Seeds
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Lettuce – Parris Island Cos – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartFlavourful pale centres are surrounded by thick green outer leaves on enormous upright plants. Parris Island Cos romaine lettuce seeds can be planted close together for a long harvest of little leaves for gourmet salads. Given space and time to grow to full size, Parris Island forms huge heads up to 30cm tall, but even at this crazy size, the leaves are tender and succulent, with mild flavour. Dating back to 1952, this heirloom lettuce is named after the actual Parris Island off the coast of South Carolina. Parris Island Cos is tipburn and mosaic tolerant. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
How To Grow, Timing: Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-22°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days. In hot weather most lettuce goes to seed rapidly, so have new plantings ready to go, and watch for “good resistance to bolting” in the product description.
How To Grow, Starting: Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm deep, or on the surface of the soil where the soil can be kept evenly moist. Space or thin heading lettuce to 30cm apart. Space or thin looseleaf varieties to 20-25cm apart. Space rows for all types 45-90cm apart. Babyleaf lettuce can be planted quite densely, as it is harvested at an immature size. Sowing babyleaf lettuce seeds closely together in narrow rows makes harvesting simpler.
Note on Pelleted Seeds: A number of our lettuce seeds are pelleted for machine planting. The white clay ball that covers each seed makes them easier to handle and easier to see when planted. While most lettuce seeds need to be barely covered (or sown on the surface of the soil), pelleted seeds need to be buried by about 1cm. Please keep your newly sown pelleted seeds evenly moist – use more water than with conventional seeds. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the clay pelleting material can wick water away from the seed, causing uneven or lower germination.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Aim for a soil with ample drainage and lots of organic matter. Add compost and lime at least 3 weeks prior to planting. One cup of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row will give adequate nutrition. Seedlings should be hardened off by reducing water and putting the plants outdoors 2 or 3 days before transplanting. This will help to prevent transplant shock and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to prevent leaves from developing a bitter taste.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick individual leaves or wait and harvest full heads. Mature summer lettuce stays in prime eating condition only a short time, so harvest promptly and keep planting. In fall and winter the plants stay in good harvest condition longer.
Matures in 75 days.
Approx: 390 Seeds.
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Lettuce – Green Salad Bowl – West Coast Seeds
$3.29Add to cartGreen Salad Bowl’s large, lime-green rosettes resist bolting for a long time in summer and do not get bitter. The frilly, deeply lobed oakleaf shape has excellent flavour and good texture, adding loft and character to salads. Rapid cool-weather growth makes it a prime candidate for spring cold frame growing. This heirloom lettuce dates back to 1952, the year it was given a well-deserved AAS Award. It’s also a winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Give it a try in patio containers to keep near the kitchen. The individual leaves are a nice addition to sandwiches, or just as garnishes.
How To Grow, Timing: Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-22°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days. In hot weather most lettuce goes to seed rapidly, so have new plantings ready to go, and watch for “good resistance to bolting” in the product description.
How To Grow, Starting: Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm deep, or on the surface of the soil where the soil can be kept evenly moist. Space or thin heading lettuce to 30cm apart. Space or thin looseleaf varieties to 20-25cm apart. Space rows for all types 45-90cm apart. Babyleaf lettuce can be planted quite densely, as it is harvested at an immature size. Sowing babyleaf lettuce seeds closely together in narrow rows makes harvesting simpler.
Note on Pelleted Seeds: A number of our lettuce seeds are pelleted for machine planting. The white clay ball that covers each seed makes them easier to handle and easier to see when planted. While most lettuce seeds need to be barely covered (or sown on the surface of the soil), pelleted seeds need to be buried by about 1cm. Please keep your newly sown pelleted seeds evenly moist – use more water than with conventional seeds. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the clay pelleting material can wick water away from the seed, causing uneven or lower germination.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Aim for a soil with ample drainage and lots of organic matter. Add compost and lime at least 3 weeks prior to planting. One cup of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row will give adequate nutrition. Seedlings should be hardened off by reducing water and putting the plants outdoors 2 or 3 days before transplanting. This will help to prevent transplant shock and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to prevent leaves from developing a bitter taste.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick individual leaves or wait and harvest full heads. Mature summer lettuce stays in prime eating condition only a short time, so harvest promptly and keep planting. In fall and winter the plants stay in good harvest condition longer.
Matures in 50 days.
Approx: 910 Seeds.
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Lettuce – Buttercrunch – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartWe love the flavour and delicate texture of the leaves for lettuce wraps! Buttercrunch butterhead lettuce seeds are a Bibb type lettuce that forms a tight little rosette of soft, dark-green, upward-facing leaves surrounding a tender, pale centre. The small hearts don’t become bitter in hot weather. Later plantings stand well into fall and make good growth in spring cold frames. Buttercrunch lettuce is a good candidate for growing all winter if you can provide cloche or greenhouse protection, or even a simple cold frame. Sow some extra early indoors in February for transplanting to the cold frame in March.
How To Grow, Timing: Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-22°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days. In hot weather most lettuce goes to seed rapidly, so have new plantings ready to go, and watch for “good resistance to bolting” in the product description.
How To Grow, Starting: Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm deep, or on the surface of the soil where the soil can be kept evenly moist. Space or thin heading lettuce to 30cm apart. Space or thin looseleaf varieties to 20-25cm apart. Space rows for all types 45-90cm apart. Babyleaf lettuce can be planted quite densely, as it is harvested at an immature size. Sowing babyleaf lettuce seeds closely together in narrow rows makes harvesting simpler.
