SOWING IN MAY

Flowering Plants

11. Sunflower

A sun … in a flower! After all, it gets its name from the fact that the flower “follows” the sun!

It comes from America and is a particularly tall plant with hairy toothed leaves

A spectacular summer flower with a bright yellow color on the outside and brown on the inside

It is destroyed by the cold of winter

Plant label: common name Sunflower

Type (herb, bush, tree) herb

Maximum height From 1 to 3 meters

Light preferences (shade, sun) Sun

Water requirements (little, a lot) Around one time a week

Soil preferences (type) Rich in nutrients with good drainage

Flower color Yellow

Sowed in (month of the year) Springtime until June

Cold tolerance (low- high) Very low

Heat tolerance (low – high) High

Sunflower’s secrets

It is of great economic importance

It is cultivated for a wide variety of its products, such as:

· Its oil, sun oil, which is found in the sunflower seeds – it is mainly used for frying

· Its seeds – the sunflower seeds that are eaten by both humans and birds

· Fuel, biodiesel

· Decorative plant, because of its impressive flowers

…AND THE SUNFLOWER 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 sunflower you planted!

This way you will know which plant it is, especially when you sow and grow several plants at the same time…!

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Fruits and Vegetables

PEPPER

Pepper cultivation is well known since ancient times. Peppers have a wide variety of colors, and flavors. Some peppers are sweet, some more spicy and some are really hot!

The pepper fruit occurs in large variety of shapes, from narrow, small conical, to large and bulky ones.

Peppers can be grilled, stuffed with cheese, rice or minced meat. They are a well-known ingredient of the famous Greek cottage salad (horiatiki). One can find peppers pickled, as an appetizer, in sauces, in soups, served with meat or seafood, or as a base for several spices.

Plant label: common name Pepper

Type (herb, bush, tree)	herb
Maximum height	Up to 75 centimeters when well supported
Light preferences (shade, sun)	Sun
Water requirements (little, a lot)	Its roots must be moist
Soil preferences (type)	Rich in nutrients
Flower color	White
Sowed in (month of the year)	Springtime
Cold tolerance (low- high)	Low – it is damaged below 12οC
Heat tolerance (low – high)	High

Pepper’s secrets:

• It comes from Mexico. Columbus brought it from America to Europe.
• Pepper is a key ingredient in Mexican cuisine, but is also used in all national cuisines.
• Pepper takes its name from the Spanish pimento which means pepper.
• There are 50 different types of pepper (sweet and hot).
• Its fruit is cut when it is still green. If we let it ripen further, it turns yellow or even dark red.
• In countries with very warm climate, people eat a lot of hot pepper, as it makes the body sweat and thus, helps to lower its temperature.
• It has vitamin A and C. Hot peppers give us paprika, chili, cayenne, bucovo. They are also the basis for tabasco hot sauce.
• Hot peppers burn us a lot because they contain a chemical substance called capsaicin.

…and the Pepper’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 Pepper you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

Beneath you will find the labels of Pepper and Chily Pepper

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CORN

Who hasn’t eaten popcorn, out of a big cardboard box, while watching a cinema movie?

Corn derives from Mexico, where it has been used as food for humans since ancient times.

Today it is cultivated all over the world, with the largest production in America.

It is a tall annual plant that reaches up to the height of 3 meters!

It has long narrow green leaves and is cultivated for its yellow seeds, that form rows in a characteristic elongated shape.

Corn is used to make a type of dough that is further makes the tortilla, a flat pie used as bread.

Corn oil is also known. It is lighter and less nutritious than olive oil.

Plant label: common name Corn

Type (herbs, bushes, trees): Herb

Maximum height Up to: 300 cm

Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun

Water requirements (little, a lot): The soil must be moist

Soil preferences (type): Plump and rich in nutrients

Flower color: Blue and violet

Sowed in (month of the year): During springtime

Cold tolerance (low- high): Low tolerance in cold

Heat tolerance (low – high): High tolerance in heat

THE CORN’S SECRETS

· In his diary, Christopher Columbus wrote that in 1492 he saw a strange new plant in Cuba. He brought this to Spain. It turned out the strange plant was… corn!

· In Greek, corn is called “aravositos”, which means the wheat of the Arabs, because it entered our country from North Africa, around 1600 AD.

