Seeds
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Watermelon – Sugar Baby Organic – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartSugar Baby Organic watermelon seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! This classic heirloom icebox type melon first appeared on the market back in 1959. Sugar Baby melon seeds produce watermelons that have a thin, hard rind with distinct stripes that become almost black at maturity. The flesh is firm, sweet, almost orange-red, with small, apple-like seeds. The round fruits grow to about 18cm in diameter on vines that can be grown along the ground or up a trellis. Provide as much heat as possible for the best productivity by growing under a cloche, in a greenhouse, or even in raised beds. Be sure to use very fertile soil and provide even moisture through the growing season.
How To Grow, Timing: It is essential to start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse 4-6 weeks after the last frost date. Transplant when the plants are 5 weeks old. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 20-25°C. Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep. Set transplants 60-90cm apart in rows 1.5-2m apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Choose a warm, well-drained soil. Add dolomite lime and compost or well-rotted manure to the bed and ½-1 cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. Melons need warm growing conditions. Use black plastic mulch, cloches, or floating row covers. Success may improve in raised beds. Melons plants require 8-10 weeks of good, hot growing weather from the middle of June to the end of August. During that time, a melon vine must grow 5-9 leaves before starting to flower, then set 4 or more male flowers before making its first female flower, and then ripen its fruit before cool, damp weather sets in. Melons do not ripen off the vine. During the entire growing season, make sure to provide ample water.
How To Grow, Harvest: Fruit will ripen in late August to early September. Ripe cantaloupe will easily detach from the vine when light finger pressure is applied to the stem. Watermelon is ripe when the tendril nearest to the fruit withers and dries up.
Matures in 82 days.
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Lettuce – Newham Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartNewham little gem lettuce looks like a rose with its rounded, outward-curving leaves. Fast to mature, emerald green heads have a nice open yet upright habit and tight center, like a butterhead. It looks lovely in the garden, on the plate, and on the market table with our other compact varieties Truchas and Breen. Vigorous and reliable spring through fall and a good performer with protection to extend the season.
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 (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.
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.
42 Days.
Approx: 50 Seeds.
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Dill – Bouquet – West Coast Seeds
$3.29Add to cartBouquet dill seeds grow into compact plants around 75-90cm (30-36″) tall. Bouquet Dill is a particularly good variety to grow for nice looking bunching at the market table, and works well in containers or smaller herb gardens. This dill has fragrant, lacy foliage, large yellow flower heads, and large seeds, but the plants only grow about waist high.
The structure of dill’s flowers is known as an umbel. Thus dill is considered an umbelliferous plant. Other umbellifers include carrots, cilantro, fennel, parsnips, and Ammi. All of these plants are attractive to predatory insects such as lady beetles, Syrphid flies (hover-flies), lacewings, and tiny parasitoid wasps. Organic gardeners like to grow dill precisely to attract these beneficial insects, for they will control pest insects like aphids, thrips, whitefly, and the caterpillar of the Small White Butterfly (cabbage moth).
Timing: Direct sow late spring through summer, or sow when cucumbers are transplanted, to coincide maturity for pickling. Dill tends to bolt if transplanted, so it is best direct sown. Stagger the harvest by sowing every 2-3 weeks for a constant supply of fresh leaves. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 15-21°C (60-70°F). Seeds should germinate in 10-21 days.
Starting: Dill seeds need some light to germinate. Sow seeds no more than 5mm (¼”) deep in rows 45cm (18″) apart. Thin the plants to stand at least 15cm (6″) apart.
Growing: Ideal pH: 5.0-7.0. Grow in moderately rich soil in full sun. Water and feed regularly, and stop any overhead watering once plants are 60cm (24″) tall to prevent issues with mildew forming on the leaves.
Harvest: Begin harvesting the tasty leaves once plants reach 15cm (6″) tall. About 12 weeks after sprouting the seed heads begin to form. When the first seeds have turned brown, cut the whole head and hang it upside down for the drying seeds to fall out into trays or paper bags. Dill leaf loses most of its flavour when dried, so freeze it in ice cube trays filled with water for use all winter.
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Catnip – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartNepeta cataria. Not just for cats! Tall pink and white flower spikes are great in fresh and dried arrangements. Use the leaves in salads, sauces, teas, and soups – and of course fresh or dried for the cats! Catnip seeds are a good choice for a bee attractor that works well in containers on cat-free balconies. Protect seedlings from cats.
Catnip (and a few of its close relatives) contain the compound nepetalactone, which is extremely attractive to domestic and wild cats. It has the same effect on leopards, lynxes, and tigers as it does on house cats. Roughly 33% of all cats do not respond to catnip, and the response is believed to be hereditary.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow seeds indoors in late winter, and transplant or direct sow in 2-6 weeks after the last frost date. Catnip can also be direct sown in the fall where it is to grow. Bottom heat will speed germination. Ideal temperature for germination: 21-27°C (70-80°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-20 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow on the soil surface or barely covered with perlite. Thin plants or transplant to 30cm (12″) apart. Keep seedlings well protected from cats.
How To Grow, Growing: Catnip does very well in containers, raised beds, or borders in full sun to partial shade. The main challenge to growing it is protecting it from cats. After the main bloom, plants should be cut back hard to encourage a second bloom and tidy shape.
How To Grow, Harvest: To save the summer catmint bounty, harvest when fully grown, and keep the plant picked regularly.
