Q. On a garden tour some years ago, I saw a silver and blue garden. Can you name some plants appropriate for such a garden? – D.N., Stockton Springs

A. Certainly. Be sure to arrange the following plants in a pleasing arrangement, taking into consideration mature height and leaf texture, in addition to leaf and flower color. This list includes a mixture of annuals, biennials and perennials, most of which will perform well in full sun or light shade.

Blue-flowering plants include: Chinese forget-me-not and common forget-me-not, Chinese delphinium and common delphinium, bachelor’s buttons, cornflower, alkanet, blue flag iris, sea holly, lobelia, ageratum, lupine, verbena, veronica, globe thistle, balloon flower and bellflower.

Most “silver plants” are grown for their silvery-gray foliage. A number of artemisias, including Silvermound, Silver Brocade, Roman Wormwood, Wormwood, Silver King and Silver Queen, produce beautifully textured, silvery-white foliage. Most tend to be exceptionally vigorous and need to be kept in check over the years. Dusty miller is a very tidy silver-leaved annual.

Some members of the Dianthus – or carnation – family have lustrous silvery, blue-green foliage. Pheasant-eyed pinks, in particular, produce silvery leaves. Sheep fescue might make a pretty addition to a silver and blue garden. A grass, it produces fine silvery bluish-green foliage.

Q. Please provide instruction on how to start basil from seed. – M.T., Bangor

A. Seeds should be sown indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost is expected. Fill a sterilized, multicelled seeding tray (a 178-cell plug tray would be perfect) with sterilized potting soil. Place two basil seeds in each cell. Cover seeds with approximately one-quarter inch of potting soil. Irrigate the soil well.

Basil readily germinates at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit in a week or so. Once the seeds germinate, set the tray on a sunny windowsill or under supplemental lighting. As the seedlings grow, fertilize them at each watering with quarter-strength 20-20-20 fertilizer.

About a week before you anticipate transplanting the basil to the garden, begin acclimating your plants to the outdoor environment by setting the plug tray in a sunny, protected spot outside. Making sure the water needs of your plants are being met throughout the day, gradually expose the plants to more sun and wind each successive day. This process will “harden off” the plants to outdoor living. When all danger of frost has past, transplant the seedlings into your garden.

Q. In some seed catalogs, seeds are described as being “pelleted.” What does this mean? – L.S., Island Falls

A. Tiny seeds, such as petunia, lobelia and some minute vegetable seeds, are “pelleted,” or coated, by seed companies to make them larger and easier to handle. Some seed is pelleted with a nutrient substance that will help them germinate more readily. Generally speaking, pelleted seed is more expensive than unpelleted seed. Sometimes pelleted seed is available only in larger quantities suitable for commercial growers.

Q. What is the earliest recommended date for seeding a new lawn? Is it OK to seed a lawn in spring or should you wait until the frost is gone? I’m using a conservation mix. – T.G., Houlton

A. In fact, early spring from April 15 to May 15 is an ideal time to seed a lawn. Generally speaking, lawn seed mixes will germinate well in cool weather. Seeding between these dates should take advantage of spring rains, too, thereby minimizing your need to provide supplemental irrigation.

For a complete guide on seedling your lawn, contact your local Extension office for a six-page fact sheet, which describes seeding, grading, mulching, sodding, mowing and weeding a new lawn. The fact sheet includes information about insect and disease control, grass species and seeding rates. Ask your educator for fact sheet No, 2367 (cost is 75 cents) or visit online at www.umext.maine.edu/publications/homegarden.htm.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, 512 North Ridge Road, Montville 04941 or e-mail dianagc@midcoast.com. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.