OSC - Ontario Seed Company GMO Free

Florence Fennel seeds produce a plant with a swollen, bulbous base that has a pleasing anise-like flavour. It is absolutely superb when used raw in salads or cooked in chicken dishes. Above the bulbous root, lacy carrot-like foliage grows to about 75 cm (2.5′) high. Interestingly, many gardeners report that their younger children really appreciate fennel’s irresistible aroma and taste. Some gardeners also report that fennel seems to inhibit bean and tomato growth if roots of these plants intermingle. Fennel, like dill, also attracts a range of beneficial insects to the garden. Annual. How to Grow Sow seed directly outdoors in a sunny site with average soil in mid-to-late May. Seed can also be started indoors in a soil-less mix 8 weeks before last frost date. Keep temperature at 21 C (70 F) for the 10-14 day germination period, then grow on at a slightly cooler temperature before hardening off and transplanting outside after the danger of frost has passed. Sow seed 3 mm (1/8″) deep and 2.5 cm (1″) apart then thin to 25-30 cm (10-12″) apart in the garden. It is our experience that direct sowing works best with fennel.

Sorrel seeds produce a plant with large, thick, spinach-like leaves add a lemony zest to salads and soups. As sorrel is naturally high in oxalic acid, avoid eating large amounts if you suffer from kidney ailments. This herb can be a vigorous grower so to help rejuvenate your planting, we suggest you divide the roots every three years. Sorrel is also known as Spinach Dock, Soup Weed and Ambada Bhaji. Perennial hardy to Zone 4. How to Grow Sow seed directly outdoors in a sunny site with average soil in mid-to-late May and again in mid-August through to mid-September. In spring, seed can also be started indoors in a soil-less mix 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Keep temperature at 21°C (70°F) for the 7-14 day germination period, then grow on at a slightly cooler temperature before hardening off and transplanting outside after the danger of frost has passed. Sow seed 1.25 cm (1/2″) deep and 7.5 cm (3″) apart then thin the sprouts to 30 cm (12″) apart in the garden.

Summer savory seeds are easy to grow. The herb plant has a delicious flavour. Slender, bronze-green leaves are suitable for fresh or dried use in dressings, salads, gravy and stews. Mix in equal proportions sweet paprika, salt and dried summer savory for a colourful and exotic alternative to the monotony of table salt. Plants grow 30-60 cm (12-24″) high and are quite suitable for container growing. Also known as Bohnenkraut. Annual. How to Grow Sow the seed directly into the garden in a sunny site with fast draining soil from mid-April through to late May. Plant seed 6 mm (1/4″) deep and 6 mm (1/4″) apart then thin to 20-30 cm (8-12″) apart in the garden. Transplanting is challenging as plants are loath to accept root disturbance. Sow seeds where you want the plant to establish. Once flowering is imminent, shear plants closely and they will supply a new flush of leaves.

Sweet Marjoram seeds produce leaves that are aromatic, mild, sweet and absolutely delicious in dressings, soups and salads. It is said that this herb is a must when cooking strong meats. The plant is a vigorous grower, often reaching 60 cm (2′) in height. Also known as Pot Marjoram, French Marjoram or Cretan Oregano. As sweet marjoram is a very tender perennial hardy only to Zone 7, it is almost always grown as an annual. How to Grow Sow Sweet Marjoram seeds directly outdoors in a sunny site with average soil in late May to mid-June. Seed can also be started indoors in a soil-less mix 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Keep temperature at 21 C (70 F) for the 7-14 day germination period, then grow on at a slightly cooler temperature before hardening off and transplanting outside after the danger of frost has passed. Sow seed 6 mm (1/4″) deep and 6 mm(1/4″) apart then thin to 12.5 cm (5″) apart in the garden.

Brittle Wax Yellow Bush Bean Seeds 1150 Heirloom Vegetable. This old time gem was first introduced around 1900! Round, fleshy, brittle, medium yellow pods about 15 cm (6″) long have a rich flavour. Erect, bushy plants bear an abundance of the tender string-less pods at an early date. Anyone who likes fresh bush beans should definitely try this variety! White Seed. This product is part of the Yellow Bush Beans Collection. How to Grow Beans tolerate a wide range of soil types. Their best growth is in light, organic, well drained soil with a pH of about 6.5. Beans have a distinct dislike for cold, wet soils, so sow seed only after the soil has warmed to at least 16 C (60 F). Sow 2.5 cm (1″) deep and 8 cm (3″) apart in rows spaced 45 to 70 cm (18 to 28″) apart. To ensure a continuous harvest, sow bush-type varieties every 10 days until mid-July. Keep beans evenly watered, particularly when the plants are in flower and when production of the pods start. Avoid the use of high nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen promotes excessive foliage. Avoid disturbing beans when leaves are damp to reduce the incidence of disease.

