Is there a way you could send me one of each to Miller Farms in McKinleyville, California to grow at my house and in my community garden plots? As you know I am also a RU-vidr but my channel I have had since 2010 is demonetized. I have a garden in my yard but recently went to great lengths to rent two community garden plots. Miller Farms has a display of your seeds but it is small, maybe 100 or so varieties of veggies and flowers, but they let people order me stuff there or call on the phone and pay for what I am buying using their credit card over the phone. I would like to replant my demolished community garden plots with a few each of everything in your video. I also want to mention something about nasturtiums which is that the leaves, flowers, and seeds are edible, and if you have a problem with weeds, and plant one in the patch of weeds, they will slowly but surely overtake and kill the weeds because they grow faster and emit a chemical that makes other plants not want to grow by them. Snapdragons are technically edible but I recommend trying one before serving one at your dinner party - I find the taste to be not so pleasant, and I would only eat them if I was starving. Now let's talk about Perilla. In Japan they have two types of Shiso, Green Shiso which is called Shiso and Akashiso which is the purple or red variety. In Korea they have a cultivar of the same plant they call Perilla but wait, there's more, there is a Vietnamese cultivar, a Thai one, try me, they are as different as the difference between a beefsteak and green zebra tomato and some chefs say you cannot substitute the Korean one for the Japanese one. So I am the person who always eats my Shiso leaf at the Japanese restaurant where most customers treat it as a garnish and leave it behind. Who tells the other customers to do so, too, lol! What exact types of Perilla Frutescens are in this mystery pack you are selling and what countries are they from? I have had interesting results planting seeds labelled Perilla or Shiso in my yard, some growing prolifically and some not sprouting and a wide range of colors and tastes of leaves. Send me some to the store and I'll try them and tell you, please!!
Catnip is in the mint family. Contain it or it will take over your garden. It is also a huge self seeder so you will find it next year in other parts of the garden
Catnip, or catmint, is also one of the few mint family plants that is safe for cats. Basil is also safe for cats. Cats are attracted to mint, including peppermint, spearmint, and water mint, which are _not_ safe for cats and may cause stomach upset if they eat it.
Hey epic gardening, I’m 14 and really look up to you. I started growing plants last year and when I found this channel it took that love to a whole new level. I just have one question, how did you get the money to start homesteading? I would really appreciate a response and I love what you do
I know you want Kevin's answer, but in case he doesn't reply. From what I can gather, he had regular jobs to earn and save money, then started a microgreens buisness providing to chefs, and eventually the RU-vid channel. This over time allowed him to save up and build towards his greater goals. I wish you the best of luck with yours 👍
I'm not being a sanctimonious adult when I say start getting summer jobs now and start saving as much as you can. Saving when you are quite young and then investing that money in yourself and some property will pay off immensely by the time you reach Kevin's age. Kevin will probably also tell you that he made a massive push to get his business off the ground. At some point when you are young, you have to really commit to getting where you want to go. Don't believe the doom and gloom...if you start at 14, a homestead is attainable before you know it.
Great question - I was building websites for local businesses, worked in the publishing industry at a startup, and grew and sold microgreens - a ton of random job(s) before I could save up enough savings to go full-time on Epic Gardening!
Invasive note: Shiso is also called Beafsteak Plant (Perilla frutescens). Here in the east it is considered invasive. It was all over the forest floor in WV where I did my graduate research. If you do grow it, I recommend controlling seed production and cutting them down or removing the heads before seed set. The flavor Kevin describes I think is kind of an “umami” or savory-ness quality, hence the English name, too. An interesting species, for sure.
Give me some of those, I live in Canada and I think I need to buy something to heat the bottom of my shiso seedlings this year 😂 Maybe I'll start calling it a beefsteak herb, it's more fun to say than "shiso" or "perilla".
I grew the Burgundy Broccoli for the first time this past season and it's still hanging on in my Ohio garden in January! Since I'm the only one in the house that eats it, it's nice to have those smaller sprouts instead of a large head. I've enjoyed the leaves too.
I'm growing many things from BI, but I noticed the Marigold 'Lemon & Tangerine Gems' @ 12:14 actually have a citrusy smell when the leaves are messed with. They grew on my porch and anytime the wind blew, or something brushed against them the whole area would waft with citrus. Still have seed packets from BI before Kevin bought it! 😂
I noticed a huge smell from my BI marigolds last year! They smelled like my basil plants (if the leaves were crushed) which were grown in a completely separate pot!