Note on Pelleted Seeds: A number of our lettuce seeds are pelleted for machine planting. The white clay ball that covers each seed makes them easier to handle and easier to see when planted. While most lettuce seeds need to be barely covered (or sown on the surface of the soil), pelleted seeds need to be buried by about 1cm. Please keep your newly sown pelleted seeds evenly moist – use more water than with conventional seeds. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the clay pelleting material can wick water away from the seed, causing uneven or lower germination.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Aim for a soil with ample drainage and lots of organic matter. Add compost and lime at least 3 weeks prior to planting. One cup of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row will give adequate nutrition. Seedlings should be hardened off by reducing water and putting the plants outdoors 2 or 3 days before transplanting. This will help to prevent transplant shock and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to prevent leaves from developing a bitter taste.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick individual leaves or wait and harvest full heads. Mature summer lettuce stays in prime eating condition only a short time, so harvest promptly and keep planting. In fall and winter the plants stay in good harvest condition longer.
Matures in 67 days.
Approx: 980 Seeds.
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Lettuce – Grand Rapids TBR – West Coast Seeds
Price range: $3.29 through $4.99Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageGrand Rapids TBR Looseleaf lettuce seeds produce a large, upright rosette of thick, juicy, light-green, frilly leaves and a blanched centre. This tipburn resistant (TBR) variety has good flavour. The variety features very rapid growth in spring and fall, and grows better than any other variety under cool, damp, low-light conditions. Try Grand Rapids TBR in cold frames or beneath a cloche greenhouse for salad production all winter. In the spring and summer, sow short rows often so the crop can be harvested over a long period, and so that you are not overwhelmed by a garden full of mature lettuce all at once.
How To Grow, Timing: Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-22°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days. In hot weather most lettuce goes to seed rapidly, so have new plantings ready to go, and watch for “good resistance to bolting” in the product description.
How To Grow, Starting: Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm deep, or on the surface of the soil where the soil can be kept evenly moist. Space or thin heading lettuce to 30cm apart. Space or thin looseleaf varieties to 20-25cm apart. Space rows for all types 45-90cm apart. Babyleaf lettuce can be planted quite densely, as it is harvested at an immature size. Sowing babyleaf lettuce seeds closely together in narrow rows makes harvesting simpler.
Note on Pelleted Seeds: A number of our lettuce seeds are pelleted for machine planting. The white clay ball that covers each seed makes them easier to handle and easier to see when planted. While most lettuce seeds need to be barely covered (or sown on the surface of the soil), pelleted seeds need to be buried by about 1cm. Please keep your newly sown pelleted seeds evenly moist – use more water than with conventional seeds. If the soil is allowed to dry out, the clay pelleting material can wick water away from the seed, causing uneven or lower germination.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Aim for a soil with ample drainage and lots of organic matter. Add compost and lime at least 3 weeks prior to planting. One cup of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row will give adequate nutrition. Seedlings should be hardened off by reducing water and putting the plants outdoors 2 or 3 days before transplanting. This will help to prevent transplant shock and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to prevent leaves from developing a bitter taste.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick individual leaves or wait and harvest full heads. Mature summer lettuce stays in prime eating condition only a short time, so harvest promptly and keep planting. In fall and winter the plants stay in good harvest condition longer.
Matures in 65 days.
Approx: 965 seeds
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Lettuce – Simpson Elite – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartSimpson Elite lettuce seeds produce big, loosely packed, slightly crumpled green leaves, with a blanched, almost white interior. This slow-bolting, drought tolerant variety can even handle mild frost, so it’s ideal for spring, early summer, and fall harvest. This variety is a versatile and tasty lettuce for the organic vegetable garden. Learn when to plant lettuce seeds in our How to Grow Lettuce guide in the tab below. Lettuce is an easy beginner’s crop, and suitable for container growing on your patio or balcony. Be sure to plant some Simpson Elite lettuce seeds this season. Matures in 45-60 days.
Timing: Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-22°C (50-72°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C (72°F) in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days. In hot weather most lettuce goes to seed rapidly, so have new plantings ready to go, and watch for “good resistance to bolting” in the product description.
Starting: Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, or on the surface of the soil where the soil can be kept evenly moist.. Space or thin heading lettuce to 30cm (12″) apart. Space or thin looseleaf varieties to 20-25cm (8-10″) apart. Space rows for all types 45-90cm (18-36″) apart. Babyleaf lettuce can be planted quite densely, as it is harvested at an immature size. Sowing babyleaf lettuce seeds closely together in narrow rows makes harvesting simpler.
Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Aim for a soil with ample drainage and lots of organic matter. Add compost and lime at least 3 weeks prior to planting. One cup of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m (10′) of row will give adequate nutrition. Seedlings should be hardened off by reducing water and putting the plants outdoors 2 or 3 days before transplanting. This will help to prevent transplant shock and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to prevent leaves from developing a bitter taste.
Harvest: Pick individual leaves or wait and harvest full heads. Mature summer lettuce stays in prime eating condition only a short time, so harvest promptly and keep planting. In fall and winter the plants stay in good harvest condition longer.
Diseases & Pests: Crop rotation is important for disease prevention. Tip burn (tips of leaves turning brown) is caused by a calcium deficiency. If you have limed, tip burn can be caused by nutrient imbalances or lack of moisture. Slugs are a problem in early and late plantings, so clean up their hiding places, and only water in the morning.
Companion Planting: Lettuce plants make good companions for beets, Brassicas, carrot, celery, chervil, cucumbers, dill, garlic, onions, radish, spinach, squash, and strawberries.
