Shop
-
Prairie Coneflower – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
2-3 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms June to August
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 100 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) has a unique shape and is easy to grow from seed. The plant is a native of the Canadian Prairies but grows well in zones 3 to 10. Prairie coneflower’s deep taproot allows it to survive well in dry conditions. Flowers may exhibit yellow, red or mixed coloration.
Growing Instructions
No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at 1/4 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing. -
Onion Nodding Wild – Alluim Cernuum – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
1-1.5 feet tall
Full to Part Sun
Blooms July to August
Medium to Moist Site
Approx. 40 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum) is an edible, unique addition to the garden. A native member of the Allium family, which includes onions and garlic, its stems can be used much like chives and the bulbs are also edible. A ball of white/purple star-shaped flowers blooms at the end of the summer and are pollinated by native sweat bees. Note that first year plants may look a bit like grass at first. It is in their second year that stem girth increases and flowering occurs. Plants can also be propagated by splitting off the bulb-lets which develop on the side of the main bulb.
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 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter. -
Aster New England – Symphyotrichum Novae Angliae – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
3-6 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms September- October
Medium to Moist Site
Over 200 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a pioneer of natural succession sites and does well in a variety of conditions. This under-valued native provides an important nectar source for pollinators from late summer until frost. Its roots can be divided annually and the flower colour can range from white, to pink to blue-purple. New England Aster is the host plant of the Pearl Crescent and several checkerspot butterflies.
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 soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
-
Lobelia Great Blue – Lobelia Siphilitica – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
1-3 feet tall
Part Sun to Shade
Blooms July to September
Medium to Moist Site
Over 200 seeds per package
Zones 3-9Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is a great option for planting near ponds, along lakeshores or rain gardens. It prefers cool, moist conditions and does not tolerate drought at all. The dainty blue flowers are a lovely end of season addition to the garden.
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. -
Foxglove Beardtongue – Penstemon Digitalis – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
3-4 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Zones 4-8
Blooms June to July
Medium-Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 200 seeds per packFoxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) has beautiful white to pink tubular flowers that attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and hummingbirds. This plant can adapt to many light conditions: full sun to part shade such as clearings within forests, or along tree-lined yard edge. Prefers rich, acidic soil.
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. -
Mint Dotted – Monarda Punctata – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
1-3 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms August to October
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 200+ seeds per pack
Zones 3-9Dotted Mint (Monarda punctata) is beautiful, undemanding and edible. Native to the Eastern portion of Canada and the United States, the plant’s leaves and flowers can be used to make an aromatic tea or as a savoury herb. Dotted mint is drought tolerant and although it prefers sand and loam, it will tolerate clay. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the plant has a row of flowers, and below what appear to be flower petals are actually colourful leaves, which may be purple, pink, green, white or yellow. Dotted mint is a favourite food source of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.
Growing Instructions
No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
-
Coneflower Cutlef – Rudbeckia Laciniata – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
3-6 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms August to October
Medium to Wet Site
Approx. 80 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), also called green-headed coneflower and wild goldenglow adds a beautiful burst of yellow at the end of the season. This taller cousin of the black-eyed susan spreads aggressively via rhizomes. Native to most Canadian provinces and much of the eastern United States.
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 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter. -
Common Evening Primrose – Oenothera Biennis – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
3-5′ tall
Full Sun
Blooms June to October
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 120 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) are known for their lemon-scented, large yellow flowers and vibrant leaves. It is an easy to grow drought tolerant native, that will do well in a range of soils. The flowers bloom continuously from early summer to fall, opening in the evening until late morning and are pollinated by night-flying moths and bees in the early morning. Seeds are also an important food source for birds.
Growing Instructions
No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing. -
Cardinal Flower – Lobelia Cardinalis – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
1-3 feet tall
Part Sun to Full Shade
Blooms July to August
Medium to Moist Site
Approx. >200 seeds.
Zones 4-9Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is easily distinguished by its vibrant red flowers. Cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds and pairs well with other lobelias and beardtongues. Overpicking of this flower has resulted in its scarcity in some areas, so it is an excellent choice for any garden. Note- seeds are very small.
Growing Instructions
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. -
Goldenrod Canada – Solidago Canadensis – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
Up to 2-6 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms August-October
Medium to Moist Site
Over 300 seeds per pack
Zones 2-9Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is a native perennial plant that is found in much of Canada and the USA. It has beautiful golden-yellow, cascading clusters of small yellow flowers that appear in late summer into fall. Goldenrods spread by seed and rhizomes, so they can be aggressive spreaders. This plant prefers a soil with some clay and moist (but not wet) conditions in full sun. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers so this is a great addition to pollinator patches! It has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and is used in herbal medicine for overall immune system support. Its leaves can be used as a tea, which tastes very similar to green tea.
