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.

111 articles Updated seasonally by West Coast Seeds

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Most fertilizers (and many soil amendments) show this formula somewhere prominently on the package: N-P-K. This shows the ratio of the three most important plant...

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Most fertilizers (and many soil amendments) show this formula somewhere prominently on the package: N-P-K. This shows the ratio of the three most important plant nutrients, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Potassium gets a ‘K’...

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When asked the question, “What are genetically engineered seeds?” we explain that scientists can now bypass the traditional breeding methods of manipulating plant characteristics. Rather...

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When asked the question, “What are genetically engineered seeds?” we explain that scientists can now bypass the traditional breeding methods of manipulating plant characteristics. Rather than cross-breeding plants, they can work directly with plant...

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To lime, or not to lime? Most homeowners ponder this question. 1. What is dolomite lime? Lime is an important alkaline source of calcium and...

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To lime, or not to lime? Most homeowners ponder this question. 1. What is dolomite lime? Lime is an important alkaline source of calcium and magnesium for your lawn and garden, mainly composed of...

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As the summer wanes and the fall rains come, our local animals are preparing for the winter. While some birds leave the premises for the...

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As the summer wanes and the fall rains come, our local animals are preparing for the winter. While some birds leave the premises for the winter season and fly south to warmer climes, other...

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Before the severe cold and damp of winter arrive, it’s a good idea to take a couple of steps to care for garden tools. With...

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Before the severe cold and damp of winter arrive, it’s a good idea to take a couple of steps to care for garden tools. With a bit of simple care, you can extend the...

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Soil Blockers have been around for many years, but their popularity is spreading fast, largely by word of mouth. Using this Soil Block recipe and Soil...

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Soil Blockers have been around for many years, but their popularity is spreading fast, largely by word of mouth. Using this Soil Block recipe and Soil blockers will eliminate the need for plastic seedling trays...

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Have you heard the chickadees chatting about their spring plans? Yes, spring is on the way. The birds know it and the plants know it...

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Have you heard the chickadees chatting about their spring plans? Yes, spring is on the way. The birds know it and the plants know it too, as the tiny tops of bulbs begin to...

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The windowsill can be a great place for a plant to hang out. If you have a bright, south-facing window, you can grow herbs, start...

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The windowsill can be a great place for a plant to hang out. If you have a bright, south-facing window, you can grow herbs, start seeds, and use the sun to power your indoor...

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Preserving Summer Morning chill and shorter daylight hours signify the slowing down of the summer garden. We harvest and share the last of our favourites...

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Preserving Summer Morning chill and shorter daylight hours signify the slowing down of the summer garden. We harvest and share the last of our favourites – tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, corn, peppers, but we also...

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Yes, we sell seeds, but we also encourage seed saving. When you collect your own seed you need to work with nature and watch plants...

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Yes, we sell seeds, but we also encourage seed saving. When you collect your own seed you need to work with nature and watch plants daily in order to catch the ripe seed before...

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It’s September. The kids are back in school and the you can’t keep up with the number of zucchinis that just keep coming. But seeings...

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It’s September. The kids are back in school and the you can’t keep up with the number of zucchinis that just keep coming. But seeings as this is back-to-school time, it’s a good time...

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There are many combinations of plants for interplanting – which combination suits your needs the most? One way of maximizing the return from garden space...

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There are many combinations of plants for interplanting – which combination suits your needs the most? One way of maximizing the return from garden space is to interplant crops. This is the practice of...

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Many people ask us for the “Mary’s Mix” complete organic fertilizer blend recipe. For smaller gardens, it may be more economical to purchase some premixed...

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Many people ask us for the “Mary’s Mix” complete organic fertilizer blend recipe. For smaller gardens, it may be more economical to purchase some premixed 4-4-4 Complete Organic Fertilizer from Gaia Green. We love...

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Building raised beds for your vegetable (or herb, or flower) garden requires an investment of work plus the cost of materials, but they will reward...

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Building raised beds for your vegetable (or herb, or flower) garden requires an investment of work plus the cost of materials, but they will reward you in the coming years in a number of...

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Here’s a bit of geeky plant science for you. David Bradbeer at the Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust sent me this great image of the...

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Here’s a bit of geeky plant science for you. David Bradbeer at the Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust sent me this great image of the roots of white clover. You can plainly see bumps...

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