I used to grow catnip. I had a friend who had 2 cats. I'd go over there & put the fresh catnip in my pockets. Those cats were so excited when they say me. Then they would go crazy trying to sniff where the catnip was that day. I'd finally pull it out & give it to them. They would roll around the living room enjoying the catnip. Eventually, they would tire out & just sprawl out on their backs. It was like they were so high. We had so much fun and so did they.
@@rubyoro0 I don't get your comment. It was given to them in moderation and only when I was over there maybe once a week. No big deal. A sprig of catnip never hurt the cats.
I love Jaque' laugh when Kev says "persian muncher." Just a nice friendship type moment. You guys are amazing and this is actually my favourite gardening/homesteading channel
Try the Alpha Beit cucumber: it's a classic small Persian-style pickler but unlike most cucumbers it is generally gynoecious (producing mostly female flowers)! Many fewer male flowers means a more productive plant. Also, your sweet peas MUST be dead-headed. If you do that every few weeks the vine will last for months, and don't be afraid to top it if it gets taller than your support...it will branch out.
Re: Sweet pea in Zones 9 and 10. Yes - *succession planting* is one of the keys. But equally important is the *varieties* used for succession planting. Sweet pea needs a certain amount of daylight to bloom. The exact amount depends on the varieties. The varieties needing the least daylight are referred to as "daylight neutral" or "winter" varieties. In my experience (zone 9a) they can bloom with between 10 and 11 hours of daylight. The next varieties to bloom are the "early" varieties, such as Elegance. They start blooming at around 11 hours of daylight. (My experience is that Mammoth Blend and Early Multiflora bloom next and should be considered a reliable "early" variety.) The downside of the aforesaid varieties is that they are not as fragrant as later-blooming varieties. In my experience, the "winter" varieties have little to no fragrance, while the early varieties have a lighter fragrance than those that can be grown in milder zones. So why are the varieties so important? Because heat is a killer for sweet pea. In Zone 9 and above, the heat can be enough to kill some varieties (or stop their blooming) before the vernal equinox (i.e., March 21st, more or less). In Zone 9a on the east coast of the U.S. (think Florida), it can hit 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit by March 1st. Meaning that by the time you get enough light, you often have too much heat. Growing sweet pea on the *east side*of a structure (to protect from afternoon heat) helps, but there is only so much that shade can do when it is 90+ outside. If you are fortunate enough to live where the winter temperatures will not drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, you can begin your succession sowing out of doors (but protect them from the bird - some find the spouts a treat) as soon as it gets cool enough, as early as October. If you are somewhere that can stay hot (85 to 90 or more) into November and/or can drop into the low 20s at night (like Florida 9a), then starting seedling indoors and then transplanting beginning in December is the way to go. If you are fortunate enough to have a relatively slow heating trend in the spring, you can add more fragrant varieties into your succession schedule, such as High Scent, which can take over as the "early" varieties fade. Some varieties are also known to be more "heat tolerant" (e.g., Zinfandel, Cupani or Painted Lady), and can be used to end your succession schedule. (Of course, more tolerant to heat does not mean totally tolerant to heat - Florida's 9a will kill off Zinfandel before May is over. (Since Beaujolais is reputed to sometimes bloom into the fall, this might also be considered a relatively "heat tolerant" variety.) Last year (2023) I had flowers from early February to late May (a really good run for Florida 9a, on a porch). This year I am trying to add some of the more highly scented varieties into my succession planting to learn if I can get blooms before the killer heat gets them. (Wish me luck folks!) Another key: *cut the flowers* often (do not let the plant start to produce seed - this can be an every-other-day process at peak blooming times, as they produce seed quickly). This really does increase your total blooms.
Omg! You just brought out a deep memory from my childhood lol there was a sensitive plant featured at the Wild Animal Park (now called Safari Park) and I was INFATUATED with it!! My mom had no idea what I was talking about when we got home and I was so upset... She didnt believe me when i said it moved and gaslighted me into thinking it was the venus fly trap 🤦🏽♀️ Cant wait to grow this 🙌
You should grow summer savory, it's such a good herb, especially dried. It's really popular here in eastern Canada, it goes great in potato dishes, soups and stews. Honestly it's my favorite dried herb.
I've grown white marigolds this year and they are freaking beautiful. I've always loved African Marigolds, tried the Kilimanjaros from seed and they didnt do well, got a couple flowers, bought some seedlings named Vanilla African Marigolds and they look insane. They look more yellow in photos than they do in real life though. Have a medium sized wine barrel pot full of them covered in flowers at the moment
The sensitive plant grows wild in Florida. I thought my husband was pulling my leg when he told me about it. But we found some and...it does fold up when you touch it. Very cool for a plant geek like me.
