please be sure to “like” my Facebook page!
Tags: cilantro, garlic, healthy recipes, herbs, oregano, seafood recipe, shellfish recipe, sustainable living, thyme, tomatoes, Uncle Herb's Favorites
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February 10th, 2011
Cold weather may be upon us yet but it’s never too early to plan a spring garden, because when you plan properly, you’ll find that your garden is more productive and rewarding. And when you plan ahead you will have saved yourself the time and effort it takes to keep your garden growing as best as possible due to important factors.
If you’re ready to grow your own foods for the first time, you will want to keep a couple of things in mind when planning your garden:
1. Location. A garden spot with loose, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight is necessary. You will also want to consider the proximity to your water source.
2. Garden plan. Will you be growing a lot of your family’s favorite herbs and vegetables? If so, you’ll want to make sure your garden is big enough to accommodate your plants according to spacing and size. If you’ll be working with a smaller garden, you’ll want to consider planting vegetables that offer higher yields, such as bell peppers, bush snap beans and tomatoes. If you would like a continuous supply of vegetables, don’t plant too many of one type of vegetable at once. Instead, plant seeds at intervals so that you have a steady supply of herbs and vegetables for harvesting. Draw out your garden plan. Include each of the following on your plan: location in your yard according to sunlight, location of each type of herb and vegetable, length of the rows for each vegetable, spacing between plants in rows and the rows themselves, planting dates, and which plants that will follow harvested vegetables.
3. Not sure what to sow? If you’re a first-time gardener, consider an herb garden. Herbs, such as basil, cilantro, oregano, and more are easy to grow. And there’s nothing better than using fresh herbs straight from the garden for meals of incomparable flavor. There are even some gardeners who grow herbs solely for their aromatic foliage and appearance. A small 4 x 6 foot area is plenty of space to grow all the herbs a small family needs.
This is bare bones glimpse into planning a simple garden, but the idea is that with just a little bit of time and effort you can grow a garden that will supply you and your family with fresh, healthy herbs and vegetables to get you through the growing season. It’s fun; it’s a great activity for the whole family; and it’s a money-saving venture. So get out your paper and colored pencils, plan out your garden then hang it on your bulletin board. You’ll have a great reminder of what’s in store for spring. It’s just around the corner!
Tags: basil, bell peppers, bush snap beans, cilantro, garden location, garden plan, herbs, oregano, planning a vegetable garden, tomatoes, vegetables
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February 10th, 2011
For many gardeners, February is the perfect time to start seeds indoors 2-3 months before your average date of final frost. If your region’s average final frost date is the end of March then February is a great time to get started so your seedlings will have a good 6-8 weeks to prepare for their new home in your garden.
Starting seeds indoors is easy, and you do not need expensive supplies to get a head start on spring gardening. Supplies include: containers that are 2-3 wide and 2-3 inches deep, like a plastic 40 count tray; loose textured potting mix that has soil, vermiculite or perlite and sphagnum peat moss; seeds; popsicle sticks, a waterproof pen; clear plastic bags large enough to go around your container(s); a 15-15-15 soluble fertilizer; and snail bait.
Here’s how to sow spring garden seeds (such as broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, head lettuce, onion, peppers, squash, and tomatoes) indoors:
1. Fill your container with pre-moistened potting mix then level the soil. To moisten soil, simply put potting mix in a large bag and get it wet until it’s just moist.
2. Sow 1-2 seeds in each tray cell. Gently press the seeds into the soil then add a little bit of soil to the top, to cover seeds.
3. Mark your seedling trays by using your waterproof marker on the popsicle sticks, noting the date you planted and variety of seeds.
4. Place the tray inside of a clear plastic bag then tie it shut. If covering the tray with plastic wrap, you will want to make sure that the plastic does not touch the soil surface. Once covered with plastic you will not need to water the soil until your seeds sprout.
5. Set your seed tray in a spot that is evenly warm, such as the top of your refrigerator if you have the room. Do not place your seed tray in an area that is too drafty or too warm.
6. Once the seeds have sprouted remove the plastic and move the seed tray to a sunny south-facing window. If you do not have a window that provides full sun, you may need to purchase lighting equipment. If the region you live in continues to get very cold at night, you will want to move your seed tray away from the window so that the seedlings do not get too cold.
7. Watering your sprouts is easy. You’ll want to check the soil moisture daily by feeling the soil with your finger. If the soil is dry use a spray bottle that contains room temperature water and mist them with a fine spray.
