One Seed Chicago 2012-Vote Today.

Basil and Cilantro picture used by permission of Renee's Garden. Chamomile picture original to One Seed Chicago.

Chamomile: One Seed Chicago 2012 Candidate

Photo credit One seed Chicago

Sprays of petite daisy-like flowers are the most impressive characteristic of chamomile plants. This 'noble' herb's reputation as a medicinal plant has made it a favorite of cultures for thousands of years. The plant is in the family Asteraceae which include plants like marigolds, dahlias and zinnias.


Facts
Chamomile comes from the Greek "Chamomaela," meaning "earth/ground apple." The common name of chamomile is applied to a number of species, but that doesn't mean they can be used as an herbal tea.



History
Chamomile's history dates back at least as far as to the Ancient Egyptians, but it was probably used by people even earlier. In Spain is it known as manzanilla, another common name associated to the apple-like scent of the blooms. The Romans used it for incense and in beverages. In the Middle Ages it was used by Anglo Saxons in making beer. The Ancient Egyptians dedicated it to their gods because of purported healing properties, which is probably where it got it's reputation for treating various disorders and lower fever.



Where to Grow
Thinly sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Seeds sound be planted about 1/8 inch deep and provide a strong light source until plants are 2-3 inches tall. Seeds germinate in about 10-14 days. After acclimating plants to outdoor growing conditions transplant your plants into the ground or container about 4 inches apart. Outdoors, seeds should sown after all dangers of frost have passed and kept evenly moist until they germinate in a full sun location.


More Infohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthemis_nobilis

We're unveiling each of the candidates, one at a time, beginning at 7AM on January 1, 2012. At 10AM on 1/01/12 the voting ballot will be live on http://www.oneseedchicago.com and you can be among the first to cast your vote. Click the "One Seed Chicago 2012" label below this sentence to see all of the candidates on one page.

Basil: One Seed Chicago 2012 Candidate

Photo courtesy of Renee'sGarden

Basil is the common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum, a member of the mint family. There are many types of basil available offering a variety of scents and leaf shapes. The most common one, and the one found in Italian cuisine is sweet basil.

Facts

Basil, while a famous ingredient in Italian food is originally from India. It is believed to have been cultivated in Asia for more than 5,000 years.

History
While it's origins are traced to Asia Europeans have long revered this herb.  The word basil originates from the Greek word basileus, meaning "king," and is is considered the "king of herbs." In France is it sometimes referred to as "l'herbe royale." The Portuguese gifted a potted basil plant to a sweetheart on the religious holidays of Saint John and Saint Anthony. There are now many varieties of Ocimum basilicum, named cultivars, related species or species hybrids that also go by the name of "basil." You can find over 160 named cultivars and it seems more are added every year.

Where to Grow
Sow seeds early indoors in late winter 4 to 6 weeks before last frost. Outdoors sow seeds in full sun in the ground or container. Sow seeds 1 inch apart and 1/4 inch deep. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Transplant plants started indoors outside by acclimating the plants to outdoor conditions. Space transplanted plants about 8 inches apart.

More Info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil

We're unveiling each of the candidates, one at a time, beginning at 7AM on January 1, 2012. At 10AM on 1/01/12 the voting ballot will be live on http://www.oneseedchicago.com and you can be among the first to cast your vote. Click the "One Seed Chicago 2012" label below this sentence to see all of the candidates on one page.

Cilantro: One Seed Chicago 2012 Candidate

Photo courtesy of Renee's Garden. 

The leaves of the coriander plant are popularly known as cilantro. These leaves are common ingredients in cuisine ranging from South Asia to Scandinavia. In America it's popularity can be attributed to it's use in Latin American dishes.

Facts

In the English-speaking world outside of the U.S it is known as coriander. In America we refer to it's Spanish name, cilantro. Both the leaves and seeds of the plant contain antioxidants, but the leaves are said to have the stronger effect.

History

The plant grows wild in the Near East and southern Europe. Parts of the plant were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamen and it is even mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 16:31. Coriander was brought to the British colonies in North America in 1670.

Where to Grow 

Plant the seeds in full sun about 1/2 inch deep in soil and 1-2 inches apart. Seeds germinate in 10-20 days. The plant doesn't like to be transplanted so sow your seeds directly into the ground or pot where you'll grow yours. Cilantro flowers and sets seeds quickly so sow more seeds every 2-3 weeks for a steady supply of fresh leaves.

More info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriander



We're unveiling each of the candidates, one at a time, beginning at 7AM on January 1, 2012. At 10AM on 1/01/12 the voting ballot will be live on http://www.oneseedchicago.com and you can be among the first to cast your vote. Click the "One Seed Chicago 2012" label below this sentence to see all of the candidates on one page.

Your Votes As A Wordle 1/16/12

One of our favorite parts about working on One Seed Chicago, besides that we motivate people to start gardens, is reading the reasons why each year's candidate is your favorite. When you fill out the online ballot for 2012 we ask you to tell us why the seed you're voting for is your favorite. Below is a visualization of the reasons you've given when casting your vote as of 1/16/12. Below that we'll share a few of the entire messages. One in particular really touched that we wanted to share with you all.

#TeamBasil

"My wife Emily died this past July.  She was an avid gardener.  At the time, she had a bumper crop of wonderfully fragrant basil. Therefore I'm voting for Basil in memory of Emily."
Andy.

"I absolutely love the smell of basil and I love the greenness of it and that you don't have to do anything to make basil taste good, you just have to buy fresh, basil from a farmer or grow your own. One of my all time favorite plates, basil, tomatos and mozzarella, or putting basil on a salad. Just love basil!!!"
Jeannie.

"Cilantro and Chamomile are strong options, but everything's just better with basil, and Chicago would be better for having more of it."
Nicholas.

#TeamCilantro

"I run a community garden at Eugene Field Park and work hard to reflect the diversity of the community in the garden. We also donate lots of extra produce to our local food pantry. Cilantro is always in high demand!"
Shylo.


"We love Asian food at our house and cilantro is a necessity. From Thai salads to Vietnamese soups, we use a lot of cilantro. And the best part is, it's simple to grow in containers. Anybody in Chicago could keep a little pot growing, no matter where they live."
Brad.

"YUM YUM tacos and tabouli and cous cous salad!"
Allison.

#TeamChamomile 

"I picked Chamomile because it makes good tea, I have a homebrew beer recipe for it, and it's a nice little flower. Plus, the alternatives aren't that exciting. Everybody already does basil, and cilantro is short and not that visible."
Paul.

"Its usefulness as a herb and its beauty as a flower. Plus it's relaxing and soothing properties when ingested in teas are much needed in these times of high social stress."
Carolyn.

"Flowers and tea. Plus, it does not go to seed as easily as cilantro or basil."
Sarah.