Annual
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Radish – White Icicle Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartSow White Icicle radish seeds from early spring to the middle of May, and plan to sow again in September for a fall harvest crop. The tops on this cylindrical, pure white radish are short at only 11cm (4 1/2″), while the roots keep their fine texture and eating quality up to 15cm (6″) long. White radishes are a little milder than the red skinned ones, with less of that sharp heat. Icicle Short Top is adapted for a wide range of soil conditions and geographical regions, it remains uniform and vigorous. Try planting this radish at a tighter spacing than usual. They perform well in containers, but use deep, freely draining pots.
Timing: Radishes can be grown all season but they’re easiest when sown just after the last frost date and again at the end of summer and into the fall. Optimal soil temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-7 days.
Starting: Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, 25 seeds per 30cm (12″) in rows spaced 30-45cm (12-18″) apart, and thin to 6-12 plants per 30cm (12″).
Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Radishes are moderate to heavy feeders. Best in rich, loamy soil amended with composted manure. Add 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) of row for background fertility. Lime beds the previous fall. The real secret to growing this little vegetable is speed. Sow a short row frequently, thin them quickly, keep them watered, eat them quickly, and sow some more.
Harvest: Harvest promptly when radishes are the size of large marbles. The leaves and developing seedpods are also tasty.
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Radish – Black Spanish Round – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartThis winter-hardy heirloom is a distinctive black colour on the outside with a milky white and tender interior that packs a bit of bite. Large turnip-shaped 8-10cm (3-4″) diameter globes with deep black skins over solid, crisp, pungent, pure-white flesh. Black Spanish Round radish seeds have very tall tops, and are primarily grown for winter storage. They will stay fresh all winter if stored wet sand. This variety was introduced before 1824, and is listed in some old seed catalogues as Noir Gros Rond d’Hiver. Plant Black Spanish Round radish seeds in mid to late summer and eat when it is the size of a quarter. Space radishes 8-10cm (3-4″) apart.
Timing: Radishes can be grown all season but they’re easiest when sown just after the last frost date and again at the end of summer and into the fall. Optimal soil temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-7 days.
Starting: Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, 25 seeds per 30cm (12″) in rows spaced 30-45cm (12-18″) apart, and thin to 6-12 plants per 30cm (12″).
Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Radishes are moderate to heavy feeders. Best in rich, loamy soil amended with composted manure. Add 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) of row for background fertility. Lime beds the previous fall. The real secret to growing this little vegetable is speed. Sow a short row frequently, thin them quickly, keep them watered, eat them quickly, and sow some more.
Harvest: Harvest promptly when radishes are the size of large marbles. The leaves and developing seedpods are also tasty.
Diseases & Pests: Root maggots and flea beetles can be a problem. Expect to lose 20-30% of your crop to maggots if you don’t use a floating row cover.
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Cilantro – Santo Monogerm – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartRegular cilantro seeds, or coriander as they are sometimes called, are actually little nutlets containing more than one true seed. Monogerm seeds have been split by the grower for more precise seeding, either in trays or direct in the field. Each half seed produces a single plant. This is the same Santo variety that has been bred for bolt resistance. For precision seeding with a field seeder or into plug trays, use Santo Monogerm Cilantro Seeds and get the exact number of plants you need for your organic vegetable garden. If the plants eventually bolt in the summer, be sure to harvest the flavourful taproot, which is useful in Thai and Vietnamese recipes.
Timing: Direct sow from just after the last frost date to late spring. Direct sow in the fall under cover for a winter crop. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 15°C (60°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Starting: Sow 2cm (1″) deep in short rows. Thin seedlings to stand 5-10cm (2-4″) apart if harvesting leaves. If growing for seed, allow 23cm (9″) between plants.
Growing: Cilantro is tricky because several factors can cause it to bolt. Avoid transplanting for this reason, and avoid hot conditions as well as too much moisture. It does best in light, well-drained soil in partial shade, in relatively dry conditions. This is easy to achieve beneath a cloche in winter, where cilantro will thrive. Once it blooms, the seeds ripen suddenly, in only a couple of days, so care should be taken to prevent self sowing or simply losing those useful seeds.
Harvest: Pick young leaves once they have reached about 10cm (4″) in height. The flavour, though intense when fresh, diminishes quickly when dried or cooked, so always add cilantro just before serving. Try freezing it in ice cube trays with water. The stems and roots are also full of flavour. Harvest the seeds by sticking 6 or 8 seed heads in a paper bag and hanging it up somewhere airy, away from direct sunlight. The bag will catch the seeds as they ripen and fall out.
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Broccoli – Summer Purple – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartThe latest of the late sprouting broccolis, Summer Purple broccoli seeds begin producing spears the summer after planting – from June to October if kept well picked. Combining this and other varieties, you can now have fresh harvests of sprouting broccoli nearly year round. Big, cold hardy plants with tasty spears. This biennial broccoli variety does not make the big green heads one sees in the grocery stores, but rather a host of small, individual, purple heads, like the side shoots of a regular broccoli. The flavour is sensational, and the heads are extremely nutritious. Purple sprouting broccoli has been all the rage in the UK for several years, and is just finding favour in North American organic gardens in recent time.