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. -
Anemone Canada – Anemone Canadensis – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
1 foot tall
Full Sun to Partial Sun
Blooms May to June
Medium-Wet to Medium Site
Approx. 30 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis) is your go-to for a short, hardy native ground cover. Overcrowded clumps can be divided in the fall to maximize flowering. The spring flowers are whimsical and abundant and the remaining foliage is attractive right into the fall. Canada anemone can be aggressive, so plan its position in your garden carefully. Do not confuse Canada Anemone with other low growing edible plants, as all parts of this plant are toxic.
Note, as many other woodland plants, Canada anemone can be challenging to germinate from seed. This species requires double dormancy, or double cold moist stratification. When planted in the fall, the plant may require 2 seasons to germinate, or if stratification is done indoors, the cycle should be followed twice (see below).
Growing Instructions
Double 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. Remove from refrigerator and store at room temperature for 6-8 weeks. Put seeds back in refrigerator for a second 6-8 week cold moist stratification. 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 for two seasons.
-
Vervain Blue – Northern Wildflowers
$4.00Add to cartPerennial
2-5 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms July to September
Medium to Moist Site
Over 200 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) is a unique, eye-catching beauty in any garden. It grows quickly from seed and requires little care to maintain. Blue vervain will survive in dry sites, however the plant will be smaller and bear fewer flowers. Note that seeds are very small.
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. -
Tomato – Sweet Gold – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartIndeterminate yellow cherry tomato that is easy to grow and early to mature. Sweet Gold produces heavy yields of small, 10-15g (.35-.5oz) fruit growing in single and double clusters. For optimal flavour, harvest when fruit is bright yellow. A good choice for gardens with a relatively short growing season.
-
Tomato – Purple Bumble Bee Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.99Add to cartSuper cute red cherry tomatoes with purple stripes. The sweet round fruits have excellent flavour and grow to a uniform 4cm across. They hang in long trusses from tall indeterminate vines. Try Purple Bumble Bee in a 5-gallon (or larger) container but be sure to provide the support of a trellis or string, as the vines are vigorous. Keep the plants picked and snip back any suckers so the fruit production is limited to one central vine.
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.
Indeterminate (vine) Matures in 70 days.
Approx:10 Seeds.
-
Tomato – Black Krim Organic – West Coast Seeds
$4.49Add to cartGardener’s Delight cherry tomato has a wonderful, old-fashioned flavour and produces long trusses laden with clusters of 6-12 2.5cm, crack-resistant, bright-red morsels. A mid-maturity variety that can be grown in many regions without protection.
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.
Vine (indeterminate), Matures in 65 days.
Approx:40 Seeds.
-
Tomato – Sweet Million Cherry – West Coast Seeds
$6.49Add to cartSweet Million cherry tomato seeds are easy to grow, and hardy plants adapt well to many climates. Tall vigorous vines grow masses of gorgeous red cherry tomatoes on long trusses. This variety is the winner of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit. Sweet Million tomato plants mature early and deliver incredible yields of delicious sweet cherry tomatoes all season long. A terrific snacking tomato that’s impossible to resist!
This extremely vigorous plant needs support for climbing habit, pruning may be required for containment in smaller areas. Uniform fruits are 2.5 cm average 10-15 grams. Sweet Million tomatoes are resistant to, or tolerant of, Fusarium Wilt (Race 1), Tomato (Tobacco) Mosaic Virus.
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.
Approx: 25 Seeds
Indeterminate (vine)
Matures in 65 days
-
Swiss Chard – Magenta Sunset – West Coast Seeds
$3.69Add to cartHot pink to magenta stems and veins with dark jade coloured foliage, Magenta Sunset is a beauty among the chards. Magenta Sunset Swiss chard seeds are grown primarily for immature salad greens as it tends to bolt during summer heat. The leaves are smooth, and the stalks are narrow, even at full size. Kept in check, it will produce abundant nutritious leaves with a mild earthy flavour. Sow again in August for a fall harvest or for decorative, 60cm tall plants. Swiss chard is absolutely packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow any time from early spring to mid-summer. Chard is moderately winter hardy and may perform into the following spring where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 1cm deep, spaced 10-30cm apart in rows 45cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Swiss chard prefers loose, deep, and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Plenty of consistent moisture is required, especially as plants grow larger. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade in summer. A liquid fertilizer or compost tea applied twice during summer will keep chard growing well.
How To Grow, Harvest: For salad mix, seed more densely and cut as baby leaves. Cut individual mature stalks using the large outer ones first. For salad mix, seed more densely and cut as baby leaves. Cut individual mature stalks using the large outer ones first.
Matures in 25-30 days.
Approx 145 Seeds.
-
Squash Winter – Butterbaby Organic – West Coast Seeds
$5.99Add to cartAdorable mini butternuts that are the perfect single serving size! Butterbaby is an excellent choice for home gardeners with its early maturity and high yields per plant. Uniform .5-.9kg tan fruits have sweet, dark orange flesh and good storability. Semi-vining plants.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow or transplant in late spring once the soil is warm. Start transplants indoors 3 to 4 weeks prior. 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.
