SOWING IN FEBRUARY
Flowering plants
Rose
Rose is probably the most well-known flowering plant found in gardens, parks and balconies and is rightly considered the queen of flowers, a symbol of love beauty all over the world.
Roses have been known since ancient times, and they still impress with their beautiful colors and unique fragrance.
They can be planted all year round, with the color of their flowers being proportional to the variety of each rose. They are very resistant to cold.
The stem of the plant is armed with sharp prickles, as do the leaves on their tips.
Plant label: Common name Rose
Type (herb, shrub, tree): shrub
Maximum height: It depends on the variety
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot): A lot, so that the soil doesn’t dry
Soil preferences (type): Rich in nutrients
Flower color: Dark red, red, orange, pink, or white
Sowed in (month of the year): All year round
Cold tolerance (low- high): High
Heat tolerance (low – high): Quite enough
Rose’s secrets:
Through time, poets in the whole world have written about roses, while many painters have included them in a huge variety of compositions.
“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a book adored by children and adults like no other. It has been translated into 500 languages! This unique fairy tale makes observations about life, adults, and human nature – it explains the power of love between a small boy and a rose.
“Beauty and the Beast” is also a very old but well-known fairy tale, talking about the importance of a rose, which still enchants children, 260 years after the time it was written!
Apart from its beauty and fragrance, roses give us an excellent quality of essential oil, which we get from the petals of the flower, and is used in cosmetics. Rose petals or flower buds are sometimes used to flavor ordinary tea, or combined with other herbs to make herbal teas.
Since ancient times, one can see that roses were used for their many medicinal properties. People used them for headaches and for healing eyes, ears, gums, and bleeding.
There is evidence for medicinal use of rose in ancient Greece as early as 1600 BC. but also in ancient Egypt, China and India. However, the homeland of the rose is Persia.
Rose has been a wellness favorite for centuries. It promotes healthy skin, while soothing irritations and acting as a natural skin cleanser. Rose is rich in vitamin C and significantly treats wrinkles.
…And the Rose Label!
Click on the photo below, adjust the size, print, cut with scissors the border and glue that paper label on an ice cream stick! Then put the stick in the soil of the Rose you planted! This way you will know which plant it is, especially when you sow and grow several plants at the same time…!
……………………………………………………………
Snap Dragon
One of the most beautiful and colorful ornamental plants, a typical Mediterranean plant with lush vegetation!
It can be seen in many different colors and it beautifies our gardens, balconies and pots!
It blooms for a long time and grows almost everywhere, without no requirements!
Plant label: common name Snap dragon
Type (herb, bush, tree): Herb
Maximum height: 15 – 120 cm
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot): A lot, during summer, every day
Soil preferences (type): Plump and rich in nutrients
Flower color: white, yellow, purple, orange, red and more…
Sowed in (month of the year): February to March
Cold tolerance (low- high): High, even at -8ο C
Heat tolerance (low – high): Quite
THE SECRETS OF SNAP DRAGON
• Its name comes from its flowers, that open and close when pressed from the sides
• When in a place with strong winds, it needs support because its stem is very soft and can break easily
• Its most common enemies are aphids and brown spots on its leaves! To avoid brown spots, one has to water it in the morning, carefully, not to over-water!
• Older common names for snap dragon include: dragon’s flower, lion’s mouth, and toad’s mouth!
AND HERE IS THE SNAPDRAGON’S LABEL!
Click on the photo below, adjust the size, print, Cut the border with scissors and glue this paper tag on an ice cream stick! Place the stick in the soil of the Snapdragon you just planted!
This way you will know which plant it is, especially when you grow many plants at the same time!
…………………………………………………………………….
Petunia
One of the most popular and beautiful ornamental plants with trumpet-shaped flowers and a huge variety of colors!
It is the easiest way to fill our gardens and balconies with color, since it blooms quickly and its flowering lasts from spring to autumn!