How To Grow, Timing: Start indoors right around the last frost date or later in spring for summer harvest in 2 to 3 months. 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. Seeds will germinate in 7-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 10-30°C.
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. Mix ¼-½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil under each transplant. Transplants should be set out by the time they have 6-8 true leaves. 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.
120 Days.
Approx: 30 Seeds
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Cabbage – Tiara Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartExpect early and extra tender leaves from Tiara. Fast maturing cabbage that performs well spring through fall with a compact plant that is perfect for small spaces. Tiara is loved by growers for its 0.5-1kg heads that are dense and crunchy with a short internal core.
Unlike most early maturing varieties, Tiara holds well without splitting, even in the fall. Can be more densely planted than other cabbages, as close as 20cm for mini heads.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors beginning in late winter and transplant outdoors from 2 weeks after the last frost date to early summer. Overwintering cabbage is sown outdoors during July where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C. Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. Cabbage does best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure. Mix ½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. If growth slows, side dress with a little more balanced organic fertilizer. Heads of early varieties can split from over-maturity, rapid growth after heavy rain, or irrigation after dry spells. Splits can be delayed by twisting the plant or cultivating deeply next to plants in order to break roots and slow growth. Fall and winter varieties stand in the garden longer without splitting. If direct sown, add 20-25 days to the maturity date.
If cabbages won’t form heads, it may be from an imbalance of too much nitrogen in the soil in relation to phosphorus. Cabbages require cool temperatures to form heads well. Hot weather can interfere with the development of heads.
How To Grow, Harvest: Cabbage heads are ready when they’re firm to the touch, and when the interior is fairly dense. Heads will split when they’re allowed to overly mature. Rapid growth due to excess watering and fertility will also cause splitting of the head. Plant early, mid-season and late varieties to spread out your harvest. Late varieties tend to be better for storage or for making sauerkraut. Early (summer harvest) varieties tend not to store as well.
60 Days.
Approx: 25 Seeds
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Cabbage – Taiwan – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartTaiwan Cabbage is an oblate, or flat-growing, hybrid known as KY Cross, with heads that are wider than they are tall. These are surrounded with massive wrapper leaves that are easily separated. This popular variety has really nice flavour, great for wrapping and stuffing.
Taiwan Cabbage has outstanding heat tolerance with heads averaging 1.5kg but reaching up to 2.5kg in warm summers with good soil fertility. Rely on KY Cross for good production in coastal settings, with hybrid uniformity and excellent culinary potential.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors beginning in late winter and transplant outdoors from 2 weeks after the last frost date to early summer. Overwintering cabbage is sown outdoors during July where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C. Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. Cabbage does best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure. Mix ½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. If growth slows, side dress with a little more balanced organic fertilizer. Heads of early varieties can split from over-maturity, rapid growth after heavy rain, or irrigation after dry spells. Splits can be delayed by twisting the plant or cultivating deeply next to plants in order to break roots and slow growth. Fall and winter varieties stand in the garden longer without splitting. If direct sown, add 20-25 days to the maturity date.
If cabbages won’t form heads, it may be from an imbalance of too much nitrogen in the soil in relation to phosphorus. Cabbages require cool temperatures to form heads well. Hot weather can interfere with the development of heads.
How To Grow, Harvest: Cabbage heads are ready when they’re firm to the touch, and when the interior is fairly dense. Heads will split when they’re allowed to overly mature. Rapid growth due to excess watering and fertility will also cause splitting of the head. Plant early, mid-season and late varieties to spread out your harvest. Late varieties tend to be better for storage or for making sauerkraut. Early (summer harvest) varieties tend not to store as well.
55 Days
Approx 50 Seeds
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Cabbage – Famosa Organic – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartMain season savoy for planting spring through early summer. Famosa’s bright green, heavily blistered heads are formed within large, blue-green plants.
Make sure to leave enough space when planting for these large-frame plants. Flavour will sweeten in the fall as the weather gets cold. 1-1.8kg heads. Switch to Capriccio for your last planting, or sow together to extend the harvest into late fall.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors beginning in late winter and transplant outdoors from 2 weeks after the last frost date to early summer. Overwintering cabbage is sown outdoors during July where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C. Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow 3 or 4 seeds per pot, 5mm deep, under very bright light. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. Cabbage does best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure. Mix ½ cup complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. If growth slows, side dress with a little more balanced organic fertilizer. Heads of early varieties can split from over-maturity, rapid growth after heavy rain, or irrigation after dry spells. Splits can be delayed by twisting the plant or cultivating deeply next to plants in order to break roots and slow growth. Fall and winter varieties stand in the garden longer without splitting. If direct sown, add 20-25 days to the maturity date.
If cabbages won’t form heads, it may be from an imbalance of too much nitrogen in the soil in relation to phosphorus. Cabbages require cool temperatures to form heads well. Hot weather can interfere with the development of heads
How To Grow, Harvest: Cabbage heads are ready when they’re firm to the touch, and when the interior is fairly dense. Heads will split when they’re allowed to overly mature. Rapid growth due to excess watering and fertility will also cause splitting of the head. Plant early, mid-season and late varieties to spread out your harvest. Late varieties tend to be better for storage or for making sauerkraut. Early (summer harvest) varieties tend not to store as well.
70 Days
Approx: 25 Seeds