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.
Continue ReadingThis 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 reading below for tips on how to grow pampas grass from seed.
Continue ReadingMillet 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 emerge, rising to a height of 90cm (36"). Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow millet from seed.
Continue ReadingNative 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 grow Bunny Tails Grass.
Continue ReadingThis hardy, low-growing wildflower mix includes 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 forage and shelter for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Continue ReadingEasy Care Envirolawn 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 fast erosion control. It’s highly recommended for covering septic berms.
Continue ReadingTall Fescue stands up to traffic, drought, cold, shade, pets, and mowing. It is far tougher than conventional lawn grasses like Kentucky blue grass, but it still makes a lush green lawn. It is commonly used by municipalities for planting recreation fields and school grounds.
Continue ReadingThis low-growing space filler will work in sun to partial shade, producing flowers that feed pollinators, followed by seeds that feed wild songbirds. This member of the mint family is also edible in salads and tea blends. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Prunella from seed.
Continue ReadingOur annual phlox is a cultivar of Phlox drummondii, which is native to Texas, but found in numerous other states. It is a low-growing meadow wildflower that works well on its own, or planted with others in containers or raised beds. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow phlox from seed.
Continue ReadingDespite what many online sources declare, the distinction between determinate (bush) and indeterminate (vine) potatoes are not clearly defined and distract from the essentials of potato growing. This is not the same topic as bush vs. vine tomatoes or bush vs. pole beans.
Continue ReadingMicro-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, or in the summer in Tahiti – it makes no difference. I also like micro-greens because of the wildly diverse potential they represent.
Continue ReadingIn 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 is our container soil recipe.
Continue ReadingThere 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 contemplating these four factors on their own and in harmony with one another.
Continue ReadingWe 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 amendments you add. As the organic...
Continue ReadingMost 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 direct contact with its roots. In a typical situation (transplanting a tomato plant, for example), you would dig a hole slightly deeper than the root ball of the seedling.
Continue ReadingStored 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 some of its natural nitrogen, but not to the extent that it causes burning or excessive foliar growth in your crops. In some farming systems manure is stored for a year in a pile with steep, compacted sides.
Continue ReadingGrowing 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 we choose the hardiest varieties of...
Continue ReadingIn our relatively short growing season, we need to grow most food crops in a fairly intense way. We need to select crops that mature quickly. Some crops, like mescluns and salad greens grow so fast that we can take...
Continue ReadingAuthor 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 wants to grow a little food....
Continue ReadingGardening 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 certain plants and building certain habitats, gardeners can ease this pressure, and even benefit from the presence of some bird species.
Continue ReadingWith 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 bite off more than they can chew. Here are Mark's top ten pointers to consider when planting a new garden.
Continue ReadingLavender 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 speaks to the plant’s use in soaps and perfumes.
Continue ReadingThe 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 people insist that 100 years is...
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