Author: Student Merrimack

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Echinaceas

Overview: Echinaceas (aka coneflowers) are a native plant to the United states that bloom during mid summer throughout the fall and act as a great pollinator. They can be grown to use in a bouquet or they are edible and provide many positive health benefits. (Source)

(Photo Source)

Seed starting advice: Echinacea can be grown from seeds in a pot indoors and transported into the ground, or they can be planted directly into the ground. When planting directly into the ground, they must be planted mid to late summer, in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. It is important to remove weeds from the area you are planning them in and mix in fertilizer with the soil. Plant seeds evenly about ¼ inch under the soil. Firm down the soil and keep it evenly moist throughout the area. Seedlings should form within 10-20 days. (Source)

Growing advice: Echinacea grows best in hardiness Zones 3-9. It is necessary to water about an inch deep into the soil once a week to help the roots grow. Make sure the weeds around are under control and removed because they will compete with the plant for water. Covering the area with mulch can help retain the moisture. Echinacea die over the winter, as the wet soil with poor drainage usually makes them rot. (Source) 

Harvesting advice: You can begin to pick echinacea flowers once they have fully bloomed. To harvest, cut the stems above the lowest leaf part of the stem. To create a bouquet, place the stems into a vase of water, changing the water every 2-3 days. To store them as an ingredient, it is easiest to store them by drying them out, lay them out flat in a sheltered, dry location, or hang them in bunches until they’re entirely dry, and then store in a sealed container.  (Source)

Recipe for Echinacea Tea (Source)

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoon of fresh or dried echinacea (aka coneflower)
  • 10 ounces of water
  • Honey (optional)
  • Lemon (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Boil water in a pot
  2. Once the water boils, turn the heat down to medium and add in the coneflower
  3. Place a lid on the pot, simmer for 5-10 min
  4. Strain the loose flowers, roots, leaves, from the pot and pour water into a teacup
  5. Add flavorings or sweeteners such as honey or lemon if desired

Health Benefits:

  • Helps boost immune system
  • Helps prevent infections
  • Reduce pain
  • Boosts Mood

Written by: Mary Flaherty

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Basil

Overview: Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an herbaceous plant that is known for its uses in Italian cuisine. The bright green plant is best used fresh or dried.

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-general-science/science-basil
Basil leaves

Seed starting: Basil seeds should be planted in temperatures from 60 Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Three to four weeks before the planting time one can start the process indoors. In a tray or pot place your seeds. If using a pot place 4 to 6 seeds and once the first set of leaves sprout, then thin each pot out with 1-2 seeds in each (Source: Gardener’s Supply Company). It is important that the soil is not dry but doesn’t receive too much water at once. Once it is time to plant it is best for basil to be planted in a rose bed with compost as the soil. In addition, when planting it is important to space each one 12-18 inches apart so the leaves can fully spread out (Source: Bonnie Plants). 

Growing advice: Basil thrives in the sun needing 6 to 8 hours every day! Meaning they need to be watered regularly to make sure the soil is continuously moist, rich, and well drained. Though not necessary it is smart to annually test the soil with the goal of a 6 to 7 PH (Source: Bonnie Plants). If there are possible days of cold weather, it is important to cover the plants because of their sensitivity to cold. 

Harvesting Advice: Once the plant has grown to a height of 6-8 inches it is ready to harvest. Pinch the leaves from the tips of the stem (Source: Bonnie Plants). This encourages the plant to grow more leaves. If there is any frost on the plant, then cut the plant out of the ground and pick all the leaves left. If it does frost that could mean two things. One you didn’t cover the plant during a cold night/day or that fall is approaching. There are three different ways to store basil. One is to freeze the leaves to use them later on. Second is to dry them but this form doesn’t keep the flavor as well. The third and final method is to preserve them in vinegar, so they last longer as fresh as possible (Source: Bonnie Plants). 

