Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are an annual climbing plant which can grow to heights of 1–2 meters (six feet). Try to plant in areas with support available. The leaves twine around supporting plants and structures helping the sweet pea to climb. The flowers range...
Continue ReadingThyme, like other woody-stemmed herbs, tends to grow very slowly, and benefits from an early start if grown from seed. Unlike basil and other annual herbs, you shouldn’t count on harvesting thyme in the first (or even the second) year,...
Continue ReadingThese big sprawling tomatillo plants are easier to grow than tomatoes and do not require any protection from rain. The fruit itself, when fully ripe, can be used to increase tomato sauces. Ground cherries are a sweet fruit and are...
Continue ReadingSummer turnips are great for salads, pickles, and stir-fries. Any place that you would use spinach or Swiss chard, you can give turnip greens a try. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Turnips Guide and grow food. Turnips make excellent pickles....
Continue ReadingSnapdragons are of the genus Antirrhinum also known as dragon flowers. Snapdragon flowers resemble the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when squeezed. Native to rocky areas of of Europe and the United States and north Africa....
Continue ReadingTrue zucchinis are evenly narrow along their length, and they are long – never round. We include summer pumpkins here as “round zucchinis” because they are so similar in growth habit and usefulness. Zucchinis that develop a bulbous end where the...
Continue ReadingStevia is a genus in the sunflower family with about 240 known species. Sweetleaf is Stevia rebaudiana, which is native to South America. The greatest challenge with Stevia is germination. How to Grow Stevia from seeds ? Sweetleaf is famously difficult...
Continue ReadingExpect sturdy, well-branched plants that produce an abundance of early bright, fragrant flowers. Excellent for cutting. Stocks prefers cool growing conditions. In cold winter areas plant in earliest spring. Where winters are mild set out plants in early fall. Bloom begins...
Continue ReadingThe three species of squash that we offer represent a wide variety of shapes and colours. Each will cross-pollinate readily within their species. For instance, all C. pepo will cross-pollinate with each other, but not with C. maxima or C....
Continue ReadingScabiosa is sometimes listed as Sweet Scabious or Pincushion Flower. Also mourningbride. It is easy to plant and grow Scabiosa seeds. Latin Scabiosa atropurpurea Family: Disacaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone: Annual Exposure: Full sun Timing Sow indoors 8 – 10 weeks...
Continue ReadingGrowing Sprouts from Seed Home grown sprouts are easy to grow and fast to sprout. You can grow them in a mason jar, in a kitchen sieve, or in one of several specialized sprouters like the Biosta sprouter. Follow along with...
Continue ReadingVeronica is also known as Brid’s-eye and Speedwell. It is a popular hardy perennial that grows upright with intensely blue flowers. It is easy to grow Veronica from seeds. Latin Veronica spicata “Blue Bouquet” Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure:...
Continue ReadingBroad beans are a member of the pea family, and are one of the oldest known cultivated plants. Broad beans are also known many other names: fava beans, Windsor beans, faba bean, and horse beans. Follow along with this handy How to...
Continue ReadingNo organic kitchen garden is complete without parsley. Both curly and flat-leaf parsley are loaded with flavour and productive over a long period in your organic herb garden. Parsley is cold hardy and can even be harvested for much of...
Continue ReadingGerman chamomile is also known as scented mayweed and wild chamomile. It’s a hardy annual with pleasantly scented flowers, and is primarily grown for medicinal use and teas. Follow this handy How to Grow chamomile from seeds and relax. Learn how...
Continue ReadingAnnual flowers that are confusingly referred to interchangably as Clarkia or Godetia, and even Eucharidium. We believe that Clarkia is correct. Plant Clarkia in cool, moist ,well-drained soil. Avoid nitrogen-rich beds and planting beside nitrogen fixers (beans, peas, clover, lupins…)....
Continue ReadingLeeks are a valuable addition to the garden because they can be used instead of pungent storage onions from October until April. Even in heavy soils, leeks are easy to grow and have lots of flavour. Follow this handy How...
Continue ReadingCosmos will flower more in poor soil, rather than rich, so avoid manures and fertilizers. Pinch out the growing point when plants are around 45cm (18″) tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowering points. Water during very dry spells,...
Continue ReadingQuinoa greens are packed with vitamins and minerals, and have a nice, mild taste. The seeds can be ground into a flour that is gluten free, or simply cooked like rice. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Quinoa from seed Guide...
Continue ReadingIt’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 on, each plant will provide for...
Continue ReadingGeneral Annual Gaillardia is known as Blanket Flower in its native North America. Latin Gaillardia pulchella Family: Asteraceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 1-10 Timing Direct sowing is easiest, and is done after last frost or...
Continue ReadingOne stalk of cooked broccoli gives you 75mg of vitamin C, 1300 IU of beta carotene, 3g of protein and 5g of dietary fibre with only 40 calories. No wonder they is one of the most popular vegetables you can...
Continue ReadingChoose sweet onion varieties for enjoying raw or cooked within a couple of months of harvest. Storage types keep much longer, and will last until the following spring in the right conditions. All onions are photoperiodic – day length triggers...
Continue ReadingAnnual Lavatera is also known as Mallow or Annual Tree Mallow. Latin Lavatera trimestris Family: Malvaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun Zone: 2-10 Timing Start indoors in peat or coir pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost,...
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