Shiso is an invasive plant in several states, so watch out. Linaria is a lovely little plant, grows in the wild in Florida with tiny little blue flowers. I didnt know they were cultivated!
Can’t wait to grow my black cat pumpkins! I’ve seen some carved and the bright orange flesh contrasts against the black so well. Perfect for Halloween!
OMG you two make me want to grow more vegetables! I already have way too many seeds to start this "off season". Now, I think I'm going to order a few of these you mentioned. You two are THE best gardeners on YT. 💚
I am so so so excited for you two and the greater Eco System of Botanical Interests.... I am a die-hard Botanical Interests grower -- just planted up a bunch of seeds for my spring '24 garden... ... I love IG and sharing my successes as a home grower... So happy to see you both succeeding !!!
Catnip is a blessing here. I put a bed tucked in with a pink sedum close to my house. It attracts the neighbor's cats and they rid the field mice and rats that come in from the corn and soybean fields.
I keep a rotation of sweet peas plus a honeysuckle, two varieties of wallflowers and an angel's trumpet outside my bedroom window. In the CA Central Coast I can keep the windows open at night and the scents are heavenly!!!
I wish the seed packages had a picture of what the seedlings look like after the first set of true leaves, as a low experience gardener sometimes its so hard to know if what is growing is what you planted or a stray, specially with flowers or lesser known plants.
My mom grew catnip for 25 years and seeing how it behaves, I will never grow it in my garden. As much as the bees love it, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of. It’s in the mint family, but I honestly think that it’s worse than mint. Even if you simply grow it in a container, the seeds will spread very quickly and prolificly. My parents had an acre and a quarter of land and after planting it one time, it spread throughout their entire yard. Any neighborhood cats will love it though ☺️
The mimosa pudica is known as picka (or timarie) in Trinidad and Tobago because it is a weed that grows in the grass and would often prick you with its thorns when running barefoot. Gardening across different climates is so interesting!
@@VictoriousGardenosaurus The seeds absolutely cannot dry out after planting. I’ve had good luck with putting an old board over where I seeded carrots. This keeps the soil moist because you don’t sow very deep. Carrots can be slow to germinate. Just keep checking under that board and when you see germination starting, remove the board. Good luck!
That black pumpkin!!! So cool. I picked up some weird ones this year too. Coffee, dragon fruit, pink celery, yard long beans, sugar beet. Yeah im excited. My goal is to make 100% homegrown everything bagel spice mix. Poppy seed, garlic, onion, black and white sesame. Wish me luck!
Last year I grew the "Minnesota Midget" cantaloupe and pumpkins for the first time. The cantaloupe was the most flavorful melon I've ever tasted in my life and the Howden pumpkins were absolutely beautiful. This year we're going big with pumpkins, literally. We've got the "State Fair Winner" and a more modest size "Musquee De Provence" pumpkin. I also got into drying peppers last year, I dried a ton of Aji Charapita and Chile De Arbol for spice blends. This year one of the 18 kinds of peppers I'm growing for the first time is the Pasilla Bajio. Really loving how similar our seed choices are.
Parilla grows wild on my property here in Georgia, and I've cultivated a little plot of it in my garden. Its a gorgeous plant. Used frequently in Korean cuisine (kkaenip), as well. It smells really good, and looks beautiful when its in bloom. Self-seeds really well, and will come back every year. These seeds all look fun and interesting!
I love the idea of the mini versions of fruit, like the cantaloupe, melon, pumpkin, and broccoli side shoots. As a single person, it's so handy to produce the smaller versions. Easier to process, and less waste!
Highly Recommend the Cream Sausage Bush Tomato. It's probably one of my highest producing tomatoes in the garden! I end up having so much that I freeze them and use them in soups over the winter time. Two Thumbs Up!
Those mimosas are called “touch me not” where I was growing up and get really invasive as they spread really fast through seed. They will even seed rapidly in a lawn full of Bermuda grass! So careful with those!
I grow catnip for the strays I feed and my neighbors cat. Super easy to grow, I keep in a container so it doesn't take over. Ive grown the kalibos cabbage, its beautiful, I found the heads to be loose.
OOOoooooh Lordy! I already have seeds for at least 15 different kinds of basil and now I'm going to have to add another one, Cardinal basil. Almost the same with nasturtiums but only 5-6 varieties so, hey, what's one more? I NEED that Purple Emperor!! The Emerald Delight summer squash has been one of my FAVORITE zucchini to grow because it's so compact yet still a great producer. Unfortunately, mine developed mosaic virus but I still grew it for a number of years since it didn't really affect the taste, just the looks. A tip about Fairy Bouquet Linaria... don't give up on it if you think the seeds aren't going to sprout. I winter sowed some and while most everything else sprouted and got planted I thought these didn't come up. So, I gave up and tossed the soil into other pots and then was surprised when they popped up much later in those pots with other things I planted!!
