Biennial

Native range: Southeast Europe, North Africa

Edible parts of plants: root, young shoots, leaves

Grows in USDA zones 6-8

Temperature requirements: 40-60 F (8-16 C) to germinate

Soil type requirements: plant in loam or silt-loam at a depth of 1.3-2 cm

Space requirements: space between rows should be 45-60 cm, with seeds spaced approximately 3 cm apart 

Possible companion plants: carrots, turnips, rutabaga, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

Water requirements: water frequently and consistently

Start date: Plant two weeks before last expected frost, when soil temp is approximately 40 F. Generally around early March in DC. 

Starting Method: Doesn’t transplant well, so sow directly into soil

Harvest date: Roots are generally ready to dig once they reach about 12 inches in length; Dig up a few to check length around 4 months. Do not allow salsify to sit in the garden after temperatures rise above 85°F (29°C); roots will become stringy and fibrous.

Temperature needs: Doesn’t do well in hot weather- can plant in shade; Growing salsify near any annuals that will grow faster can help produce some shade 

Pests: Has no serious pest or disease problems, with the exception of occasional carrot rust fly (pictured). Drench the soil with a gentle insecticide as a last resort. 

Annual

Native range: Northern Eurasia

Edible parts of plants: leaves

USDA Hardiness Zones will depend on varietal. 

Temperature requirements: Germination at 40-85ºF, Grows between 20-85ºF

Soil type requirements: Tolerant to most soils; sensitive to low pH (ideally 6.2-6.8)

Space requirements: 4 inches apart

Possible companion plants: Calendula (trap crop), carrots and beets (utilize underground space), cilantro and mint (repel pests)

Water frequency: Lots of water, hard to reach upper limit in maturing plants though seedlings are sensitive to damping off

Start date: Direct sow mid-March through mid-May, fall planting in September. Alternatively, succession plant every 3-4 weeks

Starting Method: Doesn’t transplant well, so sow directly into soil

Harvest date: May through November. Continual harvest depending on the variety between 30-75 days after planting

Temperature needs: Low and high temperatures both increase chances of bolting in lettuce (pictured), and lettuce leaves become distasteful after bolting

Pests: Slugs and aphids

Annual (Perennial sunflowers exist but tend to spread aggressively in gardens)

Native range: North America, Central America

Edible parts of plants: petals, seeds

Grows in USDA zones 4-9

Start date: plant when soil is 65-85ºF i.e. early spring/summer, when frost has passed

Harvest method: Sow directly into soil or start in containers, transplanting when a few inches high (pictured)

Harvest date: sunflowers bloom typically 75 days from planting

Rot: Can rot if conditions are too wet; avoid soggy soil

Diseases: Fungal diseases like downy mildew, sclerotinia, rust and powdery mildew can infect the plants. If this happens, spray infected leaves with a general garden fungicide

Fertilizer: Too much fertilizer can create weak, spindly spines