· Popcorn is corn that has popped after being heated too much. Corn can pop because unlike other grains, it has a kernel with a husk that protects it from moisture and has a thick starch filling. This allows the pressure to build up inside it until it finally “pops”.

…and the corn’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 corn you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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LEEK

A very tasty vegetable, complimenting many Greek dishes. The most
distinctive characteristic of the leek is its green and oblong leaves!

It can be sautéed in a pan and consumed plain or paired with bread, or even
in an omelet! It is also included in several Greek dishes cooked with olive oil,
such as spinach – rice, leek – rice, peas or green beans…

Leek is a perfect ingredient for winter soups, tarts and pies – it’s smoothly
combined with minced meat, chicken and bacon!

It is rich in vitamins A, B , C and K and has many health benefits!

 

Leek’s secrets

• It’s closely related to onions, scallions and garlic
• It was one of the main components of Egyptian and Mesopotamian diet
  since 2.000 BC, as well as the ancient Greek and Roman diet.
• Ancient Greeks used leeks as medicine for sore throat. Τhey also
  believed that it made their voices stronger!
• Leeks are a great source of iron and are beneficial for the heart. Τheir
  juice can lower blood pressure!

….and this is the leek’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 leek you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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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!

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GREEN BEANS

One of the most popular summer vegetables, not only in our diet, but also in
literature and life! Jack and the Beanstalk is a well known fairy tale, and
you’ ve certainly heard the saying "a bean fills a bean bag!"
Green beans are eaten in salads but also as an oily tomato based vegetarian
dish!
They are rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, minerals and proteins and are
ideal for those who watch their diet, as they are low in calories (90% water)!

THE SECRETS OF GREEN BEANS

• Its origins are from America and “travelled” to Greece in the middle of the
17th century
• Some varieties of beans give us dry beans, such as “giant beans” (called
gigantes in Greek) and black-eyed beans!

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 beans you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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CABBAGE

Cabbage is a leafy green, pale green or purple plant grown as a biennial vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is closely related to broccoli and cauliflower

A cabbage generally weighs between 500 and 1,000 grams. Smooth-leafed, firm-headed green cabbages are the most common ones

Type (herbs, bushes, trees): Herb

Maximum height: 40 – 60 cm the 1rst year, 1,5 m. the 2nd year

Light preferences (shade, sun): Full sun

Water requirements (little, a lot): Often and in small amounts, keep the soil moist

Soil preferences (type): Rich in nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Flower colour: White and yellow

Sowed in (month of the year): March to August

Cold tolerance (low- high): Quite high, but not in the frost

Heat tolerance (low – high): Ideally it needs 20-26˚ C

Cabbage’s secrets

· Cabbage was most likely domesticated somewhere in Europe before 1000 BC.

· It was also employed by European sailors to prevent scurvy during long ship voyages at sea.

· Cabbage can be prepared in many ways: It can be pickled, steamed, roasted, sautéed, braised, or eaten raw, as a salad. Raw cabbage is a rich source of vitamin K, vitamin C, and dietary fiber.

· In Greece, cabbage is used for “dolmades”, as its big leaves, when steamed are used to envelop minced meat. It is very well-known and very tasty dish, served with egg- lemon sauce.

. Many European and Asiatic names for Cabbage derive from the Celto-Slavic root cap, meaning “Head”

….and the Cabbage’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 Cabbage you planted!

This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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ZUCCHINI

Zucchini is one of the most famous summer vegetables in Greece! Zucchinis are eaten boiled, as a salad, roasted and fried and are a key ingredient in many delicious summer dishes such as zucchini pie, backed zucchinis with potatoes, eggplants, and other summer vegetables (called briami) and stuffed zucchinis (with rice, or minced meat)

Plant label: common name Zucchini

Type (herb, bush, tree): Herb

Maximum height: 30 – 50 cm

Light preferences (shade, sun): Sun

Water requirements (little, a lot): A lot, so that the soil remains moist

Soil preferences (type): Rich in nutrients

Flower color: Yellow

Sowed in (month of the year): April – May

Cold tolerance (low- high): Low, it is sensitive to cold

Heat tolerance (low – high): High, as long as there is efficient water

Zucchini’s secrets…

· It belongs to the same family as cucumber, watermelon, melon, and pumpkin

· It is rich in vitamins and nutrients, but has few calories

. In Kefalonia and Zakynthos islands zucchinis are called “baby birds”