Fantastic selection! Definitely looking to get those White marigolds for some color variety. You two are hilarious. Keep up the fantastic work with the videos. Transitions are 🔥🔥🔥🔥👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thanks so much for the Botanical Interests seed catalog. I received it in the mail and immediately went and curled up with it and read it front to back. Gorgeous pictures, awesome descriptions. It really evoked memories from childhood where I would read my grandparents Burpee seed catalog.
I’m growing Pride of Gibraltar, Bunnytail Grass, Pampas Grass, Stock and liatris for first time. Will also do for edible Sunflowers, blue pumpkin, chickpeas, fava bean, purple gem corn, and red Brussels sprout!
Sensitive plant also does well indoors in California. My mom had one for years in the house and we used to mess with it all of the time. Lol.... until the cat killed it. Love in a mist is glorious and the seed pods can be used in place of nutmeg. Catnip is a nerve calming mint relative. Great for those who suffer anxiety, have trouble sleeping, or love cats. Shiso is one of my favorite herbs for a number of reasons: it has that flavor that you aptly described as indescribable and it is excellent for medicine. The red shiso is great for coloring foods and drinks and is used in Japan to boost the immune system with its antioxidants. It also makes a wonderful summer drink! Green shiso is used to help prevent and treat food poisoning or stomach upset. That's part of why it is so commonly served with seafood. The best way i can describe the flavor is perhaps to say it has a fruity sweetness with a rose floral note and a candy tartness.
Fyi - the shiso/perilla is considered invasive in many areas of the country so I’d recommend container growing it as it will easily take over. Delicious but definitely invasive.
Hi Kevin and Jacque!! Love watching all you do! I actually purchased and planted the Kilimanjaro White Marigold seed from Botanical Interest. They germinated really well, grew two feet tall, the flowers are large and amazing but not really white. They're a light light lemon yellow and age towards white at the end. Though not perfectly white they sure look terrific mixed in with the tomatoes and I love this marigold! It will have a place in my garden always. The Love In A Mist and the Linaria are included in the seeding of the alley behind the house and part of the Alley Pollinator Corridor program I've started here in AZ. I think they will look terrific up against the wall with all the natural wildflowers in front. Also included your hollyhocks in this program too! Thanks so much for the fun and the info you give. Cheers, Susan
I grew the Minnesota Midget for the first time last year zone 6a CO and had 4 successful and delicious vines! (planted 4) first time growing any kind of melon. Also the Linaria has been a garden STAPLE for several years bringing early GORGEOUS color that lasts (I move them to a more shaded area during summer).
Bought 10 packs of shiso not 1 seed sprouted, bought from another brand and got excelent germination, also had very bad germination from your purple cabbage, from 3-4 packs got like a 10% germination. Bought at walter anderson or armstrongs. I still buy about 300-400 dlls of your seeds a a year. Best regards Huerto Don Ciccio
Others might have already pointed out but sweet pea you've really got to deadhead, If you make sure and get a decent proportion of the pods / dead heads you can keep it going for ages. My batch last year (in Scotland 8b) were in flower from about June all the way to the end of October
Can’t wait to grow some of these varieties! Thanks for sharing! The sensitive plant is a weed here on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is fun for kids but not so fun under the feet, it’s thorny!
About Mimosa The movement are termed Thigmonasty or Seismonasty, non-directional response to touch or vibration. They also have Nyctinasty, which is circadian rhythm-based response. also a caution when touching them, the can have thorns on some stalks
Years ago, I had a mimosa "forest" in a 6" pot that I grew from seeds. They not only will close up when you touch the leaves, they will also do so when they get near certain other plants. Mine did not like being close to my purple passion, but had no problem being next to my other plants. I don't know if the passion has an "aura" the mimosa didn't like or what, but the little forest (that's what the full pot looked like... a little forest) stayed closed for 3 days until I moved it away from the passion.
