Vegetables & Herbs
Why not let us help you enjoy your vegetables & herbs with one of the many receipes that we have that are sure to delight your taste buds. With our Burpee line of vegetables & herbs we are sure you will find a receipe that meets your needs - click here to learn more.
Vegetables:
Start your vegetable garden early with Cole Crop vegetables from the cabbage family. These early season vegetables can be planted outside approximately five weeks before the danger of frost is over. In the Chicago area, the last frost is approximately May 15th. Coles prefer a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees during the day, and can tolerate some frost. They are intolerant of temperatures above 70 degrees and will often exhaust themselves when summer arrives. They also prefer full sun to light shade - sun most of the day with only several hours of shade.
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Crops that can be planted early include: asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, garlic, globe artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, spinach, swiss chard, and turnips. You can also plant some of these again in late summer and early fall for one more harvest before winter returns. In the fall season, a light frost actually enhances the flavor in brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, rutabagas and turnips. Asparagus, globe artichokes and rhubarb are perennial crops, meaning they come back on their own year after year.
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All vegetables that are roots or tubers, including asparagus, beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, and turnips, are tolerant to frost if they are below the ground level. Potato foliage is sensitive to frost, but new leaves will grow to replace the damaged ones. Tender vegetables, not considered cole crops, can be planted on or just prior to the last frost in the spring are which include beans, corn, and zucchini. Small corn plants may survive a frost because the growth point of each plant is insulated beneath the surface of the soil.
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Heat loving vegetables can be planted one to two weeks after last frost. These vegetables are cucumbers, egg plant, melons, peppers, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes. If planted too early the cold can stunt future growth for weeks to follow. It’s better to wait until the weather is right. Snow on your crops in the spring or fall usually will not hurt them because the snow serves as an insulator. You only need to worry about your crops if the snow is exceptionally heavy and wet. Alsip Home & Nursery has a expansive selection of vegetables in our greenhouse starting in mid-April and a large assortment of seeds in our Lawn & Garden department that you can start at home. Our full line of vegetable seeds is available now.
Herbs:
Herbs are prized for more than their beauty, with uses ranging from culinary to medicina; from aromatic to cosmetic. However you choose to define an herb, they have had a long, rich past which weaves through all history.
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Here are answers to some of our customers’ most frequently asked questions regarding herbs…
Are there any tricks to successfully growing herbs?
Most herbs are as easy to grow as any annual or perennial. In general, herbs prefer lots of sun and rich, well-drained soil. There are a few that tolerate shade or poor soil. You will find those varieties listed in any good herb book.
How should I use my herbs in the garden?
Herbs will easily work into the landscape, within the garden, in containers or in their own beds.
Do some herbs live longer than others?
There are herbs that are annual, biennial and perennial. Among the annuals, dill and cilantro will complete their life cycle in as short as 6 weeks. As a result, successive sowing will be needed to keep a constant supply all season. Other annuals, such as basil, will bear from spring until they are killed by frost in fall. A few herbs, including parsley, are biennial. They produce leaves the first season, and quickly go to seed the second. And there are herbs that are perennial, most of which will live on for years.
If dill is an annual, why does mine keep coming back?
Some annuals will readily self-sow by dropping some of their seed as they ripen, which then germinates the following spring, starting the cycle again.
Friends have told me not to plant mint. Why?
Mint, along with bee balm, tansy and a few others, are often called, "garden thugs". These are plants that not only thrive where you initially plant them, but they also try to overtake all the neighboring space, too. Some of them are very desirable plants, except for this bad habit. If you want to plant a garden thug and are concerned about where they might spread, plant them inside a contained area.
Are culinary herbs easy to grow?
There are three keys to success with culinary herbs: provide plenty of sun, occasional feeding and plenty of pinching. For the most part, the more you use them, the more they will produce. Basil and parsley are great examples of this principle. When you don't pinch your herbs often enough, they tend to go to seed or become bitter.
What should I use to fertilize my herbs?
Popular water soluble fertilizers, such as MiracleGro or Algoflash, are easy to apply and readily used by the plants. If you prefer to use something organic on edibles, try one of the dry natural fertilizers, such as Dr. Earth formulated for flowers and vegetables.
When the season is over in the fall, can I bring some of my herbs indoors?
In our dark winters, your herbs may struggle unless you can provide supplemental light. Good candidates for growing indoors in winter are basil, bay, chives, fern leaf dill, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley and sage. Rosemary struggles in the winter under the best of circumstances, but its incredible aroma and flavor may make it well worth the trouble.
You will find a large a large selection of herbs in our greenhouse near the vegetables – look for the blue pots!
10255 Wicker Ave. · St. John, IN 46373 · 219-365-0882