-
Squash Zucchini – Black Beauty – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartThe standard summer squash, introduced in the 1920s. Large bush plants grow semi-upright and open, and are loaded with glossy dark green fruits with firm creamy white flesh and fine flavour. Plants are productive very early, and over a long period. Best eaten when under 20cm. Black Beauty zucchini seeds are the best variety for freezing. Black Beauty zucchini is a 20th Century heirloom that won the All American Selections prize back in 1957. It was first introduced to American market growers in the 1920s, and was commercially available as seed from the 1930s on.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow or transplant in late May or early June when soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors in late April or early May. 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 one. Aim to space zucchinis no less than 45-60cm apart in rows 90-120cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big, fast-growing plants need plenty of moisture and lots of food. Grow them in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Dig finished compost or well-rotted manure into the beds, and dig in 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. Water the soil around them when you irrigate, and always avoid overhead watering, as wet leaves will attract diseases like mildew. Keep weeded. Misshapen or withered fruits can result from incomplete pollination. Make sure to remove these from the plants as you see them, before they begin to rot, and put them in the compost. In the home garden it can be tempting to over-plant zucchinis. One well-grown plant will provide enough fruits for the average family. Instead of planting several zucchinis, use that space for other vegetables.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick regularly to encourage the plant to keep on fruiting. Zucchini leaves are often very prickly, so pull delicate skinned fruit out carefully. Fully mature zucchini have a hard skin.
Matures in 60 days.
Approx: 15 Seeds.
-
Radish – Cherriette – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartSmooth-skinned, bright red radishes with a very round, uniform shape. Cherriette is bred to perform in higher temperatures, so it holds better potential for harvesting into summer. The ideal production time is spring and fall. The pure white flesh of Cherriette is dense and crisp, with a sweet, hot flavour. This is a very uniform radish variety that is slow to develop pith. Its tops are short, but sturdy for bunching. Cherriette has out performed the open pollinated varieties in our trials. Try Cherriette in window box type containers. Plant short rows every two weeks from March to early May, and again in September and October for fall harvests.
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.
Matures in 24 days.
Approx: 130 Seeds.
-
Pepper – King Of The North Organic – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartKing of the North Organic is one of the most reliable and productive bell peppers for northern gardens. It is known for its ability to produce substantial, blocky peppers in short, cool seasons. The plants are sturdy and upright, with thick-walled, lobed fruits that ripen from bright green to vivid red and get even sweeter as they do.
How To Grow, Timing: Peppers need plenty of time to mature before they will bloom and set fruit. Start indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and grow under bright lights. Transplant only when weather has really warmed up. Night time low temperatures should be consistently above 12°C before hardening off pepper plants and transplanting outdoors. Soil temperature for germination: 25-29°C. Seeds should sprout in 10 – 21 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors 5mm-1cm deep. Keep soil as warm as possible. Seedling heating mats speed germination. Try to keep seedlings at 18-24°C in the day, and 16-18°C at night. Before they become root-bound, transplant them into 8cm pots. For greatest possible flower set, try to keep them for 4 weeks at night, about 12°C . Then transplant them into 15cm pots, bringing them into a warm room at night, about 21°C.
How To Grow, Growing: Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the bed at least three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Though peppers will tolerate dry soil, they will only put on good growth if kept moist. Harden off before planting out 30-60cm apart. Five gallon containers also work well, but require good drainage and regular irrigation. Using plastic mulch with a cloche can increase the temperature by a few degrees. Pinch back growing tips to encourage leaf production. This helps shade the developing fruits and prevents sun-scald in hot summers.
How To Grow, Harvest: When the fruit is large and firm it is ready to pick. Or wait for the fruit to ripen further turning red, yellow, brown, or purple. The sweetness and vitamin C content go up dramatically as the fruit changes colour. If you pick green, the total numbers of peppers harvested will increase. Fruit that sets after late August will not usually develop or ripen. Pull out the entire bush just before the first frost and hang it upside down in a warm, dry place to ripen hot peppers.
Matures in 70 days.
Approx: 10 Seeds.
-
Pepper Hot – Jalapeno M – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartJalapeno M Pepper Seeds produce pungent, thick-walled and juicy dark green peppers that are 8cm long and about 2cm (1″) wide with a blunt end. Fruits set well on mid-sized plants 60-90cm tall. If there are still green peppers on the plant at the end of the season, pull up the whole plant and hang in a dry spot for it to finish ripening to red. Use green peppers for fresh eating, pickling, and sauces, and dry the red ones. 2,000 – 5,000 SHU’s. Jalapeno M works well in 3–5-gallon containers and is suitable for patio growing. Dried, smoked jalapenos are known as chipotle peppers.
How To Grow, Timing: Peppers need plenty of time to mature before they will bloom and set fruit. Start indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and grow under bright lights. Transplant only when weather has really warmed up. Night time low temperatures should be consistently above 12°C before hardening off pepper plants and transplanting outdoors. Soil temperature for germination: 25-29°C. Seeds should sprout in 10 – 21 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors 5mm-1cm deep. Keep soil as warm as possible. Seedling heating mats speed germination. Try to keep seedlings at 18-24°C in the day, and 16-18°C at night. Before they become root-bound, transplant them into 8cm pots. For greatest possible flower set, try to keep them for 4 weeks at night, about 12°C. Then transplant them into 15cm pots, bringing them into a warm room at night, about 21°C.
