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.

440 articles Updated seasonally by West Coast Seeds

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The roots of this hardy annual extend deeply into the soil, improving porosity and drainage, and fixing nitrogen as they grow. The tops are lanky...

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The roots of this hardy annual extend deeply into the soil, improving porosity and drainage, and fixing nitrogen as they grow. The tops are lanky and sprawling, and can be cut in spring to...

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Fava Beans cover crop seeds produce hardy annual, upright plants. This small-seeded broad bean is a popular nitrogen fixer. The large brittle plants work in...

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Fava Beans cover crop seeds produce hardy annual, upright plants. This small-seeded broad bean is a popular nitrogen fixer. The large brittle plants work in easily with front end tillers, or can be cut...

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This cereal grain grows quickly in the fall and survives winter weather even in zone 3. It bursts into growth in the spring so try...

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This cereal grain grows quickly in the fall and survives winter weather even in zone 3. It bursts into growth in the spring so try to turn under or cut back before it reaches...

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Within ten days of blooming (orΒ at any time before), Crimson clover produces ampleΒ organic matter that can be used as a mulch on the surface, or...

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Within ten days of blooming (orΒ at any time before), Crimson clover produces ampleΒ organic matter that can be used as a mulch on the surface, or cut and tilled under to improve soil tilthΒ and promote...

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Buckwheat cover crop seeds produce hardy annual, upright plants. It grows so fast it can reach 1m (3') tall in only three weeks. Then it...

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Buckwheat cover crop seeds produce hardy annual, upright plants. It grows so fast it can reach 1m (3') tall in only three weeks. Then it blooms with white flowers, attracting pollinating insects and beneficial...

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This is a blend of four certified organic cloverΒ varieties Ladino, Medium Red, Alsike, and Crimson, with Annual Ryegrass included as a nurse crop that will...

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This is a blend of four certified organic cloverΒ varieties Ladino, Medium Red, Alsike, and Crimson, with Annual Ryegrass included as a nurse crop that will protect the seeds and soil until the clovers emerge.Β Continue...

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Barley Cover Crop Seeds are a fast-growing grass with fibrous roots that can reach as far as 2m (6') deep. It is less upright than...

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Barley Cover Crop Seeds are a fast-growing grass with fibrous roots that can reach as far as 2m (6') deep. It is less upright than oats, and not nearly as weedy as rye. Continue...

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The dense roots of Annual RyegrassΒ penetrate even hard packed soil to introduce oxygen and water pathways that can be used by other plants when it...

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The dense roots of Annual RyegrassΒ penetrate even hard packed soil to introduce oxygen and water pathways that can be used by other plants when it dies back at frost. Its foliage loads up with...

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Alsike grows where many other clovers will not. It tolerates heavy clay soil, and even areas prone to flooding. It is a weak-stemmed plant that...

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Alsike grows where many other clovers will not. It tolerates heavy clay soil, and even areas prone to flooding. It is a weak-stemmed plant that uses neighbouring grasses to keep it upright to a...

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This quirky cultivar of the soft-rush Juncus effusus grows its stiff, smooth leaves in a curious corkscrew shape. The leaves add a touch of drama...

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This quirky cultivar of the soft-rush Juncus effusus grows its stiff, smooth leaves in a curious corkscrew shape. The leaves add a touch of drama to floral bouquets. Continue reading below for some tips...

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Sheep Fescue is a perennial grass that forms dense tufts of greyish green, bristle-like leaves. It thrives in well drained, poor soil because it forms...

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Sheep Fescue is a perennial grass that forms dense tufts of greyish green, bristle-like leaves. It thrives in well drained, poor soil because it forms a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, through which it...

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Ruby Grass is drought tolerant, but thrives in moist, well drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It can be grown beneath/near Black Walnut,...

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Ruby Grass is drought tolerant, but thrives in moist, well drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It can be grown beneath/near Black Walnut, and is tolerant of pollution.Β Continue reading below for tips...

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The flowers of this unusual ornamental grass are known as panicles, and they are borne on flexible stems that causes them to bounce and tremble...

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The flowers of this unusual ornamental grass are known as panicles, and they are borne on flexible stems that causes them to bounce and tremble in the wind, hence, Quaking Grass.

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This massive perennial takes three years to reach full maturity, so make it part of a long term garden plan. Cortaderia is naturally heat tolerant,...

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This massive perennial takes three years to reach full maturity, so make it part of a long term garden plan. Cortaderia is naturally heat tolerant, and its sharp leaves make it deer resistant. Continue...

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Dactylis (orchard grass) is a long-lived and fast growing perennial that produces faster re-growth in summer than Timothy grass. Continue reading below for tips on...

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Dactylis (orchard grass) is a long-lived and fast growing perennial that produces faster re-growth in summer than Timothy grass. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow orchard grass from seed.

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Millet is the very picture of ornamental grass. The golden green foliage darkens at the points most exposed to the sun, becoming more mahogany in...

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Millet is the very picture of ornamental grass. The golden green foliage darkens at the points most exposed to the sun, becoming more mahogany in tone. About mid summer, the rush-like panicles begin to...

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Cloud Grass, a species of bentgrass, forms a diaphanous hazy mist in late summer when its delicate, tiny flowers spread out in all directions. It...

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Cloud Grass, a species of bentgrass, forms a diaphanous hazy mist in late summer when its delicate, tiny flowers spread out in all directions. It is useful to know some tips on how to...

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Native to the Mediterranean region, Lagurus grows well in any temperate environment, and puts on a great show mid-summer in containers, garden beds, or xeriscaping...

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Native to the Mediterranean region, Lagurus grows well in any temperate environment, and puts on a great show mid-summer in containers, garden beds, or xeriscaping landscapes. Continue reading below for details on how to...

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Nicotiana flowering tobacco looks timeless in the garden, adding height and airy lightness to any sunny spot.Β Water during hot, dry spells. Deadhead frequently to keep...

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Nicotiana flowering tobacco looks timeless in the garden, adding height and airy lightness to any sunny spot.Β Water during hot, dry spells. Deadhead frequently to keep plants looking neat and to prolong flowering. Stake in...

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Collinsia is a wonderfully easy annual to grow from seed. Like Alyssum and a handful of others, it's pretty much a matter of simply placing...

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Collinsia is a wonderfully easy annual to grow from seed. Like Alyssum and a handful of others, it's pretty much a matter of simply placing the seeds where the flowers are to grow and...

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This hardy, low-growing wildflower mix includesΒ twelve species of annuals and perennials that can be used to replace conventional grass lawns. The blend can also be...

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This hardy, low-growing wildflower mix includesΒ twelve species of annuals and perennials that can be used to replace conventional grass lawns. The blend can also be mixed in with other Lawn Solution seeds to increase...

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Contrary to what its name implies, MicroΒ Clover is not simply a tiny version of standard clover. When Micro Clover is mowed, its leaves grow smaller...

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Contrary to what its name implies, MicroΒ Clover is not simply a tiny version of standard clover. When Micro Clover is mowed, its leaves grow smaller and more numerous, with fewer flowers than conventional clovers....

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Easy Care EnvirolawnΒ is a mix of slow-growing grasses & drought tolerant flowers. These low growing, low maintenance varieties can be used as lawn, in paths...

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Easy Care EnvirolawnΒ 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...

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Bee 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...

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Bee 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...

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