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.

13 articles Updated seasonally by West Coast Seeds

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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...

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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...

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The Scoville Scale measures the pungency or spiciness of peppers in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The higher the SHU, the hotter the pepper: 0 SHU...

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The Scoville Scale measures the pungency or spiciness of peppers in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The higher the SHU, the hotter the pepper: 0 SHU (No Heat): These peppers are sweet and have no...

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West Coast Seeds has conducted significant research into the companion planting guidelines and has defined the best possible results and reasons for each of our...

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West 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...

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Peppers are tropical plants that need lots of heat to be productive. Well grown in a warm summer, they are the gardener’s triumph. Hot peppers...

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Peppers are tropical plants that need lots of heat to be productive. Well grown in a warm summer, they are the gardener’s triumph. Hot peppers often do better in a cool summer than the...

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Crop rotation is the practice of not growing plants where similar plants grew the previous year. Crop rotationΒ prevents the build up of pests and diseases...

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Crop rotation is the practice of not growing plants where similar plants grew the previous year. Crop rotationΒ prevents the build up of pests and diseases and optimizes the use of soil nutrients. Plants from...

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Author and blogger Andrea Bellamy recommends these varieties for container growing on balconies and in other small spaces. These seeds are perfect for the urban...

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Author and blogger Andrea Bellamy recommends these varieties for container growing on balconies and in other small spaces. These seeds are perfect for the urban grower or part-time farmer who lacks garden space, but...

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The weather outdoors is cold and gloomy. Here on the coast it is altogether wet β€” the ground is sodden and squishy. Elsewhere, the first...

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The weather outdoors is cold and gloomy. Here on the coast it is altogether wet β€” the ground is sodden and squishy. Elsewhere, the first blankets of snow are falling, and the ground is...

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The most notable capsaicinoid about peppers is called capsaicin, a crystalline substance found almost entirely in the pithy flesh that holds the seeds in place...

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The most notable capsaicinoid about peppers is called capsaicin, a crystalline substance found almost entirely in the pithy flesh that holds the seeds in place inside the chili. The seeds and skin contain very...

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Gardening instructions can be full of peculiar phrases from British gardening traditions. β€œPotting on,” β€œpricking out,” and β€œhardening off” are all things we do with...

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Gardening instructions can be full of peculiar phrases from British gardening traditions. β€œPotting on,” β€œpricking out,” and β€œhardening off” are all things we do with seedlings to help them prepare for eventual transplanting out...

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This is a list of seeds to start in April for south coastal British Columbia and the US Pacific Northwest. Finally it’s April and we...

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This is a list of seeds to start in April for south coastal British Columbia and the US Pacific Northwest. Finally it’s April and we are past the last average frost date in the...

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Well it’s that time of year again… The 2018 Gardening Guide is out in the hands of many gardeners, and providing a glimmer of hope...

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Well it’s that time of year again… The 2018 Gardening Guide is out in the hands of many gardeners, and providing a glimmer of hope about the coming season. Winter is just about to...

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These instructions will help you plan your garden, making a cloche greenhouse configuration, choose your covering material and pipe frame. Then they will help you...

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These instructions will help you plan your garden, making a cloche greenhouse configuration, choose your covering material and pipe frame. Then they will help you set up your greenhouse and make the very best...

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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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