How To Grow, Growing: Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the bed at least three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Though peppers will tolerate dry soil, they will only put on good growth if kept moist. Harden off before planting out 30-60cm apart. Five gallon containers also work well, but require good drainage and regular irrigation. Using plastic mulch with a cloche can increase the temperature by a few degrees. Pinch back growing tips to encourage leaf production. This helps shade the developing fruits and prevents sun-scald in hot summers.
How To Grow, Harvest: When the fruit is large and firm it is ready to pick. Or wait for the fruit to ripen further turning red, yellow, brown, or purple. The sweetness and vitamin C content go up dramatically as the fruit changes colour. If you pick green, the total numbers of peppers harvested will increase. Fruit that sets after late August will not usually develop or ripen. Pull out the entire bush just before the first frost and hang it upside down in a warm, dry place to ripen hot peppers.
Matures in 70 days.
Approx: 35 Seeds.
-
Pepper Hot – Arapaho – West Coast Seeds
$4.69Add to cartEarly maturity and large, attractive fruit make Arapaho an excellent Cayenne pepper. Compact, 45cm tall plants produce high yields of 20-22cm long fruit with moderately thick walls and mild heat. The peppers dry well for making homemade hot chile powder, and they’re the perfect size for creating decorative ristras. 2,000-4,000 SHUs. Pepper seeds can take their time germinating, so always use the bottom heat provided by a Seedling Warmer heat mat.
How To Grow, Timing: Peppers need plenty of time to mature before they will bloom and set fruit. Start indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and grow under bright lights. Transplant only when weather has really warmed up. Night time low temperatures should be consistently above 12°C before hardening off pepper plants and transplanting outdoors. Soil temperature for germination: 25-29°C. Seeds should sprout in 10 – 21 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors 5mm-1cm deep. Keep soil as warm as possible. Seedling heating mats speed germination. Try to keep seedlings at 18-24°C in the day, and 16-18°C at night. Before they become root-bound, transplant them into 8cm pots. For greatest possible flower set, try to keep them for 4 weeks at night, about 12°C. Then transplant them into 15cm pots, bringing them into a warm room at night, about 21°C.
How To Grow, Growing: Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the bed at least three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Though peppers will tolerate dry soil, they will only put on good growth if kept moist. Harden off before planting out 30-60cm apart. Five gallon containers also work well, but require good drainage and regular irrigation. Using plastic mulch with a cloche can increase the temperature by a few degrees. Pinch back growing tips to encourage leaf production. This helps shade the developing fruits and prevents sun-scald in hot summers.
How To Grow, Harvest: When the fruit is large and firm it is ready to pick. Or wait for the fruit to ripen further turning red, yellow, brown, or purple. The sweetness and vitamin C content go up dramatically as the fruit changes colour. If you pick green, the total numbers of peppers harvested will increase. Fruit that sets after late August will not usually develop or ripen. Pull out the entire bush just before the first frost and hang it upside down in a warm, dry place to ripen hot peppers.
Matures in 70 days.
Approx: 10 Seeds.
-
Pepper – California Wonder – West Coast Seeds
$3.29Add to cartOne of the standards for bell peppers, California Wonder bears large thick-walled, blocky peppers on vigorous 45-60cm tall plants. The peppers are 4-lobed and start out green but turn a lovely red, growing to nearly 13cm long and 10cm wide. Fruit is much sweeter when fully mature, Give this excellent variety very fertile soil and even moisture throughout the growing season.
How To Grow, Timing: Peppers need plenty of time to mature before they will bloom and set fruit. Start indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and grow under bright lights. Transplant only when weather has really warmed up. Night time low temperatures should be consistently above 12°C before hardening off pepper plants and transplanting outdoors. Soil temperature for germination: 25-29°C. Seeds should sprout in 10 – 21 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow indoors 5mm-1cm deep. Keep soil as warm as possible. Seedling heating mats speed germination. Try to keep seedlings at 18-24°C in the day, and 16-18°C at night. Before they become root-bound, transplant them into 8cm pots. For greatest possible flower set, try to keep them for 4 weeks at night, about 12°C. Then transplant them into 15cm pots, bringing them into a warm room at night, about 21°C (70°F).
How To Grow, Growing: Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the bed at least three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Though peppers will tolerate dry soil, they will only put on good growth if kept moist. Harden off before planting out 30-60cm apart. Five gallon containers also work well, but require good drainage and regular irrigation. Using plastic mulch with a cloche can increase the temperature by a few degrees. Pinch back growing tips to encourage leaf production. This helps shade the developing fruits and prevents sun-scald in hot summers.
How To Grow, Harvest:Matures in 75 days.
Approx: 30 Seeds.
