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Tomato – Little Red Pear Organic – Renee’s Seeds.
$6.89Classic heirloom specialty. Vigorous vines load up with clusters of petite pear-shaped ruby-red “minis.” Pleasant mild flavor and real eye appeal. A favorite snack for kids of all ages.
Harvest in 75 days.Approx: 70 Seeds.
STARTING SEEDLINGS
In early spring, start indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 50-55°F (10-13°C). Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix. Keep moist but not soggy, and very warm, 80°F (27°C). Provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside. When seedlings are 2 inches tall, transplant into individual 4 inch pots. Maintain at 70°F (21°C). Feed with half-strength fertilizer every 2 weeks until ready to plant. When nights reach 55°F (13°C), gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions. Plant these vigorous indeterminate climbers 3 feet apart into rich soil in full sun.
GROWING NOTES
Prepare soil well with compost and fertilizer. Plant tomatoes several inches deeper than they were growing in containers. Provide strong stakes or tall wire cages at planting time as these plants grow tall with heavy fruit loads. Mulch to provide the even moisture tomato plants need to prevent cracking. Don’t overwater once fruit begins to ripen.
HARVEST AND USE
Pick the pear-shaped fruits when fully colored for best flavor. Enjoy for sweet snacks any time. Sprinkle liberally in salads where their pretty shape and bright color add wonderful eye and taste appeal.
Add to cart45 Seeds
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Slug and Snail Killer
$19.99For use around vegetables, fruit trees, berries, perennials and lawns.
Add to cart1KG
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Sticky Stiks
$9.99Read moreThe Safer’s Sticky Stiks traps are ideal for use in the home or garden, and offer an economical and convenient solution to the annoyances of whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and fungus gnats. Insects are attracted by the bright yellow colour of the Stick Sticks. Traps prevent adult stages of the insect from reproducing and infesting other plants.
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Poppy French Flounce – Papaver Paeoniflorum & Laciniatum – Renee’s Garden
$4.79Poppy lovers will rejoice in this gorgeous mix of tall, antique, double-flowering varieties we import from a fine old French firm. The Carnation or Feather Poppy has deeply cut, fringed 4 inch blossoms. The Peony Flowering Poppy, like its namesake, opens into huge glamorous poufs of softly ruffled petals. The graceful stems with nodding buds unfurl and glow in shades of scarlet, pink, salmon, violet, purple, deep red and white. Grow these statuesque flowers for unparalleled late spring beauty.
Approx: 700 Seeds.
Non GMO
ANNUAL
Spring/summer bloom
Frost hardySTART SEEDS OUTDOORS
Plant poppies either in late fall or very early spring. (Fall-sown seeds will overwinter and germinate when soil warms in early spring.) If spring planting, sow in a fine-textured garden bed in full sun as early as ground can be worked. Sprinkle seeds as thinly as possible, or in rows 8 to 10 inches apart. Rake in gently or lightly cover seeds 1/8 inch deep. Keep seedbed moist. Seedlings emerge in 7 to 14 days. If seedlings come up very thickly, thin poppies early but delay final thinning until weather is settled in spring.
THIN OR TRANSPLANT
Poppies don’t transplant well, so sow directly in the garden. Thin early if crowded, then again to final spacing 8 to 10 inches apart.
GROWING NOTES
Sow seeds early if spring planting, as poppies can handle frosts and bloom best when plants get a good start in cool spring weather. To help space the tiny seeds, try mixing them with a little dry sand before sowing. Weed and water young seedlings and thin carefully to final spacing once they are well established as plants need proper room to grow and develop. Prolong bloom by removing spent flowers.
Add to cartApprox: 700 Seeds.
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Cucumber – Petite Pickles – French Cornichon – Renee’s Garden
$6.59Add to cartCornichons are tiny, European style “mini” pickles. Traditionally they are made into the tiny, tangy pickles often served with cocktails and pâtés. Our imported French Cornichons are both early and vigorous with vines that produce high yields of refined, firm-fleshed little pickles to harvest when well-filled and just a few inches long. They are super easy to make into delicious baby pickles or tiny, sweet, crunchy gherkins. Our disease-resistant, imported variety produces extra early. Parthenocarpic.
Approx: 21 Seeds.
Non GMO
START SEEDS OUTDOORS
Plant heat loving cucumbers only when weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay above 50°F (10°C). Amend soil well with aged manure or compost. Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 1 1/2 feet apart and 1 inch deep with 3 feet between rows.
Thin to 1 seedling per group. Or make slightly mounded hills 5 feet apart, sowing 5 or 6 seeds in each hill. Thin to the 3 strongest plants.
GROWING NOTES
Protect seedlings from marauding birds with plastic berry baskets, removing before plants get crowded. Shallow rooted cucumbers need ample and consistent moisture. Avoid overly wet or dry periods for good quality fruit. Growing cucumber vines up vertical supports saves garden space and makes it easy to find and harvest the cucumbers.