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Borage – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartLarge, fuzzy, cucumber-scented leaves and vivid blue flowers attract bees all summer long. Usually grown for the bees and flowers, young leaves can be cooked like spinach or used in salads. Also known as the star flower because of the arrangement of its petals, the flowers have a light cucumber flavour and will stun with their vivid blue petals. A dramatic use is to make ice cubes with the petals frozen into them and drop into cold drinks. Borage seeds contain oils with the highest concentration (20% to 30%) of the fatty acid GLA, even higher than Evening Primrose. Altogether a versatile, attractive and useful herb, add starry blue flowers to salads, drinks, berry desserts for visual appeal. Borage may self sow. It is attractive to bumblebees that must buzz at a certain resonance to release a jet of pollen.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow in mid- to late spring. Borage develops a delicate taproot, so it’s best direct sown where it is to grow. Borage does not transplant well. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21°C. Seeds should sprout in 5-15 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep, and thin to 60cm apart. Borage will get large and fill in spaces between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Borage is an un-fussy, self-sowing annual. To avoid self-sowing, the flower heads need to be picked regularly. Borage does best in full sun in well drained soil.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick fresh flowers for freezing or drying for bouquets. Cut the fresh leaves during the summer to add to salads or spreads.
Approx: 90 Seeds
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Basil – Genovese – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartGenovese basil seeds are the very best Italian pesto variety of basil. This is the traditional Italian heirloom variety of basil. It has shiny, large, almond-shaped leaves have a more pronounced flavour, and stores well if chopped and frozen in ice cube trays. Pinch growing tips for bushier plants that grow to 60cm (24″) tall. Basil is a heat loving tender annual plant that requires good drainage and ample moisture during hot weather. If flowers develop, either save save the resulting seeds or separate them from the plants and sprinkle over pasta or salads. Basil flowers are highly attractive to honeybees and other wild pollinators.
Basil can be planted as a companion to tomato plants. It is said that basil improves the flavour of tomatoes.
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.
Approx:610 Seeds.
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Strawberry – Yellow Wonder – West Coast Seeds
$5.49Add to cartFragaria vesca. Yellow Wonder Alpine strawberry seeds are a bit easier to start than some others. Start the seeds indoors as early as December, and transplant outdoors one week after your last average frost date. That’s around the first or second week in April. With this kind of head start, the plants will produce fruit in the first year. Yellow Wonder has the lovely oblong shape of alpine types, but with yellow skin and flesh and incredible sweetness. The plants are low growing, but very productive, even in containers. The seeds can also be sown later in the year, but plan on harvesting berries from the second year of growth forward.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors in the winter. An earlier start may result in berries the first year. Start any time between December and the beginning of February. After that time, they will still produce plants, but berries may not be produced during the first season. Transplant out at least 3 weeks after last frost. Strawberry seeds will germinate at any time of the year if some simple steps are taken.
How To Grow, Starting: Germination is the trickiest aspect to growing strawberries. Be patient, and try the tricks below.
Tuck strawberry seed packet inside a sealed plastic bag or airtight container and place in the refrigerator freezer (not deep freeze) for 3-4 weeks. After removing the bag or container, do not break the seal until it (and its living contents) have reached room temperature. This may take several hours. Err on the side of caution. Opening the package too quickly may result in water condensing on the cold seeds, and this will reduce your chances of success.
Once the sealed package has “thawed” to room temperature, the seeds are ready to plant. Sow the seeds on the surface of pre-moistened, sterilized seed starting mix in trays or small containers. Place these on a piece of felt or other thick cloth that has its end sitting in water. The idea is to wick up water from below so that the seedling medium stays constantly and evenly damp until germination.
An alternative method is to sow strawberry seeds on the surface of moistened soil in a germination tray (or in small pots). Tuck the tray or pots inside a sealed plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Move the seeded trays under bright fluorescent lights at a constant temperature of 18-24°C. Seedling heat mats work very well. Germination may take anywhere from 7 days to 6 weeks: Be patient. Once germination occurs, increase ventilation around the plants to prevent damping off.
Once the seedlings develop their third true leaf, they can be gently transplanted into their own pots. Be sure to harden strawberry seedlings off carefully and gradually before transplanting outside.
How To Grow, Growing: Space transplants 60cm apart in rows 90-120cm apart. Ever-bearing varieties (such as ours) tend to produce fewer runners, and may produce more fruit if the runners are removed. In the first year of growth, it may be preferable to encourage runners, and let them fill in the spaces between transplants with new offspring plants.
Grow strawberries in a well-drained, sandy loam that has been generously dug with organic matter such as finished compost or well-rotted manure. Dig ¼ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. Keep soil moist, but not soggy. A mulch of straw around plants may help prevent the soil from drying out.
Matures in 150 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)
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Poppies – Black Peony – West Coast Seeds
$3.69Add to cartPapaver somniferum. Black Peony poppies feature the deepest purple flowers available, with fully double, tightly packed petals for a very striking look. The dramatic, peony-shaped flowers only open for one day, but appear from July through September. They can grow to 10cm across. The dried seed heads are very useful in dried flower arrangements, and the edible seeds can be used in baking. Black Peony is highly attractive to bees and resistant to grazing deer. Expected plant height approximately 90cm. 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: 690 Seeds.
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Alyssum – Sweet Bliss Blend – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartSweet Bliss is a blend of white, pink and purple alyssum flowers, and will spread into a charming multi-hued carpet of tiny, fragrant blossoms. These excellent edging/border plants grow no more than 10cm tall. Alyssum is a great pollinator plant and it makes a fantastic companion for any flowering/fruiting vegetable. Drought tolerant and suitable for containers or hanging baskets.
How To Grow, Timing: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Or, direct sow while some danger of light frost still exists. It’s very easy, either way.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds on the surface of the soil. If starting indoors, use a sterilized seed starting mix and maintain a soil temperature of 12-21°F under bright lights. The seeds require light to germinate, so do not cover them. They should sprout in 5-14 days.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-7.0. Transplant 20-30cm apart once all risk of frost has passed. Alyssum prefers freely draining, loamy soil. It is tolerant of dry soil and hot weather, and can be used for xeriscaping. If watering is abundant, Alyssum responds by growing rapidly. If growth slows in mid-summer due to heat, shear plants back by half to encourage compact growth and a second bloom. This annual may self sow.