Approx. 705 seeds
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Kale – Medusa – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartMedusa is one of the prettiest kales available with its dark green, heavily frilled leaves and contrasting bright purple stems and veins. Plants are tall and vigorous, and the stems are long and sturdy for easy harvesting and bunching. The thick waxy leaves hold up well on the plants and after harvesting. Excellent cold tolerance for harvesting through the fall. Plants grow 60-80cm tall.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow in early spring to mid-summer for summer to winter harvests. Or start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, and transplant out as soon as the soil warms up. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C. Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm deep in each spot you where a plant is to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space 45-60cm apart in rows 75-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Add lime to the bed 3 weeks prior to sowing. Kale likes well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter. This plant prefers plentiful, consistent moisture. Drought is tolerable, but quality and flavor of leaves can suffer. Mix ¼ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant, or use 1 cup beneath every 3m of seed furrow.
How To Grow, Harvest: Kale and collards can both be grown as a cut and come again crop for salad mixes by direct-seeding and cutting when plants are 5-8cm tall. They will re-grow. Or pick leaves from the bottom up on mature plants as you need them. In spring, the surviving plants start to flower, so eat the delicious flowering steps and buds.
60 Days.
Approx: 50 Seeds.
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Kale – Starbor – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartThese uniform, compact plants are the best kale choice for harvesting all in one go at 45cm (18″) tall. The dark blue-green leaves are very tasty, and appealingly curled, with short internodes – meaning they’re packed more tightly on the stem than other types. Sow Starbor kale seeds for your small farm and use mechanical harvesting, or sow them for your raised allotment bed and enjoy a huge crop of nutritious super-food. Starbor kale seeds do not need warm soil to germinate, so they can be started outdoors as early as March here on the coast. In colder climes it is sensible to start some indoors for transplanting when the warm weather arrives. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Matures in 50 days.
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Kale – Red Russian Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartRed Russian Organic Kale Seeds grow leaves that are flat, toothed, grey-green leaves with bright purple stems and veins really brighten and sweeten after frosts. Tender for salads and good for bunching, the red and purple hues turn a rich, dark green colour when cooked. Red Russian kale may be richer in vitamins and minerals than other greens and is very disease resistant. Heirloom seeds.
Tender kale leaves are a popular ingredient in baby leaf salad mixes or as full size bunches. This organic strain has very smooth gently lobed baby leaves. Highly cold tolerant, this kale can overwinter in moderate climates. (B. napus.)
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow in early spring to mid-summer for summer to winter harvests. Or start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, and transplant out as soon as the soil warms up. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C. Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm deep in each spot you where a plant is to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space 45-60cm apart in rows 75-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Add lime to the bed 3 weeks prior to sowing. Kale likes well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter. This plant prefers plentiful, consistent moisture. Drought is tolerable, but quality and flavor of leaves can suffer. Mix ¼ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant, or use 1 cup beneath every 3m of seed furrow.
How To Grow, Harvest: Kale and collards can both be grown as a cut and come again crop for salad mixes by direct-seeding and cutting when plants are 5-8cm tall. They will re-grow. Or pick leaves from the bottom up on mature plants as you need them. In spring, the surviving plants start to flower, so eat the delicious flowering steps and buds.
Days to maturity: 21 days for baby leaves, 50 days to full size
Approx 400 seeds
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Basil – Lettuce Leaf – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartLettuce Leaf basil seeds produce very large, bright, puckered green leaves with a glorious aroma. Provide high soil fertility and a light, well-dug soil to get the largest leaves. We recommend using potting soil with two tablespoons of Gaia All Purpose 4-4-4 per liter of soil. Try this mix in containers in your patio herb garden. Tear the big leaves into salad mixes or use whole leaves to wrap savory morsels like brochettes or salad rolls. Lettuce Leaf Basil is a sweet basil, with milder flavour than the Genovese types. It’s perfect for the home gardener, but it also makes an eye catching and unique bundle for the market table.
Timing: Basil grows well in containers indoors at any time of year provided you can supply enough light. For outdoor growing, sow basil seeds throughout late spring for transplanting to the garden after the summer solstice. Or direct sow in early summer, once the soil has warmed up. Basil requires warm soil and full sun. Optimal temperature for germination: 21°C (70°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Starting: Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep in sterilized seed starting mix. Basil is prone to damping off, so once seeds sprout, make sure they are adequately ventilated, and kept under very bright light. Thin to 20-25cm (8-10″) apart. Using bottom heat speeds germination.
Growing: Use any rich, loose, well drained soil. Once plants are 15cm (6″) tall, pinch out the growing tips to encourage really bushy growth prior to harvest. Watch for signs of flower buds forming in mid-summer, and pinch these off to promote more foliage.
Harvest: Frequent harvesting will prolong the life of the plant. Basil leaves have the best flavour just before the plant flowers, and if you plan to preserve some of your basil or make a big batch of pesto, this is the best time to harvest. Flowering can be delayed by pinching or clipping off new flower buds. Tear basil rather than chop with a knife because chopping tends to bruise the leaves. Add basil to food just before serving so as to get the full aroma and effect. Cooking for any length tends to make the minty side of basil come to the forefront. Basil is best fresh, but can be preserved by drying or by freezing. To freeze, tear the leaves into small pieces and freeze small batches of them, with water, in ice cube trays. Once frozen, the cubes can be saved in zip-lock type bags and labeled for later use. This will preserve the fresh flavour of basil for up to four months.
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Basil – Kitchen Blend – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartKitchen Basil Blend seeds combines three unique basil varieties with green and purple leaves for use in the kitchen. The Blend includes basil with large, smooth leaves that are suitable for pestos, pastas and salads, and also more pungent varieties to make vinegars and herbal teas. Basil flowers are also edible so add them to your dishes too! Basil also makes sensational microgreens – they take a little while to germinate but are worth the wait for the gourmet flavour. This Kitchen Blend can be grown on the windowsill, in the garden or in containers on the patio. All types of basil enjoy warm, freely draining soil and lots of moisture in summer heat.
