As the frost recedes, the possibilities in our gardens expand. Around March 28, gardeners along the south coastal regions of British Columbia witness the last average frost date. This pivotal time signals a period of preparation and anticipation for the...
Continue ReadingEven though February brings chilly weather, it's a great time to get a head start on your garden by sowing seeds indoors. This early planting allows your seedlings to develop well in time for spring, providing them with a solid...
Continue ReadingAs we approach a new growing season, we begin with the inevitable anticipation of how and what we are going to start in the garden. Here at the farm, we start roughly 20,000 seeds every year. About half of those...
Continue ReadingThis is the first year I planted my entire garden with West Coast Seeds. Having a five-acre homestead, we maintain a very large garden with individual beds for each vegetable and 3 greenhouses for our warm season crops. As you...
Continue ReadingWho says your garden's bounty has to be a summer-only affair? There's a cornucopia of seeds just waiting to burst into life in July, especially in areas that enjoy milder winters. Many of these varieties will mature into full-grown plants...
Continue ReadingAbout Stinging Nettle Although maligned in modern times due to its hairy leaves that cause skin irrititations, Stinging Nettle actually has many favourable attributes. It is a nutrient-rich food (cooking neutralizes the stinging) and both the leaves and roots boasts a...
Continue ReadingCilantro and dill are both good examples of umbelliferous plants. When these plants bloom, the flower structure is in a shape called an umbel — scores of tiny flowers arranged on a more or less flat or umbrella-shaped plane. Other...
Continue ReadingWest Coast Seeds has conducted significant research into the companion planting guidelines and has defined the best possible results and reasons for each of our recommendations in our companion planting chart, below are a few thoughtful suggestions for you while planning your garden this year.
Continue ReadingHow to grow Shiso from seed. Shiso is a strongly flavoured member of the mint family. Its leaves have a tangy flavour of cumin, mint, nutmeg, and anise combined. In stature it resembles a large basil plant, and the cultivation is very similar to growing basil.
Continue ReadingThyme, like other woody-stemmed herbs, tends to grow very slowly, and benefits from an early start if grown from seed. Unlike basil and other annual herbs, you shouldn’t count on harvesting thyme in the first (or even the second) year, except for very light picking of leaves. What follows are some tips on how to grow thyme from seed.
Continue ReadingStevia is native to South America. The greatest challenge with Stevia is germination. Sweetleaf is famously difficult crop from seed. Once plants are established, they will grow well in hot weather, and are good candidates for summer containers. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Stevia from seed.
Continue ReadingSummer savory is a half hardy annual. Winter savory is perennial. Both are well suited to container growing. All savories prefer full sun and well-drained, rather poor soil. Summer savory wants a warm, protected spot in the herb garden, while winter savory is less fussy. Do not feed with liquid fertilizer. Pick leaves as needed, and cut back if the plants begin to appear leggy. Continue reading below for more details on how to grow savory from seed.
Continue ReadingIt’s nice to have one big, reliable sage bush at the corner of the garden. One plant usually provides enough herb for most households, and its flowers are strongly attractive to wild and domesticated bees. Even hummingbirds will stop for a sip of the generous nectar. Propagating by cuttings is easier with sage than growing from seed, but both can be achieved with a little care. Continue reading below for some top tips on how to grow sage from seed.
Continue ReadingRosemary is not quite as simple from seed as many other herbs, but it can be achieved by novice gardeners if they take certain precautions. It is a woody perennial that grows slowly, and won’t be ready for harvesting during the first year of growth. If growing rosemary in containers, provide monthly feedings of liquid fertilizer. Keep watered in hot weather. Continue reading below for some great tips on how to grow rosemary from seed.
Continue ReadingNo organic kitchen garden is complete without parsley. Both curly and flat-leaf parsley are loaded with flavour and productive over a long period in the garden. Parsley is cold hardy and can even be harvested for much of the winter. 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. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow parsley from seed.
Continue ReadingGreek oregano is one of the most desirable of the many varieties of oregano for cooking. This herb dries well, and retains its strong flavour and aroma if stored in an airtight container. It thrives in patio containers, raised beds, and other well-drained sites. The instructions on how to grow oregano from seed that follow provide some useful tips and tricks.
Continue ReadingThis fast-growing member of the marigold family can be started indoors or by direct sowing in the garden. Continue reading below for more tips on how to grow Mexican tarragon from seed.
Continue ReadingThe genus Mentha includes about 24 species and cross pollination is difficult to control, so many sources suggest that mint will not come true from seed. Our mint seeds are grown in isolation and bred with care in a greenhouse setting. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow mint from seed.
Continue ReadingMarjoram is the milder cousin of oregano, with a very similar flavour profile but gentler impact. Sprinkle some freshly cut marjoram over an omelette or baguette for a savoury treat. Marjoram can be grown as a perennial in very mild areas, but is grown as an annual elsewhere. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow marjoram from seed.
Continue ReadingLovage has been used since the time of the ancient Greeks as a remedy for stomach upsets, and to aid digestion. As herbs go, this is a massive plant, so you may only want one or two for your home garden. Follow this handy How to Grow Lovage from seeds guide. The leaves of lovage can part a wonderful meaty flavour to vegetable soups, stews and stocks.
Continue ReadingThe roots of this shrub have been harvested for centuries as a medicine and flavouring for sweets. Liquorice is easy to grow and manage once it is established, but it should probably be left to grow for three years before...
Continue ReadingLemon balm’s Latin name is taken from the Greek word for bee (Melissa), and from the ancient belief that a swarm of honeybees could be attracted to an empty hive simply by placing sprigs of the plant inside. Grow in container or contained area of the garden as this plant spreads. Continue reading below for some of our top tips on how to grow lemon balm from seed.
Continue Reading
Lemongrass is a tropical grass that thrives in summer heat. It is well suited to container growing, and ideal for greenhouse cultivation. It can be grown as a perennial where winters are mild, but care must be taken to control moisture in the soil over winter, and to provide protection from frost. It is somewhat challenging to grow, but the reward is fresh, strongly aromatic stalks with very minimal carbon footprint. Hopefully these helpful tips will instruct on how to grow lemongrass 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 Reading