-
Parsnips – Gladiator – West Coast Seeds
$5.49Add to cartWe like this parsnip for its quick germination and early growth; it is bigger and more vigorous right from the beginning. This variety is wide at the top with a short body. It is tender and delicious even to the largest sizes, with no core. Gladiator parsnip seeds are canker resistant. Our customer Louella is shown holding a truly enormous specimen of Gladiator. She attributes its massive size to her husband’s rich compost blend. In rich, fluffy soil, these parsnips can really get huge. Parsnips store well for winter use. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Take caution during sunny weather: touching the plant may cause skin burns.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow from the last frost date to mid-summer. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-25°C. Seeds take 14-21 days to germinate.
How To Grow, Starting: Sow seeds 5mm-1cm deep. Cover seeds with compost and/or put row cover over planting area to shade the soil and conserve moisture. Thin to 7-10 cm apart in rows 45-60cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Prepare ground as for carrots, digging deeply to loosen soil prior to planting For even longer parsnips, you can dig or form holes 60cm deep. Weed carefully and keep watered. Contact with parsnip leaves causes a rash in some people, so harvest and weed with long sleeves and gloves.
How To Grow, Harvest: The flavour of parsnips is best after a couple of good frosts. Dig parsnips from late summer into the winter as needed. Protect from freezing in the soil with a thick straw mulch if it is a cold winter. Parsnips keep better in well-drained soil. The average family will be well supplied with a 6m row.
Matures in 110 days.
Approx: 250 Seeds.
-
Peas – Green Arrow – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartGreen Arrow shelling peas are excellent for fresh eating, freezing, canning, or cooking. Heavy yields of dark green pods up to 11cm long contain 9 -11 peas each, born in pairs at the top of the compact bush plants. A reliable, adaptable variety for gardeners and market growers.
Green Arrow shelling pea seeds were first bred in England as a main season pea crop and are listed in some UK sources as Green Shaft.
How To Grow, Timing: Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. If planting on the west coast after April 1, sow varieties that are listed as being enation resistant if you live in an area where aphids carry the enation virus. Sow again through the summer for a fall crop. The success of a fall crop will depend on the weather. Optimal soil temperature: 10-20°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Soaking seeds is not advised for damp soils. Sow seed 2cm deep. After April 15th, sow seed 5cm deep. Space seeds 2-7cm apart in the row. Do not thin. If the seeds fail to sprout, try to dig some up and check for rot or insect damage. The challenge with untreated pea seeds is to give them an early start but to avoid rot.
How To Grow, Growing: Use well-drained soil amended with finished compost. Add 2 cups of rock phosphate or bonemeal for 3m of row. Plant most varieties along a trellis or fence for support as they climb. Dwarf varieties do not need a trellis, but may benefit from the support of some twigs poked into the soil in the row.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick when pods at the desired stage. In theory, all peas can be harvested before the seeds mature, as snow peas, and then as tender snap peas, and finally as shelling peas. Most varieties have an intended maturity for picking. Make multiple sowings or grow several varieties to extend the harvest season.
How To Blanch Peas: Peas of all kinds freeze particularly well for use in the fall and winter. Prior to freezing, it’s important to briefly submerge peas in boiling water — this kills the natural enzymes that exist in peas that would otherwise reduce the nutrients and cause the peas to break down over time. We recommend using a large pot of water at a rolling boil, and a colander or sieve for dipping. Timing is everything. For snap and snow peas, dip the whole pods into boiling water for exactly two minutes, and then transfer the pods to a bowl of ice water. For shelled peas, ninety seconds is perfect. Use a timer. After ninety seconds, transfer the peas to a bowl of ice water. All peas (and pods) should then be dried thoroughly on kitchen towels before being stored in zip-top or vacuum bags, with as little air as possible in each bag.
Matures in 70 days.
Approx 75 seeds
-
Peas – Cascadia – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Read moreThis delicious snap pea was developed for the West Coast. Cascadia produces short vines that grow to only 60cm tall. The dark green pods are 9cm long and are crunchy, juicy, and sweet. Cascadia peas are resistant to the enation virus and powdery mildew, so they are good candidates for later sowings and fall harvest here on the coast. Sow as late as July and early August, and you may get a crop as late as October. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
How To Grow, Timing: Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. If planting on the west coast after April 1, sow varieties that are listed as being enation resistant if you live in an area where aphids carry the enation virus. Sow again through the summer for a fall crop. The success of a fall crop will depend on the weather. Optimal soil temperature: 10-20°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Soaking seeds is not advised for damp soils. Sow seed 2cm deep. After April 15th, sow seed 5cm deep. Space seeds 2-7cm apart in the row. Do not thin. If the seeds fail to sprout, try to dig some up and check for rot or insect damage. The challenge with untreated pea seeds is to give them an early start but to avoid rot.