How To Grow, Timing: Basil grows well in containers indoors at any time of year provided you can supply enough light. For outdoor growing, sow basil seeds throughout late spring for transplanting to the garden after the summer solstice. Or direct sow in early summer, once the soil has warmed up. Basil requires warm soil and full sun. Optimal temperature for germination: 21°C. Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep in sterilized seed starting mix. Basil is prone to damping off, so once seeds sprout, make sure they are adequately ventilated, and kept under very bright light. Thin to 20-25cm apart. Using bottom heat speeds germination.
How To Grow, Growing: Use any rich, loose, well drained soil. Once plants are 15cm tall, pinch out the growing tips to encourage really bushy growth prior to harvest. Watch for signs of flower buds forming in mid-summer, and pinch these off to promote more foliage.
How To Grow, Harvest: Frequent harvesting will prolong the life of the plant. Basil leaves have the best flavour just before the plant flowers, and if you plan to preserve some of your basil or make a big batch of pesto, this is the best time to harvest. Flowering can be delayed by pinching or clipping off new flower buds.
Tear basil rather than chop with a knife because chopping tends to bruise the leaves. Add basil to food just before serving so as to get the full aroma and effect. Cooking for any length tends to make the minty side of basil come to the forefront.
Basil is best fresh, but can be preserved by drying or by freezing. To freeze, tear the leaves into small pieces and freeze small batches of them, with water, in ice cube trays. Once frozen, the cubes can be saved in zip-lock type bags and labeled for later use. This will preserve the fresh flavour of basil for up to four months.
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Poppies – XL Jelly Beans – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartEschscholzia californica. XL Jelly Beans is a new California poppy that features very large, semi-double blooms that feature splashes of bubblegum pink, lemon yellow, and raspberry red. These contrast beautifully against the feathery foliage with its restrained, matte silver-blue colour. The eye-catching flowers appear over a long period from spring through summer, and work well in beds or containers. XL Jelly Beans grows to about 25cm tall, and is somewhat drought tolerant. It’s also deer resistant. Hardy Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow outdoors in spring after the local last frost date. Otherwise direct sow in autumn. It can be started indoors, but does not like being transplanted.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm deep, spaced 20-25cm apart. Seeds should sprout in 14-21 days.
How To Grow, Growing: Grow in any average, well-drained soil. Deadhead regularly to prevent self sowing. California poppies are very likely to self sow when conditions are favourable.
Approx: 155 Seeds.
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Asters – The Blues Mix – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartCallistephus chinensis. The Blues Mix is an excellent choice for the cut flower garden. It blooms from July to October on strong, upright, multi branching stems to a height of 75cm. The mix of large and small flowers appear in blues, purples, and white, but all with the ruff of fully double petals. All are attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds, and they look magnificent in a large bouquet. Be sure to take frequent harvests of cut flowers, or at least keep the plants dead-headed to prolong and enhance the bloom time. Please follow the planting and spacing instructions closely. Annual.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out, in peat pots or similar. Otherwise direct sow outdoors after the last frost date. Just cover the seeds. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 18-21°C. China Aster seedlings are very susceptible to damping off, so provide good ventilation and only water from below.
How To Grow, Growing: Space or transplant 30-45cm apart. This spacing is key to success later in the season, so please follow the guidance. Do not pinch back young plants. Water regularly during dry spells. This plant is particularly sensitive to over-watering, and will not thrive if over-crowded, poorly ventilated, or situated close to a heat-reflecting surface. Mulch around the plants in summer to help keep the roots cool.
Approx: 120 Seeds.
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Asters – The Roses Mix – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartCallistephus chinensis. The Roses Mix is a top choice for the cut flower garden. It blooms from July to October on strong, upright, multi branching stems to a height of 75cm. The mix of large and small flowers appear in rose pink and white, but all with the ruff of fully double petals. All are attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds, and they look magnificent in a large bouquet. Be sure to take frequent harvests of cut flowers, or at least keep the plants dead-headed to prolong and enhance the bloom time. Please follow the planting and spacing instructions closely. Annual.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out, in peat pots or similar. Otherwise direct sow outdoors after the last frost date. Just cover the seeds. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 18-21°C. China Aster seedlings are very susceptible to damping off, so provide good ventilation and only water from below.
How To Grow, Growing: Space or transplant 30-45cm apart. This spacing is key to success later in the season, so please follow the guidance. Do not pinch back young plants. Water regularly during dry spells. This plant is particularly sensitive to over-watering, and will not thrive if over-crowded, poorly ventilated, or situated close to a heat-reflecting surface. Mulch around the plants in summer to help keep the roots cool.
Approx: 100 Seeds.
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Zinnias – Sanguinea Cupcake – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartZinnia elegans. Scores of 5cm (2″) wide, blood-red flowers appear high atop medium-green plants that grow to 75cm (30″) tall. The stems are strong and upright, and ideal as cut flowers. Each time they are cut, the stem divides to produce even more flowers. As they open, the flowers are instantly recognizable as Zinnias, but then they unfold and ruffle from the centre outward to take on the distinctive cupcake look of the ‘Scabiosaflora’ series. Direct sow Sanguinea Cupcake Zinnia seeds in loamy soil in full sun, and enjoy the seemingly endless cut flowers from early summer into September. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C (70-80°F). Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm (10-12″) between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.
Approx. 51 seeds
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Zinnias – Lemon Cupcake – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartZinnia elegans. Each flower opens as a conventional looking Zinnia, but then ruffles from the centre with so many petals that it resembles the pincushion flower, Scabiosa. Hence its inclusion in the ‘Scabiosaflora’ series. The truly handsome blooms top tall, upright stems that are superb as cut flowers. The plants grow to 75cm (30″) tall, and produce from early summer right into September. These flowers drew consistent interest in our summer seed trials, and made it into a great many bouquets. Direct sow Lemon Cupcake Zinnia seeds, and begin cutting flowers in as few as nine weeks. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C (70-80°F). Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm (10-12″) between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.