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Wildflowers – Butterfly Blend – West Coast Seeds
$12.99Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThe brilliant colours and longevity of this blend are selected to attract and keep the butterflies coming back day after day. Butterfly Blend wildflower seeds are made up of 50% annuals and 50% perennials. This means lasting flowers, bright colours and butterflies for many seasons to come. The nectar rich flowers in the Butterfly Blend will also attract many species of insects, birds, and wildlife to the bed. Be prepared to enjoy the ever-changing colours of flowers and wildlife that will visit them. Recommended rate of application: 226g per 1,000 square feet.
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.
Starting: 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.
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.
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Wildflowers – Perennial Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartAll perennials in this blend! These species will provide many colours for years of enjoyment. When fall planted, the flowers will blossom the following spring. When spring planted, if the conditions are right, there will be some flowering, but most will not flower until the following spring. The advantage of spring or summer planting is that the plants have a well-established root system for the following spring. Perennial Mix wildflower seeds will grow to an approximate height of 90-110cm under normal conditions. This mix blends nicely with our other wildflowers to provide a good perennial base.
Recommended rate of application: 141g per 1,000 square feet.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.
Blend Ingredients:
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Blanketflower Gaillardia aristata Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa California Poppy Eschscholzia californica Candytuft Iberis umbellata China Aster Calliestephus chinensis Dwarf Godetia Clarkia amoena Dwarf Plains Coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria Gayfeather Liatris spicatus Indian Blanket Gaillardia pulchella Lance-Leaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata Lemon Beebalm Monarda citriodora Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea Rocket Larkspur Delphinium consolida Siberian Wallflower Cheiranthus allionii Scarlet Salvia Salvia coccinea Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima -
Viola – Johnny Jump Up – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartViola cornuta. These perky little flowers are old-fashioned heirloom favourites and look like miniature pansies with lavender, yellow, and white faces. Direct seed Johnny Jump Up viola seeds from April to July. Sow seeds 0.6cm deep, and they should germinate in 12-14 days. Johnny Jump Up viola seeds self sow fairly readily, but they do not take over, and can be easily raked under if unwanted. These look rather good in containers, and their flowers are edible. If you want to try your hand at making candied violets, Johnny Jump Ups are the place to start. Or simply pick some of the fresh flowers and scatter them over salads and summer meals. Annual.
How To Grow, 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.
How To Grow, Starting: Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C, in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm 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.
How To Grow, Growing: After germination, pansies and 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 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: 420 Seeds.
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Sweet Peas – Early Multiflora Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartLathyrus odoratus. Long vines grow 2-3m tall with sturdy stems making excellent cut flowers. Early Multiflora sweet pea seeds can be planted in early spring. Planted in the fall, it may bloom well into winter in mild or protected winter areas. This variety is an excellent candidate for forcing in the greenhouse. The abundant flowers appear in solid colours with good fragrance, and they look smashing in a bouquet. Be sure to pick off the spent flowers before they turn into seed pods in order to keep the vines flowering over a longer period. Sweet pea seeds may germinate more quickly if they are soaked in luke warm water for six hours prior to planting. 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 (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 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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Sunflowers – Peredovik Organic – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartPeredovik Organic sunflower seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! This heirloom cultivar produces the black oil seed used for making sunflower oil and is the very top choice for feeding birds. Plants average one big head with few side branches. The birds will tell you when the small, oil-rich seeds are ripe! Black oil sunflower seeds for organic growing. Plant this Russian heirloom organic sunflower seed in and around your squash and pumpkin plants to lure pollinators to the area and you will get increased fruit set and larger harvests. Peredovik grows to a height of 1.5-2m. 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 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: 85 Seeds.
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Sunflowers – Autumn Beauty – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartHelianthus annuus. Tall 1.5m (5′) plants are literally covered with 13cm (5″) blooms. Some plants have as many as twenty blooms or more. Autumn Beauty is a very showy mixture of colours including golden yellow, bronze, brown, and burgundy. Autumn Beauty sunflower seeds are very easy to grow! Sow directly in the garden in late spring or early summer so that the roots can grow uninterrupted (as opposed to transplanting from containers). The flowers are somewhat variable with the occasional bicolour in the palette of fallen leaves – golden, bronze, red, sepia, and yellow. This variety looks beautiful planted in long rows like a hedge or along a driveway.
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.
Approx. 70 seeds
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Nicotiana – Jasmine Tobacco – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartNicotiana alata. This flowering tobacco stands regally in the garden at 1-1.5m (3-5′) tall, with a cascading head of pure white, tubular flowers that attract moths and hummingbirds. It looks splendid among other tall flowering plants such as Agastache and foxgloves. Grow Jasmine Tobacco Nicotiana seeds in a warm spot in your garden, in full sun. Pollinated by moths, this Nicotiana’s flowers become particularly fragrant after dusk, so plant some near a window and let the scent waft in during summer.
Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors any time after the risk of frost has passed. Transplant after last frost.
Starting: Sprinkle seeds on the surface of the soil, and keep moist until germination in 10-20 days.
Growing: Water during hot, dry spells. Deadhead regularly to maintain a neat appearance and encourage further blooming. Stake in windy, exposed gardens. Remove any growth that comes under attack by aphids, or dislodge them with a blast from the hose. Avoid handling tomato or pepper plants after handling Nicotiana, as it can harbour tobacco mosaic virus. Do not share gardening tools between these plants either.
