General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 2. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  February 1. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 2. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  March 1. Buy Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. 4. Fertilize When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 5. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 6. Mulch Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 9. Transplant Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. 10. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  April 1. Buy Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. 4. Fertilize Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 5. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 6. Mulch Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 9. Transplant Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. 10. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  May 1. Buy Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. 4. Fertilize Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 5. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 6. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 9. Transplant Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. 10. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  June 1. Fertilize Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 2. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 3. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 6. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  July 1. Fertilize Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 2. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 3. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 6. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  August 1. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 2. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 5. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  September 1. Buy Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. 4. Fertilize When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 5. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 6. Mulch Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 9. Transplant Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. 10. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  October 1. Buy Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. 4. Fertilize When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. 5. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 6. Mulch Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. 9. Transplant Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. 10. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  November 1. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 2. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

  December 1. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. 2. Harvest Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! January Plant seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. March Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. April Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. May Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. September Buy seed or transplants from the nursery. October Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? March Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. April Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. May Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. September Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location. October Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

  Sow Seeds When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements? March Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. April Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. May Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. September Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location. October Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. April Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. May Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. June Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. July Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. September When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10. October When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. February Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. March Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. April Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. May Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. June Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. July Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. August Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. September Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. October Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. November Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out. December Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. April Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. May Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. June Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. July Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. August Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants. September Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing. October Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? March Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. April Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. May Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. June Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. July Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. August Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. September Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms. October Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? March Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. April Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. May Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. June Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. July Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. August Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. September Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis. October Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

  Transplant When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements? March Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. April Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. May Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. September Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway. October Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? January Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. February Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. March Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. April Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. May Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. June Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. July Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. August Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. September Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. October Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. November Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. December Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.