Rapini or Spring Raab Broccoli Seeds 1295 Heirloom Vegetable. A traditional Italian variety producing both tender young leaves and flowering shoots with tiny broccoli-like florets. Both the leaves and the heads can be eaten together creating a robust flavour that will dazzle your taste buds and leave you looking for more. By carefully picking young leaves, stems and flower buds, the harvest period can be spread out over 2 to 4 weeks. How to Grow Plants mature quickly and grow best in cooler weather. Both early and late crops are possible. For early crops, start seeds indoors in a soil-less mix from late March to early April. Set out the transplants in late April and early May spacing them about 45 cm (18″) apart in rows 90 cm (3′) apart. Fertilizing is essential. Use a balanced NPK granular or 20-20-20 water soluble. Keep the area weeded and evenly watered. One packet sows approx. 20 m (66’) of row when thinned to a 40-50 cm (16-18”) spacing. When the weather becomes hot, check the plants daily. High temperatures cause the flower buds to open quickly and taste and quality rapidly deteriorates.

An early Copenhagen type producing solid, round heads on small compact plants. This is the earliest maturing cabbage we offer. Heads weigh about 2 kg (4.4 lbs) and grow to about 15-17 cm (6-6.5″) in diameter. Tolerates closer spacing than many cabbages, possesses superb bolting resistance and is an excellent choice for poorer soils. Yellows resistant. While it has no doubt been grown in North America longer, catalogues talked about this variety as early as 1927. How to Grow Sow seed indoors in a soil-less mix 5 weeks before last frost date. Sow seed 6 mm (1/4″) deep and keep at 20 C (70 F) for the 7-10 day germination period. Grow on at a slightly cooler temperature then harden off and plant outside in late May. Space plants 45 cm (18″) apart in rows with the rows 75 cm (30″) apart.

Dark green exterior leaves hide a solid interior of beautifully blanched spicy tasting leaves that are tender and crisp. Heads have a pronounced taper towards the tip and average 45 cm (18″) high and 10 cm (4″) in diameter. Very large, spicy leaves are produced prior to heading-up. Best grown late summer into fall. Optimum Growing Conditions are cool days 12 – 21 C (55-70°F) with cool to cold nights 4 – 10 C (40-50°F). How to Grow . Sow seed indoors in a soil-less mix 5 weeks before last frost date. Sow seed 6 mm (1/4″) deep and keep at 20 C (70 F) for the 7-10 day germination period. Grow on at a slightly cooler temperature then harden off and plant outside in late May. Space plants 45 cm (18″) apart in rows with the rows 75 cm (30″) apart. Spring to summer crops will not form dense heads. For better results plant in late summer for fall harvests. Optimum Growing Conditions: Cool days 12 – 21 C (55-70°F) with cool to cold nights 4 – 10 C (40-50°F).

Has a great tasting, lusciously thick flesh, an intoxicating aroma and very high Brix (sugar) content. Excellent disease resistance and large fruit size averaging 2-3 kg (4.4-6.6 lbs) weight and a 20 x 18 cm (7.5″ x 6″) oval shape. How to Grow Select a south facing, wind-sheltered site and sow 5 seeds 2.5 cm (1″) deep per hill. Space hills 1.5-2 m (4-6′) apart. Thin to 3 to 4 plants per hill. In short season areas, start seeds in peat/paper pots indoors 4 weeks before plant out time. Seeds need a warm soil to germinate properly. Do not sow into soil cooler than 21 C (70 F). Keep the melon vines evenly watered throughout the growing season. A packet of hybrid melon contains 10 seeds, enough for 2 hills.

Delicious 51 Cantaloupe/Melon Seeds 1395 Heirloom Vegetable. A nearly round, very tasty, open pollinated melon with thick, firm, orange coloured flesh. Fruits average 15 cm (6″) in diameter with an average weight of 1.1 kg (2.5 lbs) when fully ripened. Delicious 51 is an excellent variety for home gardeners especially those growing in cool climates. How to Grow 35 seed/gram. Select a south facing, wind-sheltered site and sow 5 seeds 2.5 cm (1″) deep per hill. Space hills 1.5-2 m (4-6′) apart. Thin to 3 to 4 plants per hill. In short season areas, start seeds in peat/paper pots indoors 4 weeks before plant out time. Seeds need a warm soil to germinate properly. Do not sow into soil cooler than 21 C (70 F). Keep the melon vines evenly watered throughout the growing season.