HARVEST AND USE
IMPORTANT: Harvest by cutting when just 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Harvest every few days to keep vines producing and the cornichons from getting too big! Put up pickles within a few days of harvest.
Pickle tiny cornichons in a simple vinegar solution with garlic, peppercorns and fresh tarragon or dill. Traditional with pâté and delicious as snacks or with cocktails.
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Lettuce Bibb – Gourmet Matilda Organic – Renee’s Garden
$6.89Add to cartHeat tolerant, premium Dutch Bibb lettuce that reliably forms beautiful, softly folded heads of sweet and buttery tasting leaves with a delicate and really delicious texture.
Approx: 400 Seeds.
Non GMO
START SEEDS OUTDOORS
In cool early spring weather, start seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Sow 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 6 to 8 inches apart and cover lightly. Tend carefully and keep evenly moist. Gradually thin out extra seedlings, leaving remaining plants standing 10 to 12 inches apart so they have room to size up and mature into full heads. For a constant supply, make several sowings 10 days apart before summer heat comes on. Plant again in late summer for fall harvest.
GROWING NOTES
Lettuce thrives in cool conditions with consistent moisture. Weed, water and be sure to thin carefully to proper spacing so seedlings have room to grow into full size heads. If birds are attracted to young seedlings, cover with floating row covers or netting. Make a shade structure in hotter climates to extend the growing season.
HARVEST AND USE
Keep growing plants evenly moist for sweet tasting, full heads. Savor young lettuce thinnings in your first spring salads. Harvest mature heads of these sweet crunchy leaves when they feel firm and well-filled out. Pull and discard or compost over-mature plants if they begin to elongate (“bolt”) in hot weather as leaves turn bitter at this stage.
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Scabiosa – Paper Moon – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartScabiosa atropurpurea
Family: DisacaceaeEye-catching seed pods set Paper Moon apart from other scabiosas. Small, pale blue flowers tranform into papery, 4cm round pods with star shaped features. It is these seed pods that are most often cut for fresh and dried bouquets. Plant height to 45cm. For use as a cut flower, harvest when the star-shaped centres are just turning black. If harvest is delayed and the centres have turned fully black, the heads will shatter. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 8 – 10 weeks before planting out. Sow outdoors in early spring, when a risk of light frost is still possible. In mild winter areas, seeds can be sown in the fall.
How To Grow, Starting: Barely cover the small seeds. Space plants 30-45cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Deadhead regularly. Grow in average, humus-rich well drained soil with pH in the 7.0 to 8.0 range.
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Pumpkin – Jack Of All Trades – West Coast Seeds
$7.49Add to cartC. pepo. There’s no question that Jack of All Trades pumpkin seeds are the top choice for farmers producing for the Halloween Jack-o-Lantern market. With only 95 days to maturity, it is the earliest maturing Halloween pumpkin, with as much as 95% grower pack-out rate. The pumpkins are notably uniform at 7-8kg each, globe shaped, and 27cm in diameter. This is the ideal size and shape for carving, but also taste great. Fruit exteriors have a light suture and the traditional golden red-orange color. Jack of All Trades will perform well for the home gardener, but you will not need more than one or two of these productive plants.
95 Days.
Approx: 15 Seeds.
Non GMO
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow or transplant in late spring when soil warms up. For transplants, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks after the last frost date. Try to get the plants into the ground no later than the summer solstice. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 25-35°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 2cm deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot you want a plant to grow and thin to the strongest plant. Space plants at a minimum of 90-120cm apart in rows 120-180cm apart. If starting transplants indoors, consider using the 12-cell plug inserts.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big plants need lots of food. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil. Dig in a generous quantity of finished compost and/or composted manure. Dig in 1 cup of a general well-balanced organic fertilizer under each plant. All pumpkins grow male flowers first, then the female flowers are produced. The female flowers have tiny fruits at the base of the petals and require pollination by bees, mostly. Incomplete pollination is common at the beginning of the season, and results in small fruits that are misshapen at the flower end. Discard these damaged fruits before they rot.
For the largest pumpkins, feed weekly throughout the growing season with fish or kelp based fertilizer. Keep the huge plants well watered, particularly in hot weather. Always water the soil, and avoid any form of overhead watering other than rain. Fruit will grow larger if you keep only one fruit per vine. As the fruit develops, try to gently encourage it to grow at a 90° angle to the vine itself. The largest pumpkin varieties will grow on their sides.
How To Grow, Harvest: Like other winter squash, pumpkins are mature when they have coloured up well and their stems are crisp. For the best sugar content, cut the stem about 4cm or so from the body of the fruit. If the weather is dry, allow the pumpkins to cure in the field for 10 days, or in a warm room for 4-5 days. Bring pumpkins in under cover before rain.