Approx. 50 seeds
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Zinnias – Soleado – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartZinnia haageana. Planting Soleado zinnia seeds in the spring results in a jubilant display of single flowers with two-tone orange petals surrounding concentric circles of mahogany and yellow. The plants are tougher than other Zinnias and will stand up to nearly any weather conditions, blooming right into fall. Plant height to 45cm. Direct sow after last frost, in April and May on the coast. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but you can try starting some indoors in peat or coir pots 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.
How To Grow, Growing: Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.
Approx: 20 Seeds.
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Zinnias – Giant Blue Point Formula – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartA special blend for the cut flower grower and owners of big vases! Giant Blue Point Zinnias produce dahlia-flowered zinnias with tall stems in large double blooms. Crimson red, lilac, rose, canary yellow, deep red, white and orange. This is the earliest flowering variety. Giant Blue Point Formula zinnia seeds zinnias are long blooming with excellent disease resistance. Picking off the dead flowers (deadheading) will prolong the bloom time, but so will cutting them for bouquets. The colours are brilliant and the stems are strong and upright, perfect for cutting. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C (70-80°F). Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm (10-12″) between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.
Approx. 125 seeds
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Zinnias – California Giants Mix – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartZinnia elegans. California Giants Mix Zinnia seeds form bushy plants that carry masses of huge, 12-15cm wide, double flowers in brilliant hues of red, yellow, orange, lavender, maroon, violet, and white. Growing to a height of up to 102cm, these plants have a very bold visual appeal. Plant Zinnias in big groups whenever possible, as mass plantings look fantastic. Deadhead spent flowers as needed to keep the bloom period longer. Despite their elegant look, Zinnias are fairly tough plants and are drought tolerant enough to be used in xeriscaping projects. Zinnias are, of course, notable as cut flowers. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow after last frost. Zinnias don’t transplant well, but can be started indoors, if necessary, in peat or coir pots, 6-8 weeks before planting out. Maintain a soil temperature of 21-26°C. Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear. Take regular cuttings of Zinnia stems to enjoy indoors, starting mid-summer right into the fall. Cutting encourages the production of new flowers and seems to stimulate the plants for greater vigour. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves, usually in late summer. Try to avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.
Approx: 120 Seeds.
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Wildflowers – Cut Flower Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartThis versatile blend contains flowers that are equally beautiful in garden beds and in bouquets as they are long lasting cut flowers. This Cut Flower Blend contains annuals and perennials, so it will provide an ongoing source of flowers to brighten up any indoor space.
Recommended rate of application: 198g per 1,000 square feet.
Blend Ingredients:
[Annual Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila elegans), Bishop’s Flower (Ammi majus), Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), China Aster (Callistephus chinensis), Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), English Wallflower (Cheiranthus cheiri), Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta), Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule), Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera), Painted Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum), Perennial Lupine (Lupinus perennis), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Rocket Larkspur (Delphinium consolida), Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), Sweet William Pinks (Dianthus barbatus)]How To Grow, Timing: Try to direct sow wildflower seeds during the period two weeks before, and eight weeks after, your last average frost date. Sowing when there is some risk of minor frost may improve germination. Wildflower seeds can also be sown in the autumn, but a certain percentage of seeds to may be lost to water, birds, and animals. To make the most of the annual species, direct sow in early spring.
How To Grow, Starting:
Site Selection: If there are already no plants (including weeds) growing in the planting site, there may be a problem with the soil. Possible issues may be soil fertility, lack of drainage, or the need for soil amendments to improve texture. In such spots (eg, beneath a cedar tree), few plants will thrive, including wildflowers.
Site Preparation: Remove as much existing vegetation as possible through pulling or tilling under in order to minimize competition. Loosen the soil by scraping, raking, or tilling. Wildflower blends will not usually take if planted into existing lawn because the thatch prevents their contact with soil.
Seed Application: In small areas, seeds can be scattered by hand. In larger areas, you may want to employ a lawn spreader or some other mechanical means. We recommend adding 1-2 parts clean, dry sand to 1 part wildflower seeds which will help the seeds spread evenly. Do not use beach sand, as it usually contains salt. It may be wise to spread most of the seed, but to save some for filling in bald spots at a later date. Seeds must come into contact with the soil in order to germinate. Do not bury seeds more than 2-3 times their thickness.
Planting rates: Aim for a planting density of 70 seeds per square foot. 90g of seeds will cover 1,000 ft². Use 4kg per acre. 500g covers about 5,500 ft². If seeding an area where site preparation and weeding are not possible, double this rate.
How To Grow, Growing: Keep the seeded area as evenly moist as possible to help the seeds germinate and the young seedlings become established. Weeds need to be kept under control. Once they are growing, most mixes will not require additional water except in long periods of hot, dry weather. All of our mixes should re-grow for several years, but will eventually benefit from re-seeding. In late summer, many of the components will produce seed heads that can be harvested and replanted the following spring.
5 Grams of Seeds
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Sweet Peas – Matucana – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. Grow some history! These most unusual Italian heirloom sweet peas are bi-coloured violet and deep maroon. Matucana sweet pea seeds are thought to be one of the first sweet peas to be introduced to Britain in 1700 by a Sicilian Monk, Franciscus Cupani. Matucana sweet peas have an intoxicating scent and smaller flowers than many modern varieties that bloom over a long period in summer. Provide some support for this rampant climber and it will reward you with stunning beauty and fragrance. And be sure to pick off spent flowers before they form seed pods. This will keep the plants blooming longer. This is one of our staff favourites. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx: 50 Seeds.