Caprese Salad Recipe

Basil is not an ingredient that would be eaten by itself but is a major ingredient used in Italian food. (Originally found here). You will need the following: 

  1. 3 vine-ripe tomatoes, ¼-inch thick slices
  2. 1-pound fresh mozzarella, ¼-inch thick slices 
  3. 20 to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil 
  4. Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling 
  5. Coarse salt and pepper 

Directions: 

On a large dish layer alternating slices of tomato and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 

Written by Sarah Jane O’Connor

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Cucumbers

Written by Jillian Getchell


Overview: Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are long, lean, and green garden vegetables. Technically, they’re fruits from the same family as watermelons and pumpkins, but most people consider them veggies (WebMD). They grow best in warm-seasons and are onsidered an annual plant. There are three main varieties of cucumber—slicing, pickling, and seedless. They are very hydrating and come with many benefits to eating them.

Seed Starting: Cucumbers thrive best at relatively high temperatures, between 75 to 85 degrees. If you choose to start them indoors, plant the seeds about a half inch deep in 3” pots, only planting 1-2 seeds per pot as they grow quickly. The best soil to use is high quality compost. If growing outside, its important to know that the plants do not tolerate frost, so wait until the soil warms in the spring. Seeds generally germinate in about 10 days when it’s around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When planting directly in the garden, make hills for the seeds. Spacing for hills should be four to six feet apart with six to eight cucumber seeds per hill (SFGATE).



Growing Advice: Cucumbers will grow quickly with little care. Be sure they receive at least an inch of water every week. Do not plant them near potatoes, as they release a substance in the soil that greatly hinders the growth of cucumbers. And planting them nearby can have devastating effects on your cucumber crops. However, there are some crops that are highly beneficial if you plant cucumbers near, like radishes. When grown nearby or with cucumbers, they help repel harmful insects like cucumber beetles and aphids that attack tender cucumber plants (Source: Old World Garden Farms).

Harvesting: Harvest cucumbers when they grow to at least six to eight inches in length. It is best to harvest them on the earlier side to reap the rewards of their sweet flesh and tender seeds. They will grow bigger and can still be eaten when harvested later. You can keep harvested cucumbers in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days, but use them as soon as possible after picking for best flavor. If you don’t eat a slicing cucumber all at once, cover the unused portion in plastic wrap to prevent dehydration in the refrigerator (Bonnie Plants).

Watermelon Salad With Cucumber and Feta Recipe

Watermelon Salad With Cucumber and Feta

Feta cheese, sweet watermelon, and crispy cucumber make a stunning summer salad. Add some lime juice and fresh mint and basil for taste!

Recipe:

In a large bowl add the watermelon, cucumber, feta, basil and mint. Squeeze the lime over the salad, drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and serve.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1 mini watermelon (approximately 4 cups), rind removed and cubed 
  • 2 Persian cucumbers (approximately 1 cup), sliced 
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon chopped mint
  • 1 tablespoon chopped basil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil to taste

photo citations are attached to the pictures*

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Hydrangeas

By Chloe Newell

Hydrangeas bushes are beautiful pom-pom looking flowers that are native to our zone 6 climate. Hydrangeas bushes can be seen all over Massachusetts in various assortments of colors based on the soil. Before planting your hydrangea, you should plan out which type you’d like to bloom. Use acidic soil for blue or purple-blue hydrangeas. Alkaline soil with a pH above 7 for pink and red hydrangeas. Alkaline soil with a pH below 7 creates a purple hydrangea. (Source : HGTV).

Photo by Victoria Syverson on Flickrhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/124651729@N04/51243638915

Seed Starting Advice

Most people who are starting to grow hydrangeas start with the root. This can be done in the ground or in a pot.

  • Plant in an area with partial sun. 
  • Trim around the root for parts that look rotting.
  • Dig a hole deep enough to cover the entire root, leaving 2 to 3 inches on the sides of the root.
  • Make sure that the top of the root meets the top layer of soil.
  • Remove root from hole, fill soil with water halfway.
  • Once water has absorbed, replace the root back into soil and fill the hole with water.
  • Re-water the plant once again.