May I say, before I even watch this video. I recently received my catalog! Thank you!! I have a shopping list prepared :). However, My FAVORITE thing in the whole catalog was the last page of When to plant seeds! It had both indoor and outdoor planning. Thank you sooo much guys! I have cut this out and put it in my calendar, should I forget and think I have to resort to the internet again. What a blessing. Also, LOVE both of your channels and all the helpful info. you both share! I have also purchased from Botanical interests and from your website. I am LOVING the 6 cells. I swear every seed germinates in those things. Keep on keepin up the good work and here's to a very happy, prosperous and healthy New Year to you and yours!🥰
Fun fact for you Eric: Red Shiso (or perilla) leaves are what they use--traditionally--in Japan to turn the pickled ginger you find along side your rice etc, pink as well as helping umeboshi turn more purple/pink as well! The green leaves are used for eating (tempura battered, wrapped in meat, etc). I'm growing a Japanese food garden in one of my raised beds this year with Shishito peppers, shiso leaves, Japanese cucumbers, edamame (from seeds I grew last year), mizuna, buckwheat, and a Japanese lettuce as well! Bees LOVED the takane ruby buckwheat I grew last year and it definitely gave them easy food, I think! :) I can't wait to see how your garden turns out this year too!
Just made my 1st order from y’all! Gonna break em out next week. I picked up the cream sausage…I’m with u I bought like 15 diff tomato varieties. I still have like 20 more seeds I wanna pu but as a container gardener I don’t have much room lol. I did pick up the cacti seeds too
Kevin, I just watched your video on upflip. What a journey. Been a subscriber for years and watching your videos. Last year I noticed you bought a seed company so I knew you were doing well but 7 mil is like….i don’t know what to say. I’ve been an avid gardener for years and show what I do on my channel but my family don’t believe in me but I know I can mail it profitable. I do do understand what you mean when you say you knew you could be a success if your gardener. In the meantime I keep pressing on. Than ks for all you show on your channel. 😮
I grew the Black Cat this year and it was so fun! I got it in late and still got a decent yield and carved one for Halloween. It’s going to be the one I grow every year!
Thanks for this vid. I have been watching a while now. Just subbed. So happy this company is yours. I just ordered a catalog. I have purchases these seeds locally...always great finds and the packaging is very eye catching as well. All the best to you.
I had no idea there were seed catalogs! Hell I didn’t know ppl even used catalogs anymore since the internet lol!!! I had no idea until getting into gardening the past year with y’all that there were so many different varieties of seeds. Like I thought zuchinni was just zuchinni, cabbage was just cabbage lol, I’m so excited to grow different vegetables in the future when I get good at it!
I have red perilla growing in my yard. I inherited it from the previous owner. It’s beautiful, prolific, smells amazing. I don’t care for the flavor personally though. But I enjoy pulling up the escapees because it’s easy and seriously smells soooooo good.
Just started my channel going to be staring my natural garden here today! Hopefully have some updates uploaded soon! Finally in our home and it is time
I’ve grown Muncher cucumbers for years and it’s one of my favorites and always grows well for me. I thought I had most of the seeds I needed for the upcoming season, but now my list is longer 😂😂😂
Those white tomatoes make a gorgeous salsa with green chiles and jalapeños. I’ve almost got my order ready to hit that button. I just love you two together. I feel like God blessed as even more with you two than he did you with each other. Soul seed brothers. lol.
This comment is for Jacques- I have never liked cantaloupe, but the Minnesota midget is GARDEN CANDY! Wish you the very best of luck growing this amazing variety! I cannot not grow it
Sup dudes! Your channel is very helpful and entertaining. Im in the midst of growing brussel sprouts in a bucket but theyre not looking too great. Thinking maybe my soil is too acidic. If/when you guys plant brussels this year, think we could use a refresher course. Keep killing it, looking forward to see what’s to come.
I don't particularly like paste tomatoes because I will sauce or can anything with great flavor, but Cream Sausage is a favorite. It's very prolific. It does have whispy/droopy foliage so don't be fooled into thinking it's diseased or needs water.
Great selections and now I'm adding cream sausage tomato and pasillo Bajio chiles (as if I didn't already have enough seed!) 🤣 Glad to see last month's purchase of midget melon and emerald delight zucchini align with my favorite gardener gurus. And drat! the mimosa pugica is already out of stock.
I would love a catalog! It seems everyone has gotten theirs except me! And I have requested one months ago.....but still have not received one. So today, I get a text from BI to request a catalog! I'm really trying to stay hopeful here....😂
In Seattle we direct sow our sweet peas on Valentines day and then on the 14th of each month and they grow through October!!! One of my all time favs! Can't wait to try the new nasturtiums! And I am IN LOVE w/ the Epic 1020 Universal Trays! Thank you so much for your commitment to quality products! Ya'll are the BEST!!!
I didnt know you were the owners of botanical interests! I bought some seeds from our local nursery Poor Boys, and the germination rate and quality were amazing!!!!
