Strawberry - 50 plants will fill 150 feet of row; an average packets of the Sweetheart variety contains about 50 seeds;

a 1/128 ounce packet contains about 200 seeds. Sunflower - 1/4 pound sows 500 to 800 feet of row, most packets about 50 feet. Swiss Chard - 1 ounce sows about 100 feet of row; most packets about 25 feet. Tampala - moat packets sow 25 to 30 feet of row. Tomato - 1 ounce yields 3,000 to 6,000 plants (seed size varies); most packets of nonhybrid types contain 100 to 150 seeds, 25 to 74 seeds for hybrids. Turnip - 1 ounce sows about 200 feet of row; most packets about 50 feet. Watercress - most packets yield about 1,000 plants - seeds are very fine. Watermelon - 1 ounce sows about 30 hills, most packets 5 to 6. Witloof Chicory - 1 ounce sows 250 feet of row; most packets 30 feet.

Growing Herbs from Seed

Once you start growing some vegetables from seed, the progression to herbs is easy and fun. You could even raise a whole herb garden from seed - if you have plenty of time and patience. To start herbs from seed indoors, youll use the basic procedures described in Section One of this book. Most herbs need excellent drainage; for some, like thyme, this condition is critical. A few herbs grow better when sown directly in the garden. Several have seeds that germinate erratically and seedlings that grow slowly. When you develop a sure hand with the familiar basils, chives, and sage, you can even branch out to try sowing seeds of vanilla grass, lemon catnip, copper fennel, golden-seal, and other unusual herbs that are difficult to find. There are two kinds of herbs, though, for which Id advise you not to plant seeds. One is French tarragon, which doesnt produce viable seeds. Any tarragon seeds you may see offered in catalogs are from inferior Russian tarragon, an entirely different plant that lacks true tarragons subtle anise flavor. Mints are not good candidates for seed starting either, because they hybridize readily, and seeds listed in catalogs often fail to come true to type. This isnt a problem if you simply want a stand of mint - any mint - to flavor your iced tea, but if you have your heart set on apple mint, spearmint, or any other specific cultivar, then youll need to buy plants to be sure of what youre getting. Apart from these two exceptions, there is a whole gardenful of herbs that you can grow from seed.

Angelica Angelica archangelica

A hardy biennial, angelica make an impressive backdrop presence in the garden. It can grow to 6 feet, with sturdy hollow stems and yellow-green flowers that resemble huge dill heads. All parts of the parts of the plant are aromatic; even the root is used for tea. Days to Germination: Within 4 weeks at 60 0F to 70 0F (160C to 21 0C), but seeds must be fresh. When to Plant : Angelica seeds are very short-lived. Theyve been known to keep over winter in an airtight refrigerated container, but the best plan is to sow them in late summer as soon as they mature.

How to Plant: The seeds need light for germination, so just press them into the soil surface. A period of moist chilling also helps to germinate angelica seeds. Fall-sown seeds will receive this treatment naturally outdoors. For spring sowing, plant the seeds on a bed of damp sphagnum moss and keep the planting in the refrigerator for several weeks before exposing it to warmth and light. Angelica appreciates rich soil. Set plants 3 feet apart in a spot sheltered from wind, if possible.

Basil Ocimum basilicum

A tender 1 to 1 1/2-inch annual, basil likes warm weather. Days to Germination: About 5 days at 700F (210C), indoors. When to Plant : Start plants six to eight weeks before your last frost date. How to Plant: The seeds are small, so dont bury them deeply; a thin layer of soil will do. Seedlings will grow best in temperatures above 650F (180C). Basil seeds may also be sown directly in the garden when the soil is warm - about the time youd plant beans. Thin basil plants to stand 10 to 12 inches apart. Growing Conditions: Basil appreciates well-drained, fairly fertile soil. Keep young plants pinched back to encourage bushy growth. Varieties: You can grow a whole tapestry of basils from seed, from the dramatic, purpleleaved Dark Opal to cinnamon, lettuce-leaf, lemon, and bush basils. For marginal conditions, FineLeaf basil is more cold tolerant and needs less light than Sweet Basil. Bush basil is, unfortunately, subject to the plant disease botrytis, so pot up a few extra seedlings for possible replacements.

Borage Borago officinalis

A quick-growing 2-foot annual with hairy leaves and cornflower-blue star-shaped flowers, borage self-sows generously. Days to Germination: 5 days at 700F (210C) When to Plant : Sow seeds directly in the garden a week or so before the last frost. Theres not much advantage in growing transplants, because borage doesnt like to be moved. For a steady harvest of the decorative ( and edible) flowers and the edible leaves, sow small batches of seeds every four weeks. How to Plant: When planting seeds, be sure to cover them because they need darkness to germinate. Thin seedlings to 1 foot apart. Growing Conditions: Borage tolerates poor soil and does well in any decent porous soil that is moderately well supplied with water.

Burnet Poterium sanguisorba

An attractive 1- to 2-foot perennial with sharply toothed leaves, burnet makes a decorative border and a good salad plant. Days to Germination: 8 to 10 days at 700F (210C) When to Plant: You can plant burnet seeds either in spring or fall. When starting early indoors, sow seeds in individual pots. Burnet may also be directly sown in the garden on or near your frost-free date. How to Plant: Seedlings may be transplanted, but mature plants dont take well to being moved. Space plants 12 to 15 inches apart. Growing Conditions: Burnet likes full sun and regular watering , but does tolerate some drought and relatively poor ground. It prefers alkaline or neutral soil. Remarks: Burnet is a good container plant. Established plants usually self-sow readily.