How To Grow, Tips: Powdery Mildew: An airborne fungal disease that causes white spots on the leaves at the end of the season. Several home-sprays are said to be somewhat effective. Spray any of the following at 7-10 day intervals. 1tsp baking soda and 1 quart of water with a squirt of dish soap, or 1 part milk to 9 parts of water. You can add a little kelp based fertilizer to the mix. Resistant varieties get the mildew just a few days later than the other varieties.
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Wildflowers – Hummingbird Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartAttract hummingbirds to your growing area with these beautiful Hummingbird Blend wildflower seeds. The twelve species in this mix are some of the most attractive nectar-bearing flowers available, and have a long blooming period. This is a versatile blend that can be used in all kinds of applications. Try some in hanging baskets and window boxes. or scatter the seeds down the meridian on your street. The colour will lure the hummingbirds and the nectar will keep them coming back all season. Plus the flowers will return as early as March each year.
Recommended rate of application: 115g 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.
How To Grow, Growing: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.
Blend Ingredients: 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 seed.
Columbine, Giant Aquilegia caerulea Dwarf Spurred Snapdragon linaria maroccana Four O’Clocks Mirabilis jalapa Gayfeather Liatris spicata Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra Lemon Bergamot Monarda citriodora Lupine ‘Pink Fairy’ Lupinus elegans Perennial Lupin Lupinus perennis Phlox Phlox drummondii Rocket Larkspur Delphinium consolida Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus Scarlet Sage Salvia coccinea Sweet William Pinks Dianthus barbatus Tussock Bellflower Campanula carpatica Wild Petunia Petunia vulgare -
Wildflowers – Deer Resistant Blend – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartA blend of wildflowers that are not preferred food sources for deer or are resilient to being foraged. In times of weak grazing, deer may still nibble on these plants, but the contents of Deer Resistant wildflower seeds were chosen for their resilience to deer. Great for planting on the Gulf Islands and BC Interior, where deer can be a real nuisance. The mix will also work in any other North American setting, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, but foiling marauding deer. Recommended rate of application: 115g 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 seed.
Blend Ingredients:
Blue Sage Salvia farinacea California Poppy Eschscholzia californica Corn Poppy Papaver rhoeas Four O’Clock Mirabilis jalapa French Marigold Tagetes patula Giant Purple Hyssop Agastache rugosa Gold Yarrow Achillea filipendulina Lemon Bergamot Monarda citriodora Perennial Lupin Lupinus perennis Rocket Larkspur Delphinium consolida Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima Sweet William Pinks Dianthus barbatus Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa -
Wildflowers – Great Lakes Blend – West Coast Seeds
$6.49Add to cartThe Great Lakes region is vast and diverse, but it is united by hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Many native North American wildflower species can be found throughout the whole region, but we have selected these species for their ease, suitability, and charm. This collection includes annuals, biennials, and perennials that are both cold hardy and drought tolerant. They should return for years to come once established. The range of colours is huge, as are the number of native insects that will come to feed on them. Any area with limited biodiversity will be improved by the Great Lakes Wildflower Blend.
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 Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Clasping Coneflower Rudbeckia amplexicaulis Dwarf Evening Primrose Oenothera missouriensis Grey-Headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata Indian Blanket Gaillardia pulchella Lance-Leaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata New England Aster Aster novae-angliae Ohio Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis Ox-Eye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides Pale Purple Coneflower Echinacea pallida Plains Coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea Smooth Penstomen Penstomen digitalis White Upland Aster Aster ptarmicoides -
Zinnia – Polar Bear – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartPolar Bear Zinnias bear gorgeous, creamy white flowers atop straight, upright stems that grow 75-100cm tall. The 10cm wide flowers appear from summer to fall, attracting butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinators. Polar Bear Zinnias make exceptionally nice cut flowers, and that adds value to any farm stand or CSA program. Zinnias are a great addition for market growers, and can bring in premium prices as farm stand bouquets. The plants are resilient, and will keep producing new stems and blossoms over several weeks.
Plant this striking flower in mass plantings, or use them in larger containers that will balance the tall stems. Keep cutting zinnia stems, and more flowers keep coming. 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: 145 Seeds.
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Zinnia – Zinderella Peach – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartThe frilly, crested, heads of this scabiosa-flowered zinnia are a charming peach hue that have hints of other colours: oranges blend into creams and roses. The blooms also have constrasting dark eyes. The strong, robust plants produce a high percentage of double-flowers that are excellent for cut flowers and border plants. These summer bloomers grow to around 65-75 cm tall. 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: 20 Seeds.
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Stock – Night Scented Stock – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartMatthiola longipetala. Spindly and insignificant by day, it is potently fragrant at dusk! Single, four-petalled flowers are a pale lilac. Best grown either in out-of-the-way spots or with Virginian Stock to combine their complimentary growing habits, colours, and fragrances. Shear back once for continuing scent from July until frost. Stocks prefer cool temperatures, but need full sun to perform well. Once the soil heats up in summer, plants tend to die back. Provide ample water, but very well drained soil. Sow Evening Scented stocks seeds on the surface of the soil. Many sources still use the previous Latin name for this plant, M. bicornis. If given some support, this branching plant will grow to 45cm tall. If grown in containers, it will probably not grow upright. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after last frost. Seeds take 3-20 days to germinate at an ideal soil temperature of 12-18°.