Plant label: common name Petunia
Type (herb, bush, tree): herb
Maximum height: 20 to 60 cm
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot): A little (2 times a week/in hot weather every 2 days)
Soil preferences (type): Rich in nutrients
Flower colour: white, yellow, red, orange, pink, purple and black
Sowed in (month of the year): Late February to April
Cold tolerance (low- high): Low, up to 3ο C
Heat tolerance (low – high): Quite enough, up to 35ο
THE SECRETS OF THE PETUNIA
• It is a “cousin” of potato, tomato, pepper, eggplant and tobacco and is native to South America!
• Can be combined with other flowers such as pansy, violet and dogwood
• In order for the flowers to be full and its colors to be more vivid, it must always be exposed to the sun.
• We smell its aroma more strongly at dusk and more at night, while at noon it hardly smells at all!
…AND THE Petunia LABEL!
Click on the photo below, adjust the size, print, cut with scissors the border and glue that paper label on an ice cream stick! Then put the stick in the soil of the Petunia you planted!
This way you will know which plant it is, especially when you sow and grow several plants at the same time…!
……………………………………………………………..
Fruits and Vegetables
TOMATO
….and tomato’s label!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the potato you planted!
This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
CARROT
….and carrot’s label!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the carrot you planted!
This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
…………………………………………………………………………………
BEETROOT
….and beetroot’s label!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the beetroot you planted!
This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
………………………………………………………………………………..
CHESTNUT
In Greece, during wintertime, it’s nice to see a chestnut seller by an outdoor corner, so one can buy a small paper cone with roasted chestnuts which warm one’s hands in the frost!
The cultivation of chestnut trees has been known since ancient times for its sweet and delicious fruit.
The chestnut fruit is found inside a thorny hard case that opens when the fruit ripens. Inside the chestnut case there may be one, two or even three fruits.
Chestnuts are eaten boiled or roasted, they make excellent flour and can easily substitute potatoes.
They have less fat than other nuts.
They are used in confectionery and cooking. They are used in the stuffing of Christmas turkey, while the glazed chestnut is an exquisite winter dessert.
Plant label: common name Chestnut
Type (herbs, bushes, trees): Tree
Maximum height: 10 – 15 meters
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot): A lot
Soil preferences (type): Acid soil, rich in nutrients
Flower colour: Yellow
Sowed in (month of the year): During winter
Cold tolerance (low- high): Quite high
Heat tolerance (low – high): Low, sensitive in temperatures over 25ο C
Chestnut’s secrets
· It belongs to the beech family together with oak
· Chestnuts are rich in nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin B complex and iron. They help in proper functioning of the intestine.
· Xenophon, an ancient Greek philosopher, called it the “bread tree”, because chestnut could replace bread, or even an entire meal, as it is rich in both carbohydrates and proteins. Even today we call chestnut the “bread tree”!
· Before the spread of potatoes and corn, in some remote mountainous parts of Europe, where cereals did not grow, chestnuts played a very important role in the diet of many people and let them survive during wintertime.
· In addition to humans, chestnuts are also eaten by deer, squirrels, bears, wild boars, some birds, and even cows!
….and the Chestnut’s label!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and glue this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the Chestnut you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
……………………………………………………………………
EGGPLANT
Known since ancient times, it is said eggplant’s origin is Indian. Its fruit occurs
in various shades of purple, from very dark ones (called flaska), to white (the
Santorini ones). Eggplant has an oblong shape and a fleshy texture with many
seeds. It is very tasty- it is used in many Mediterranean dishes. Especially
during summer, greek tavernas serve several traditional dishes, from eggplant
salad and fried eggplants, to the world famous moussaka!
China has the largest world production of eggplant, followed by India and
Turkey. In Europe, the first country in eggplant production is Italy, followed by
Spain and Greece.
Half of Greek eggplant is grown in Crete!
THE SECRETS OF EGGPLANT
- “Tsakonian” eggplants (grown in the Peloponese) are particularly well-known in Greece: they are long-shaped, narrow,purple with whitestripes and very tasty
- Because eggplants are long and narrow, when we fill it with minced meatand cover it with béchamel sauce, we call it a “small shoe”(papoutsaki)
- In Greece, an eggplant festival is organized during summer in Leonidio,
where visitors can try many eggplant recipes! - In the Peloponese, one can even try sweet eggplant in syrup!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the eggplant you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
SPRING ONION
One of the most popular vegetables of our kitchen, spring onion can be used in many different dishes and recipes, adding flavor to our food!