(Source : The Almanac)

Growing Advice

When growing hydrangeas bushes, you will need to plant them at least 3 to 10 feet apart (Source : The Almanac). This will give them plenty of space to grow out and not be on top of each other. When it comes to protecting them from pests, you should keep your eye out for holes within the flowers. Slugs can be discovered when there are munches on your petals, and can be reduced using slug traps. Other insects, like scale, aphids, beetles and fruit worms, can be reduced using an insect control spray. ( Source : Esponma).

Harvesting Advice

Avoid cutting your hydrangeas when it is hot outside, since this will cause the flower to wilt. Cut within the months of August and October, which is when they are at their blooming season. Pick when the flowers are fully bloomed. (Source : Garden Guides).

Arrangement Inspiration

The most perfect bouquet featuring hydrangeas include different types of roses, like spray roses and African roses. They also pair well with peonies and dahlias. Alongside these statement flowers, you can add smaller greens, such as babies breath, eucalyptus, delphinium, foxglove, freesia, and bells of Ireland (Source : Cascade Floral Wholesale) When it comes to the colors of the arrangement, you want them to match based on what color hydrangeas you are using. When using blue or purple hydrangeas, you should stick to a more cool toned bouquet, and when you’re using pink, you should use more warm toned flowers- white is the middle ground and can be mixed with either color. Below is an example of a bouquet mixed with both warm and cool colors that looks beautiful as well.

Arrangement done by Flores & Co on The Florist Market
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My First Garden Experience

By Julia Hamilton

When I was in kindergarten my town library had a garden program where children could pick four different types of seeds to plant. The library supplied the seeds, the soil, and peat planters. The four types of seeds I chose for my garden were tomato, cucumber, zucchini, and carrots. I planted them, watered them, and made sure they got enough sun.

Merrimac Public Library. Photo Credit: Julia Hamilton.

In a couple of weeks sprouts began to pop through the soil, and I was so excited. As the pants grew bigger we saw that the plants would soon need to be transplanted. We chose to do a container garden and picked out large clay pots to transfer the plants into. There are woods behind my house that have animals that might eat our garden, so we decided to get a garden fence to put around the plants to protect them. The garden was growing well and the plants started to flower, which would soon turn into vegetables. We had a trip planned one weekend, and watered our plants well and made sure the fence was secure.

Tomato. Photo Credit: Julia Hamilton

When we left the zucchini plants were about three or four feet high with a lot of flowers. They were on the end of our container garden. When we got back from our trip we could not wait to see how our garden was doing. We were surprised about what we saw on our return home. The tall zucchini plants that we had left a few days before were eaten down to the stems. Our best guess was that some deer got into our yard and ate all of our promising zucchini blossoms. They had not gotten to the rest of the plants so we did get to enjoy our tomato, cucumbers, and carrots. We learned a lesson with our first garden. Make sure that your fence is tall enough to protect your plants of you have wildlife around.

Cucumber. Photo Credit: Julia Hamilton
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Cape Cod Striped Bass

Over the last 3 years, Cape Cod Bay has called me to its dark blue waters, sandy beaches, rough tides, and vast amounts of roaming saltwater fish species. During the hot summer months, many fish species migrate from coastal southern states to feed on baitfish in the cooler waters off Cape Cod. One of the species of migrating fish, and arguably the most sought-after fish for fishermen in the area, is the striped bass.

After a July 4th night full of fun and fireworks, my girlfriend, her father (Paul), and I prepared for a fishing trip the next morning. As the sun rose on July 5, 2021, and the fish began to feed, we had a feeling that today would be the day we would catch some fresh fish for dinner. Leaving the boat ramp, Paul navigated the boat towards the deep waters in search of mackerel, a striped bass’ favorite snack-sized meal. In just a few minutes, the livewell on the boat was full of mackerel, and we began our search for the aggressive schools of striped bass.

Mackerel (bottom of the screen) and striped bass (top of screen) after a fishing trip. Credit: Bryce M.

