Have you collected seeds from Swale? Planting instructions

Folks harvest foods but also seeds from Swale. The seeds people commonly harvest and their planting instructions are below:

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (mid-March)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (early–mid May)

  • Seed Depth: Lightly press on surface (needs light to germinate)

  • Germination Tips: Cold stratify for 1 week for better germination. Keep moist and warm (65–70°F).

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

  • Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (early March)

  • Direct Sow: Not ideal – best started indoors or from cuttings

  • Seed Depth: Surface or barely cover (very fine seeds)

  • Germination Tips: Needs light to germinate; keep warm (70°F). Germination is slow (2–3 weeks).

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (mid–late March)

  • Direct Sow: After frost, but slow to establish (not recommended)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4 inch

  • Germination Tips: Scarify seeds lightly with sandpaper for better results. Needs warmth (65–70°F).

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (late March)

  • Direct Sow: After frost and soil is warm (mid-late May)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4 inch

  • Germination Tips: Soak seeds overnight if desired. Keep warm (70–75°F); fast germinator.

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

  • Start Indoors: 3–4 weeks before last frost (April), but prefers direct sowing

  • Direct Sow: 2–4 weeks before last frost (mid–April)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4–1/2 inch

  • Germination Tips: Soak seeds overnight and gently crush the seed husk before planting.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

  • Start Indoors: 3–4 weeks before last frost (April)

  • Direct Sow: 1–2 weeks before last frost (late April)

  • Seed Depth: 1/2 inch

  • Germination Tips: Soak seeds 4–6 hours before planting. Keep moist but not wet.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (mid-March)

  • Direct Sow: 2–3 weeks before last frost (late April)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4–1/2 inch

  • Germination Tips: No special treatment needed. Cool weather friendly.

Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (mid–late March)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May)

  • Seed Depth: Lightly press on surface (needs light)

  • Germination Tips: Cold stratify for 1 week. Keep moist and warm (70°F).

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

  • Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (early March)

  • Direct Sow: 2–4 weeks before last frost (mid–late April)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4 inch

  • Germination Tips: Soak seeds overnight or 24 hours for better germination (slow to sprout).

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

  • Start Indoors: 10–12 weeks before last frost (late February)

  • Direct Sow: Not recommended — very slow

  • Seed Depth: Press on surface or barely cover

  • Germination Tips: Very slow and erratic germination. Needs warmth (75–80°F). Use bottom heat if possible.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (mid-March)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May)

  • Seed Depth: Surface sow (needs light)

  • Germination Tips: Cold stratify for 1–2 weeks. Keep moist and warm (65–70°F).

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

  • Start Indoors: Not recommended (dislikes transplanting)

  • Direct Sow: 1–2 weeks before last frost (late April)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4 inch

  • Germination Tips: Soak seeds for a few hours. Avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (late March–early April)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May onward)

  • Seed Depth: Surface sow (barely cover with soil)

  • Germination Tips: Needs light to germinate; press seeds gently into soil without covering. Keep moist but not soggy. Germination takes 10–14 days.

Garden Rocket (Arugula, Eruca vesicaria)

  • Start Indoors: Not necessary; prefers direct sow.

  • Direct Sow: Early spring (late March–April) and again in late summer for fall harvest.

  • Seed Depth: ¼ inch

  • Germination Tips: Germinates quickly (5–7 days) in cool soil. Sow successively every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvests.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

  • Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (early March)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May)

  • Seed Depth: ¼ inch

  • Germination Tips: Germinates slowly (10–20 days). Keep soil consistently moist. Patience is key! A heat mat can speed up indoor germination.

Allium (Onions, Leeks, etc.)

(assuming from seed, common Allium species)

  • Start Indoors: 10–12 weeks before last frost (February–early March)

  • Direct Sow: Not recommended for most Alliums in NY; better started indoors.

  • Seed Depth: ¼ inch

  • Germination Tips: Keep moist and warm (65–75°F). Provide good light after sprouting. Harden off before transplanting.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (late March–early April)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May)

  • Seed Depth: Surface sow (very lightly press into soil)

  • Germination Tips: Needs light to germinate. Keep soil moist and warm (70°F). Germinates in 10–14 days.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (late March–early April)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May)

  • Seed Depth: Surface sow (do not cover)

  • Germination Tips: Needs light to germinate. Mist soil surface to keep it evenly moist. Germinates in 7–14 days.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

  • Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (early March)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid-May)

  • Seed Depth: Surface sow (very fine seeds)

  • Germination Tips: Needs light. Mist soil gently to avoid displacing seeds. Germination can take 10–14 days. Thin to strongest plants.

Coriander (Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum)

  • Start Indoors: Not ideal; prefers direct sowing.

  • Direct Sow: Early spring (April) and again late summer for fall crop.

  • Seed Depth: ¼–½ inch

  • Germination Tips: Soak seeds overnight to speed up germination. Prefers cool weather. Germinates in 7–10 days.

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)

  • Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before last frost (late March–early April)

  • Direct Sow: Early spring (April) or fall (September)

  • Seed Depth: ¼ inch

  • Germination Tips: Germinates in cooler temps (55–70°F). Thin young seedlings to 12 inches apart.

Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum)

  • Start Indoors: 4–6 weeks before last frost (early April) — very quick crop.

  • Direct Sow: Early spring (March–April) or late summer.

  • Seed Depth: ¼ inch

  • Germination Tips: Very fast germination (2–7 days). Succession sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Likes cool weather; bolts quickly in heat.

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

  • Start Indoors: 4–6 weeks before last frost (mid–late April)

  • Direct Sow: After last frost (mid–late May)

  • Seed Depth: 1/4 inch

  • Germination Tips: Likes warmth (70–75°F). Soaking not necessary.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

  • Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before last frost (early March)

  • Direct Sow: Late fall or after frost (needs stratification)

  • Seed Depth: 1/8 inch

  • Germination Tips: Requires cold stratification for 30 days (refrigerate in damp paper towel). Slow to germinate.

Mary Mattingly