How To Grow, Growing: Use well-drained soil amended with finished compost. Add 2 cups of rock phosphate or bonemeal for 3m of row. Plant most varieties along a trellis or fence for support as they climb. Dwarf varieties do not need a trellis, but may benefit from the support of some twigs poked into the soil in the row.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick when pods at the desired stage. In theory, all peas can be harvested before the seeds mature, as snow peas, and then as tender snap peas, and finally as shelling peas. Most varieties have an intended maturity for picking. Make multiple sowings or grow several varieties to extend the harvest season.
How To Blanch Peas: Peas of all kinds freeze particularly well for use in the fall and winter. Prior to freezing, it’s important to briefly submerge peas in boiling water — this kills the natural enzymes that exist in peas that would otherwise reduce the nutrients and cause the peas to break down over time. We recommend using a large pot of water at a rolling boil, and a colander or sieve for dipping. Timing is everything. For snap and snow peas, dip the whole pods into boiling water for exactly two minutes, and then transfer the pods to a bowl of ice water. For shelled peas, ninety seconds is perfect. Use a timer. After ninety seconds, transfer the peas to a bowl of ice water. All peas (and pods) should then be dried thoroughly on kitchen towels before being stored in zip-top or vacuum bags, with as little air as possible in each bag.
Matures in 68 days.
Approx 75 Seeds.
-
Peas – Sugar Ann – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Read moreExtra early, incredibly sweet snap peas on short, 60cm (2′) vines that don’t require trellising. Sugar Ann is an excellent choice for small garden spaces. The bushy plants produce plump, 6cm (2.5″) pods that are sweet and crunchy. This AAS Winner also received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. It has been a stand-by snap pea for West Coast Seeds for decades. If you’re short on space, this is the pea for you – they can even be grown in large containers. A much-loved variety that we now offer as both conventional and organic seed. Matures in 56 days
Timing: Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. If planting on the west coast after April 1, sow varieties that are listed as being enation resistant if you live in an area where aphids carry the enation virus. Sow again through the summer for a fall crop. The success of a fall crop will depend on the weather. Optimal soil temperature: 10-20°C (50-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
Starting: Soaking seeds is not advised for damp soils. Sow seed 2cm (1″) deep. After April 15th, sow seed 5cm (2″) deep. Space seeds 2-7cm (1-3″) apart in the row. Do not thin. If the seeds fail to sprout, try to dig some up and check for rot or insect damage. The challenge with untreated pea seeds is to give them an early start but to avoid rot.
Growing: Use well-drained soil amended with finished compost. Add 2 cups of rock phosphate or bonemeal for 3m (10′) of row. Plant most varieties along a trellis or fence for support as they climb. Dwarf varieties do not need a trellis, but may benefit from the support of some twigs poked into the soil in the row.
Harvest: Pick when pods at the desired stage. In theory, all peas can be harvested before the seeds mature, as snow peas, and then as tender snap peas, and finally as shelling peas. Most varieties have an intended maturity for picking. Make multiple sowings or grow several varieties to extend the harvest season.
Approx. 90 seeds
-
Peas – Bolero – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartPairs of 8cm (3″) long pods containing seven to nine peas each are borne atop bushy plants that grow to 75cm (30″) tall. Bolero’s tender peas are sweet and perfect for fresh eating or freezing. Since Bolero is not enation resistant, it is best grown for early spring planting in coastal regions so that it matures before the pea enation virus generally shows up in mid- to late summer.
How To Grow, Timing: Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. If planting on the west coast after April 1, sow varieties that are listed as being enation resistant if you live in an area where aphids carry the enation virus. Sow again through the summer for a fall crop. The success of a fall crop will depend on the weather. Optimal soil temperature: 10-20°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Soaking seeds is not advised for damp soils. Sow seed 2cm deep. After April 15th, sow seed 5cm deep. Space seeds 2-7cm part in the row. Do not thin. If the seeds fail to sprout, try to dig some up and check for rot or insect damage. The challenge with untreated pea seeds is to give them an early start but to avoid rot.
How To Grow. Growing: Use well-drained soil amended with finished compost. Add 2 cups of rock phosphate or bone meal for 3m of row. Plant most varieties along a trellis or fence for support as they climb. Dwarf varieties do not need a trellis, but may benefit from the support of some twigs poked into the soil in the row.
Matures in 68 days.
Approx: 80 seeds
-
Peas – PLS 595 Organic – West Coast Seeds
$5.49Add to cartPLS 595 shelling pea produces heavy yields of long 11cm pods filled with an average of 11 tasty peas each. Easy to harvest pods are set high up on the upright, 60cm plants that produce afila-type tendrils that are edible as well. Enjoy the sweetest tasting peas when harvested when they just fill the pods.
How To Grow, Timing: Peas prefer cool weather. Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. If planting on the west coast after April 1, sow varieties that are listed as being enation resistant if you live in an area where aphids carry the enation virus. Sow again through the summer for a fall crop. The success of a fall crop will depend on the weather. Optimal soil temperature: 10-20°C. Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
How To Grow, Starting: Soaking seeds is not advised for damp soils. Sow seed 2cm deep. After April 15th, sow seed 5cm deep. Space seeds 2-7cm apart in the row. Do not thin. If the seeds fail to sprout, try to dig some up and check for rot or insect damage. The challenge with untreated pea seeds is to give them an early start but to avoid rot.