How To Grow, Starting: Stocks are highly susceptible to damping off. Sow on the surface of vermiculite under bright light, with some ventilation nearby. Water only from below. Pot on into sterilized potting soil once plants are large enough to handle, and space them in the garden at 15-23cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil is best, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Pinch out side shoots for taller plants. Crowding plants encourages earlier blooming. Water regularly and feed lightly every month.
Approx: 550 Seeds.
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Cosmos – Double Click Snow Puff – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartCosmos bipinnatus. Breathtaking Snow Puff Cosmos seeds produce fully double flowers in pure white like little clouds in the garden. This is part of the Fleuroselect winning “Double Click” series from France, bred for shorter, stronger stems. Snow Puff cosmos seeds flowers will bloom all summer on plants that grow 60-80cm tall. Deadhead spent flowers and Snow Puff remains tidy and fresh looking all summer long, from June well into August. This drought tolerant variety is good for xeriscaping as well as long lasting cut flowers. The double flowers will arouse interest and compliments in your organic flower garden.
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: 30 Seeds.
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Foxglove – Purple – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartDigitalis purpurea. Tubular, nodding flowers are often speckled and tumble on husky spires to 2m tall. Foxglove flowers late spring to summer and may flower again from the tops of the stems in late summer or fall. Sow indoors in late winter to transplant early spring for flowers the first year. Foxgloves thrive in moist, shady areas, but can stand full sun if they are kept watered. Each plant produces thousands of tiny seeds – to avoid self-sowing, cut the stalks down as soon as flowering has finished. All parts of the Foxglove plant are poisonous. Biennial.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow outdoors after last frost for flowers the following year. In mild winter areas, direct sow in autumn as well. For flowers the first year, sow indoors very early, in December or January for transplanting 2-3 weeks before last frost. Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate. If starting indoors, provide bright light and a soil temperature of 15-18°C.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow on the surface. Space or transplant 45-60cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Water plants deeply on a regular basis. Cut off finished flowering stems to prevent self-sowing. Otherwise, expect foxgloves to naturalize around your garden. Foxgloves will languish in periods of heat and drought, so provide extra moisture during those times. If allowed to go to seed, foxgloves tend to self sow for several generations.
Approx: 4490 Seeds.
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Wildflowers – Alternative Lawn Blend – West Coast Seeds
$15.99Add to cartUse Alternative Lawn Blend wildflower seeds as an alternative to lawn. It forms a low-growing, dense ground cover composed of fine fescues, flowers, and clover species, and provides a colourful and less demanding alternative to traditional grass lawns. This incredibly beautiful blend contains thirteen species that will fill in spaces fairly rapidly and return to bloom from year to year. It stays low growing like a carpet of colour, and attracts beneficial insects and butterflies over a very long bloom period. Recommended rate of application: 115g per 1,000 square feet. Hardy to Zone 4.
Baby Blue-Eyes Nemophila menziesii California Poppy Eschscholzia californica Creeping Daisy Chrysanthemum paludosum Dwarf California Poppy Eschscholzia caespitosa Five-Spot Nemophila maculata Hard Fescue Festuca trachyphylla Johnny Jump-Up Viola cornuta Sheep Fescue Festuca ovina Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima White Dutch Clover Trifolium repens Wild Thyme Thymus pulegioides Yellow Daisy Chrysanthemum multicaule 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.
50 Grams/packet
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Wildflowers – Fragrant Flower Blend – West Coast Seeds
$9.99Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThis lovely wildflower blend is a sight for sore eyes and a scent for sore noses! The multi-colour blooms in this blend provide a range of perfumes all season. Scents range from sweetly floral to citrus to anise.
Recommended rate of application: 142g per 1,000 square feet.Annuals and Perennials.
Blend Ingredients:
[Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Chinese Pinks (Dianthus chinensis), Dahlberg Daisy (Thymophylla tenuiloba), Dianthus ‘Rainbow Loveliness’ (Dianthus hybridus), Elegant Lupine (Lupinus elegans), Evening Scented Stock (Matthiola bicornis), Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa), French Marigold (Tagetes patula), Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule), Johnny Jump-Up (Viola cornuta), Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora), Purple Giant Hyssop (Agastache rugosa), Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), Sweet Mignonette (Reseda odorata), Sweet William Pinks (Dianthus barbatus), Virginia Stock (Malcolmia maritima)]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.
