WCS Academy

Gardening advice, How To Grow Guides, and Seasonal inspiration.

Explore practical articles on seed starting, crop-specific growing tips, seasonal planning, pest management, and garden projects from the West Coast Seeds team.

164 articles Updated seasonally by West Coast Seeds

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This relative of catnip in the mint family does not trigger the kitten-like behaviour in cats as catnip does. Although cats might graze on Nepeta leaves and flowers,...

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This relative of catnip in the mint family does not trigger the kitten-like behaviour in cats as catnip does. Although cats might graze on Nepeta leaves and flowers, it tends to not make them go crazy afterward....

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Nemophila menziesii is an annual that is known as Baby Blue Eyes. Cool, moist, light, well-drained soil is best. Grow in partial shade where summer soils get...

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Nemophila menziesii is an annual that is known as Baby Blue Eyes. Cool, moist, light, well-drained soil is best. Grow in partial shade where summer soils get hot. Plants can die from excessive heat. Nemophila may...

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Nasturtiums thrive in poor to average, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. If growing in full sun, consider using some rocks around the plants to prevent their...

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Nasturtiums thrive in poor to average, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. If growing in full sun, consider using some rocks around the plants to prevent their roots from getting too hot. In partial shade, plants...

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This is a challenging plant to grow, even for experienced and professional gardeners. With other kinds of poppies, one can just sprinkle the seeds and...

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This is a challenging plant to grow, even for experienced and professional gardeners. With other kinds of poppies, one can just sprinkle the seeds and a few weeks later, like magic, the flowers appear....

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It’s a shame that so many gardeners confuse this annual morning glory with the invasive weed, Convovulus arvensis, because this variety will not take over the...

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It’s a shame that so many gardeners confuse this annual morning glory with the invasive weed, Convovulus arvensis, because this variety will not take over the garden. Instead, it will produce a lush abundance of...

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Expect sturdy, well-branched plants that produce an abundance of early bright, fragrant flowers. They are excellent for cutting. Stocks prefers cool growing conditions. In cold winter areas...

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Expect sturdy, well-branched plants that produce an abundance of early bright, fragrant flowers. They are excellent for cutting. Stocks prefers cool growing conditions. In cold winter areas plant in earliest spring. Where winters are mild set...

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Marigolds are annual flowers that are easy to grow from seed and resilient. They can be grown in the garden, in containers, and they play...

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Marigolds are annual flowers that are easy to grow from seed and resilient. They can be grown in the garden, in containers, and they play a role in Companion Planting. Some even have edible flowers!...

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The pea-like flowers of lupins grow in dense spires above very distinctive foliage. They will bloom for two months from a spring sowing or early summer from fall sown...

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The pea-like flowers of lupins grow in dense spires above very distinctive foliage. They will bloom for two months from a spring sowing or early summer from fall sown plants. This cold hardy perennial is native to western...

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The information here refers to the annual (sometimes biennial) plant that is known as Lunaria annua. It also goes by the common names Honesty, Moonwort, Judas’ Penny,...

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The information here refers to the annual (sometimes biennial) plant that is known as Lunaria annua. It also goes by the common names Honesty, Moonwort, Judas’ Penny, Satin Flower, Money Plant, and Silver Dollars. Planted early...

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These familiar annuals have intensely coloured flowers. They are sometimes listed as Edging Lobelia. They work very well as filler plants in window boxes, hanging baskets, and garden...

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These familiar annuals have intensely coloured flowers. They are sometimes listed as Edging Lobelia. They work very well as filler plants in window boxes, hanging baskets, and garden borders. The vivid blue flowers are highly attractive to...

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The Linum species we offer are annual flowering flax. They are beautiful and easy and suitable for large containers. Linum grandiflorum is native to Algeria. Linum usitatissimum is thought to...

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The Linum species we offer are annual flowering flax. They are beautiful and easy and suitable for large containers. Linum grandiflorum is native to Algeria. Linum usitatissimum is thought to be native to central Asia. All species are attractive...

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Annual Lavatera is also known as Mallow or Annual Tree Mallow. It is an easy-to-grow annual that blooms in the first year. The Latin species...

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Annual Lavatera is also known as Mallow or Annual Tree Mallow. It is an easy-to-grow annual that blooms in the first year. The Latin species name trimestris translates as "three months," referring to the...

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This 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...

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This 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....

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This dependable perennial blooms from late summer into fall with numerous bright yellow pin-cushion flowers atop tall stems. It looks superb in mass plantings, or...

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This dependable perennial blooms from late summer into fall with numerous bright yellow pin-cushion flowers atop tall stems. It looks superb in mass plantings, or planted between clumps of Crocosmia. Continue reading below for...

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Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Gilia from seed. Gilia is a lovely annual wildflower that really stands out in mass plantings,...

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Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Gilia from seed. Gilia is a lovely annual wildflower that really stands out in mass plantings, and is a heavy nectar producer, so a very...

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Dainty Baby’s Breath is actually quite a tough plant. Ordinary soil will do. Be sure it is not too rich, and avoid feeding plants. Cut back...

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Dainty Baby’s Breath is actually quite a tough plant. Ordinary soil will do. Be sure it is not too rich, and avoid feeding plants. Cut back after flowering to encourage a second bloom. This species...

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It’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...

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It’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...

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Annual Gaillardia is known as Blanket Flower and is native to Northern Mexico. They make great cut flowers and look spectacular planted en masse in...

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Annual Gaillardia is known as Blanket Flower and is native to Northern Mexico. They make great cut flowers and look spectacular planted en masse in the hot, sunny conditions in which they thrive. Continue...

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This would-be gum tree is usually grown as an annual. Its peculiar, round leaves are the perfect grey-blue colour to add contrast to cut flower...

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This would-be gum tree is usually grown as an annual. Its peculiar, round leaves are the perfect grey-blue colour to add contrast to cut flower bouquets. With enough protection from winter extremes, it will...

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Known as Sea Holly as it thrives in the sandy, well-drained soil near seashores. The seeds of Eryingium can be tricky to germinate, but if...

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Known as Sea Holly as it thrives in the sandy, well-drained soil near seashores. The seeds of Eryingium can be tricky to germinate, but if you follow our How to Grow Eryngium instructions, you...

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Dianthus seeds produce hardy perennial plants that are colourful, drought-resistant, and bloom in the first year. Learn how to grow Dianthus from seeds in our...

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Dianthus seeds produce hardy perennial plants that are colourful, drought-resistant, and bloom in the first year. Learn how to grow Dianthus from seeds in our simple online growing instructions. These short-growing flowers are widely...

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Learn how to grow Common Woolly Sunflowers (Eriophyllum lanatum) from seed in our online seed planting instructions. Woolly Sunflowers are sometimes listed as Oregon Sunshine,...

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Learn how to grow Common Woolly Sunflowers (Eriophyllum lanatum) from seed in our online seed planting instructions. Woolly Sunflowers are sometimes listed as Oregon Sunshine, and it will become apparent why as soon as...

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Here are some notes on how to grow Echinacea. These hardy perennial plants are broadly referred to as Coneflowers. They are highly attractive to pollinators and...

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Here are some notes on how to grow Echinacea. These hardy perennial plants are broadly referred to as Coneflowers. They are highly attractive to pollinators and make excellent cut flowers. They look spectacular in mass...

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These majestic yet unpretentious biennial plants are perfect for shady spots and cottage gardens. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Continue...

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These majestic yet unpretentious biennial plants are perfect for shady spots and cottage gardens. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow...

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