With a length of no more than 9 cm (3.5″) and a diameter under 1.5 cm (1/2″), these are the perfect choice for canning whole. Exceptional flavour and tenderness make this miniature carrot a gourmet’s delight! How to Grow Carrots will grow well in any open, well cultivated, deep garden soil. As the seed is quite small, mix it with some sand when sowing. Once soil temperature rises above 7.5 C (45 F), sow seed about 7-15 mm (1/4-1/2″) deep in rows spaced 45-60 cm (18- 24″) apart. Sow seed at 5 day intervals over several weeks. Keep the seedbed evenly moist during the 2 week germination period but avoid crusting over the soil as this will greatly reduce the number of seedlings that emerge. Thin the seedlings during the early stages of growth until they are 5 cm (2″) apart. Keep the plants evenly watered, weed free and avoid high nitrogen fertilizers. Harvest any time after the carrot roots develop good colour.

English Telegraph (also known as the ‘English Cucumber’) has been around since at least 1885 and produces a straight, slim slicing cucumber. The fruit averages 35 cm (14″) long and has a very mild flavour. Fruit that develops on vines laying on the ground often curl so for your best chance at straight fruit, train vines to grow on a trellis or netting. Continuously pick the fruit to encourage further flower and fruit production. For those of you lucky enough to have your own greenhouse, this is one variety to give a try indoors. How to Grow Cucumbers grow best in a rich, warm, sandy loam soil. Before planting, work into the native soil 30 cm (12″) deep large amounts of garden compost or composted manure. As cooler soil will reduce germination and increase the chance of the seed rotting before it sprouts, wait until the soil has reached a temperature of at least 18 C (66 F) before planting. Mound the soil up into hills about 15-20 cm (6-8″) high and about 30-60 cm (12-24″) across. Space the hills about 120 cm (4′) apart. Sow the seed 2 cm (3/4″) deep with 6 to 8 seeds per hill then after the seed sprouts, thin to 3 or 4 plants per hill. If you have limited space, most cucumbers can be trained to grow on trellises and in the case of English Telegraph it is highly recommended to grow them vertically on trellis or netting. Protect the plants from any late spring/early summer frosts and keep the plants evenly watered through the growing season. Even soil moisture is very important as cucumbers become very bitter if the plant becomes moisture stressed by hot dry weather. To prevent damage to the plant, harvest the cucumbers by cutting them from the vine with a sharp knife – do not pull or twist them from the vine.

Unusual dark green 20 cm (8") pods streaked with purple are abundantly produced on this tall plant reaching up to 3 m (10'). Create a unique bean teepee for kids to play in while growing a terrific and tasty vegetable. Let some of the beans dry on the plant and collect the seeds to see how the amazing light beige seed splashed with dark brown markings resemble the colors of a rattlesnake. Fun, educational and best of all, healthy! Flavor: Sweet tasting snap bean taste Days to Harvest: 60 to 90 days Days to Seed Germination: 6 to 14 days Seed Planting Depth: 2.5 cm (1") Seed Spacing: 10 cm (4") Row Spacing: 60 cm (24") Plant Spacing: 15 cm (6") Growing Height: 3 m (10') Planting Instructions: Sow seeds when the soil is warm and all danger of frost is past. Pick early and often to encourage production. Sow every 2 weeks until 8 weeks before fall frost. Suggestions: Repeat plantings every two weeks to extend the harvest season of fresh beans. Apply Garden Inoculant to improve yields. Avoid working among plants while the foliage is damp or wet.

A favorite old heirloom tomato variety that originated in a Mennonite community in Virginia. A great big yellow slicing tomato, Old German has a wonderful flavor, beautiful variegated coloring, and weighs in at 24 Oz. It takes about 80 days until harvest. 75 days to harvest. Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost

50 days. Belongs to the same species as chard and beets, but it has distinctive differences. The taste is more like a true spinach than ordinary chard, and the leaves look like spinach too—flatter and more pointed than chard, with slimmer stems. Very longstanding in the garden, yielding from late spring through autumn if planted early

The “zesty” greens in this blend will punch you right in the taste buds! Contains Oakleaf Lettuce, Buttercrunch Lettuce, Ruby Red Lettuce, Arugula, Chervil, Endive, Raddichio Verona Red, Mizuna Mustard, Florence Fennel, Peppercress and Thai Basil. How to Grow Mesclun mixes are sun-loving cool weather crops that grow best in organic, well drained soil. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, then every two weeks thereafter to ensure a continuous supply. Sow about 3 mm (1/8″) deep in rows 45 cm (18″) apart. An even supply of moisture during the entire growth period is imperative for success. Harvest by either pulling the entire plant or by cutting leaves from the main stem at least 2.5 cm (1″) above the base – this will allow the plant to sprout new leaves. Once the plants start to bolt (develop rapidly growing flower stems), leaves become bitter.