Approx. 240 seeds
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Lupine – Russell Mix – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartLupinus polyphyllus. Stunning, brightly-coloured spikes create a strong feature in the early summer garden. Its pea-like flowers grow in dense spires reaching up to 90cm tall. Scatter through cottage or wildflower gardens or mass plant in borders. This variety offers all the lupine colours in one package – purple, deep blue, red, pink, yellow, cream, and white. If you want more of a certain colour, gently separate the little offset at the base of a mature plant and replant. Soak lupine seeds for 24 hours or nick the seed ends and plant. Lupines fix nitrogen in the soil. Perennial.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. If starting indoors, use peat or coir pots to minimize root disturbance. Lupins work equally well direct sown in early spring when some risk of frost is still possible. They can be direct sown in autumn where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: If starting indoors, scarify seeds by chipping, or soak in water for 24 hours prior to sowing. Sow shallowly, a couple of millimetres deep, and maintain a coolish soil temperature of 12-18°C. Seeds should germinate in 14-60 days. Be patient.
How To Grow, Growing: Space or thin plants to 30-60cm apart to allow for natural spread. After flowering, cut down the stems to the base of the plant. Divide these big plants in early Spring to propagate certain colours. Self-sown plants tend to revert to pale blue.
Approx: 75 Seeds
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Delphinium – Magic Fountains Mix – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartDwarf Pacific type delphinium perfect for small gardens. Magic Fountains attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with fantastic displays of semidouble pink, blue, lavender, and white flower spikes with dark and light “bees”, or centers. Compact plants do not need staking but should be sheltered from strong winds. Perennial plants grow 90-120cm tall.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before planting out. Or simply direct sow in early spring, when a light frost is still possible, or early autumn. Seeds take 14-28 days to sprout.
How To Grow, Starting: Just cover the tiny seeds. If starting indoors, vernalize seeds by planting them in trays in sterilized seed starting mix. Place these inside plastic bags and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Then place them in total darkness and maintain a soil temperature of 10-12°C until sprouted. Once sprouts appear, place below bright light. Space or thin to 30-45cm between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Deep, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. For the most bloom potential, water well throughout the season, and feed once in the early spring. Remove spent flowers immediately after the first bloom, and feed again. When new growth reaches about 20cm tall, cut back old growth completely.
Approx: 50 Seeds.
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Cosmos – Rose Bon Bon – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartCosmos bipinnatus. Yes, it’s a Cosmos! Rose Bon Bon cosmos seeds are a new Fleuroselect Award winning variety from France, and part of the Double Click Cosmos series. Fully double flowers appear in soft rose pink on easy-to-grow, medium sized plants. Height to 1.2m . This exquisite annual makes a wonderful cut flower, with petals almost as curled as Dianthus. Rose Bonbon really stood out for us at the All American Selections flower trials this past summer in Ontario. Major “Wow” factor!
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow after the last frost date. Several sowings will result in a very long bloom period. Cosmos can also be started indoors in late winter for transplanting after last frost, once daytime temperatures are above 10°C. Seeds will sprout in 3-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 21-25°C.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds very shallowly only a few millimetres deep. Thin or transplant to 20-25cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Most varieties can get quite tall, and in exposed or windy gardens can benefit from staking or trellis netting laid horizontally over the bed for the stems to grow through before blooming. Deadhead and cut for bouquets regularly to extend the bloom period.
Approx: 31 Seeds.
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Zinnias – Queeny Lime Orange – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartZinnia elegans. Queeny Lime Orange Zinnias have branching stems that grow to about 90cm (36″) tall. Atop each stem is a flower of immense beauty that starts out lime green, but as its petals unfold they turn to deep peach and then orange. This colour range looks wonderful in bouquets. As cut flowers they are long lasting and luxuriant, and in the garden they are abuzz with bumble bees. The plants respond well to cutting, with more flowers forming all the time. The bloom period is from mid-summer right 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. 25 seeds
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Cucumbers – Cucamelon – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartMelothria scabra. Also known as the Mexican Sour Gherkin, cucamelon seeds produce vines that could be mistaken for regular cucumber plants. The plants are not quite as productive as cucumbers, but the fruits are amazingly cute and novel. They look like tiny watermelons, but have a very appealing cucumber flavour with slight citrus notes. Eat them fresh or pickle them for a crunchy treat. Harvest them at the 2cm size, before the seeds develop. This is a heat loving tropical plant that is most productive in hot weather or a greenhouse setting. Start the seeds indoors and treat as you would a conventional cucumber seedling.
How To Grow, Timing: Cucumbers need very warm soil to germinate. If direct sowing, wait until mid-June. If weather turns cool and wet after that, just re-sow. Or start transplants indoors in individual peat or coir pots 3-4 weeks before transplanting out into warm soil. If starting indoors, use bottom heat. Transplant when the plants develop their third true leaf. If the plants are too big, they may experience transplant shock. Optimal soil temperature for germination (and transplanting): 15-30°C.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow 3-4 seeds 2cm deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest seedling. Space plants 23cm apart in rows 90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Choose a warm, well-drained soil. Raised beds work well. Add diolomite lime and compost or well-rotted manure to the bed and ½-1 cup of complete organic fertilizer mixed into the soil beneath each transplant. Cucumbers are vigorous and need lots of nutrition and water. Use plastic mulch, plant under floating row cover or cloches – anything to warm things up. Once the weather warms up, keep soil evenly moist. When plants begin to flower, remove covers so bees can access the flowers to pollinate. Fruit that is not fully pollinated will be very small and shriveled, and should be removed from the plant. Most varieties should produce fruits until the weather begins to cool down. Keep plants well picked for better production. Try to water the soil only, keeping the leaves as dry as possible.
