Basil

My basil has started to flower. That means the plant is focused more on producing seeds instead of producing flavorful leaves. The leaves will become somewhat bitter; and that goes for all herbs.

It is very easy to keep herb plants producing great-tasting leaves--pinch out the flower buds when they begin to form. It is easy. You don't need scissors or pruners, just pinch the seed stem with your thumb and finger. The plants will start producing side branches and make more leaves. Be watchful, though, as the plant is determined (that's it's purpose) to make seeds! I ignored my basil for one week (or was it two?) and you can see what happened in the top picture!

For the Bees

These pretty yellow flowers are really the blooms of Baby Bok Choi that is going to seed. I'm not saving this seed because I purchased it at the store and I don't remember if it is hybrid or not. I do let some vegetables and herbs go to seed just for the bees. The bees are having a rough time contending with two types of mites, which have cut their numbers down. Therefore, I try to help the bees all I can by providing flowers for them.

This year I experimented with planting in bags of garden soil. This bok choi has been growing in one of these bags. I found that I have to water them every day, and in the heat of summer they might need watering twice a day. It was fun to try and it has worked well. So, if you don't have your garden ready and are anxious to plant something to eat, try growing it in a bag of top soil. (See http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2008-06-01/No-Dig-Garden-Beds.aspx ).

Seed Starting List

Yesterday, I planted the following seeds in little six-packs:
---Sumter Cucumbers (pickling)--18 seeds
---California Wonder Bell Peppers--6
---Marconi Red Peppers--5
---Black Hungarian Peppers--5
---Utah Celery--8
---Russian Tarragon--6
---Safflower--5
---Dill--7
---Comfrey--3
---Kudzu (for bio-mass)--6
---Fennel--6
---Amish Melon--4
Some of the seed numbers are small, because that's all of the seed that I was given by my son, Bryce, who has purchased a huge (really huge!) number of vegetable and herb seeds (all open pollinated or heirloom seeds). Many of his seed packets have less than 10 seeds in them, and I am growing-out some plants to increase his stock of seeds.