West Coast Seeds

Boro organic beet seeds are very, very sweet and CERTIFIED ORGANIC! Boro is probably the sweetest beet variety we have encountered. The medium red roots have smooth skins and can be harvested any stage between 8-15cm (3-6”) in diameter. The strong tops grow back quickly from selective picking. Boro seeds are organic film-coated for smoother passage through sowing equipment and better visibility in the soil.

These seeds are coated with an inert, organically certified layer which helps to minimize clumping in storage and seed sowing machines. The coating is approved by organic certifiers in Canada, the US, EU, and Japan.

Matures in 50 days. (Hybrid seeds)

Exposure Full-sun or partial shade

Hybrid vigour brings better germination, fast spring growth, and excellent disease resistance. The large, deep red, round roots are uniform, sweet and tender. Red Ace is a recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is resistant to Cercospora. In well-drained, mild winter gardens this variety can be harvested all winter.

Matures in 55 days. (Hybrid seeds)

Exposure Full-sun or partial shade

Satureja hortensis. This delicate, aromatic little plant grows quickly in rich soil. Used in bean, pea and lentil recipes, summer savory has a more delicate flavour than winter savory. Sow Summer Savory seeds in the spring. After flowering, pull it up and hang to dry. Let a few plants go to seed, and it should come back the following year. This herb grows to 25cm (10") tall.

This is the better known savory - it is an annual plant as opposed to perennial Winter Savory. Maritime Canadians know and love it, and use it the way sage is used elsewhere. It's nice with poultry stuffing and stews, and it is a key ingredient in herbes de Provence.

This selection of kale varieties that thrive in the warmth of summer is intended for succession planting, starting early in the year. Sow short rows at three week intervals for a perpetual supply of baby greens, and allow half the crop to continue maturing into the cool weather at the end of summer. Grow the Summer Kale Blend in full sun to partial shade, in the garden beds or patio containers. Choose containers depending on the size intended for harvest - larger containers for larger plants. Enjoy tender baby leaf kale in salads and wraps, or chop into soups for added nutrition. This blend includes Red Russisan, Vates Blue, and Lacinato.

Matures in 40-60 days.

Coastal Star Organic romaine lettuce seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! Our tallest, darkest romaine, Coastal Star performs brilliantly in spring and fall, and even in winter with some protection from hard frost. This romaine is early maturing with a high resistance to corky root. Heads are tightly packed around blanched tender hearts, and have an overall pleasant lettuce flavour. Growth is very upright on plants that average around 30cm (12") tall. Even the outer wrapper leaves are held off the ground, so there no bottom rot issues. The dark colour of Coastal Star is thought to represent a more nutritious lettuce than the paler romaines like Plato II. Pelleted seeds.

Matures in 65 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Our Scarlet Nantes carrot seeds are hand-harvested in the Northwest. This carrot has been grown and selected for North American conditions for at least 50 years, and is a workhorse variety that is widely adapted and often out-performs some of the more finicky nantes hybrids. Strong tops and excellent heirloom flavour in 18cm (7") roots that colour up early for optional harvests as baby carrots. When Scarlet Nantes reach maturity, they are some of the best storage carrots, and they freeze particularly well for winter use. This is also one of the top yielding juicing carrots because its tender flesh is so easily rendered.

Matures in 65-70 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Helianthus annuus. Creamy, nearly white petals surround a honey-coloured central disc atop a stem that can reach 2m (6') tall. ProCut White Lite is a pollenless hybrid sunflower for the professional florist trade. As a cut flower it leaves no mess, but it still bears nectar that will attract and feed bees and other pollinators from far and wide. Harvest the blooms just as they begin to open for the longest vase life, or enjoy them in the field where they look incredible in mass plantings. The day-length neutral flowers grow up to 15cm (6") wide on single stems.

Annual

The ultimate in a red-skinned storage onion, this one stores nearly as well as Copra. Sow Redwing storage onion seeds early to accommodate for its long days to maturity. The large, globe shaped bulbs are hard bodied, and uniform at 7-10cm (3-4") across. They have unique, deep red, glossy skins, and strong tops.