After catching our bait, Paul found a giant school of striped bass moving right underneath the boat. Within seconds, we dropped down our live mackerel and began patiently waiting for a bass to take the bait. While the boat drifted, I felt an aggressive tug from a fish swimming right beneath us. After a 12 minute long fight, the tired striped bass was boat side and ready to be brought aboard, and Paul scooped the fish into a large net. Excitement filled us all.

Myself with the 43-inch striped bass. Credit: Paul M.

Striped bass are highly regulated with catch limits and size restrictions in Massachusetts. This 43-inch bass was over the legal size to keep of 35 inches for recreational fishermen like myself. These large fish are only allowed to be kept by commercial fishermen within the fishing industry, so we released this fish safely.

There is definitely some level of satisfaction behind catching or harvesting the very food you eat, especially when it comes to fresh fish. After a long day on the ocean, the most refreshing thing for me is eating a nice meal, packed with nutrients from the striped bass we caught that morning. However, since I am primarily a catch-and-release fisherman, releasing this fish gave me a sense of happiness. As my dad has told me since I was a young fishermen, “let them go…let them grow”.

– Written by: Bryce Miranda

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Zinnias

Overview: Zinnias are easy to grow, come in six distinct colors and can be used for seasoning and flavor in several dishes.

Seed Starting: Zinnias prefer warm environments with plenty of sunshine, the soil should preferably be +70 degrees Fahrenheit and should be planted at ¼ inches deep. Different variants, like Envy, Burpee, Carousel and “Will Rogers”, will require differing amounts of space between plants, but only to allow proper air flow between them and to prevent diseases. The soil must be well fed and kept moist, but must not become soggy or risk the seeds drowning. (Source: The Spruce – make your best home) Zinnias can even be transplanted easily either indoors or outdoors.

Growing Advice: Zinnias are best planted a week after the final frost of winter, usually around mid to late April. If you want the flowers to appear more bushy, pinch the bulb off of the younger plants, this will encourage the plants to grow even bigger bulbs to replace them.

Harvesting: Be sure to allow a few flowers to develop to the point of seeding, then simply collect them from the bulb. To transplant the flowers, simply dig up the flower without removing the roots and place it in a replacement patch with properly tended soil. (Source: Garden Gate Magazine)

Recipe: Zinnia Limeade

Want to prepare some fancy drinks for a party? Try this recipe to make your zinnias taste as good as they look.

Source: Gazette Journals – Flower Recipes

Ingredients: 

  • 1/8 c. zinnia petals, tightly packed
  • 4 c. water
  • Zest from 1 lime
  • 2 sprigs fresh mint leaves
  • 1 c. lime juice
  • 1 c. sugar

Steps: 

  • Step 1 Rinse zinnia petals and place in a small saucepan.
  • Step 2 Add 1 c. sugar, 1 c. water, lime zest and mint. 
  • Step 3 Heat mixture until sugar dissolves. (Don’t boil.) 
  • Step 4 Remove from heat and let syrup cool for 5 minutes. 
  • Step 5 Strain syrup through colander. 
  • Step 6 Add lime juice and remaining water by pouring through a strainer that still contains boiled zest, petals and mint. 
  • Step 7 Chill and serve over ice. 

Note: Can freeze ice with mint leaves in them. CANDIED OR CRYSTALLIZED FLOWERS

Post written by Patrick Aucella

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Sunflowers

Overview: Known as one of the easiest plants to grow, Sunflowers come in a variety of colors, and can be used in bouquets as decor or harvested for their seeds as a tasty snack. 

Seed Starting: Sunflowers prefer warm sandy soil and a sunny location. It is best to sow them directly in your garden but they can also grow well in outdoor containers. Regular varieties prefer a soil depth of around 1 to 1 ½ inches deep spaced about six inches apart,  (source: Farmer’s Almanac) (If planting multiple seeds make rows 30 inches apart from one another)  Thin sunflowers to the strongest ones once they’ve hit about 6 inches tall. Due to their large stems, if planting larger varieties of sunflowers it is recommended to plant them in an area sheltered from winds as their heads make them top-heavy and susceptible to blowing over, damaging their stems. 

