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177 articles Updated seasonally by West Coast Seeds

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How to Grow Cabbage

March 30, 2021

Eating lots of cabbage may also protect the eyes from macular degeneration. To preserve its vitamins and mineral content, do not overcook cabbage. Store cut...

How to Grow Cabbage

March 30, 2021

Eating lots of cabbage may also protect the eyes from macular degeneration. To preserve its vitamins and mineral content, do not overcook cabbage. Store cut cabbage in the refrigerator in a plastic bag with...

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

March 29, 2021

Fresh Brussels sprouts are a superb fall and winter treat. Like broccoli, these Brassicas are full of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fibre. After frost they become sweet,...

How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

March 29, 2021

Fresh Brussels sprouts are a superb fall and winter treat. Like broccoli, these Brassicas are full of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fibre. After frost they become sweet, as the plants convert starches into sugar as a kind...

About Beets

March 29, 2021

Beets, like many root vegetables are biennials, which, if not harvested, will bloom in the second year of growth. One of the interesting facts about...

About Beets

March 29, 2021

Beets, like many root vegetables are biennials, which, if not harvested, will bloom in the second year of growth. One of the interesting facts about beets is they are closely related to Swiss chard,...

About Dandelions

March 29, 2021

The much maligned dandelion actually has a lot to offer. It has been vilified in our culture as the invader of lawn spaces, thrusting its...

About Dandelions

March 29, 2021

The much maligned dandelion actually has a lot to offer. It has been vilified in our culture as the invader of lawn spaces, thrusting its dazzling yellow colour into an otherwise tranquil field of...

How to Grow Beets

March 29, 2021

Beets are incredibly nutritious. Both the roots and the leaves are an excellent source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin C. They also contain betaine, a compound...

How to Grow Beets

March 29, 2021

Beets are incredibly nutritious. Both the roots and the leaves are an excellent source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin C. They also contain betaine, a compound that is essential for cardiovascular health. Eat them raw,...

How to Grow Asparagus

March 18, 2021

Planting asparagus seeds is an exercise in patience, but one of the most rewarding of all garden tasks. Asparagus seeds germinate slowly, and the crowns...

How to Grow Asparagus

March 18, 2021

Planting asparagus seeds is an exercise in patience, but one of the most rewarding of all garden tasks. Asparagus seeds germinate slowly, and the crowns take three seasons before they can handle being harvested....

How to Grow Arugula

March 18, 2021

Arugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection...

How to Grow Arugula

March 18, 2021

Arugula is a productive, cool season, annual salad green that works best in spring and fall, and can be managed all winter under cloche protection where winters are mild. In hot weather, arugula tends to...

How to Grow Artichokes

March 15, 2021

It takes some work and a lot of patience to grow artichokes from seed, but it’s worth the effort. Commercial culture is limited to warm...

How to Grow Artichokes

March 15, 2021

It takes some work and a lot of patience to grow artichokes from seed, but it’s worth the effort. Commercial culture is limited to warm areas in Zone 7 and above. Artichokes require good...

Planting a Bumblebee Garden

March 04, 2021

Why garden for Bumble Bees? Bumblebees are a keystone species. This means much of our ecological system hinges on the survival of bumblebees. Not just...

Planting a Bumblebee Garden

March 04, 2021

Why garden for Bumble Bees? Bumblebees are a keystone species. This means much of our ecological system hinges on the survival of bumblebees. Not just native plants rely on these furry pollinators, but also...

Growlight Garden Review

January 24, 2021

Micro-greens can be grown anywhere, at any time of year. You need to provide some basic elements like soil, moisture, and light, but that’s it....

Growlight Garden Review

January 24, 2021

Micro-greens can be grown anywhere, at any time of year. You need to provide some basic elements like soil, moisture, and light, but that’s it. You can grow them in the winter in Yellowknife,...

Mixing Soil from Scratch

January 24, 2021

In many cases pre-packaged soil from the garden centre may serve its purpose when filling containers or raised beds. It is usually manufactured in massive...

Mixing Soil from Scratch

January 24, 2021

In many cases pre-packaged soil from the garden centre may serve its purpose when filling containers or raised beds. It is usually manufactured in massive amounts by mixing various raw ingredients before bagging. Here...

Soil Basics 101

January 24, 2021

There are four central issues that offer a better understanding of garden soil and how it can be improved: Soil structure, soil components, soil life,...

Soil Basics 101

January 24, 2021

There are four central issues that offer a better understanding of garden soil and how it can be improved: Soil structure, soil components, soil life, and soil pH. Gardeners (and farmers) will benefit from...