Caraway Carum carvi

A hardy biennial, caraway grows 2 feet tall and produces seeds during its second summer. Caraway is one of the oldest culinary herbs; the seeds have been found in an excavated Swiss lake dweller site from 5000 B.C. Days to Germination: 14 days at 700F (210C) When to Plant : Sow seeds-outdoors two to three weeks before the last frost. How to Plant: Because it develops a taproot, caraway is best planted directly in the ground. If you do transplant caraway, move it while its still a small seedling. Caraway seeds have a short period of viability and plants grow slowly at first. They self-sow generously, though. Growing conditions : Well-drained, ordinary garden soil suits this herb.

Catnip Nepeta cataria

A 2- to 3-foot perennial with scalloped-edged leaves and white flowers, catnip is easy to grow from seed. Days to Germination: 7 to 10 days at 600F to 70 0F (160C to 21 0C) When to Plant : Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost or sow seeds in the garden around the time of your last frost. How to Plant: Space plants 10 to 15 inches apart in full sun in any well-drained soil. Growing conditions : Catnip will grow even in poor, dry, sandy soil and in partial shade. Remarks: Its rather musky aroma is not always agreeable to people, but cats love it when the leaves have been bruised to release the essential oils.

Chamomile Chamomile nobile

Roman chamomile, C. nobile, is a low-growing perennial, and German Martricaria recutita, a 1- to 2- foot annual. The tiny daisylike flowers of German chamomile make good tea. Roman chamomile is most often used for rock gardens and as a ground cover. Days to Germination: 10 to 12 days at 55 0F (130C) for German chamomile; 10 days at 0 70 F (210C) for Roman When to Plant: Outdoors, you can plant German chamomile seeds as soon as the ground can be worked. Indoor plantings may be made two to three months before your frost-free date and seedlings set out two to three weeks before that final frost. Start Roman chamomile seeds tow to four weeks later and set out at or before the last frost. How to Plant: Thin or plant seedlings to 6 inches apart. Growing Conditions: Average garden soil is fine as long as it is well-drained. Chamomile appreciates a decent supply of moisture and doesnt mind a bit of light shade. It self-sows freely, too.

Chervil Anthriscus cerefolium

Chervil is a 1- to 2-foot annual. Days to Germination: 14 days at 550F (130C) When to Plant : Chervil likes cool weather, so you can sow seeds outdoors in early spring, or plant them in the fall. How to Plant: Chervils delicate seedlings dont transplant well, so it is usually sown directly in the garden. Cover the planted seeds with a thin sprinkling of soil. When seedlings appear, thin them to stand 9 to 12 inches apart. Chervil grows quickly and its finely cut, parsleylike leaves are at their best before flowering and in cool weather. Growing Conditions: It reseeds readily and appreciates fairly rich, moist soil and a protected location where the sun isnt too hot.

Chives Allium shoenoprasum

Chives are a hardy perennial member of the onion family, with slim, tubular, quill-like leaves that grow to a length of about 8 to 10 inches. Days to Germination: 10 to 14 days at 600F to 70 0F (160C to 21 0C) When to Plant: Its best to start seeds in January for spring planting, but you can also sow seeds in the open ground as soon as the soil is dry enough to work, if you dont mind keeping the thready little seedlings well weeded for the two months or so that it takes them to begin to look as though theyll amount to something. How to Plant: Plant clumps of chives 8 to 10 inches apart in rich soil. They like full sun but dont mind a bit of light shade. Growing Conditions: For best quality, cut leaves near the base to encourage tender new growth, rather than snipping tips. Fertilize plants once or twice a season, divide them when they become crowed, and remove spent blooms.

Coriander Coriandrum sativum

An annual herb, coriander grows 12 to 30 inches tall. It is grown both for its leaves (in which case the name cilantro is used) and for its round white seeds. Days to Germination: 10 days at 600F (160C) When to Plant : Sow seeds after your last frost. How to Plant: Sow either directly in the ground or in pots from which seedlings can be easily removed without disturbing the roots. Like other members of the Umbelliferae family, coriander develops a taproot and bolts to seed sooner if transplanted. This is fine if its the seeds youre after, but not so desirable if you had planned to use the leaves in a big batch of salsa. The seeds need darkness to germinate, so cover them lightly but firmly. Plant seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart. Growing Conditions: Coriander does well in average well-drained soil, in either full sun or partial shade.

Dill Anethum graveolens

Dill is a 2- to 3-foot annual with feathery leaves and aromatic seeds. It is an important ingredient in pickles, potato salad, and cold cucumber soup. Days to Germination: 21 to 25 days at 600F to 70 0F (160C to 21 0C) When to Plant : Direct-seeding, as early in spring as the ground can be worked, works best with dill, and you can plant it either in spring or fall. How to Plant: Sow the seeds one every inch or so. Thin the feathery seedlings to 4 to 6 inches apart for use as greens and 10 to 12 inches apart for seed production. I like to make one or two extra plantings during the season for a continuous supply of the tender thready leaves that are so good snipped on potatoes or fish. Dill seeds need light to germinate, so they shouldnt be covered with more than a light dusting of garden sometimes beat those weve hand-sown. Growing Conditions: Dill grows well under a wide variety of conditions, as long as it is reasonably free of weeds.

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis

A 2-foot hardy perennial, lemon balm has veined leaves with finely scalloped edges. Days to Germination: Plant seeds outdoors in early spring or indoors about eight weeks before your last frost. How to Plant: Plant seeds uncovered because they need light to germinate. Just press them into the soil surface. Set plants 12 inches apart in well-drained soil. Hardened seedlings may be planted out two to three weeks before the last frost.