How To Grow, Growing: Use well-drained soil amended with finished compost. Add 2 cups of rock phosphate or bone meal for 3m of row. Plant most varieties along a trellis or fence for support as they climb. Dwarf varieties do not need a trellis, but may benefit from the support of some twigs poked into the soil in the row.
How To Grow, Harvest: Pick when pods at the desired stage. In theory, all peas can be harvested before the seeds mature, as snow peas, and then as tender snap peas, and finally as shelling peas. Most varieties have an intended maturity for picking. Make multiple sowings or grow several varieties to extend the harvest season.
65 days
Approx: 95 seeds
-
Onion – Red Beard – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartGrow this striking, red-stalked bunching onion at any time of the year, but for the richest red colour, plant it in late summer to early fall so it is exposed to a bit of cold weather before harvest. If hard frost is expected, just mulch around the stems with straw. If whiter stalks are desired, simply hill soil up around them. Red Beard can reach 60cm tall, with the red portion up to 30cm tall. The flavour is very mild, and the dark green leaves are tender.
How To Grow, Timing: Start shallots and storage onions indoors in late winter and early spring, and transplant 2-4 weeks after the last frost date. Overwintering onions need to be started in early summer, and transplanted by the middle of August. Scallions can be direct sown every 3 weeks from two weeks after the last frost date to late summer. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-25°C. Seeds will emerge in 6-12 days, depending on conditions.
How To Grow, Starting: Transplants are preferred for home gardeners. Sow 3 seeds 5mm-1cm deep in each cell of a 72-cell tray. Transplant as a clump, spacing each 15cm apart in rows 45-75cm apart. Scallions can be spaced at 2-5cm apart in rows 15cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 5.5-6.5 (6.0-6.8 for scallions). Fertile and well-drained soil in full sun is essential. Add well-rotted compost and dig ½-1 cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each 3m of row. Keep moisture high in the top 20-30cm of soil. Most of the bulb should form on the surface of the soil, so don’t transplant too deeply. Bulb size is dependent on the size of the tops: the bigger the tops, the bigger the bulb. Provide August-planted scallions with the frost protection of a cloche or heavy row cover as the first frost date approaches.
How To Grow, Harvest: Stop watering in the beginning of August to mature the bulbs in dry soil. After half the tops have fallen, push over the remainder, wait a week and lift the bulbs. Curing is essential for long storage: Spread bulbs out in a single layer in an airy spot out of direct sunlight. Once no more green is visible on any of the leaves, and they are dry and crisp, the onion is cured. If weather is poor, cure indoors. Storage: Keep onions in mesh sacks or hang in braids so they get good ventilation, and hang sacks where air is dry and very cool, but not freezing. Check them regularly and remove any sprouting or rotting onions. Well-cured storage onions should keep until late spring.
Matures in 65 days.
Approx: 425 Seeds.
-
Bok Choi – Toy Choy – West Coast Seeds
$5.49Add to cartBrassica oleraceae var. chinensis. This miniature pac choi can be picked at the “single serving” size. Dark green leaves and glistening white stems mark Toy Choy pac choi seeds as a standout among the many Chinese vegetables that grow so well in coastal gardens. You can use these delicacies gently braised and served whole to appreciate the mild flavour and graceful appearance. They add flavour and crunch to stir-fries, soups, and noodle dishes. Serve separate from the main course in the traditional manner so that the cooked greens can be appreciated on their own. This is a very good example of a crop you should sow a little at a time, over several weeks so that the whole crop does not mature at once.
How To Grow, Timing: All are cool season plants that grow quickly and then bolt. Direct sow with frost protection (a cloche or heavy row cover) as early as late winter, or without protection from four weeks before the last frost date to eight weeks after. Sowing short rows every 2-3 weeks allows for a fairly constant harvest time. Sow again in late summer, and provide frost protection as the first frost date approaches.
How To Grow, Seeding: Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm-1cm deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest plant at a spacing of 15-20cm between plants in rows 30-45cm apart.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer will provide sufficient nutrition to 3m (10′) of row. Choi Sum is harvested just before it flowers, so keep a close watch on each row. Pac Choi can be harvested at any stage, but if you want full-sized plants, watch for signs of bolting. Flower buds will appear at the centre of each plant, and a stem will form quickly as the plant turns from urn-shaped into a tall cone. Harvest as quickly as possible once flower buds are visible. Keep plants well-watered throughout their growth.
Matures in 30-50 days.
Approx: 135 seeds
-
Arugula – Dragon’s Fire – West Coast Seeds
$3.49Add to cartA wild variety, this unique arugula has purple/red veins dramatically etched onto shapely green leaves. Plants are vigorous and has uniform growth. Flavour is zesty and spicy–add some fire to a salad or sandwich by tossing in a few leaves. If it wasn’t so delicious, it’d be almost too beautiful to eat.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow every 3 weeks from mid-March to April and again in September for a fall/winter crop. Arugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection where winters are mild. In hot weather, arugula tends to bolt and go to seed. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 4-12°C.