Container Soil vs. Garden Soil

January 24, 2021

We often talk about cultivating organic soil that is rich in microbial action, and full of organisms. Soil in the garden combines naturally occurring minerals...

Container Soil vs. Garden Soil

January 24, 2021

We often talk about cultivating organic soil that is rich in microbial action, and full of organisms. Soil in the garden combines naturally occurring minerals with various organic and and any organic or mineral...

Soil Amendments

January 24, 2021

Most potting soils have enough nutrients that fertilizers are not necessary for seedlings until they are transplanted to the garden. Generally speaking, you want the...

Soil Amendments

January 24, 2021

Most potting soils have enough nutrients that fertilizers are not necessary for seedlings until they are transplanted to the garden. Generally speaking, you want the fertilizer to go beneath each transplant, but not in...

The Poop on Manure

January 24, 2021

Stored manure is often referred to as “rotted manure.” It has no unpleasant smell, and its texture has changed since it was produced. Rotted manure...

The Poop on Manure

January 24, 2021

Stored manure is often referred to as “rotted manure.” It has no unpleasant smell, and its texture has changed since it was produced. Rotted manure is a fantastic soil amendment. Ideally it will retain...

Growing Food Indoors

January 21, 2021

Growing food outdoors over winter is easy if you equip yourself with the right gear. Outdoors, we use cloche protection, row cover, and mulches to...

Growing Food Indoors

January 21, 2021

Growing food outdoors over winter is easy if you equip yourself with the right gear. Outdoors, we use cloche protection, row cover, and mulches to insulate the soil and keep frost off plants. And...

Andrea Bellamy's Top Patio Picks

January 21, 2021

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...

Andrea Bellamy's Top Patio Picks

January 21, 2021

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...

Gardening for Birds

January 20, 2021

Gardening for birds is another way to build biodiversity in garden spaces. Like pollinators and other insects, wild birds are under pressure due to habitat...

Gardening for Birds

January 20, 2021

Gardening for birds is another way to build biodiversity in garden spaces. Like pollinators and other insects, wild birds are under pressure due to habitat loss, pollution, and ever expanding human settlement. By including...

Garden Planning 101

January 13, 2021

With over 1,100 seed varieties to choose from, finding a clear path to the checkout can feel overwhelming. There are beginner mistakes to be made...

Garden Planning 101

January 13, 2021

With over 1,100 seed varieties to choose from, finding a clear path to the checkout can feel overwhelming. There are beginner mistakes to be made - as well as ways for seasoned gardeners to...

Seeds for a Really Early Start

December 31, 2020

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

Seeds for a Really Early Start

December 31, 2020

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

About Lavender

December 13, 2020

Lavender is a genus of the mint family Lamiaceae that includes 47 species and a great many cultivars. The genus name Lavandula is thought to...

About Lavender

December 13, 2020

Lavender is a genus of the mint family Lamiaceae that includes 47 species and a great many cultivars. The genus name Lavandula is thought to derive from the Latin verb lavare – “to wash,” and probably...

Heirloom Seeds and Heritage Seeds

November 16, 2020

The definition of “heirloom seeds” is a matter of debate. For our purposes, West Coast Seeds considers a plant an heirloom if it has been...

Heirloom Seeds and Heritage Seeds

November 16, 2020

The definition of “heirloom seeds” is a matter of debate. For our purposes, West Coast Seeds considers a plant an heirloom if it has been in cultivation for 50 years or more, although some...

20 Gift Ideas for Gardeners in 2020

October 29, 2020

Our 20 favourite gardening gifts in 2020, categorized for kids, indoor gardeners, beginner gardeners, experienced gardeners, and even those gardeners who seem to have everything.

20 Gift Ideas for Gardeners in 2020

October 29, 2020

Our 20 favourite gardening gifts in 2020, categorized for kids, indoor gardeners, beginner gardeners, experienced gardeners, and even those gardeners who seem to have everything.

About Kale and Collards

October 13, 2020

Collards (Brassica oleracea Acephala group) Kale (Brassica oleracea Acephala group) Russian or Napa Kale (Brassica rapus ssp. pabularia syn. B. napus) Learn about kale and...

About Kale and Collards

October 13, 2020

Collards (Brassica oleracea Acephala group) Kale (Brassica oleracea Acephala group) Russian or Napa Kale (Brassica rapus ssp. pabularia syn. B. napus) Learn about kale and collards here. As the Latin name suggests, Brassicas in...

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