Easy Care Envirolawn is a mix of slow-growing grasses & drought tolerant flowers. These low growing, low maintenance varieties can be used as lawn, in paths between beds, or for filling any area that needs fast erosion control. It’s highly recommended for covering septic berms.
Continue ReadingBee Turf is a lawn replacement blended from mixed clovers and low-growing wildflowers that was developed by West Coast Seeds in partnership with the City of Richmond, BC. It is intended to replace lawn in urban settings in order to reduce maintenance costs and increase habitat and forage for pollinators.
Continue ReadingTall Fescue stands up to traffic, drought, cold, shade, pets, and mowing. It is far tougher than conventional lawn grasses like Kentucky blue grass, but it still makes a lush green lawn. It is commonly used by municipalities for planting recreation fields and school grounds.
Continue ReadingSalvia is a close relative of conventional sage, but is grown for its handsome blue flowers rather than as a culinary herb. It is a long-blooming member of the mint family. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Salvia from seed.
Continue ReadingThis low-growing space filler will work in sun to partial shade, producing flowers that feed pollinators, followed by seeds that feed wild songbirds. This member of the mint family is also edible in salads and tea blends. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Prunella from seed.
Continue ReadingOur annual phlox is a cultivar of Phlox drummondii, which is native to Texas, but found in numerous other states. It is a low-growing meadow wildflower that works well on its own, or planted with others in containers or raised beds. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow phlox from seed.
Continue ReadingThis cottage garden classic originated in China, but was imported to English gardens around the 15th century. Hollyhocks defy the simple definition of annual, biennial, and perennial depending on when, where, and how they are planted. Technically, this species is a short lived perennial. If started early enough indoors, it will flower the first year and can be treated as an annual. Planted later in spring, it will bloom in the second year as a traditional biennial. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow hollyhocks from seed.
Continue ReadingIt’s a slow process to grow Goji berries from seed, but once plants are established, they are highly productive. Plants will produce some fruit in the second year of growth, but from year three on, each plant will provide for healthful harvests of Goji berries. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Goji from seed.
Continue ReadingLavender is a genus of the mint family, Lamacieae, that includes 47 species and a great many cultivars. The species name Lavandula is thought to derive from the Latin word lavare - "to wash," and probably speaks to the plant's use in soaps and perfumes. It is native to the temperate regions from Cape Verde to the Mediterranean and the Levant, and from north Africa to southeast India. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal and culinary plant, and also in cosmetics. Lavender's leaves and flower buds are rich in fragrant oils, very similar to rosemary. The plant can be grown as a perennial in Zones 5-8, and as an annual in cooler climates. Continue reading below for some tips and tricks on how to grow lavender from seed.
Continue ReadingPotatoes, just like other vegetables, flower in the summer. If the flowers are pollinated, small fruits can form that look like tiny tomatoes. If the fruits mature, they can develop seeds. In most cases, the genetics of potato seeds are not predictable, and may produce undesirable traits. In this case, the seeds are hybrids that have been carefully produced by plant breeders, so they will produce consistent results.
Continue ReadingOne stalk of cooked broccoli gives you 75mg of vitamin C, 1300 IU of beta carotene, 3g of protein and 5g of dietary fibre with only 40 calories. The crown portion tastes great when cooked or steamed. You can eat...
Continue ReadingThe succulent leaves of Swiss chard can be used much like spinach. You can even use the big ones for wraps like cabbage rolls. The colourful stems can be cooked like asparagus. Enjoy the small leaves in salad. They grow easily and well in our climate and stand in the garden for many months, giving a long harvest from one planting. Continue reading below for some useful tips on how to grow Swiss chard from seed.
Continue ReadingThe flavour of parsnips becomes sweeter after frost. They are a very versatile vegetable in the kitchen to fry, roast, steam, mash, or bake. Parsnips take their time becoming large in the garden, but then they can be harvested as needed since they store in the ground so well. Continue reading below for full instructions on how to grow parsnips from seed.
Continue ReadingChoose sweet onion varieties for enjoying raw or cooked within a few weeks after harvest. Storage types keep much longer, and will last until the following spring in the right conditions. All onions are photoperiodic – day length triggers bulb development. Our varieties are all “long day” types, suitable for northern US and Canada. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow onions from seed.
Continue ReadingLettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter.
Continue ReadingLeeks are a valuable addition to the garden because they can be used instead of pungent storage onions from October until April. Even in heavy soils, leeks are easy to grow and have lots of flavour. Continue reading to learn how to grow leeks from seed.
Continue ReadingThis close relative of the cabbage was bred over centuries to develop a flattened "meristem" over a taproot that descends into the soil. Sometimes referred to as German turnips, kohlrabis are very rich in vitamin C, and a great source of potassium.
Continue ReadingKale contains higher levels of beta-carotene than any other green vegetable, and is also high in vitamin C and calcium. Collards are not far behind. All are easy to grow, vigorous, nutritious, resistant to cold, and easy to harvest and...
Continue ReadingChickpeas require 90-100 days to mature. Start them indoors approximately 4 weeks before the last average frost date. Optimal soil temperature: 10°C (50°F). Seeds sprout in 14-21 days depending on conditions.
Continue ReadingCelery is a refreshing treat from the garden, and particularly flavourful when fresh. Celeriac is a variety of celery that is grown for its root, which can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be steamed, baked, boiled, pureed, or stir-fried — it's so tasty, even if it is unfamiliar.
Continue ReadingFrom seedling to harvest, cauliflower must grow steadily to make a large plant and curd. If growth slows, scratch additional fertilizer into the surface of the soil around each plant. Maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Shade the developing curds from sun by tying up leaves or using newspaper. This is known as “blanching,” and will keep them white.
Continue ReadingIt’s easy to learn how to grow carrots from seed. Carrots are biennials so they use their leaves in the first year to gather energy from the sun to build a big, starchy root. This is where they store their energy over the winter. The following spring they use that stored energy to send up a tall umbel of white flowers, looking strikingly similar to Queen Anne’s Lace, to which they are closely related.
Continue ReadingEating lots of cabbage may also protect the eyes from macular degeneration. To preserve its vitamins and mineral content, do not overcook cabbage. Store cut cabbage in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with holes in it and use as soon as possible. Cabbages are also highly ornamental in the garden - choose varieties for colour, deep-red, blue-green, dark-green or leaf texture, savoy (crinkled), or flat leaf.
Continue ReadingFresh Brussels sprouts are a superb fall and winter treat. Like broccoli, these Brassicas are full of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fibre. After frost they become sweet, as the plants convert starches into sugar as a kind of antifreeze. Keep the soil around...
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