Seed Research

NARDELLO SWEET PEPPER

Capsicum annuum

Interesting Fact: The Nardello Pepper is an heirloom sweet pepper named after Jimmy Nardello, the fourth of eleven kids in an Italian immigrant family, who inherited his mother's love of peppers. Before his death in 1983, Nardello donated his pepper seeds to Seed Savers Exchange, where the pepper has been preserved ever since.  

a. Vegetable.

b. To be sown indoors 7-9 weeks before transplanting, when soils have warmed and all danger of frost has passed. 

c. 8-14 days to germinate.

d. 65-75 days from seed to maturity. This is a potentially workable time frame, in terms of this class. The plant should be mature before exhibition.

e. The seeds should be spaced 18-24 inches apart from each other. Since each plant is 24-36", with 6-8" fruits, only one plant is plenty for a reasonable harvest, although two could probably be planted in the space.

f. This plant prefers fertile, well-drained soil, with ample calcium and phosphorous.

     i. Prefers acidic (5.6) to neutral (7.5) soil.

     ii. Unable to locate N-P-K ratio.

g. Should be watered moderately, but consistently , with mulch to conserve soil moisture and control weeds. Can be watered overhead.

h. Because pepper plants like high humidity, planting dense-leaf or ground-cover companion, like marjoram and basil, or other pepper plants, can help in their growth. You should avoid planting beans and kale near your pepper plants. 

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PURPLE QUEEN CLEOME

Cleome hasslerana

Interesting Fact: A drought-tolerant flower that doesn't require much water and should be planted in the full-sun, and that attracts bees and hummingbirds. Seems like a plant that would thrive in the garden and attract wildlife. 

a. Flower.

b. To be surface sown in flats 6-8 weeks before last spring frost. Transplant 2 weeks after last frost, or autumn in milder climates. 

c. 10-14 days to germinate.

d. 70-80 days from seed to maturity. This is a potentially workable time frame, in terms of this class. The plant should be mature before exhibition.

e. The seeds should be spaced 2 inches apart from each other. This means that a relatively large number of flowers can be planted in a small area. Since this is a flower and not a vegetable, there would not really be anything to harvest, but a plenty large area could be created. 

f. This plant prefers well-drained soil.

     i. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.

     ii. Unable to locate N-P-K ratio.

g. Should be watered moderately, and be allowed to dry between waterings , with mulch to conserve soil moisture and control weeds. Can be watered overhead.

h. Unable to locate companion plants.

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SHENOT CROWN OF THORNS GOURDS

cucurbita pepo

Interesting Fact: Vining plant that produces horned fruit 4-5" in diameter. These gourds can be Yellow, orange, green, creamy white; with or without stripes, and are great for arts and crafts. 

a. Vegetable.

b. Should be planted outside about two weeks after the last frost. 

c. 10-15 days to germinate.

d. 100 days from seed to maturity. This would be too long to see the plant to fruition this semester, especially considering that you don't harvest the plant until late fall, which is about a year from now. However, this plant would still contribute to the garden as a whole.

e. The seeds should be spaced 4 inches apart from each other, and then thinned to 10 inches apart. Grows on long vines and produces five inch fruits, meaning that the plant would take up a somewhat large amount of space.

f. This plant prefers rich soil with compost for best growth.

     i. Prefers slightly acidic (6 - 6.5) pH.

     ii. Unable to locate N-P-K ratio.

g. Requires lots of water, especially early in the growing season.

h. Some companion plants to plant with gourds include radishes, catnip, broccoli, tansy, dill, and marigolds.