Almost all cucumbers benefit from being trained onto a trellis of some kind. Some vines can reach 7 or 8 feet in length, so growing them upward onto a trellis makes good use of garden space. Fruits that grow hanging into space tend to be straighter than those that form on the ground.
How To Grow, Harvest: For a continuous harvest, make successive plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until about 3 months before first fall frost date. Keep picking the cucumbers regularly, because if they get too big, the plant will stop producing. About one month before first frost, start pinching off new flowers so plants channel energy into ripening existing fruit.
Matures in 67 days.
Approx: 30 Seeds
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Carrots – Rainbow Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartEnjoy the diversity that carrots can bring to the garden. Plant Rainbow Blend carrot seeds to grow purple, white, red, and nice big orange carrots all in the same row. Get the most out of this collection by sowing as evenly as possible to reduce thinning and waste. Repeat sowings will provide a polychromatic carrot bounty from late spring to winter. Kids will love the variety of colours – and flavours.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow from just after the last frost date to late summer for harvests from summer through early winter. Sow at 3 week intervals for a continuous harvest. Direct sow winter-harvest carrots (where winters are mild) in the first two weeks of August. Optimal soil temperature: 7-30°C. Seeds may take as long as 14-21 days to germinate.
How To Grow, Starting: Because carrot seeds are tiny, they need to be sown shallowly. The trick is to keep the top-most layer of soil damp during the relatively long germination period. Water deeply prior to planting. Direct sow the tiny seeds 5mm deep, 4 seeds per 2cm, and firm soil lightly after seeding. Make sure the seeds are only just buried. Water the area with the gentlest stream possible, and keep it constantly moist until the seeds sprout.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. The softer and more humus-based the soil, the better. When soil is dry enough in spring, work it to a fine texture. Broadcast and dig in ½ cup complete organic fertilizer for every 3m of row. Avoid fresh manure. Carrots will become misshapen, but still edible if they hit anything hard as they grow down into the soil. Keep weeded and watered.
How To Grow, Thinning: This is the process of removing some seedlings, if necessary, so each has enough space to grow in the row. It is very important to thin carrots so they don’t compete for available nutrients, moisture, and light. Thin to 4-10cm apart when the young plants are 2cm tall. Use wider spacing to get larger roots. As they grow, carrots may push up, out of the soil, so hill soil up to prevent getting a green shoulder.
How To Grow, Harvest: Carrots can be harvested at any size, but flavour is best when the carrot has turned bright orange (or its other mature colour). After harvest, store at cold temperatures just above 0ºC. Store in sand or sawdust, or simply leave carrots under heaped soil in the garden during the winter, and pull as needed.
Matures in 75-110 days.
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Cauliflower – Purple Moon F1 – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartThis early maturing purple cauliflower is so fast to produce its violet crowns that you may miss them if you don’t keep an eye out! Purple Moon is widely adaptable to many growing regions yielding a concentrated harvest a full two weeks before Graffiti. Make succession plantings spring through mid-summer to extend the harvest.
How To Grow, Timing: Start indoors four weeks before the last frost to late spring. Transplant in 5-6 weeks. Direct seed when temperatures are reliably above 10°C. Overwintering types are started in July where winters are mild, and transplanted by mid-August. 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 want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Humus-rich soil amended with composted manure is best. Mix ½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. From seedling to harvest, cauliflower must grow steadily to make a large plant and curd. If growth slows, scratch additional fertilizer into the surface of the soil around each plant. Maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Shade the developing curds from sun by tying up leaves or using newspaper. This is known as “blanching,” and will keep them white. Add 20-25 days to the maturity dates if direct sowing.
How To Grow, Harvest: Once curd forms, check every day and cut when the florets are just beginning to separate. At this point the flavour is at peak quality and the size is maximum.
Matures in 62 days
Approx: 10 Seeds
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Beets – Golden Boy – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartA uniform, golden yellow beet with glossy, emerald green leaves. Golden Boy’s stems are more upright than other yellow varieties so tops stay cleaner and can be easier to manage in the garden. Yellow beets have a milder, sweeter flavour than most red varieties and hold their beautiful colour when cooked. Try steaming or baking with some red beets for a dish that looks like a sunset.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow 4 weeks after last frost to mid-summer. Beets will not produce roots if planted when the soil is too cold. Seeds will germinate in 5-12 days, depending on soil temperature. Optimal soil temperature: 10-26°C.
How To Grow, Seeding: Sow 1cm deep, 5-10cm apart in rows 30-45cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. For uniformly sized beets, thin carefully to 7-15cm apart when seedlings are 5cm tall. Eat any thinned plants, roots and all. Root size is controlled by spacing and variety.
Approx: 345 seeds.
55 Days
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Beets – Chioggia Organic – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartCERTIFIED ORGANIC! Chioggia Guardsmark Organic beet seeds are a striking Italian type with light-red, smooth round roots and bright pink and white alternating rings inside. These sweet beets (pronounced kee-OH-jee-ah) are about 5cm (2″) in diameter with mild green leaves and pale red stems. Chioggia Guardsmark organic beet seeds are a staff favourite that add festive colour to any meal.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow 4 weeks after last frost to mid-summer. Beets will not produce roots if planted when the soil is too cold. Seeds will germinate in 5-12 days, depending on soil temperature. Optimal soil temperature: 10-26°C.
How To Grow, Seeding: Sow 1cm deep, 5-10cm apart in rows 30-45cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. For uniformly sized beets, thin carefully to 7-15cm apart when seedlings are 5cm tall. Eat any thinned plants, roots and all. Root size is controlled by spacing and variety.
Matures in 65 days.