The pale yellow, oval fruits grow to 25cm (10") on long, productive vines. Spaghetti squash seeds keep well for meals right through winter. Boil or bake the whole fruits, and then cut lengthwise down the middle. It's then easy to fork out the fibrous interior that looks just like pasta. Enjoy it simply seasoned as is, or topped with your favourite pasta sauce. The yellow rind of this squash is smooth and very hard. After the fruits have ripened on the vines, give them a quick wipe down with a highly diluted bleach solution. If the skin is not nicked, the fruits will last for months.

Hungarian Yellow Wax Pepper (Hot Type) . Hungarian Yellow Wax is moderately hot pepper. This dwarf bushy plant grows about 45 cm (18″) high and is a prolific producer. Peppers are about 15 cm (6″) in length and about 5 cm (2″) thick at the shoulder before tapering slightly to the bottom. The fruit ripens from a waxy yellow to bright red at maturity and contains firm, pungent flesh. Yellow wax is a favourite for frying and makes a very pretty pickled pepper! Excellent fruit set in cooler weather makes this a good selection for northern gardeners. Scoville Heat Unit Rating – 4000 Scoville Heat Units – The Scoville heat unit (SHU) rating is your guide to the perceived hotness of peppers caused by the active component capsaisin. The scale runs from about 2500 SHU for the mildest Anaheim to several million SHU. Our hottest is the Carribean Red Hot at 400,000 SHU. How to Grow Start indoors mid February to late March. Use a soil-less growing mix. Sow seed 6 mm (1/4″) deep. Maintaining the growing medium at a temperature of 21 C (70 F) will enhance germination. Grow the seedlings under bright light and temperatures of 16-21 C (60-70 F) to produce strong, stocky plants. Transplant after hardening off, in late May to early June. Full sun and a well-drained soil is best. Space the plants 30 cm (12″) apart in rows spaced 60 cm (24″) apart. Control weeds and avoid high nitrogen fertilizers. Try harvesting the peppers at different maturities to experience a wider range of flavours and textures. Staking is recommended with most varieties. Note: Estimated days to maturity are based on counting the days after transplanting.

Heirloom Vegetable. The name pretty well describes where this very popular variety belongs! Medium green leaves are long and deeply lobed with a tender texture and sweet taste. Salad bowl shows good resistance to bolting and is relatively heat tolerant. Go for both spring and late summer plantings with this beauty! Introduced in 1952. How to Grow Lettuce is a sun-loving cool weather crop that grows best in organic, well drained soil. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, then every two weeks thereafter to ensure a continuous supply. Sow about 3 mm (1/8″) deep in rows 45 cm (18″) apart. An even supply of moisture during the entire growth period is imperative for success. Harvest leaf lettuce by either pulling the entire plant or by cutting leaves from the main stem at least 2.5 cm (1″) above the base – this will allow the plant to sprout new leaves. Harvest head lettuce by cutting the head off at the base just below the lower leaves. Once lettuce bolts (starts to produce a rapidly growing flower stem) leaves become bitter.

(Large Globe Type). Our best large onion – globular in shape with a mild, sweet taste. The flesh is firm, clear and tender. Under ideal conditions, these onions will weigh over 1 kg (2.2 lbs) at harvest. Irrigation is often needed to maintain full bulb development. Light cultivation between rows through the season is essential to reduce competition from weeds. How to Grow Seed can be started indoors in a soil-less growing medium in February. The seedlings can then be transplanted outside later in spring. Seed can also be sown directly outdoors from mid April, 8-15 mm (1/4-1/2″) deep and 15 mm (1/2″) apart in rows 30 cm (12″) apart. Thin to 5 cm (3″) apart for cooking onions, and 7.5 cm (3″) apart for the sweet Spanish types. Onions do best in a sunny site with fertile, well drained soil. Bend over any flower stalks that start to grow so the plant’s energy goes into building the bulb. One packet sows approximately 6 m (20’) of row.