At the end of summer, when the onions have formed nice bulbs, harvest them as needed. At full maturity, the tops of the onions will fall over, signalling the end of growth and the time to harvest. If no rain or frost in forecast, knock each onion over the rest of the way. This will break the roots’ contact with the soil and begin the drying process. Leave the onions like that for two or three days.

At the first sign of rain or frost, bring the whole onion plants indoors and lay them out in a dry area away from direct sunlight. Leave them to cure for two to four weeks until there is no more green showing in the stems, leaves, or necks. During this time, the papery skins covering each bulb will harden and contract. Use scissors to trim off the roots, and cut around 2cm (1″) up the stem for each bulb. Store them in a cool, dark place in mesh bags or trays with breathing holes. A well cured storage onion can retain its desirable flavour and aroma for as long as 12 months.

These seeds are coated with an inert, organically certified layer which helps to minimize clumping in storage and seed sowing machines. The coating is approved by organic certifiers in Canada, the US, EU, and Japan.

Matures in 110 days (Hybrid seeds)

Sugar Baby Organic watermelon seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! This classic heirloom icebox type melon first appeared on the market back in 1959. Sugar Baby melon seeds produce watermelons that have a thin, hard rind with distinct stripes that become almost black at maturity. The flesh is firm, sweet, almost orange-red, with small, apple-like seeds. The round fruits grow to about 18cm (7″) in diameter on vines that can be grown along the ground or up a trellis. Provide as much heat as possible for the best productivity by growing under a cloche, in a greenhouse, or even in raised beds. Be sure to use very fertile soil and provide even moisture through the growing season.

Matures in 82 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Red Iceberg lettuce forms a rosette of tasty, nutritious, and richly red outer leaves as it grows. Eventually a tightly-packed, pale green iceberg head forms at its centre, gilded with red markings on the outside. The interior is sweet and mild, with a very pleasant, crisp texture. The head holds well against the heat of summer with a delayed seed set. This was a standout in our seed trials and drew a lot of attention.

Matures in 50 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Tropaeolum majus. Tip Top Alaska mix Nasturtium seeds produce cream-on-green foliage with single yellow, orange, and deep red flowers, clustered in compact 30cm (12") mounds. Tip Top Alaska series will stay compact so they are perfectly suited to containers. Plant Tip Top Alaska mix Nasturtium seeds in hanging baskets, raised beds, or as companion plants in your organic vegetable garden. These compact Nasturtiums are very bushy, and do not form the long vines found in some other varieties. The foliage is extremely decorative, and the flowers, leaves, and seeds are all edible. Nasturtiums are drought resistant and suitable for xeriscaping.

Annual

schscholzia californica. XL Jelly Beans is a new California poppy that features very large, semi-double blooms that feature splashes of bubblegum pink, lemon yellow, and raspberry red. These contrast beautifully against the feathery foliage with its restrained, matte silver-blue colour. The eye-catching flowers appear over a long period from spring through summer, and work well in beds or containers. XL Jelly Beans grows to about 25cm (10") tall, and is somewhat drought tolerant. It's also deer resistant.

Hardy Annual - it may overwinter in Zones 8-10

Papaver nudicaule. The Iceland Poppy is a hardy, but short-lived perennial, grown as a biennial in Coastal gardens. Either way, they self sow readily, so will last for years at a time. The large, cup shaped blooms have a texture like crepe paper and appear in a range of subdued pastel colours - apricot, gold, tangerine, and white. Sow Iceland Poppy seeds in early spring or late fall where they are to grow permanently. The flower stalks grow to around 30c (12") tall, and are among the longest-lasting poppies as cut flowers. They are highly attractive to honeybees and bumblebees, with seeds that are easy to collect and disperse. Unlike the California Poppy, this variety usually remains where it was planted. All parts of the plant are mildly toxic, but acrid enough that animals will not eat them.

Perennial

Deeply ribbed and slightly flattened fruit are made for fall stacking displays. Mint Prince’s colour is a pretty mint green that is complimented by the dark green of Jade Knight and the pale pink of Porcelain Princess, which all have a similar size and shape. Bright orange flesh looks and eats like a kabocha. 3-4.5kg (7-10lb) Full vines.

