Seeds and Supplies

A good selection for carving at halloween How to Grow Pumpkin is a hot weather crop. They need full sun and deep, rich, well drained, organic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Before planting, work in lots of compost. Sow seed directly outdoors in late May through early June 2.5 cm (1″) deep in hills 2.4 m (8′) apart with 4-6 seeds per hill. After germination, thin to 3 plants per hill. Seed can be started indoors 3 weeks before the plant out date. Pumpkins do not transplant well–use paper or fibre pots that can be set directly in the soil. For competition sized pumpkins, allow only two pumpkins per plant to mature. Protect mature pumpkins from frost and cold temperatures.

Heirloom Vegetable. Long, smooth, tender and sugary roots can grow up to 30 cm (12″) long and be up to 7.5 cm (3″) wide at the shoulder. Be very patient with germination – it can take up to 3 weeks for the seed to sprout. Also do not be in a hurry to harvest your parsnips in the fall. Roots require exposure to frosty weather to develop full flavour…..the longer you wait into November and December, the better the flavour gets. How to Grow Culture is very similar to carrots. Sow seed about 2.5 cm (1″) apart and 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2″) deep in rows 45-60 cm (18-24″) apart. Keep soil evenly moist during the 3 week germination period but avoid crusting over the soil as this will greatly reduce the number of seedlings that emerge. Once seedlings have reached 5-7.5 cm (2-3″) in height, thin them to 7.5 cm (3″) apart in the row. Parsnips do best in deep, friable soil that has had any rocks, stones or hard lumps removed (all these can cause the roots to branch out or fork should they come into contact). Dig roots in the fall and early winter after cold has brought out the best flavour.

(White Bunching Type) Heirloom Vegetable. An excellent white bunching onion that is well adapted to northern growing areas. The bulbs are round, medium sized and solid with thin delicate skin. The flesh is white, fine grained and mild. An excellent direct seeding variety as they mature very quickly. A good keeper. Suitable for regions where the weather tends to rapidly shift between hot and cool during the summer. 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.

Bibb lettuce is a smaller butter head lettuce with soft leaves used primarily as a salad green but also works well as a wrapper for foods. Bibb was developed from Boston lettuce in the 1850's by John Bibb. Bibb lettuce is smaller than Boston and is considered the preferred variety.

Baby Leaf Blend Lettuce Seeds (Leaf Type). Multi-coloured extravaganza! Prized by gourmet sous-chefs as an ideal mixture for sophisticated salad presentations. ... Contains lettuces Grand Rapids, Royal Red, Oakleaf, Salad Bowl, Ruby Red, Prizehead, Buttercrunch and Romaine as well as Spinach and Ciccoria Catalogna.

Mesclun is a mix of tender, young salad green leaves. The mix often includes leaf lettuce, arugula, endive, frisée, mizuma, oak leaf, mâche or lamb's lettuce, radicchio, sorrel, chervil, groundsel, and dandelion. Mesclun is the French word for “mixture.” In Italy, a similar mixture of greens is called mescladisse.

Heirloom Vegetable. Graduating first in a class of its own with crisp leaves and a fine, sweet flavour that is second to none! Attractive, uniformly shaped heads average 25 cm (10″) tall with emerald green outer leaves sheltering an inviting, creamy white heart. Good resistance to bolting and tolerance to tip burn. Our choice for top performing home garden cos variety. This variety has been cultivated since at least the year 1800. 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. Gradually thin seedlings to 15 cm (6″) apart. An even supply of moisture during the entire growth period is imperative for success. Harvest 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.

(Leaf type) Heirloom Vegetable. The ruling Monarch of the leaf lettuce family since its introduction in the late 1800’s! Crispy, succulent, light green leaves are lightly crinkled and possess a fine delicate taste. This is an excellent variety for cut and grow again multiple harvests. You can also successfully grow a continuous supply of Grand Rapids outside of the normal growing season by using a cold-frame, light garden or even sunny window! Soil-less (peat moss based) potting soils work best for indoor growing. Use water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer every two weeks to promote strong growth. 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.

A classic market variety, 'Bloomsdale Long Standing' is a large, spreading spinach with meaty, savoyed, dark-green leaves with rich, nutty flavor. Offers a continuous bonanza and is slow to bolt. For first crop, sow in spring. Plant again in late summer..

Heirloom Vegetable. This rapidly growing member of the cabbage family produces a greenish-white enlarged stem with short tops and few leaves. Slow to bolt and early producing, White Vienna is best harvested when the stem reaches 5-7.5 cm (2-3″) in diameter. For best growth, irrigation is essential through dry periods. Flesh is white with a nutty flavour when eaten raw and a mild cabbage taste when cooked. Sow seed every two weeks from April through to early August. Like Purple Vienna Kohlrabi, White Vienna is a pre-1860 variety. How to Grow Sow seed directly outdoors anytime from late April to late July 1 cm (1/2″) deep and 2.5 cm (1″) apart. Space rows 30-45 cm (12-18″) apart. Thin emerging seedlings to 10 cm (4″) apart in the row.