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Sweet Peas – High Scent – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. Plant High Scent sweet pea seeds for incredibly luxurious floral fragrance. This variety has large, pure white flowers that blush at the edges. The vines are tall at 120cm, and the stems are long, making them superb and elegant cut flowers. “High Scent” is no exaggeration – these are the sweet peas to grow for their intense perfume. Try them on a trellis or as a screen to break up garden spaces. It’s easiest just to direct sow the seeds in early spring and erect a trellis or support once the seedlings are 15cm tall. Keep the vines clear of spent flowers to prolong the bloom period. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx: 55 Seeds.
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Sweet Peas – Late Spencer Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. The Spencers bloom when the heat of mid-summer arrives after a cool spring. The plants produced by Late Spencer Blend sweet pea seeds have strong stems and outstanding fragrance. The upper petals are ruffled, and the lower “wings” are longer than other varieties. All the beautiful, bold colours so loved in these reliable performers—red, pink, white, rose, purple, and blue. Be sure to pick off any spent flowers to keep the vines producing more flowers. If any seed pods form cut them off to keep the plant blooming. Combine some of the earlier flowering varieties with your Late Spencer Blend, and you’ll enjoy a much longer sweet pea harvest window.
Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
Starting: Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C (55-65°F). Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm (18″) deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm (6″) and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx. 60 seeds
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Sweet Peas – Mammoth Blend – West Coast Seeds
$6.99Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. Striking shades of crimson, lavender, deep rose, navy blue, rose pink, and salmon, these climbers are 1.6m and perfect for cut flowers. Sow Mammoth Blend sweet pea seeds for the earliest sweet peas to bloom from late spring to early summer. Direct sow sweet pea seeds at three week intervals for an extended bloom period. This variety has particularly large flowers on particularly long stems, so they’re a great cut flower for the farm table or the home garden. While they have a distinct fragrance, they are not like the intense Spencers or High Scent, so they will appeal to growers who prefer subdued scents. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx: 60 Seeds.
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Sweet Peas – Royal Family Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. Royal Family Blend sweet pea seeds produce tall vines that bloom after Mammoth and before Late Spencer, so they can be sown with these other varieties for a whole summer of cut flowers. These graceful and elegant plants have more heat resistance than the Spencer Series, very large flowers, and long stems on vines that reach 150-180cm (36-48″). Blooms of crimson, lavender, mid-blue, navy blue, rose pink, salmon pink, scarlet, and white appear over a long period, especially when plants have all their spent flowers removed. Try Royal Family in a hanging basket or decorative patio container.
Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
Starting: Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C (55-65°F). Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm (18″) deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm (6″) and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
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Sweet Peas – Old Spice Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. The best sweet pea choice for warmer climates or gardens, Old Spice Blend sweet pea seeds are a mix of old heirloom varieties that have weathered the test of time. Solid colours and some streaked flowers appear in cream, rose, white, pink, and purple on long stems that you’ll want to bring inside as cut flowers. This is a good climber that deserves a stout trellis to support vines that grow to 120cm tall. Make sure to keep the vines picked of all spent flowers and seed pods, and they will reward you with a very long flower period. Old Spice blooms after Mammoth, but before the Spencers. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx: 80 Seeds.
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Sweet Peas – Striped Butterfly Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. Each creamy white petal is edged and mottled with a darker colour – scarlet, blue, salmon-rose, lilac, purple, and chocolate. Butterfly Blend sweet pea seeds are one of our most unique and beautiful varieties. This is a very nice climbing variety that works well with a trellis or plant net. Plants grow to a height of 120cm or more. Sweet peas grown for cut flowers work particularly well against a really solid support like a chain link fence or chicken wire stretched out on a frame of some kind. For the longest bloom period, be sure to remove all spent flowers as you see them. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx: 40 Seeds.
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Sunflowers – Big Smile – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartDwarf sunflower for containers and small garden beds, perfect for children to plant! Big Smile has the classic bright sunny-yellow petals with a dark center. Compact, branching plants are 25-38cm when grown in pots and slightly taller at 30-60cm (12-24”) when grown in the garden. Bears Pollen.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow repeatedly after the last frost date. Starting indoors is possible, but does not gain much time. If sunflowers are allowed to get root-bound, they will lack stability at transplant time, and will require staking. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-30°C. Seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm-1cm deep. Space dwarf varieties 15cm apart, but give the giants lots of room at 1m between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: To grow really big plants with really big flowers, enrich the soil with organic matter and incorporate 2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row, and irrigate regularly. When the plants are 30cm tall, dissolve 5ml of borax (for boron) in 350 ml of water and spread the solution over 5m of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution. This application of boron will produce bigger seeds and flower heads. Do not apply boron to other garden plants. When the back of the flower head turns yellow, it is ready to be cut from the plant.
Approx: 10 Seeds.
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Sunflowers – Cherry Rose – West Coast Seeds
$5.69Add to cartEnjoy early blooms with unique colour, as early as 40 days after planting! Cherry Rose’s 7.5-10cm pollenless flowers are cherry red with light yellow tips and a dark center. Well-branching, 150cm tall plants produce an abundance of blooms. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow repeatedly after the last frost date. Starting indoors is possible, but does not gain much time. If sunflowers are allowed to get root-bound, they will lack stability at transplant time, and will require staking. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-30°C. Seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm-1cm deep. Space dwarf varieties 15cm apart, but give the giants lots of room at 1m between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: To grow really big plants with really big flowers, enrich the soil with organic matter and incorporate 2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m of row, and irrigate regularly. When the plants are 30cm tall, dissolve 5ml of borax (for boron) in 350 ml of water and spread the solution over 5m of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution. This application of boron will produce bigger seeds and flower heads. Do not apply boron to other garden plants. When the back of the flower head turns yellow, it is ready to be cut from the plant.