8. 3-4 weeks after seeds are established, add some complete soluble fertilizer to the water. You’ll only need to fertilize once or twice before planting your seedlings into the garden.
9. After 6-8 weeks, you can start hardening off your seedlings by placing the seed tray outside in full sun for 2-3 hours. Bring the seed tray in after the allotted time. As your seedlings start adjusting to the 2-3 hours in full sun start moving them into the shade too for a few hours before bring the seed tray back indoors. You’ll want to follow this process for about two weeks. After the two week hardening process you can leave your seed tray out all day and night, as long as the temperatures are not freezing. This process, of putting your seed tray outdoors then moving them back indoors allows your seedlings to get used to being outdoors and keeps them from going into shock.
10. Once you’re ready to plant the seedlings in your garden you’ll want to: transplant them in the late afternoon when the sun is low; make sure the seedlings are well watered before planting them in the garden; make sure the garden soil is moist; try not to disturb the root ball when transplanting; water the seedlings once planted, to make sure the soil has settled around the root ball; place snail bait around the seedlings; and keep the seedlings moist for the first 4-5 days after transplanting, to make sure they get established. Once established you can water your seedlings when the soil is slightly dry in between watering.
That’s it! Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start on the spring gardening season and is an activity that provides you with great gardening practice (if you’ve never gardened before) and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. We’re excited for the spring garden season, and we hope you are, too. It’s going to be a great year for healthy, homegrown food!
Tags: broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, fertilizer, final frost date, head lettuce, onion, peppers, plastic, popsicle sticks, potting soil, seed trays, seedlings, snail bait, squash, starting seeds indoors, tomatoes, transplanting seedlings, waterproof pen
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November 20th, 2010
Fruits and vegetables come in all shades of vibrant colors—green, orange, red, yellow and more—that will make your plate and palette pop. But did you know that each color offers health benefits as well?
Plants contain phytochemicals which protect them from things like UV rays and garden villains. These same phytochemicals help boost our immune system when consumed and have been shown to act as free radical scavengers. Here is a short list of vegetables with some of their benefits.
- Tomatoes and red bell peppers: their bright red color comes from lycopene, a carotene and caratenoid pigment. Lycopene has been considered a potential agent for prevention of some types of cancer, such as prostate cancer.
- Carrots and winter squash: their vibrant orange color comes from beta carotene, which can be converted to active vitamin A. The phytochemicals found in orange and yellow vegetables may help lower the risk of some forms of cancer, as well as help vision and heart and immune systems.
- Broccoli: its green comes from indole-3 carbinol (I3C), a compound that occurs naturally in broccoli and other green vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, and more. I3C has been shown to inhibit the development of cancers of the breast, colon, liver, lung and stomach in some animals.
- Eggplant: it’s chock-full of anthocyanins, water-soluble vacuolar pigments that belong to the parent class of molecules called flavonoids. These anthocyanins have been shown to protect cell membranes from damage.
So much potential in small packages! The next time you eat your favorite fruit or vegetable look at its color and think about the health benefits that may come from eating it. There’s so much to appreciate and more there than meets the eye!
Tags: anthocyanins, beta carotene, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cancer, carotene, carrots, eggplant, flavonoids, free radical scavengers, health benefits, immune system, indole-3 carbinol, lycopene, phytochemicals, prostate cancer, red bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips, vitamin A, winter squash
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August 1st, 2010
If you have beans, peas, squash and tomatoes in your garden then keep your eagle eyes peeled for the itsy bitsy spider mite, because this eight-legged arachnid—and more specifically, colonies of spider mites—will feast on plants, sucking the cell contents from leaf tissue.
What to look for:
- Plant leaves that look like they have light specks on them
- Gray, yellow or bronze colored leaves that eventually drop off of plants
- Fine silken webbing on leaves or branches
Life Cycle
- Adult female spider mites lay round eggs on bark, leaves or in webbing
- Once eggs hatch, spider mite larvae—which only have six legs during their first stage of life—can develop into adults in as little as two weeks
- With plenty of food and appropriate temperatures, there can be multiple generations of spider mites per year
- Female spider mites may lay 100+ eggs during their short four weeks of life
If you suspect that you have spider mites but cannot see any, hold a white piece of paper underneath plants leaves then shake or tap the leaves. Dislodged spider mites will fall onto the paper and appear as little moving flecks. Spider mites may be brown, cream-colored, green, red or yellow.