Approx: 100 seeds
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Beets – Early Wonder Tall Top – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartEarly Wonder Tall Top beet seeds beets adapt to all seasons but are especially good in early spring with quick growth in chilly soils. They produce tall, tasty green leaves with red stems and slightly flattened roots with wonderfully sweet flavour. Early Wonder Tall Top beets makes a good variety for general table use. Grow as micro-greens or baby leaf greens for salad mixes, or enjoy the sweet round roots at full size. Be sure to thin the planted row to allow each root the room it needs to grow to full size.
How to Grow, Timing: Direct sow 4 weeks after last frost to mid-summer. Beets will not produce roots if planted when the soil is too cold. Seeds will germinate in 5-12 days, depending on soil temperature. Optimal soil temperature: 10-26°C.
How To Grow Seeding: Sow 1cm deep, 5-10cm apart in rows 30-45cm apart.
How To Grow Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. For uniformly sized beets, thin carefully to 7-15cm apart when seedlings are 5cm tall. Eat any thinned plants, roots and all. Root size is controlled by spacing and variety.
Matures in 60 days.
Approx: 310 seeds
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Rapini (Broccoli) – Sorrento – West Coast Seeds
$3.69Add to cartBroccoli raab is sometimes called rapini. Like broccoli, it is grown for its unopened flower buds. The flavour is very similar to broccoli, with a touch of bitterness that is surprisingly appealing. Broccoli raab is actually more closely related to turnips than broccoli, but is not grown as a root crop. Sorrento broccoli raab seeds produce uniform dark green florets approximately 5cm in diameter. Sorrento is the fastest rapini to mature. Gather the tender stems with a few leaves and the unopened flower buds for a reliable and nutritious addition to the kitchen or market garden. Plant in mid to late summer for a cool weather harvest well into winter. Expect plants to grow to 78cm tall.
How To Grow, Timing: Start indoors right around the last frost date or later in spring for summer harvest in 2 to 3 months. Seeds will germinate in 7-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 10-30°C.
For fall harvest: Start indoors late spring and transplant in July, harvesting just before the first frost date.
For overwintering sprouting broccoli (in mild winter areas): Start indoors late March to mid-April, and harvest the following February to May.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors, 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm apart in rows 75-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8 Broccoli is a moderate to heavy feeder that does best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure. Set transplants out by the time they have 6-8 true leaves. Mix ¼-½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil under each transplant. When plants are 20-25cm tall, push soil around the stems up to the first big leaf to encourage side shoots. Broccoli does best in cool weather.
How To Grow, Harvest: Cut the crown portion of the broccoli with 5 to 6 inches of stem, after it’s fully developed, but before it begins to loosen and separate and the individual flowers start to develop into bright yellow blooms. Removing the central head stimulates regrowth to develop for later pickings. Cutting the head lower on the stem will encourage fewer, but larger side-shoots. The regrowth portion grows from the base of the lower leaves. You can usually continue to harvest broccoli for several weeks.
Matures in 40-45 days.
Approx: 270 Seeds
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Broccolini – Asapbroc F1 – West Coast Seeds
$6.49Add to cartThis delicious broccolini resembles a broccoli raab, but with an asparagus-like stem. Aspabroc Broccolini has a sweet, delicate flavour with a subtle, peppery taste. The flavour is milder and sweeter when cooked. When eaten raw, the vegetable has a tender yet crunchy texture. Aspabroc is a nutritional powerhouse, full of vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay fit and healthy. Aspabroc broccolini seeds are a natural hybrid of broccoli and gai lan, and are not genetically engineered. Follow spring planting for summer harvest instructions for this unique variety. This is the same broccolini that has been available in grocery stores for the last few years. Now you can grow it at home!
How To Grow, Timing:
Start indoors right around the last frost date or later in spring for summer harvest in 2 to 3 months. Seeds will germinate in 7-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 10-30°C.
For fall harvest: Start indoors late spring and transplant in July, harvesting just before the first frost date.
For overwintering sprouting broccoli (in mild winter areas): Start indoors late March to mid-April, and harvest the following February to May.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors, 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm apart in rows 75-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8 Broccoli is a moderate to heavy feeder that does best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure. Set transplants out by the time they have 6-8 true leaves. Mix ¼-½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil under each transplant. When plants are 20-25cm tall, push soil around the stems up to the first big leaf to encourage side shoots. Broccoli does best in cool weather.
How To Grow, Harvest: Cut the crown portion of the broccoli with 5 to 6 inches of stem, after it’s fully developed, but before it begins to loosen and separate and the individual flowers start to develop into bright yellow blooms. Removing the central head stimulates regrowth to develop for later pickings. Cutting the head lower on the stem will encourage fewer, but larger side-shoots. The regrowth portion grows from the base of the lower leaves. You can usually continue to harvest broccoli for several weeks.
Matures in 50 days.
Approx: 25 Seeds
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Beans Bush – Derby – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartThis AAS award winning compact bush bean is great choice for the new gardener. The bushes are low-growing, self-supporting and shallow-rooted, making it suitable for container gardening. The plant is generally trouble-free and produces tasty long, round green pods. Like other bush beans, Derby produces a one-time crop but the beans have a good holding ability so growers can enjoy an extended harvest. The above average yields are also easy to pick. Lengthen the growing season with succession planting until mid-summer. Derby is resistant to Common Bean Mosaic Virus.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow mid-to late spring. Try to plant during a warm, dry spell. Soil must be warm—if it is not warm enough, seeds may rot, especially since our seeds are not treated with fungicide. Sow drying beans as early as possible, so they can mature before rainy/cold weather sets in. Optimal soil temperature: 21-2°C. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on conditions.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow bush bean seeds 2-5cm deep, 5-8cm apart, in rows 45-60cm apart. Thin to at least 15cm apart in each row. If the weather is too wet, beans can also be started in pots indoors and set out carefully a few weeks later. For a longer harvest, plant at 3 week intervals.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5 Well drained, warm soil in full sun is best. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m of row. Raised beds help with both drainage and warmth. Too much nitrogen fertilizer is often the cause of poor pod set and delayed maturity. If the plants flower but do not set pods, the cause may be zinc deficiency. Try spraying the plants with kelp-based fertilizer.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick beans regularly to keep the plant producing (if pods get fat with seed, the plant will stop flowering). The smaller the bean, the more tender they are.