Heirloom Vegetable. Dwarf Scotch Kale is an exceptionally hardy shorter variety with a compact growth habit – a good selection for windy sites. The leaves have a white rib and are lightly curled. A handsome looking, robust growing, nutritious plant with a mild taste. First noted in the early 1860’s. How to Grow Sow seed 1 cm (1/2″) deep directly outdoors in early spring or from June to early July in rows 60 cm (24″) apart. Thin seedlings to 30 cm (12″) apart. Kale is very cold tolerant and develops its best flavour after the fall frosts.

Heirloom Vegetable. Red Russian produces lots of flat toothed, grey-green leaves with a central purple-red stem. The red colour intensifies as temperatures decreases in the fall. Leaves turns a rich, dark green when cooked. Soft tender texture when braised or for salads. Red Russian Kale is vitamin rich and very winter hardy. This kale variety arrived in Canada somewhere around 1885. How to Grow Sow seed directly outdoors 1 cm (1/2″) deep in early spring or from June to early July in rows 60 cm (24″) apart. Thin seedlings to 30 cm (12″) apart. Kale is very cold tolerant and develops its best flavour after the fall frosts.

Wisconsin SMR-58 Cucumber Seeds (Pickling Type) 1620 Heirloom Vegetable. The best disease resistant pickling variety. This black spined variety has medium green fruits that taper at both ends. It is a very popular variety with commercial growers. Resistant to scab and cucumber mosaic virus. This variety is an ideal choice for growers in Ontario, Quebec, the Prairies & the Maritimes. Introduced in 1958. 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 grow on trellises. 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.

Straight Eight Cucumber Seeds (Slicing Type) Heirloom Vegetable. Like a trusted friend, this variety can always be counted on to come through! An old favourite that produces outstanding yields of straight, 20 cm (8″) long, smooth skinned, dark green cucumbers. Great for slicing or for using in relishes. A proven performer in all situations: the market garden, the backyard garden & greenhouse! A 1935 All-America winner. 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 grow on trellises. 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.

Chicago Cucumber Seeds (Pickling Type) 1605 Heirloom Vegetable. Heavy yielding plants are loaded with perfectly formed, deep green fruit with black spines. The thin skin allows for ready absorption of pickling solutions and while fruit can be allowed to reach up to 12.5 cm (5″) in length without sacrificing quality, they are most often picked at a much smaller size for the “best gherkins” this side of Chicago! Resistant to scab and cucumber mosaic virus. Introduced in 1888. 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 grow on trellises. 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.

Slicing Type. Crisp, tasty, not bitter and truly burpless – need you look further for a better slicing cucumber! These cucumbers may be eaten without peeling, just like celery. Peak flavour and vitamin content is reached when 20-25 cm (8-10″) long. Packet contains 20 seeds. 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 grow on trellises. 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.

There is no doubt that celery is a demanding vegetable to grow. At the same time it is a rewarding vegetable to grow for gardeners with skill, determination and a long growing season. Tall Utah has an early maturity (for celery) and is resistant to bolting under summer stress. Vigorous plants produce nicely flavoured, crisp stalks. Plants reach a mature height of 45 cm (16″). Stalks can be enjoyed young as well. How to Grow Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before your typical last frost date. Germination occurs in 3 weeks at 21-24 C (70-75 F). After germination grow seedlings on under lights at a slightly cooler temperature of 16 C (60 F). Harden off and transplant to a sunny site in the garden in mid May to mid June. A fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is best. Set plants 15-20 cm (6-8″) apart in rows spaced 90 cm (36″) apart. Blanche the stalks by gradually earthing up the stems, beginning when they are roughly 30 cm (12″) high. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer. Keeping the soil evenly moist through the entire growing season is absolutely critical for proper stalk formation.

Uniformly shaped, snow white heads that are thick and solid with tight curds. Good for both early and late season crops. Introduced in 1888, Early Snowball is somewhat self-blanching which means the large outer leaves tend to curl around the white head protecting it from the elements – in spite of this, many growers will still tie the leaves up and around the head to protect it. Best grown during cooler portions of the growing season. How to Grow Fertilize lightly & frequently, never let the plants lack for water. Seed can be sown directly in the garden in late spring. We suggest starting seed indoors 5 weeks before transplanting in late April/early May. When the heads start to form, gather the large outer leaves and tie them over the “curd” to prevent colouring by sunlight. Harvest the head when it reaches 17-20 cm (7-8″) in diameter – cut the entire head off using a sharp knife.

65 Days. Specifically bred for Canada and the northern United States, this is the first new open-pollinated cabbage in many years! Compact plants yield extra early production of solid, split-resistant oval heads weighing only 2-3 pounds. 65 Days Full Sun Sprouts in 7-10 Days Seed Depth: 1/4" Ideal Temperature: 50-75 F Plant Spacing: 10"

A much loved HEIRLOOM cabbage with solidly tight, conical, folded heads 13-18cm (5-7") in diameter, and 26-39cm (10-15") tall. Planted individually, Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage seeds will form a plant up to 1m (3') in diameter, but they can be planted close together, and will form a canopy over the soil. This cabbage has smooth, thick green leaves that are perfect for coleslaw. They can be harvested in summer or overwintered, and they resist splitting in wet weather.