My herbs are bolting

Bolting is when a plant goes to seed. Unfortunately, three of my herbs have bolted, leaving the leaves puny and either too strong or too weak in flavor.

I need to deal with these mint seeds before they spread and take over the world.

The leaves are called cilantro; the seeds are called coriander.

Dill eeds are as airy as the dill leaves themselves.
I plan to use the seeds in pickles (thinking positively about my cucumber plants).

Hello from Zone 9

We all live in agricultural zones, as set out by the USDA. Zones are the basis for all successful gardening. Each zone is based on the average annual last freeze date.

The USDA divides North America into 11 zones. As you work your way north, each zone is 10 degrees (F) colder than the last.

It's important to know your zone. You want to buy seeds and plants that will do well in your area. Seed packets usually give the zone for which they are a good fit, so read labels and check with your county's Master Gardeners.

Wherever you live in the United States, there is a zone for you. Here on the Texas Gulf Coast, we are zone 9. You can find out your own hardiness zone with a simple Google search with your zip code and the word "zone."

So, what zone do you live in?

First try at cantaloupe

Cantaloupe 10 days after planting seeds. Why do my things take longer than the Todds'? But notice the cute marker. It denotes that this is cantaloupe planting date #1 (of 3) and that I planted on 3/21/14. I like to label things.

Cantaloupe on 5/9/14, 19 days after seeds were planted. I mulched with oak leaves.

This year I am trying cantaloupe after hearing a rave review from a gardener who knows what she's doing. "They go crazy. You won't believe how many you'll get," she said. So I thought, why not.

I planted Hale's Best Jumbo seeds on 3/21/14. The Brazoria County Master Gardeners suggest this variety: Ambrosia. The only one I could get seeds for around here was Hale's Best Jumbo. The seeds cost me $1.35 and I put a lot of thought and new technique into it, but I might as well experiment, right?