Did you pick up a plant set from me at Maryland Sheep & Wool? Here's a little more information about  growing on your seedlings.

Mini Veggies Set

Ground Cherries
Your Mini Veggies set has 2 ground cherry plants: “Mary’s Niagara” and “Aunt Molly” for a greater fruit set. Ground cherries are native to South America, and require warm sunshine to thrive. Plant out only after all danger of frost is past. Although the seedlings resemble tomatoes, ground cherries shouldn’t be planted deep in the soil like tomatoes. Keep the base of the plant even with soil surface. Because of their tendency to sprawl, training them with cages or trellises is a good idea. They are also good container plants, or even hanging pots! Fruits will ripen from late summer through fall and are ripe when they drop to the ground, or if they fall into your hand as you brush it.

You can store your ground cherry harvest within their husks in a cool area for up to 3 months. In the refrigerator, they should last 2-3 weeks. For more growing information: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0617/6938/4169/files/Husk_Tomato_Ground_Cherry_Tomatillo_Growing_Guide.pdf?v=1676906611.

Spoon Tomato
The tiniest tomato! Great candidate for container planting. For easy harvest, snip the entire bunch of ripe tomatoes as you would grapes. For more information on growing tomatoes in a container: https://extension.psu.edu/container-grown-tomatoes.

Peppers
Your Mini Veggie Set may include one of these mini pepper varieties:
Biquinho, Red or Yellow
Biquinhos are native to Brazil. Biquinho means “little beak” in Portuguese, named for the “little beak” shape of these adorable tiny peppers. In Brazilian cooking they’re used fresh or dried, and pickled for a tasty garnish. The heat level of Biquinhos can range from 1,000 to 2,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)--much milder than other chili peppers like the jalapeno or habanero. They’re also known in the US as “Sweety Drops,” for their teardrop shape and their sweet and fruity flavor.

Ají Charapita
Ají charapita peppers are a Peruvian wild pepper, native to the Amazon rainforest regions of Loreto and Ucayali. The peppers are pea-sized and yellowish-orange, with a spiciness range around 50,000 SHUs. The flavor is described as fruity and floral, with hints of citrus. Called “the most expensive pepper in the world,” your ají charapita can be planted in a container and overwintered indoors for years of tiny pepper harvests.
Sweet Cherry Chili
Sweet cherry chilis are sweet peppers, with a SHU range less than 500. The peppers resemble red cherry fruits, or cherry tomatoes. Sweet cherry chilis can be eaten raw or cooked. They may be brined, grilled, smoked, or pickled. Other common names include Hungarian Cherry Pepper, Cherry Bomb Pepper, and Sweet Cherry Chile Pepper.

For detailed pepper growing information: https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-peppers.
Cucamelon
Everything about this plant is a delight. Cucamelon! Even the name is adorable. They’re also known as Mexican sour gherkin, or mouse melon. They’re native to Mexico and Central America and grow as a fast-growing vine. The vines will reach 10 feet in length and will need a trellis. Fruits look like miniature (1”!) watermelons, complete with tiny stripes, with a slightly lemony flavor. For more information on growing these little cuties: https://gardenbetty.com/mexican-sour-gherkin-cucumbers/.


Dye and Eco-Print Set

Aster, “Matsumoto”
Asters like rich, moist soil. Expect profusions of large 2” blooms from late August to frost. Deadhead for increased blooming and to prevent reseeding, if volunteer plants are not wanted. Asters attract bees and butterflies, as well as being deer-resistant.
Cosmos, “Tango”
Plant your Tango cosmos in a location that will receive at least a half day of direct sunlight. Requires little, other than an occasional deep watering and protection from marauding rabbits. Both the leaves and deep orange flowers can be used for dye and eco-printing, with good resistance to fading.
Persicaria Tinctoria Indigo
Persicaria tinctoria grows best with lots of sunlight, warmth, and rainfall in fertile, well-drained soil
Scabiosa, “Black Knight”
Also known as pincushion flower, the blooms of Black Knight are a deep, almost black, purple. Your scabiosa will be happiest in full sun, in moist, well-drained soil. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering.

Edible Flowers Set

Edible flowers can be used as garnish for all your summer meals. Fresh or candied blooms make naturally elegant cake decorations. Save blossoms for a future party by freezing them in ice cube trays. All plants in the Edible Flowers Set will thrive in full sun to partial shade. The best time to harvest flowers is in the morning after the dew has dried, before the blooms wilt in the heat of the day. For best flavor, remove the stamen and pistil before eating. Both the flowers and leaves of plants in the Edible Flowers Set can be eaten. Please note that borage is toxic to household pets.

Artist credit: all original artwork by Bec Sloane.