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Beans Bush – Calypso – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartAlso known as Orca and Yin Yang drying bean. This unusual bi-coloured Caribbean heirloom has a creamy texture when cooked and looks great on the plate. The plants are relatively compact bushes, growing to only 45cm tall. The beans are easy to grow and fun to harvest. Plant some Calypso beans and enjoy the dried beans in soups and stews all winter long. Thes beans are open-pollinated, so are easy to harvest and save for planting the following yea
How To Grow, Timing: Sow as early as possible for dry beans, in late spring, once the soil warms up a bit so plants can mature before wet weather sets in. Optimal soil temperature: 21-32°C.
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. Seeds will sprout in 8-16 days, depending on 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 of row. Raised beds help with both drainage and warmth. Too much nitrogen in fertilizer or manure may cause 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.
How To Grow, Harvest: Stop all watering when the first pods start drying out. Harvest when the seedpods are straw coloured. Pull the plants up by the roots and hang to dry. To shell the beans, bash them back and forth inside a bag or pillowcase, or shell them individually by hand. Do not pick until pods are dry. The beans themselves can then be set somewhere out of direct sunlight, where air movement is good, for a further week to ensure even dryness.
80 days.
Approx: 30 Seeds.
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Radish – Rido Red – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartThese fast growing, uniform watermelon radishes have a lovely cream exterior over a bright fuchsia centre. The core starts as a simple dot of colour, but expands toward the outside as the root develops. The resulting visual appeal makes them extremely eye catching for the market table – or the dinner table. Rido Red radish can be grown at nearly any time of year, but the faster they grow the better the flavour. We were impressed in our summer seed trials by the overall flavour and character of this radish. It mingles sweet and savoury with a touch of mustard-like heat.
How To Grow, 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. Seeds should sprout in 5-7 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm deep, 25 seeds per 30cm in rows spaced 30-45cm apart, and thin to 6-12 plants per 30cm.
How To Grow, 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 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.
How To Grow, Harvest: Harvest promptly when radishes are the size of large marbles. The leaves and developing seedpods are also tasty.
60 days.
Approx: 100 Seeds
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Squash Delicata – Sweet Dumpling – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartC. pepo. Sow Sweet Dumpling squash seeds for fruits with delicious, light-golden flesh and fine, sweet texture when baked. The 8-10cm, squat fruits weigh about half a pound – just right for an individual serving… And that makes them positively ideal for stuffing and baking. Sweet Dumpling squash are very productive and good keepers. Shaped like small, flat topped acorn squash, but with the distinct markings of a delicata, Sweet Dumpling produces eight to ten little fruits per plant. This is one of our favourites, and has been performing well for years with great customer feedback.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow or transplant in late spring once the soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors during the first two weeks of May. Optimal soil temperature: 25-35°C. Seeds should germinate in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 2cm deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot where you want a plant to grow, and thin to the strongest plant. Space summer squash 45-60cm apart in rows 90-120cm apart. Give winter squash and pumpkins even more room with a minimum of 90-120cm apart in rows 120-180cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big plants need lots of food. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer worked into the soil beneath each plant. All squash grow male flowers first, at later female flowers. The female flowers have tiny fruits at the base of their petals and require pollination by bees mostly. Incomplete pollination often happens at the beginning of the season, and results in misshapen fruits that are withered at the blossom end. Just discard these damaged fruits before they begin to rot. Encourage bees to visit the garden by growing Phacelia, sunflowers, or buckwheat for improved pollination.
How To Grow, Harvest: Summer Squash: Pick when small, if fruit gets big the plant stops producing. Check the plants regularly.
Winter Squash: Fruit is ripe if your thumbnail doesn’t mark the skin and the stem is dry and brown. Cut the stem about 4cm from the fruit. Squash survive a light frost, but store better if harvested before frost.
Storage: Field-cure for 10 days in the sun, or cure indoors in a warm room for 4 or 5 days. To prevent mould sponge the skins with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach. Store at 10-15ºC with low humidity with good air circulation. Try on a shelf in the garage.
110 Days.
Approx: 15 Seeds.
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Radish Daikon – Minowase Summer Cross – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartRaphanus sativus. Daikon radishes are large and require deeply prepared soil, as they can grow to over 30cm long. One of the best daikon radishes for summer, Minowase Summer Cross have white roots that are 15-20 inches long and 2.5″ in diameter. The pure white flesh is excellent for salads, sandwiches, cooking, and pickling. Flavour is milder when grown to maturity in fall, in light soil, and with good irrigation.
Sow and grow as you would turnips, thinning them to 15-20cm apart. At each cultivation, push the soil over the top of the root.
How To Grow, 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. Seeds should sprout in 5-7 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm deep, 25 seeds per 30cm in rows spaced 30-45cm apart, and thin to 6-12 plants per 30cm.
How To Grow, 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 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.
How To Grow, Harvest: Harvest promptly when radishes are the size of large marbles. The leaves and developing seedpods are also tasty.
50 Days.
Approx: 40 Seeds.