Natural enemies of spider mites include lacewing larvae, lady beetles, and minute pirate bugs. Instead of using insecticides in your garden, try implementing some of these natural biological garden heroes.
Tags: beans, lacewing larvae, lady beetles, minute pirate bugs, peas, spider mites, squash, tomatoes
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July 28th, 2010
Did you know that green lacewing larvae are one of the most beneficial tools for keeping pesky garden villains under control? While the adult green lacewing is quite lovely, lacewing larvae appear somewhat menacing, with their large mandibles, pincher-like mouthparts, and armored looking bodies.
The green lacewing life cycle is pretty simple:
- An adult lacewing lays her eggs on plants, and each egg is attached to the tip of a hair-like filament.
- After just a few days, a predatory, and very hungry, larva emerges from the egg.
- After a short two- to three-week growing period, the larva spins a cocoon to pupate.
- An adult lacewing emerges approximately five days later, and it will then mate and repeat the life cycle. An adult green lacewing will live for approximately four to six weeks.
When a green lacewing larva emerges from its egg it’s ravenous, and it will feed on aphids, beetle larvae, leafhoppers, mealybugs, whiteflies, and more. When the larva grabs hold of its prey it injects it with paralyzing venom then sucks out the body fluids. Gross, yes, but the lacewing larva means business, and it will seek out prey rather than waiting for prey to come to it.
During the larva’s very short growing period it can consume up to 200 eggs, other larvae, and pests. To take advantage of their short life span, it is recommended that you release green lacewing larvae into your garden in early spring. If you want to help control your garden pests with lacewing larvae, release new larvae regularly in order to keep a steady supply in your garden and on your plants.
Adult green lacewings prefer to feed on honeydew, nectar and pollen. Light green in color, with large eyes and two long, thin antennae, the adult green lacewing also has long, transparent wings that have a distinct veins running through them.
Green lacewings prefer humid conditions, and plants that benefit from having the lacewing near include peppers, sweet corn, and tomatoes. If you want to control villainous garden pests organically, the green lacewing is a great choice for your garden!
Tags: aphid lions, aphids, beetle larvae, green lacewing, honeydew, lacewing larvae, leafhoppers, mealybugs, nectar, peppers, pollen, sweet corn, tomatoes, whiteflies
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July 16th, 2010
With their richly colored orange-red wings and distinct black spots, lovely ladybugs often conjure up childhood memories of placing one on your hand or arm then intently watching it with fantastical awe. This beautiful bug is adored by many children for its calm nature, but it’s also adored by gardeners for its beneficial pest control behavior.
Ladybugs have colossal appetites and not only consume aphids—lice that feed on plant juices—but also eat other insects and larvae, including leaf hoppers, mealybugs, mites, whiteflies, and the eggs of the Colorado potato beetle, just to name a few. One ladybug, in its lifetime, can consume more than 4,000 aphids, their preferred meal.
In addition to consuming aphids and other insects, ladybugs require pollen as a source of food, in order to mature and lay eggs. Some plants that attract ladybugs include basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, pepper, thyme, and tomatoes. If you want to be extra considerate of your little garden heroes, consider planting bell-shaped flowers, such as lilies or tulips, which capture drinking water for ladybugs and provide a cool, relaxing oasis for them to inhabit. With the garden protection that ladybugs provide, they deserve to be pampered!
If you’re interested in using the heroic ladybug to help combat the villains in your garden, it is important that you not use insecticides—which you should try to avoid regardless. Insecticides will not only eliminate most of their food source but also discourage ladybugs from laying their eggs in your garden.
If purchasing ladybugs for your garden, do not release them during the heat of the day. Keep them in a cool place, such as the refrigerator, before releasing them in the evening after the sun goes down. Placing your ladybugs in the refrigerator will not harm them but simply slow them down. Ladybugs do not fly when it’s dark, so this is your best chance at giving them the opportunity to get comfortable in their new living environment. Also, before releasing the ladybugs, water the areas that you will be placing them in so they have plenty of water to drink. Think of ladybugs as house guests; you want them to feel welcomed and comfortable. If your ladybugs are comfortable in their new home, chances are they’ll stick around. You can’t fence ladybugs in, but should they choose to stay and live in your garden they’ll be great heroes in combating those villainous aphids and their sidekicks.
Tags: aphids, basil, cilantro, Colorado potato beetle, dill, fennel, garden pest control, hero, insecticides, ladybugs, leaf hoppers, lilies, mealybugs, mites, pepper, thyme, tomatoes, tulips, villain, whiteflies
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