Approx: 25 Seeds.
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Sunflowers – Procut Gold Lite DMR – West Coast Seeds
$6.49Add to cartEasy to grow, downy mildew resistant sunflower with strong, single stems and 10-15cm (4-6”) pollenless blooms. ProCut Gold Lite DMR’s high quality, erect flowers have overlapping golden yellow petals with light green and golden centers. 120-180cm (4-6’) plants. Loved by professional cut flower growers.
Timing: Direct sow repeatedly after the last frost date. Starting indoors is possible, but does not gain much time. If sunflowers are allowed to get root-bound, they will lack stability at transplant time, and will require staking. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-30°C (70-85°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.
Starting: Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Space dwarf varieties 15cm (6″) apart, but give the giants lots of room at 1m (3′) between plants.
Growing: To grow really big plants with really big flowers, enrich the soil with organic matter and incorporate 2 cups of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m (10′) of row, and irrigate regularly. When the plants are 30cm (12) tall, dissolve 5ml (1 tsp) of borax (for boron) in 350 ml (12 fl oz) of water and spread the solution over 5m (15′) of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution. This application of boron will produce bigger seeds and flower heads. Do not apply boron to other garden plants. When the back of the flower head turns yellow, it is ready to be cut from the plant.
Companion Planting: Sunflowers planted near rows of corn are said to increase yields. Sunflowers can be used to draw heavy metals, toxins, and even radiation from soil, but should be burned at the end of the season if grown for this purpose. Plant sunflowers amid squash plantings to improve pollination and overall production.
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Snapdragon – Madame Butterfly Cherry Bronze – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartUnique azalea type snapdragon with ruffled, double-petaled blooms. Cut Madame Butterfly’s tall spikes of rose and coral hued flowers for full displays with an antique look. Harvest when the lower 1/3 of flowers on the stem are open. 66-89cm (26-35”) plants can be grown in a greenhouse or in the open field and garden.
Timing: Start snapdragons indoors, 8-10 weeks before planting out. Transplant out after last frost. Direct sowing is less reliable. Provide bright light and a soil temperature of 12°C (55°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-21 days.
Starting: Sow on the surface of a sterilized seed starting mix. To avoid damping off (to which snapdragons are somewhat prone), increase ventilation, use a layer of vermiculite on top of the soil, and water only from below. Transplant out once daytime temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F) and space 30cm (12″) apart.
Growing: Grow these easy sub-shrubs in rich, soil with a neutral pH. Pinch back young plants once 6 leaves have appeared for bushier mature plants. Feed lightly twice, before any flowers appear. Deadhead often. If flowering seems to subside, cut back dramatically, and then feed and water generously.
Approx. 50 seeds
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Sweet Peas – Royal Family Lavender – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartLavendar sweet peas are a lovely shade of pale purple with white highlights. Exceptionally fragrant blossoms from the popular Royal Family series. We are excited to offer this series as individual colours so you can plant your favorites. Large 2″ flowers bloom over a long period. Provide a trellis for the 152-182cm vining plants. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Or direct sow outdoors in early spring, while the soil is still cool and light frost is still possible. Plants are strongest from an early, indoor sowing. Sweet peas can also be direct sown in the fall where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. If starting indoors, chip seeds or soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Use a seed inoculant for the best results. Maintain a soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Growing: For best results, prepare the sweet pea bed the previous fall. Cultivate the soil to 45cm deep, incorporating a generous amount of finished compost. Also dig in bone meal. At transplant time, dig ¼ cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant. Space vines at 15cm and provide trellis support. Mulch around plants to keep the soil as cool as possible, and water during dry weather. Keep plants picked to prolong the blooming period.
Approx: 85 Seeds.
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Poppies – Flanders – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartPapaver rhoeas. Sow heirloom Flanders poppy seeds for bright red summer colour in nearly any soil. Flanders poppies are quite drought tolerant, so they are useful in xeriscaping schemes. They self sow fairly reliably without ever becoming weedy. It’s a good choice for any areas where grasses are allowed to grow tall in summer, with the poppies growing to around 60cm tall. Gather the dried seed heads in late summer for decorative dried flower arrangements. Plants produce abundant tiny seeds that are very easy to gather and give as gifts. This species is mildly toxic to grazing animals, but its acrid taste puts most animals off anyway. So it is a very useful deer resistant variety that looks spectacular when planted in large areas. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Start perennial poppies outdoors in early spring, when some chance of frost is still a possibility. Start annual varieties outdoors at the same time in Zones 3-7. In Zones 8-10, the best bet is to direct sow in the fall.
Poppies are famously difficult to transplant, so starting them indoors is not recommended. If absolutely necessary, use peat or coir pots, and maintain a soil temperature of 12°C. Seeds will sprout in 20-30 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow on the surface of the soil, or barely cover seeds. Thin to a minimum of 15cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing:
Poppies are easy to grow and the self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. Simply pull up unwanted plants (an easy task) before they bloom, or better yet, let them tell you where they want to grow. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway. Other times, they simply won’t take, no matter how much you try. Keep them moderately well watered in hot, dry weather, and do not fertilize.
For the largest heads on Papaver somniferum: Sow seeds in the fall or early winter. Thin plants to allow them some space, and keep the area weeded as plants grow larger. Grow this variety in full sun in well-drained, but ordinary garden soil. If spring and summer are cool and damp, or plants are over-crowded, expect smaller seed heads.
Approx: 2000 Seeds.