. It derives from America

….and Zucchini’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 pumpkin you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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Melon

The melon Cucumis melo, is one of the most well-known and beloved
summer fruits. The word melon can refer to either the plant or specifically to
the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a "pepo". The fruit
of the melon plant is related to cucumber, zucchini, squash and watermelon,
belonging to the very large family of Cucurbitaceae
There are many varieties of melons, which differ in:
• shape: round or oval,
• skin: thick or thin,
• color of the skin: yellow or greenish,
• skin surface: smooth or striated,
• fleshy part: solid, juicy, soft or hard
• color of the flesh: off-white, yellow, or orange.

THE SECRETS OF MELON

•  Melons originated in Africa, or hot valleys of Asia, Iran and India. Melons were among the first crop species in ancient times. It is
  known that melons have been grown by the ancient Egyptians
  (with references from 2,400 BC)
   Ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated melons in the whole
  Mediterranean, while Columbus brought them to America, in
  1492.
   Melon is considered a luxury item and is usually offered as a gift
  in Japan
   The two most famous types of melon in Greece are: the banana
  melon (with yellowish skin and round shape) and the one grown
  in Argos – a place in the Peloponnese, hence its name Argo
  melon (having a very long and narrow shape, with strong ridges)
   When someone has a long and narrow skull, Greeks call him/her
  Argo melon headed
   One can roast its seeds and eat them as passatembo (pumpkin
  seeds)

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 melon you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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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!

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Dill

One of the most popular herbs of the Mediterranean cuisine, which flavors our food and gives them a special aroma in a minute!

It is used in salads, soups, pies, and various sauces.

It is rich in nutrients and is very beneficial for our health.

Plant label: common name Dill

Type (herb, bush, tree): herb

Maximum height: 40 to 60 cm

Light preferences: (shade, sun) Sun

Water requirements (little, a lot): Quite often, in small quantities, in wintertime only when the soil is dry

Soil preferences (type): Rich in nutrients

Flower color: Yellow and orange

Sowed in (month of the year): March to June

Cold tolerance (low- high): Quite low, but not below 0˚ C

Heat tolerance (low – high): Quite high, not higher than 35ο C

THE SECRETS OF DILL….

• Its characteristic smell is reminiscent of aniseed.

• It belongs to the same family as other herbs, such as fennel, cumin, anise, etc.

• Ancient Greeks made perfume from its flowers and put it in various wines that named them “dill wines”.

• Also, ancient Greeks crowned the winners with flowering branches of dill and athletes anointed their bodies with the essential oil of the dill fruit to relax their muscles!

• It is used for colic pains that babies have, as a diuretic and enhances breathing.

….and the dill’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 dill you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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BASIL

“I’ll be the basil at the window!”, says a Greek song!

Basil is the most favorite plant pictured on every Greek postcard! You have seen it on balconies, all over Greece. And yet, it is said that basil travelled from India to Greece, at the time of Alexander the Great! Since then, it has become the most famous plant in our country and it smells great!

Plant label: common name Basil

Type (herb, bush, tree): herb

Maximum height: 30 to 50 cm

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: White, light purple

Sowed in (month of the year): April – May

Cold tolerance (low- high): Low

Heat tolerance (low – high): Quite enough

The basil’s secrets…

· Basil repels mosquitoes

· Basil tea helps digestion and fights anxiety

….and the basil’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 basil you planted! This way, you will know which plant it is, especially when you plant and grow different plants at the same time!

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Lavender – Lavandula

One of the most famous and favorite aromatic plants, is lavender.

In Greece, it can be found in every garden and every veranda! Its purple flowers beautify our home, protect our clothes inside closets and their scent calms and relaxes us!

Lavender’s secrets

· Lavender expels mosquitoes and moths from our closets
· Lavender essential oil helps fight stress & insomnia
. Lavender drink helps with headaches, stomach aches and insomnia and stress.
. Lavender oil helps with redness and burns.

…AND HERE IS THE LAVENDER 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 lavender you just planted!
This way you will know which plant it is, especially later when you will grow many plants at the same time!

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