Matures in 100 days

C. moschata. Waltham Organic butternut squash seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! The extremely vigorous vines of this 1970 All America Selections Winner produce uniform butternut squash fruits with creamy, rich, dry, yellow-orange flesh under smooth tan skins. Waltham sets the standard for butternut squashes, and can store for as long as six months. Expect 4 to 5 fruits per plant, each measuring 23cm (9") long, with thick flesh and small seed cavities. Allow the fruits to ripen completely on the vine, and then give them a quick wipe down with some weak bleach solution to kill any bacteria on the skins. Store in a cool, dry place.

Matures in 110 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Sweet, stringless pods are borne on 80cm (30") semi-leafless vines that do not require support. The pods are about 9cm (3 1/2") long and average 2 pods per node. Sow Sugar Lace II seeds for giant harvests of very sweet snap peas. This variety is resistant to powdery mildew and pea enation mosaic virus, so it handles the cool weather at the end of the season better than others. Try planting as late as early August for harvests into October. It's also a nice one for early spring planting - you can direct sow as early as mid-February on the coast.

Matures in 68 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Knee High Meadow Blend wildflower seeds should be sown any place where the flowers can be left on their own to grow around knee high over the spring and summer. This diverse mix of annuals and perennials looks wonderful when it is allowed to cover large areas. But it works just as well in containers, producing plants that grow to around 50cm (20") tall. Many of the species are deer resistant, which can help fill in areas in coastal gardens. And while you are enjoying the ever changing colours, you are providing local pollinators and beneficial insects with crucial forage.
Recommended rate of application: 142g per 1,000 square feet.

Helianthus annuus. Rich copper red petals are highlighted with golden yellow around a nearly black central disc. Plant Velvet Queen sunflower seeds for 1.5m (5') tall plants with simply gorgeous blooms around 13cm (5") wide. This variety looks its best when contrasted with some bright yellow sunflowers in a border or raised bed. Be sure the soil is warm at planting time, and freely draining throughout the season. Velvet Queen is an early flowering type, so try planting at two to three week intervals instead of all at once. The bloom period will be longer this way, and the flowers are just right for cutting and bringing indoors.

Annual

Green Arrow shelling peas are excellent for fresh eating, freezing, canning, or cooking. Heavy yields of dark green pods up to 11cm (4.5") long contain 9 -11 peas each, born in pairs at the top of the compact bush plants. A reliable, adaptable variety for gardeners and market growers.

Green Arrow shelling pea seeds were first bred in England as a main season pea crop and are listed in some UK sources as Green Shaft.

Matures in 70 days.  (Open-pollinated seeds)

Jalapeno M Pepper Seeds produce pungent, thick-walled and juicy dark green peppers that are 8cm (3") long and about 2cm (1") wide with a blunt end. Fruits set well on mid-sized plants 60-90cm (24-36") tall. If there are still green peppers on the plant at the end of the season, pull up the whole plant and hang in a dry spot for it to finish ripening to red. Use green peppers for fresh eating, pickling, and sauces, and dry the red ones. 2,000 - 5,000 SHU's. Jalapeno M works well in 3–5-gallon containers and is suitable for patio growing. Dried, smoked jalapenos are known as chipotle peppers.

Matures in 70 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

A seed tape version of this flavourful tipburn resistant (TBR) variety. Grand Rapids TBR Looseleaf lettuce seeds produce a large, upright rosette of thick, juicy, light-green, frilly leaves and a blanched centre. The variety features very rapid growth in spring and fall, and grows better than any other variety under cool, damp, low-light conditions. Try Grand Rapids TBR in cold frames or beneath a cloche greenhouse for salad production all winter. In the spring and summer, sow short rows often so the crop can be harvested over a long period, and so that you are not overwhelmed by a garden full of mature lettuce all at once.

1 pack includes 2 x 2.5m (6.5') of tape and contains approximately 350 seeds in total.

Start by making shallow rows in prepared soil. Unfold tape and separate the two strips. Place tape in the rows and water. Cover with 5mm (0.25 inch) of soil. Water well. Keep consistent moisture until seeds sprout in 7-15 days.