Growing Tips: A small amount of fertilizer mixed in with the soil at the time of planting will help encourage strong root growth which will help support stems.  It is best to plant sunflowers after spring frost has passed, which means if you live in New England, could mean anywhere from April to mid-June.

Harvesting Flowers for bouquets:  Cut the main stem of the flower just before the bud opens. Cut stems early in the morning to avoid wilting. Handle flowers gently and keep them in a tall container, changing the water every day to keep them fresh. In floral arrangements,  roses, snapdragons, chrysanthemums, and irises pair well with sunflowers. 

Harvesting Seeds: Let the flowers dry on or off the stem until the back of the head turns brown and the leaves turn yellow, the petals die and the seeds look large and loose. Using sharp scissors or gardening pruners, cut off the head of the plant leaving about 6 inches, and place the head in a container to catch seeds. Lie the flower head on a clean flat surface, to remove the seeds, run your hand over the area you’re trying to remove, and pull seeds  off the plant. 

Post writen by Haley Dufton

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Beets

Overview: Beets (Beta vulgaris) are a hardy vegetable that can survive the cold temperatures of New England. These colorful plants are a great addition to your garden and are perfect for a beginner gardener!

Three newly harvested beets sit on a bed of grass
Three newly-harvested chiogga beets from the Merrimack Garden
A white bowl holds three different colors of beets: golden, bull's blood red, and chiogga, which has pink and white stripes
A bowl of chiogga (striped), golden, and bull’s blood beets

Seed Starting: Plant seeds in soil that is free of rocks, as their roots cannot develop properly with them in the way. Seeds should be planted very early spring, about 4 weeks before the last frost. A second crop can be sown in early August. Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart from each other directly into the bed in which you wish to grow them. Beet seeds (little balls) are actually a clump of 2-4 seeds. Soaking them before planting can speed germination and soften that hard seed coat. Make sure they are watered sufficiently for proper germination as well!

To level up, consider multi-sowing beets, which means starting multiple seeds in trays or six-packs before transplanting into the garden (Source: Tiny Garden Habit). As the beets mature in a group, they push the other beets out. You simply harvest the biggest one of the bunch and let the others continue to grow. 

Growing Advice: Beets prefer full sun – at least 6 hours a day! Once your seeds germinate and start to grow, you should thin your plants to around 5-6 inches apart so that their roots will have space to spread. No need to pull up the plants to do this – you can just cut off the greens at the tops to not disturb the other beets. They should get 1 inch of water per square foot weekly.

Harvesting Advice: Beets push up and show their size above ground. When a beet reaches the desired size (maybe 1-3 inches in diameter), gently pull it from the ground. Note that beets can lose their sweetness and become “woody” if they get too big.

Sauteed Beet Greens Recipe

While beets are tasty, their leaves are equally so! Here is a zero-waste recipe for sautéed beet tops. (Originally found here). You will need:

  • 1 bunch beet greens
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons golden raisins
  • Lemon wedge
  • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pistachios
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Separate the stems from the beet greens. Finely chop the stems and coarsely chop the leaves.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and the beet stems and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the beet greens, a few pinches of salt and freshly ground black pepper, and sauté, tossing, until just wilted.
  • Turn off the heat, add the raisins, a big squeeze of lemon, and toss. Transfer to a platter, top with the walnuts and season to taste with more salt and pepper.

Written by Sophia Beland

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Milkweed

Overview: Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a species of flower native to the United States that will attract many butterflies and other pollinators to your garden!

Seed Starting: Milkweed plants will have a deep system of roots and will prefer to be planted far apart, about 18 inches. They are also best planted in the fall.

Growing, Harvest, and Special Advice: Common milkweed can survive in a drier environment, so watering only when the soil appears dry will be sufficient. They are quite an easygoing plant, as they need not be fertilized either! Milkweed, as it is a native plant, can survive in subpar soil conditions. Because milkweed has a deep root system, it is not recommended to transplant plants once fully grown. They will also spread their seeds over time and replant themselves.