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Pumpkin – Baby Boo – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartThese adorable mini, creamy-white pumpkin grows to around the size of a tennis ball. The vigorous, vining plant produces numerous fruits that are flattened and slightly ribbed. Fantastic for ornamental use and in floral derorations. Baby Boo is suitable for growing on trellises and fences. Fairly compact for a pumpkin, the trailing vines can spread to 80-140cm. Great fun for kids to grow.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow or transplant in late spring when soil warms up. For transplants, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks after the last frost date. Try to get the plants into the ground no later than the summer solstice. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 25-35°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 2cm deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot you want a plant to grow and thin to the strongest plant. Space plants at a minimum of 90-120cm (36-48″) apart in rows 120-180cm apart. If starting transplants indoors, consider using the 12-cell plug inserts.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big plants need lots of food. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil. Dig in a generous quantity of finished compost and/or composted manure. Dig in 1 cup of a general well-balanced organic fertilizer under each plant. All pumpkins grow male flowers first, then the female flowers are produced. The female flowers have tiny fruits at the base of the petals and require pollination by bees, mostly. Incomplete pollination is common at the beginning of the season, and results in small fruits that are misshapen at the flower end. Discard these damaged fruits before they rot.
For the largest pumpkins, feed weekly throughout the growing season with fish or kelp based fertilizer. Keep the huge plants well watered, particularly in hot weather. Always water the soil, and avoid any form of overhead watering other than rain. Fruit will grow larger if you keep only one fruit per vine. As the fruit develops, try to gently encourage it to grow at a 90° angle to the vine itself. The largest pumpkin varieties will grow on their sides.
How To Grow, Harvest: Like other winter squash, pumpkins are mature when they have coloured up well and their stems are crisp. For the best sugar content, cut the stem about 4cm or so from the body of the fruit. If the weather is dry, allow the pumpkins to cure in the field for 10 days, or in a warm room for 4-5 days. Bring pumpkins in under cover before rain.
100 Days.
Approx: 15 Seeds.
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Parsley – Dark Green Italian – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartFlat, dark green leaves are deeply cut, with a rich parsley flavour ideal for cooking or salads. Dark Green Italian Parsley Seeds are easy to grow, sturdy plants with stiff upright stems. Holds flavour better than the curly kind when dried. Use parsley in companion planting: Parsley likes asparagus, carrots, chives, corn, onions, and tomatoes. The leaves can be sprinkled on asparagus to repel asparagus beetles, and around roses, to improve their scent. Let some of your parsley go to bloom to attract hover-flies and predatory wasps. Parsley is a biennial plant that forms a long (edible) tap root. Choose deep pots for container growing.
How To Grow, Starting: If starting indoors, sow seeds 1cm deep, in sterilized seed starting mix, in peat pots or plug trays. Like its cousins dill and cilantro, parsley develops a taproot that does better if left undisturbed. Sow outdoors in drills 3cm deep, spaced 8cm apart. Thin final plants to 15cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Grow parsley in a deeply dug bed. Add a generous amount of rotted manure or finished compost to the bed several weeks in advance, or the previous fall. For summer crops, aim to grow plants in a place where they will receive some shade during the day – either on the east or west side of a structure or fence works well. For winter crops, start new seeds in late summer and transplant out to a warm, sunny location by September. Parsley will grow all winter (in mild areas) if cloche protection is provided.
How To Grow, Harvest: Cut individual sprigs from the outside of the plant or the whole plant as needed. Sprigs can be dried in the food dehydrator. Chop sprigs into the portions that your favourite recipes call for, place into an ice cube tray and add water to cover. When frozen, bag and store until needed. This keeps the parsley fresh for months.
80 days.
Approx: 1180 Seeds.
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Mint – Peppermint – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartMentha x piperata. Hot, rich mint aroma issues from the crushed or dried leaves of this spreading perennial plant. Consider growing Peppermint seeds in containers, as it will become hard to control over the years. Both the leaves and flowers can be dried for teas or use in stews and sauces. Peppermint grows well in moist soil in full sun to heavy shade. Mint flowers are edible, and highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Mint plants spread by an ever-expanding rhizome that grows parallel with the soil. Along its length, new stems emerge with new leaves and flowers. This is why many gardeners prefer to grow mint in containers than in the open soil.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in late spring. Seeds should sprout in 10-16 days. Bottom heat will speed germination.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds no more than 5mm (¼”) deep in moist soil. Space plants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Mint spreads in the garden with gusto via a vigorous root system, so it may be preferable to confine it to planters on the balcony or in a raised bed. Prune plants back hard in early summer to promote good top growth. Bring some inside to grow in a small container over winter to grow on a brightly lit windowsill.
How To Grow, Harvest: Clip leaves or branches as needed throughout the year. Mint is so hardy and tough that it will grow right back. Dry the leaves and flowers for peppermint tea, or use them fresh. The flowers are edible and bring distinctive character to salads and sweets.
Approx: 990 Seeds.
