Cocktail Garden 2' x 4'
Cheers! Expect plenty of spearmint, lemon verbena, cilantro and basil to mix and muddle, plus alpine strawberry, lavender, rosemary and Thai basil for flavor and garnishing.
Planting Guide:
Rosemary
- Germination is poor and seeds must be very fresh, so buying potted plants is recommended. Plant outdoors only after all danger of frost. Grow in garden or in pot. Tender perennial.
- Spacing: one plant per sq. ft.
- Days to harvest: Leaves from first year plants can be picked sparingly by midsummer.
- Hint: Do not allow rosemary to dry out completely. In cold climates, bring plant indoors and grow in sunny window during winter.
Basil
- Plant seeds 1/4″ deep indoors six weeks before last frost; outdoors two weeks after last frost.
- Transplant seedlings two to three weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 70 degrees F.
- Replant if you have space and want more.
- Spacing: two plants per sq. ft.
- Days to harvest: 40-55 days from transplant. Harvest leaves as desired. Not frost-hardy.
- Hint: Pinch stems early and often to stimulate branching and bushy growth.
Lemon verbena
- Start seeds 1/8'' deep indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; plant seeds 1/2 to 1'' apart. Seeds can take up to a month to germinate.
- Transplant plants into garden after last frost.
- Spacing: 2 plants per sq. ft.
- Prune: Trim stems to encourage bushy growth.
- Days to harvest: Harvest leaves as needed throughout season. Not frost-hardy.
- Hint: Plants require well-drained soil. Do not fertilize.
Learn more about Lemon verbena in our Vegetable Encyclopedia
Lavender
- Transplant plants into garden after last frost when temperatures remain above 40 degrees F.
- Spacing: 2 plants per sq. ft.
- Prune: Trim stems to encourage bushy growth, or leave untrimmed to allow flowers to develop.
- Days to harvest: Harvest leaves as needed throughout season. Not frost-hardy.
- Hint: Fertilize monthly. Plants require well-drained soil. Plants may drop leaves when stressed.
Thai basil
- Plant seeds 1/4'' deep indoors six weeks before last frost; outdoors two weeks after last frost.
- Transplant seedlings two to three weeks after last frost or when soil reaches 70 degrees F.
- Replant if you have space and want more.
- Spacing: two plants per sq. ft.
- Days to harvest: 40-55 days from transplant. Harvest leaves and stems as desired. Not frost-hardy.
- Hint: Pinch stems early and often to stimulate branching and bushy growth. Allow some flower spikes to form for attractive garnish.
Cilantro
- Sow seeds directly in the garden around last frost date. Plant 1/4″ to 1/2″ deep. Cilantro goes to seed quickly, so plant more seeds every three weeks to ensure a constant supply.
- Spacing: Sow 18 seeds per sq. ft.; thin to nine plants per sq. ft.
- Days to harvest: 50 days for leaves, 90 days for seed harvest.
- Hint: Do not fertilize. Harvest individual stems or cut back entire plant with scissors, leaving 1″ at base to regrow.
Spearmint
- Transplant plants after the last frost date. Flavor from seed-grown mint is highly variable.
- Spacing: one or two plants per sq. ft. Mint spreads rapidly.
- Days to harvest: Harvest leaves and stems as desired. Cut back to 1'' above the ground to harvest the whole plant and encourage fresh growth.
- Hint: Plant in a bottomless pot set into the garden with the rim 1 to 2 inches above the ground to prevent plants from spreading.
Alpine strawberry
- Transplant plants in spring a week or two before the last frost date.
- Space plants 12" apart. Position carefully, keeping the crown of the plant even with the soil surface.
- Harvest berries several times a week when they are deep red and "give" slightly.
- Keep soil moist, but not soggy. Mulch to retain moisture and protect fruit from rot.
- Hint: Divide plants every two to three years.
Learn more about Alpine strawberry in our Vegetable Encyclopedia