It has a pleasant taste, so it is often eaten raw in salads!
It is rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins, but low in calories, so it is ideal for those who watch their diet!
Plant label: common name Spring onion
Type (herbs, bushes, trees): Herbs
Maximum height: 40 – 50 cm
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot): Some, small quantities every 4 – 5 days
Soil preferences (type): Soft, with a good drainage
Flower color: White, white – greenish and purple
Sowed in (month of the year): Year round
Cold tolerance (low- high): Low
Heat tolerance (low – high): Low, ideally it needs 15˚ C
Fresh onion’s secrets:
· It belongs to the same family as garlic and leek
· The underground part of the spring onion is called the bulb and it is basically the dry onion that we put very often in our food!
· It is very popular in Asia, where it is used in almost all recipes!
….and the spring onion’s label!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and glue this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the spring onion you planted!
This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Fresh Herbs
PARSLEY
Parsley is a herb that matches…with almost every dish, that’s why we call someone “parsley”, when one can be found and adapted in any environment!
Parsley is one of the most favorite herbs. We grow it in our garden, or our balcony. Its aromatic leaves are used in salads, pies and many more recipes, giving a special taste and aroma to a great number of dishes!
Plant label: common name Parsley
Type (herb, bush, tree): Herb
Maximum height: 40 cm
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun (shade in the summer)
Water requirements (little, a lot): Frequently and in small amounts
Soil preferences (type): Enriched
Flower colour: Greenish – yellow
Sowed in (month of the year): January until September
Cold tolerance (low- high): High, resistant to frost
Heat tolerance (low – high): High, as long as the soil is moist
SECRETS OF PARSLEY:
. In ancient Greece it was called petroselino (stone celery)
· It is very high in iron (more than any other green vegetable) and contains vitamins A, B, C (3 times more vitamin C than an orange).
. It helps in the digestion process.
. The ancient Greeks used it as an aromatic herb but also as a medicine for various diseases, while the Roman gladiators always used it in their juices to gain strength.
…AND HERE IS THE PARSLEY LABEL!
Click on the photo below, adjust the size, print, Cut the border with scissors and Glue this paper tag on an ice cream stick!Place the stick in the soil of the lavender you just planted!
Place the stick in the soil of the parsley you just planted!
This way you will know which plant it is, especially later when you will grow many plants at the same time!
………………………………………………………………………………..
ROSEMARY
One of the most useful and popular aromatic plants one can grow in a mediterranean garden!
In addition to its beauty as a decorative plant, it is widely used in cooking, as it adds a unique taste in our food, since it is perfectly combined with lemon marinated meats and baked potatoes. It also flavors fish, vegetables, soups, even several sauces!
It is also a “miracle” herb, with many medical uses due to its oil!
Plant label: common name Rosemary
Type (herb, bush, tree): Bush
Maximum height: 1 – 2 meters
Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot): Little, once or twice a week
Soil preferences (type): General purpose plant soil or a special one for aromatic plants
Flower color: Purple, white, pink, or blue
Sowed in (month of the year): February – early March
Cold tolerance (low- high): High
Heat tolerance (low – high): High
The Rosemary secrets:
· It belongs to the same family as peppermint.
· Its Latin name Rosmarinus means rose of the sea!
· Helps memory, heart, and eyes to function properly!
· Its oil is used for purposes of fragrant bodily perfumes or to emit an aroma into a room
· It is also used as a cosmetic for the face and hair, as it has beneficial properties for the skin and for hair growth!
…and the rosemary’s label!
Click the photo below, adjust its size, print it, use your scissors in order to cut the outline and stick this label on a wooden stick from an ice cream! Then put the stick in the soil next to the rosemary you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!
………………………………………………………..
Newsletter
Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive updates on the latest news.
Read the Privacy Policy.