55 Days.
Approx: 40 Seeds.
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Bean – Sunset Runner – West Coast Seeds
$5.49Add to cartGorgeous peach blossoms top the vigorous 2m vines of Sunset runner bean. Worth growing for the eye-catching blooms alone, it is equally rewarding to grow for its prolific harvest of beans that can be used as fresh green snap or dried shell beans that are lavender with black speckles. Enjoy the dried beans all winter in savory soups and stews.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow from mid-spring to early summer. Try to plant during a warm, dry spell. Soil must be warm – if it is not warm enough, the seeds may rot, especially our untreated seeds. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-32°C. The seeds should sprout in 8-16 days, depending on conditions.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 2-5cm deep, 5-8cm apart, in rows 45-60cm apart. Thin to at least 15cm apart in each row. If the weather is too wet, beans can also be started in pots indoors and set out carefully a few weeks later. For a continuous harvest, plant at 3 week intervals.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Well drained, warm soil in full sun is best. Raised beds help with both drainage and warmth. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m of row. Too much nitrogen fertilizer is often the cause of poor pod set and delayed maturity. If the plants flower but do not set pods, the cause may be zinc deficiency. Try spraying the plants with kelp-based fertilizer.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick beans regularly to keep the plant producing (if pods get fat with seed, the plant will stop flowering). The smaller the bean, the more tender they are.
70 days
Approx: 16 seeds
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Beans Pole – Kentucky Blue – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartThis AAS Winner combines the great flavour of Kentucky Wonder with the cool season hardiness of Blue Lake. Its long, round pods are dark-green and straight, and the plants bear over a long season. The plants grow to 2.5m (8’) and the pods are best at 15-18cm (6-7”). Kentucky Blue pole bean seeds were bred by Dr. Calvin Lamborn, and remain a West Coast Seeds standby favourite after all these years.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow from late spring to early summer. Try to plant during a warm, dry spell. Soil must be warm – if it is not warm enough, seeds may rot, especially our untreated seeds. Optimal soil temperature: 21-32°C (70-90°F).
How To Grow, Starting: Seeds can be started indoors, or sowed directly. Set seeds 7-10cm (3-4″) apart and 3.5cm (1½”) deep at the base of a support. Plants will climb by twining around almost anything. Try rough poles, lumber, re-bar, or build a strong trellis 2-2.5m (6-8′) tall. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on soil conditions.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Well drained, warm soil in full sun is best. Use 1 cup of balanced organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) of row. Too much nitrogen in fertilizer or manure is often the cause of poor pod set and delayed maturity. If beans flower but do not set pods, the cause can be zinc deficiency. Try spraying the plants with kelp based fertilizer.
Matures in 70 days.
Approx: 60 seeds.
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Zinnia – Pixie Sunshine – Renee’s Garden
$4.79Add to cartZinnia elegans. Our exclusive color combo of these easy care, 8 to 12 inch zinnias offers a sparkling trio in perfectly matched shades of rich buttery yellow, citrus orange and white. Pots of Pixie’s rounded, fully double 2 to 3 inch blossoms shine above crisp green foliage to brighten bare corners or add cheerful color to a front porch or walk or backyard patio garden. Summer butterflies will delight in petite Pixie Sunshine’s nectar and long bloom. Seed Count: 60-65.
ANNUAL
Summer/fall bloom
Frost tenderEASIEST TO PLANT OUTDOORS
After danger of frost is past, sow seeds in full sun in well-worked soil. For container sowing, use fresh potting mix. Space seeds 2-3 inches apart, cover about 1/2 inch deep and gently firm soil. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination. When seedlings are several inches tall, thin to final spacing: For Containers, 5 to 6 plants per 12 inch pot; In Garden Beds, space 8 inches apart.TO START EARLY INDOORS
Several weeks before last frost date, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart in a container of seed starting mix. Keep warm and moist and provide a strong light source until ready to plant outdoors. Transplant carefully before plants get too large. Space plants carefully, so roots have room to grow and spread.GROWING NOTES
For container planting, use pots at least 12 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. These carefree 8 to 12 inch tall zinnias perform well in hot and sunny conditions. Water regularly and consistently. Support plants’ rapid growth by feeding with a well-balanced fertilizer every few weeks. Thin young seedlings to final spacing before too large. Remove spent flowers often to encourage new blooms. -
Squash Zucchini Golden – Summer Gold Organic – Renee’s Seeds
$6.89Add to cartA favorite American heirloom that yields beautiful, smooth skinned, golden yellow zucchinis with firm texture and fine flavor. The colorful fruits are easy to find amongst the deep green vines. A productive and reliable variety.
48 Days.
Seed Count: Approx. 22START SEEDS DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN
Zucchinis need full sun, rich fertile soil and warm temperatures. Plant only when spring weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay above 50°F (10°C). Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 1 inch deep and 2 feet apart. When seedlings have 4 leaves, thin to 1 strong seedling per group. Or, plant in slightly mounded hills, 2 feet in diameter, sowing 4 or 5 seeds in each hill. Thin hill-planted seedlings to the 2 or 3 strongest plants.
GROWING NOTES
Amend soil well before sowing with lots of aged manure or compost. Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering with plastic berry baskets at planting time, removing when plants get crowded. Be sure to thin properly—you will have more productive, disease-free plants if seedlings have enough room to mature. covers will help prevent squash borers if these pests are a problem in your area.