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Poppies – Shirley Double Mix – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartPapaver rhoeas. Vivid red, pink, salmon, and white blooms come in singles and doubles atop 80cm (31″) stems. Sow Shirley Double Mix poppy seeds at two week intervals from late February to mid-April for flowers from mid- to late summer. These poppies will self sow, and they look spectacular in mass plantings. All parts of the plant are mildly toxic, and acrid enough that they avoid damage from grazing deer. The flowers have a very delicate appearance, but the plants are actually quite tough. If you sear the cut end right away with a match, these poppies will last quite a long time as cut flowers. Rely on Shirley Double to self sow without becoming weedy.
Timing: Start perennial poppies outdoors in early spring, when some chance of frost is still a possibility. Start annual varieties outdoors at the same time in Zones 3-7. In Zones 8-10, the best bet is to direct sow in the fall. Poppies are famously difficult to transplant, so starting them indoors is not recommended. If absolutely necessary, use peat or coir pots, and maintain a soil temperature of 12°C (55°F). Seeds will sprout in 20-30 days.
Starting: Sow on the surface of the soil, or barely cover seeds. Thin to a minimum of 15cm (6″) apart.
Growing: Poppies are easy to grow and the self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. Simply pull up unwanted plants (an easy task) before they bloom, or better yet, let them tell you where they want to grow. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway. Other times, they simply won’t take, no matter how much you try. Keep them moderately well watered in hot, dry weather, and do not fertilize. For the largest heads on Papaver somniferum, sow seeds in the fall or early winter. Thin plants to allow them some space, and keep the area weeded as plants grow larger. Grow this variety in full sun in well-drained, but ordinary garden soil. If spring and summer are cool and damp, or plants are over-crowded, expect smaller seed heads.
Approx. 1670 seeds
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Poppies – California Orange – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartEschscholzia californica. This is the true orange single California poppy, and the state flower of California. California Orange California poppy seeds are great in wild looking beds, the colour is intensified when grown near anything purple. Eschscholzia californica is a wildflower native to Mexico and California, where it is the state flower. It thrives in arid regions and is substantially drought tolerant so it is a very good choice for xeriscaping. This plant can eject the seeds from its dried seed pods a surprising distance, so they may self sow in favourable conditions. But it is not listed as a noxious weed, and is easily controlled if it seems to be getting out of hand. Its unusual Latin name is in honour of the German botanist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz.
Timing: Direct sow outdoors in spring after the local last frost date. Otherwise direct sow in autumn. It can be started indoors, but does not like being transplanted.
Starting: Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, spaced 20-25cm (8-10″) apart. Seeds should sprout in 14-21 days.
Growing: Grow in any average, well-drained soil. Deadhead regularly to prevent self sowing. California poppies are very likely to self sow when conditions are favourable.
Approx. 225 seeds
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Pansies – Swiss Giants Mix – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartViola tricolor var. hortensis. The classic heirloom Swiss Giants Mix Pansy seeds blend has single colours with blotched faces and some bicolours, with flowers held high above the leaves. Technically a perennial, this plant is usually grown as a cold hardy annual that will bloom in mild climates from October through to May from a late summer sowing. Swiss Giant Pansies grow to about 20cm (8″) tall, with a really beautiful range of warm colours and markings that seem to lend the flowers even more personality. This pansy blend works very well in containers and hanging baskets, but the real show is from mass plantings in a flower bed display.
Timing: Start indoors 10-12 weeks before planting out. For spring planting after last frost, that means up to 3 months growing time indoors. Otherwise, sow direct outdoors in summer to early autumn. For winter-flowering pansies in Zones 7-9, start seeds in mid to late June. For V. odorata: Direct sow in autumn or early spring. This variety benefits from a long exposure to cool soil.
Starting: Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm (¼”) deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C (65-75°F), in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm (6-9″) in the garden. For V. odorata: Barely cover the tiny seeds. Sow in flats sunk into the ground against a north-facing wall, and cover with glass or plastic. Remove cover when seedlings emerge. Germination can take up to 50 days, so be patient.
Growing: After germination, violas are easy. Fertilize once or twice in early growth and provide a mulch around plants to keep roots cool as weather warms. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing, particularly with Johnny-Jump-Ups. For V. odorata: Transplant after last frost or in the autumn where winters are mild, spacing at 15-30cm (6-12”) apart. Grow in partial shade, or in full sun where summers are cool. This variety prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Add well-rotted manure at transplant time.
Approx. 400 seeds
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Hollyhocks – Indian Spring – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartAlcea rosea. Sow Indian Spring hollyhocks seeds in full sun. This is a selection of our most popular Hollyhocks seeds, blended for planting en masse to create a beautiful cottage garden. Tall spires grow to 2m or more, with single, double, and ruffled flowers that fill in empty garden spaces with blooms in rose, pink, white, chocolate, purple, and lavender. This blend looks sensational from late spring to frost. Hollyhocks are both tall and drought tolerant, so they are a nice choice for xeriscaping. Avoid overhead watering with hollyhocks in order to delay foliar diseases, including rust and powdery mildew. These are not uncommon problems for hollyhocks, but rarely make much impact. Biennial.
How To Grow, Timing: Start hollyhocks 6-8 weeks before planting out after the last frost date. In mild winter areas, start seeds indoors in late February to early March, and transplant out in April or May. An early start usually results in flowering the first year. Seeds germinate in 10-14 days. Ideal soil temperature for germination: 15-21°C.
How To Grow, Starting: ow seeds on the surface of the soil, and provide bright light. Use peat or coir pots in an effort to minimize root disturbance. Transplant at 45-60cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-7.5. Grow in rich, moist soil with good drainage. The most important factor is good air circulation, so do not crowd plants or plant too close to structures, hedges, etc… Keep well watered and feed a few times during the growing season. If the flower stalk is cut back immediately after finishing, plants may bloom again. Stake tall plants.
Approx: 36 Seeds