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Calendula – Fiesta Gitana – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartCalendula officinalis. Fiesta Gitana calendula seeds are a dwarf selection of double flowers in a rich, warm range of colours from deep orange to pastel cream. Plants are compact, growing to only 20-35cm tall, so they are perfectly suited for containers or edging the garden bed. The flower petals are edible, and look superb sprinkled over salads and smart drinks for your summer parties. Keep Fiesta Gitana calendula deadheaded for the tidiest look and the longest flowering period. Simply pull or snip off any flowers the day after they fade. Once established, Calendula need little care, so they make good candidates for xeriscaping. Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for reliable performance in the garden. Annual.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow in early spring when light frost is still a possibility, and continue to sow every two to three weeks until early summer for fall flowers. Calendula is easiest from direct sowing, but can also be started indoors late winter for transplanting once daytime temperatures are steadily above 10°C. If starting indoors, maintain darkness and a soil temperature of 21°C until germination occurs in 6-14 days, and then supply bright light to keep seedlings compact. Or direct sow in early autumn in Zones 8-10.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm deep, and aim for a spacing of 15-45cm between plants.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 5.5-7.0. Calendula grows easily in any regular garden soil. Pinch back young plants to encourage bushy growth. Occasional feeding is rewarded, but unnecessary. Keep plants watered, but try to avoid overhead watering as plants are susceptible to mildew. Deadhead regularly to prevent self-sowing.
Approx: 140 Seeds.
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Tomato – Glacier Organic – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartCERTIFIED ORGANIC. Glacier Organic is one of our earliest maturing tomato varieties. The productive little plants are compact and well suited to containers and balcony growing. Glacier’s ‘cocktail’ size fruits are small at just 5cm in diameter, but they are very sweet, with a superior flavour compared to some other early maturing varieties. The stout plants grow to only 60-75cm tall, and bear most of their fruit in a concentrated set. The plants are relatively cold tolerant and perform well in short season northern gardens.
How To Grow, Timing: Start indoors in early spring over bottom heat. When seedlings germinate, remove from the heat and grow under bright lights. Grow seedlings on for 6-8 weeks at around 10°C. Early season tomatoes can be planted out once night time temperatures are reliably above 7°C – or later. Other types should be transplanted out when night time lows are 10°C or warmer – or later. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 25-35°C. With bottom heat seeds should germinate in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm-1cm deep. Keep seedlings under very bright light to prevent legginess. You may have to pot on seedlings more than once before they go out to allow for root growth. Space bush (determinate) transplants 45-60cm apart and vine (indeterminate) types 50-75cm apart in rows 1m apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Tomatoes like fertile, well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Dig in finished compost and manure, and add 1 cup balanced organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. The nutrition from heavy clay soils is excellent for tomatoes, but they are slow to warm, so transplanting should be done later. By the same token, lighter soils warm more quickly, so transplants can go out sooner. Adding glacial rock dust will supply all the calcium they will need. Regular watering is vital, but don’t let the plants sit in water. Tomatoes are tropical plants so they require full sun and lots of heat. Vine varieties will require some kind of support such as a wire to grow up, or a trellis to be tied to as the plant grows. Bush types benefit from the support of a tomato cage in order to prevent sprawling. At the time of final transplant, plants can be buried up to their first pair of true leaves. This will encourage greater root growth, helping with both nutrient uptake and the plants’ ability to stand up to dry conditions.
Stop watering around the end of July to encourage the fruit to ripen. If tomato plants are grown under cover, you can encourage pollination and fruit set by tapping the stem from time to time. Tomatoes do not rely on insects for pollination. Vibrating the plant shakes pollen loose within the flowers, which then self-pollinate.Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow and produce fruit until they are killed by frost. Remove any suckers (stems growing from the crotch of leaves) to keep the foliage under control, and they will set a later crop of larger fruit. Determinate varieties normally set fruit in a concentrated time period. Their suckers are not normally removed, though some trimming helps with ventilation.
How To Grow, Harvest: Harvest when the fruit is the desired colour. Green tomatoes can be ripened indoors at a cool temperature when they are blemish free. Very dark green tomatoes are unlikely to ripen fully.
55 Days.
Approx 50 Seeds.
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Eggplant – Snowy Organic- West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartThis Italian-type eggplant produces 18cm long fruits with glossy, snowy white skins that resists yellowing. The sweet, mild flesh is meaty and firm, holding up well in cooking. The sturdy plants are vigorous, and well adapted to a wide variety of conditions, including containers. This fast grower is a great choice for growers in short season areas.
How To Grow, Timing: Sow indoors in the four weeks following the last frost date. Use bottom heat, and keep seedlings warm. Optimal soil temperature: 24-32°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-12 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm-1cm deep. Use individual peat or coir pots to reduce root disturbance when transplanting. Transplant after night time temperatures are steadily 10°C or warmer. Space with 45-60cm between plants. Medium size (3-5 gallon) containers for individual plants also work well.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 5.5-6.0. Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the soil three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ¼-½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. Using a clear plastic cloche or floating row cover helps growth by increasing heat. Cool temperatures increase leafy growth, but delay fruit set. Once most eggplants get going in the summer, they are highly productive right up until the first frosts.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pinch off blossoms 2 to 4 weeks before first expected frost so that plants focus on ripening any existing fruit, not producing new ones. Harvest the fruit anytime after the fruit reaches half of their size. Harvesting early prevents fruit from becoming too seedy, and will encourage more production from the plants.
