Seeds to sow in May-June: Black Sesame, Kochia, Brown Cotton, Roselle

We've gathered seeds from our naturally cultivated fields.
These seeds were purchased from individuals who are passionate about organic and natural farming methods at Mercari and various events.
We have too many to grow ourselves, so we're sharing them in convenient portions.
Please inquire about larger quantities!
May-June is the perfect time to sow.^_^

① Black Sesame (15 seeds)
Sow 3-4 seeds every 10-15cm in rows of 60cm. Alternatively, sow similarly in planters 60cm wide and at least 30cm deep, thinning to 3-4 plants.
Beautiful pale pink, white, and light purple flowers will bloom from July to August, and the plants will grow to about 1 meter tall.
For harvesting, cut at the base when 2-3 lower buds have split. Dry them in the sun on a sheet, or lean them against a wall under eaves with newspaper on rainy days. In about two weeks, they will dry out completely. You can easily thresh the seeds by putting them in a rice bag and tapping it.

② Kochia (50+ seeds)
For pots, sow 4-5 seeds, gently cover with about 1-2mm of soil, and water with a spray bottle.
Plant 1-2 plants in planters 65cm wide and at least 30cm deep, or 1 plant in an 8-10号 pot.
You can also sow directly into the ground. Choose a sunny location. They will also grow from fallen seeds in subsequent years.
The dried plants pulled up in autumn can be tied together with string to make brooms.

③ Brown Cotton (15 seeds)
Please refer to the image.

④ Roselle (15 seeds)

For pot sowing:
Make holes about 5mm deep on the surface, sow 2-3 seeds spaced apart, cover lightly with soil, and place in a sunny spot. Water to keep the soil from drying out until germination.
Germination will occur in about 1-2 weeks, but keep the seedlings in pots for a while. Once the seed coat has fallen off and the cotyledons have opened, and the roots have established well in the pot, carefully transplant them to a larger pot or into the garden.
Direct sowing eliminates the need for transplanting seedlings from pots and reduces the risk of damaging the roots. If you can ensure sufficient sunlight and temperature, direct sowing is also an option.

Seedling transplanting method:
The best time to transplant is when the weather has warmed up sufficiently, as they grow rapidly in summer and bloom in autumn.
When planting in pots, choose a pot around 10号 size.
For planting in the ground, select a sunny location. If planting multiple seedlings, space them about 60cm apart. After transplanting, water when the soil has dried out.