HARVEST AND USE
Harvest zucchini when no more than 5 to 6 inches long for best flavor. Frequent harvesting keeps plants producing tasty new fruits instead of maturing fat, tough, huge ones. Steam, stirfry or grill sliced zucchinis and sprinkle with fresh parsley, dill, basil or thyme. Try the tasty blossoms sautéed or stuffed and baked. Heap a platter with spears of baby zucchinis to serve with your favorite dip for appetizers or snacks.
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Spinach – Summer Perfection – Renee’s Seeds
$4.79Add to cartThis wonderful new premier Dutch variety was bred for especially sweet flavor and a long harvest period in the garden. It stands up well to early summer heat with bright green leaves that have a succulent, crunchy texture and extraordinarily clean, sweet flavor you’ll love. The upright leaves are easy to harvest and perfect steamed, sautéed or in fresh spinach salad. Plant again for ample fall harvests as Summer Perfection withstands autumn frosts for great cool weather greens.
40 Days.
Seed Count: Approx. 485TO START OUTDOORS
In early spring when danger of hard frost is over, sow seeds in well-worked fertile soil in full sun. Sow seeds 1 inch apart and 1/2 inch deep in rows 10 inches apart, or broadcast thinly for bed planting. Be sure to firm soil well over seeds to ensure good germination. If first sowing germinates unevenly, plant more seeds as they will catch up fast.
GROWING NOTES
Spinach is most productive grown in cool spring conditions and sown again in late summer for a fall crop. After seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches tall, thin out every other plant (and enjoy in early salads) and keep thinning in this fashion until plants are spaced 5 or 6 inches apart. Keep the shallow rooted plants well weeded and watered. Spinach is a heavy feeder so fertilize several times with fish emulsion solution for best harvests.
HARVEST AND USE
There are two methods for harvesting spinach: either cut the entire plant 1 inch or so above the base once plants are 4 or 5 inches tall, or wait until plants are well established and harvest just the outer leaves, leaving at least 4 center leaves so plant will continue to grow. Water and fertilize after cutting and plants will provide 2 or 3 pickings before weather gets too warm and spinach begins to go to seed.
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Spinach – Baby Leaf Catalina – Renee’s Seeds
$5.59Add to cartWe’ve chosen top quality, sweet and mellow tasting Catalina because its nicely shaped, crunchy textured young leaves are just perfect to harvest at baby size for scrumptious fresh spinach salads. Fast growth and bolt-resistance are bred right into Catalina, and its smooth leaves have a mild, nutty flavor with no metallic overtones. The plants are vigorous, productive and long standing. Plan on going right into the garden with your salad bowl to pick the deep green oval leaves at their fresh flavor peak.
40 Days.
Seed Count: Approx. 550TO START OUTDOORS
In early spring when danger of hard frost is over, sow seeds in well-worked fertile soil in full sun. Space seeds 1 inch apart in rows 8 to 10 inches apart, or broadcast thinly for bed planting. Firm soil well over seeds to ensure good germination. If first sowing germinates unevenly, plant more seed as seedlings will catch up fast. Sow again in late summer.
GROWING NOTES
Spinach is most productive in cool weather. Grow in cool spring conditions and sow again in late summer for a productive fall crop. After seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches tall, thin out every other plant (and enjoy in early salads) and keep thinning in this fashion until plants are spaced 5 or 6 inches apart.
HARVEST AND USE
Either harvest individual outside leaves from well-established plants and let regrow, or harvest entire plants. Keep spinach plants well watered and weeded and fertilize these heavy feeders several times as they leaf out and especially after harvesting outside leaves. Combine well-washed and dried leaves with your favorite garlicky salad dressing; spinach pairs well with hearty dressings like the traditional hot bacon dressing. Good spinach salad additions include thinly sliced sweet red onions, sliced radishes, thin wedges of red apple or orange segments, toasted nutmeats, chopped scallions, crispy bacon bits, hard-cooked egg quarters and finely grated hard cheese.
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Pepper – Yummy Belles – Renee’s Seeds
$5.19Add to cartHighly productive plants load up early with thick-walled, plump and juicy 3 to 4 inch mini peppers that ripen quickly to bright orange. Sweet and delicious for fast snacks and salads or grilling. Seed Count: 18-20.
Vigorous Yummy Belle was bred in the Czech Republic by a fine family owned seed house that specializes in developing delicious peppers. The compact and productive plants load up early with sweet and crunchy, thick walled fruits that quickly ripen up bright orange for harvesting. You’ll have lots of plump and pretty 3 to 4 inch minis for fresh tasty snacks, to slice into salads, top pizza or enjoy in stir fries. These versatile little sweet peppers are real winners.
STARTING SEEDLINGS
In early spring, start indoors about 2 months before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 50-55°F (10-13°C) range. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a container of starting mix. Keep moist but not soggy, and very warm 80-85°F (27-30°C). Provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside. When seedlings are 2 inches tall, transplant into 4 inch individual pots. Maintain at 70-75°F (21-24°C). Feed with half strength fertilizer every 2 weeks until weather is warm enough to gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions. Plant out 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart into rich soil in full sun.GROWING NOTES
Don’t plant peppers outdoors until night temperatures stay securely above 55°F (13°C). Prepare soil with aged manure or compost. Plant only robust seedlings with well-developed roots. Mulch plants to maintain even soil moisture. Stake or cage your pepper plants to support their heavy fruit set.HARVEST AND USE
Pick the 3 to 4 inch peppers when fully colored up orange. Cut rather than pull them from plants. Enjoy them sliced up raw, sautéed, stir fried, grilled or piled on pizza.