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. Buy Buy dormant roots for planting this month. 2. Plant Plant dormant roots 4-5 feet apart in a rich, well-drained soil. Full sun is fine on the coast, with a little afternoon shade best in warmer inland areas. 3. Fertilize Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting dormant roots. 4. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods.

  February 1. Buy Buy dormant roots for planting this month. 2. Plant Plant dormant roots 4-5 feet apart in a rich, well-drained soil. Full sun is fine on the coast, with a little afternoon shade best in warmer inland areas. 3. Fertilize Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting dormant roots. Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer. 4. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods.

  March 1. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. 2. Mulch Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water use. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water.

  April 1. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. 2. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. 3. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. 4. Harvest Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop.

  May 1. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. 2. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. 3. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. 4. Harvest Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop.

  June 1. Fertilize Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer after you cut plants back after harvest. 2. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. 3. Prune After harvesting all buds on a stalk, cut the old stalk back to the ground to encourage a second fall crop. 4. Mulch Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water use. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. 7. Harvest Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop.

  July 1. Buy Buy seed, if desired, for fall planting. 2. Fertilize Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer after you cut plants back after harvest. 3. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. 4. Prune After harvesting all buds on a stalk, cut the old stalk back to the ground to encourage a second fall crop.

  August 1. Buy Buy seed, if desired, for fall planting. 2. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods.

  September 1. Sow Seeds Plant seeds of \'Imperial Star\' in rich well-drained soil for harvest next spring. 2. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out. 3. Mulch Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water use. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. 6. Harvest Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop.

  October 1. Fertilize Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer. 2. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. 5. Harvest Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop.

  November 1. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out. 2. Transplant If necessary, transplant young seedlings to 4-5\' apart.

  December 1. Water Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out.

• 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 Buy dormant roots for planting this month. February Buy dormant roots for planting this month. June Buy seed, if desired, for fall planting. July Buy seed, if desired, for fall planting. August Buy seed, if desired, for fall planting.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? January Plant dormant roots 4-5 feet apart in a rich, well-drained soil. Full sun is fine on the coast, with a little afternoon shade best in warmer inland areas. February Plant dormant roots 4-5 feet apart in a rich, well-drained soil. Full sun is fine on the coast, with a little afternoon shade best in warmer inland areas.

  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? September Plant seeds of \'Imperial Star\' in rich well-drained soil for harvest next spring.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? January Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting dormant roots. February Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting dormant roots. Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer. June Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer after you cut plants back after harvest. July Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer after you cut plants back after harvest. October Feed established plants with a balanced fertilizer.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. February Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. March Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. April Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. May Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. June Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. July Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. August Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. September Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out. October Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out. November Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out. December Water established plants thoroughly and deeply once a week during dry periods. Do not let young seedlings dry out.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? June After harvesting all buds on a stalk, cut the old stalk back to the ground to encourage a second fall crop. July After harvesting all buds on a stalk, cut the old stalk back to the ground to encourage a second fall crop.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water use. June Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water use. September Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water use.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? March Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. April Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. May Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. June Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. September Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds. October Watch for aphids on foliage and flower buds.

  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 Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. April Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. May Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. June Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. September Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water. October Wash aphids off foliage and flower buds with a strong spray of water.

  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? November If necessary, transplant young seedlings to 4-5\' apart.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? April Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop. May Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop. June Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop. September Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop. October Harvest flower buds while they are still tight, before the bracts begin to separate. The top bud on each flower stalk will be the biggest, but after you harvest it smaller side buds will develop.