Growing Guide for Plant Starts from BFF

Firstly, thank you for buying plant starts from Brockman Family Farms. We do our best to provide you with unique plants of the highest quality. Now, it's time to grow your plant! You can use this quick start guide to help you plant, grow, and harvest your newest garden additions.

Flowers

Basil: While basil is an herb, it has great potential as part of your cut flower garden. Basil makes a wonderful and aromatic addition to bouquets. After all danger of frost has pasnt, plant your basil in full sun and give your basil about 9-12 inches of space from it's neighbor. When it is 8 inches tall you can pinch it to encourage branching growth. You can cut basil for bouquets as soon as the stems start to toughen and flowers start to form. Basil has a tendency to wilt so cut it at the coolest part of the day and put directly into water. Basil is very easy going plant and regular cuttings keep the plant producing stems all summer long.

Celosia: Celosia is a summer loving flower and a garden favorite because you can cut and come again. Celosia is very cold sensitive so make sure there is no danger of frost before you plant it out. Plant your celosia starts in full sun with 9-12 inches of space. You can pinch your plant when it is 6-8 inches tall to encourage branching growth. Cut flowers at any time before they go to seed. Celsoia is cut an come again so if you consistently harvest the flowers the plant will continue to produce more. Celosia also makes a great dried flower; hang them upside down in a space out of direct sunlight to dry then use in wreaths or arrangments.

Chamomile: Although chamomile is typically used as an herb, it's small daisy like flowers also look great in bouquets. Plant your starts in full sun with at least 8 inches from its neighbors. Cut when flowers are open and place in water. Chamomile also makes a great dried flower for fall crafts and can be used in teas.

Cosmos: These beauties are a summer garden favorites for their airy, ethereal blooms. Plant your starts in full sun with 12 inches of space. You can pinch the plant when it reaches 8-12 inches to encouracge branching. Cosmos aren't fussy and thrive in poor soil. For the longest vase life, cut when flowers are still buds that are just starting to crack open. Cosmos are cut and come again so if you let the flowers start going to seed, the plant will stop producing flowers.

Dahlias: When dahlias are grown from seed the plant will be a surprisse and no two will look the same! Plant your starts in full sun with 12 inches of space from it's neighbors. You can pinch the plant when it is 12 inches tall to encourage branching and long stem growth. Pick your flowers when they are fully open as dahlias don't unfurl much after cutting. Make your cut at the intersection of branches to encourage more flower production. If you love the flowers you can dig up the tubers and store them over winter to have the same flowers next year.

Dusty Miller: The silvery green foilage of this plant it a beautiful and elegant addition to the cut flower garden. Plant your starts in full sun with 9-12 inches of space. The plant can be pinched when 8-12 iches tall to encourage branching growth and more stems. Harvest when the stems are mature and firm because they are particularly prone to wilt. Immediately place in water, Foilage can also be dried for later use.

Gomphrena: Also called globe amaranth, this little cutie is a good filler to cut flower bouquets and is also great for drying. Plant your starts in full sun with a 9 inch spacing. Cut stems when they are firm and place in water immediatly or hang to dry. Gomphrena has a long vase life, up to 2 weeks!

Sunflowers (branching type): Branching sunflowers are wonderful for the cutting garden as each plant produces multiple flower stems over about a month long period. Plant your start in full sun with 18-24 inches of space. You can pinch when the plant is 18 inces tall to encourage branching growth. Cut stems as soon as the first petals of the flower start to unfurl.

Zinnias: This highly productive flower is a staple in the cutting garden. Zinnias produce all summer if you keep cutting them and don't let them set seed until the end of the season. Plant your start in full sun with about 9 inches of space from its neighbors. Cut flowers when they are fully open and the stems are stiff at the flower head. Zinnias can make bouquet water dirty so change the water often. Zinnias are open pollinated so seeds saved and planted next season will not come out true to the parent plant.

Herbs

Basil: Plant your basil start in full sun with 9-12 inches of space. Harvest before flower stalks form. Use fresh or dry for later use. Pinch flower stalks off to keep the plant producing foilage.

Chives: Plant your starts in clumps 8-12 inches apart in sun. To harvest, give your chives a haircut, always leaving 1/3 the stem behind. Use fresh or dry for later use.

Oregano: Plant your start in full sun with at least 12 inches of space from it's neighbors. Harvest stems before they flower and use fresh or dry for later use. Oregano will return next year in zones 4-9; trim and mulch in the fall then wait for new growht next spring.

Parsley: Plant your start in full sun with 8-12 inches of space. Harvest leaves and stems as needed and use fresh or dry for later use.

Rosemary: Plant your start in full sun with 8-18 inches of space. Harvest as needed and use fresh or dried. Rosemary is a tender perennial. If you over witer the plant inside you can set it out in the spring for new growth.

Sage: Sage is a perennial in zones 4-8. Plant your starts in full sun with 12 inches of space. Harvest leaves as needed the first year. The second year and onward, stems can be harvested within 6 inches of the base of the plant. Use fresh or dried.

Thyme: This perennial herb benefits from a good mulching in the fall. Plant your starts in full sun with about 12 inches of space from it's neighbors. Harvest as needed, lightly the first year. Heavier harvest is tolerated in subsequent years. Use fresh or dry for later use.