How To Grow, Seeding: Sow no more than 5mm deep in well drained soil in full sun. Thin seedlings to 10-15cm apart in rows 45-60cm apart. Overcrowded plants will bolt earlier.
Seeds germinate in 4-8 days.How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. In optimum conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Keep moist until germinated and then just keep the area weeded.
45-55 days
Approx: 1880 seeds.
-
Arugula – Bellezia Organic – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartDiplotaxis tenuifolia. While technically this variety is a perennial, growers and home gardeners will probably prefer growing it as a fast maturing annual crop. Bellezia Organic arugula features highly upright growth for dense planting and easy harvesting. The leaves are darker green than most, with good looking serrated edges and mild flavour. This is the perfect arugula for raw salads or salad mixes, and it makes excellent micro-greens. It is suitable for container growing throughout the year, and features intermediate resistance to downy mildew.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow every 3 weeks from mid-March to April and again in September for a fall/winter crop. Arugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection where winters are mild. In hot weather, arugula tends to bolt and go to seed. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 4-12°C.
How To Grow, Seeding: Sow no more than 5mm deep in well drained soil in full sun. Thin seedlings to 10-15cm apart in rows 45-60cm apart. Overcrowded plants will bolt earlier.
Seeds germinate in 4-8 days.How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. In optimum conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Keep moist until germinated and then just keep the area weeded.
Matures in 51 days.
Approx: 500 seeds
-
Cress – Watercress – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Add to cartNasturtium officinale. True Watercress seeds produce a perennial cress that is rich in vitamins and has a delicious, distinctive taste for salads and vegetarian dishes. Little, dark-green leaves grow on crisp stems that come from thick, long roots. Direct-seed watercress about 5mm deep and 1cm apart, ideally in full sun near clear running water. Thin plants to 10cm and keep very well watered. Watercress does not thrive in acidic soil, so spread enough lime in the growing area to bring the pH as close to 7.0 as possible. Well finished compost is the other trick that will keep watercress growing rapidly. If you fail with watercress in your summer garden, try planting it beneath a cloche row cover for winter harvesting. The low light levels and cool temperatures seem to be ideal.
How To Grow, Timing: Seed every three weeks from just before the last frost date until the end of summer for a continuous harvest. Provide frost protection with a cloche or heavy row cover when frost looms in the fall. Many mesclun types and mixes will continue to grow all winter where winters are mild.
How To Grow, Starting: Plant in a block or in a wide row. Sprinkle the seeds evenly over prepared, moist soil. Try to space seeds about 1cm apart. Cover lightly with soil, and firm them in. Four grams of seed will plant a 12m row that is 7cm wide, so don’t plant the whole packet at once. For container growing, choose containers that are at least 10cm deep. Wider is better. The most common mistake is over-planting.
How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 7.0 Moderately fertile soil – particularly if you’re planning multiple harvests. Dig in 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m of row. For containers, use peat or coir based mix with compost added. Water regularly. If growth slows after harvest, use a bit of kelp or fish based fertilizer to provide a boost of nutrition for the next growth spurt.
How To Grow, Harvest: There are two methods of gathering salad greens. You can use scissors to cut everything about 2-5cm from the ground, when the plants are about 10-15cm tall. Or, you can pick individual leaves as they’re needed. The first cutting may contain more brassicas than lettuces (arugula, mizuna) but if you cut the mix back when the leaves are still small, the lettuce will catch up. The salad greens will regrow for a second harvest in another 2 or 3 weeks.
Matures in 60 days.
Approx: 990 Seeds
-
Arugula – Astro – West Coast Seeds
$3.99Read moreAstro arugula seeds produce plants with leaves that are less lobed and more strap-like. Its mild flavour add depth and sophistication to any salad. Astro is perfect for baby greens in early spring and fall – even in winter, as it’s very cold hardy. Baby greens are ready to cut in only 21 days. Arugula is very well suited to microgreen growing. As microgreens it is delicious and tender, strongly flavoured, but delicate on the palate. With a nutty, spicy taste that is sometimes pungent or peppery, arugula really perks up salads, sandwiches, and even pizza. It is very cold hardy, and has a milder flavour when grown in cool weather. It is high in vitamin A and potassium.
How To Grow, Timing: Direct sow every 3 weeks from mid-March to April and again in September for a fall/winter crop. Arugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection where winters are mild. In hot weather, arugula tends to bolt and go to seed. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 4-12°C.
How To Grow, Seeding: Sow no more than 5mm deep in well drained soil in full sun. Thin seedlings to 10-15cm apart in rows 45-60cm apart. Overcrowded plants will bolt earlier.
Seeds germinate in 4-8 days.How To Grow, Growing: Ideal pH: 6.5-7.0. In optimum conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Keep moist until germinated and then just keep the area weeded.
Matures in 30-40 days
Approx 490 seeds.