Matures in 65 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

This new hybrid dwarf sunflower produces no pollen, but blooms up to three times in a season with as many as twenty flowers per plant. The 13-15cm (5-6") flowers produced by Suntastic sunflower seeds have brilliant yellow petals surrounding a dark black disc that will appeal to florists and home gardeners alike. Bred for container growing, this All America Selections winner is ideal for patio growing, and will provide continuous colour all summer. It begins to bloom just 65 days after sowing, so it's way earlier than most other sunflowers in its class. Suntastic sets a new standard for dwarf sunflowers, and looks great in window boxes or mass plantings in the garden bed.

Annual

Digitalis purpurea. Tubular, nodding flowers are often speckled and tumble on husky spires to 2m (6') tall. They are welcome in the border, woodland, or whenever they randomly self-sow. Foxglove flowers late spring to summer, and may flower again from the tops of the stems in late summer or fall. Sow Foxgloves Digitalis seeds indoors in late winter for flowers the first year. Transplant to naturalize at the back of the border. Foxgloves thrive in moist, shady areas, but can stand full sun if they are kept watered. Each plant produces thousands of tiny seeds - to avoid self sowing, cut the stalks down as soon as flowering has finished.

All parts of the Foxglove plant are poisonous.

Biennial

We like this parsnip for its quick germination and early growth; it is bigger and more vigorous right from the beginning. This variety is wide at the top with a short body. It is tender and delicious even to the largest sizes, with no core. Gladiator parsnip seeds are canker resistant. Our customer Louella is shown holding a truly enormous specimen of Gladiator. She attributes its massive size to her husband's rich compost blend. In rich, fluffy soil, these parsnips can really get huge. Parsnips store well for winter use. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Take caution during sunny weather: touching the plant may cause skin burns.

Matures in 110 days. Hybrid seeds

Sow slow-bolting Vates Blue Curled Scotch kale seeds in early spring for summer harvests, or July for fall and winter harvests. Vates is a low-growing dwarf type with finely curled blue-green leaves. It's suitable for large containers (minimum five gallons) for patio growing. It grows to only 30-40cm (12-16") tall, and about 60cm (24") in diameter. Like most kale varieties, it's especially tender and sweet after a light frost.

Matures in 50-80 days [slower in winter]. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Adorable mini butternuts that are the perfect single serving size! Butterbaby is an excellent choice for home gardeners with its early maturity and high yields per plant. Uniform .5-.9kg (1.25-2lb) tan fruits have sweet, dark orange flesh and good storability. Semi-vining plants.

Matures in 80 days

This is the classic large overwintering onion of the Pacific Northwest. A very large, juicy onion with a mild sweet flavour. It can be planted in the spring if given a really early start indoors, or in August to overwinter. Spring planted Walla Walla sweet onion seeds result in bulbs that are not quite as mild as the overwintered ones and may not size up as well. Plants can also be harvested as a delicious, sweet bunching onion.This variety is hardy to -23°C (-10°F). It is most definitely a long day onion, suitable for planting between the 35th and 55th parallels. It might not have good storage ability, but it makes beautiful, caramelized onions!

Matures in 125 days, spring sown - 300 days fall sown. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Helianthus annuus. Lemon Queen Organic sunflower seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! Lemon Queen is a wonderful, medium tall sunflower with brilliant light lemon yellow flowers that are typically 10-13cm (5-6") wide. with chocolate brown centers. This sunflower develops numerous branches, and each bears multiple flowers. Grow some for cut flowers and enjoy the bright colour indoors. Lemon Queen grows to about 1.8-2m (6-7') tall. Direct sow sunflower seeds in full sun in well drained soil once it warms up from April to June. Plant more seeds at three week intervals for a much longer bloom period. This sunflower begins flowering about 90 days after sowing.

Annual

Calendula officinalis. Fiesta Gitana calendula seeds are a dwarf selection of double flowers in a rich, warm range of colours from deep orange to pastel cream. Plants are compact, growing to only 30-35cm (12-14") tall, so they are perfectly suited for containers or edging the garden bed. The flower petals are edible, and look superb sprinkled over salads and smart drinks for your summer parties. Keep Fiesta Gitana calendula deadheaded for the tidiest look and the longest flowering period. Simply pull or snip off any flowers the day after they fade. Once established, Calendula need little care, so they make good candidates for xeriscaping.

Annual