Do not pull the fruit off the plant, but cut it with scissors or secateurs, being careful to avoid any sharp spurs at the stem end.
60-70 Days
Approx: 20 Seeds
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Fennel – Preludio Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartLike many crops, when fennel bulbs are ready they need to be harvested — if they’re not picked right away, they tend to bolt. When fennel plants bolt, the growth is very fast, almost sudden. The quest for bolt-resistant bulbing fennel has led to the new hybrid, Preludio Organic. Its bulbs are heavy and substantial, shiny smooth on the outside, and packed with flavour. They are dense and uniform, with firm, crisp texture, and the tops are verdant and upright, so they look fabulous on the market table. This is the best variety for late summer and early fall harvests in most areas.
How To Grow, Timing: Start indoors 4 weeks before the last frost date in individual peat or coir pots. Fennel dislikes root disturbance. Transplant (or direct sow rows) 4 weeks after last frost in succession to mid-summer. Ideal temperature for germination: 15-21°C (60-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep, a few seeds where each plant is to grow. Thin or space to 20-30cm in rows 45cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 5.5-7.0. Rich, well-drained soil produces the best bulbs. Transplant when seedlings are 5cm tall. If raising transplants, do not disturb the roots, as this may cause plants to bolt. Keep well watered to ensure succulent bulbs and prevent bolting.
How To Grow, Harvest: Use a knife to slice the bulb from the root when it has thickened to 5cm or more across. If this is done carefully, smaller bulbs will sprout from the root later.
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Kale – Summer Blend – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartA selection of kale varieties that thrive in the warmth of summer. Summer Kale Blend is a diverse mix of leaf shapes and contrasting colours in greens and purples. Sow short rows at three-week intervals and harvest regularly for a continuous supply of baby greens, Grow in full sun to partial shade, in garden beds or patio containers. Enjoy tender baby leaf kale in salads and wraps or chop into soups for added nutrition.
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.
40-60 Days
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Rattlesnake Master – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
2-5 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms August to October
Dry to Medium Site
Appox. 45 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) adds so much character to the garden! It belongs to the same family as celery and carrots and the stem has a carrot like fragrance when crushed. Rattlesnake master is native to the Central United States, but is hardy up to zone 3 and its range is projected to expand North as a result of climate change.
Growing Instructions
Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
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Purple Coneflower – Echinacea Purpurea – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
2-5 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms July to September
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 30 seeds per pack
Zones 4-8Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is popular with bees, hummingbirds and butterflies and seeds are a fall and winter food source for birds as well. It makes excellent cut flowers, is easy to grow and will spread in the garden. Native to the central and eastern United States and naturalized in much of Ontario, purple coneflower is hardy up to zone 3. Leaves and flower petals are edible, which many make into a tea to benefit from its many medicinal qualities.
Growing Instructions
Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
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Prairie Smoke – Geum Triflorum – Northern Wildflowers
$6.00Add to cartPerennial
<1 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms June to July
Dry to Medium Site
150 seeds per pack
Zones 3-7Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is a unique spring flower. After pollination the deep red flowers puff out into plumes. The foliage is also attractive, turning red, orange and finally purple into the fall and winter. The plant can be arranged to form dense mats, making for an attractive ground cover and is a great option for planting on septic beds.
Growing Instructions
Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
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Wild Lowbush Blueberry – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
1-2 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Zones 2-6
Blooms June to August
Medium to Moist Site
Approx. 200 seeds per packWild Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) has edible berries that burst with their signature sweet flavour and ripen from June to August depending on your region. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, these berries are definitely a must-have for your garden (or forest garden) if your conditions are right. Blueberries do best in acidic soils with the optimum soil pH being 4.5 to 5.0, but plants usually do fine a little above or below this range. If pH is above 5.5, leaves become chlorotic and plants lose vigor. Very acidic soils (pH < 4.0) can also reduce growth, particularly those with significant amounts of clay. These plants will benefit from the addition of compost, leaf litter, and pine needles. Note that it may take 3 years for the plants to produce fruit.
Growing Instructions:
Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter. -
Square Stemmed Monkey Flower – Mimulus Ringens – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
2 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Sun
Blooms June to September
Medium to Wet Site
Over 300 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9Square Stemmed Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens) is a compact plant with delicate blooms that are a wonderful addition to the wildflower garden. The flowers are generally pale blue-violet but occasionally pink or white and attract butterflies, bumblebees and other pollinating insects. This plant grows best in wetter patches in the garden and occurs naturally in wet meadows, swamps, and stream and pond borders.
Growing Instructions
Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.