How To Grow

Bergamot is also known, somewhat confusingly, as Bee Balm, Scarlet Bee-balm, Horsemint, Oswego Tea, and by its genus name, Monarda. All varieties are aromatic and highly attractive to pollinators, including hummingbirds.Pick the leaves as desired for fresh use in the kitchen. For drying, harvest leaves before the flowers open. Cut flowers for drying as soon as they’re fully open. Masses of tiered pink-purple blossoms grow from August until frost. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Bergamot herb seeds  Guide and attract some pollinators to your garden. Latin Lemon Bergamot: Monarda citriodora, Wild Bergamot: M. fistulosa Family: Lamiaceae Difficulty Easy Season &...

Cleome is very easy to grow once established, and may work best from direct-sown seeds. Any ordinary garden soil will work, including dry areas once plants are established. Cleome self-sows with gusto, so if you want to avoid this, remove flower heads before seeds ripen. Excellent for xeriscaping. Annual flowers native to South America. Latin Cleome hassleriana Family: Cleomaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun or very light shade Zone: 8-10 Timing Start indoors from mid-February to late March for transplanting (or direct sow) 3-4 weeks after last frost – around late-April. Continue direct sowing outdoors into May....

Dry beans are an ecologically sound foodstuff in today’s world. Being a bean, they produce at least part of their own nitrogen supply with the help of symbiotic bacteria, which live in the soil. Dry beans are one of the easiest crops to produce organically. Dry beans are excellent protein sources when combined with whole grains, nuts or small amounts of meat or fish. Dried beans also contain fibre and minerals (remember to discard the soaking and cooking water to reduce flatulence).  Follow along with this handy How to Grow Dry Beans Guide and grow delicious beans for hearty soups all winter long....

A delicate, parsley-like plant with a hint of licorice, chervil is one of the traditional fines herbes. Chervil is an excellent companion for Brassicas, lettuce, and radishes, but does best in part shade. Try growing some between rows of tall cabbages and kale. Chervil helps to repel slugs. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Chervil seeds Guide and grow fine herbs in your garden this spring.! Latin Anthriscus cerefolium Family: Apiaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Season: Cool season Exposure: Sun or part-shade Zone: 2-10 Timing Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. Direct sow in summer and protect...

The humble rutabaga is often called a turnip, but rutabagas are much more useful in the kitchen, are more nutritious, and store well. Amazing yields of flavourful roots are possible in a small space. Introduce rutabagas on dip trays (like carrot sticks), soups and stews, and raw in lunch boxes. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Rutabagas from seed Guide and grow great storage vegetables for your root cellar this season. Latin Brassica napobrassica Difficulty Easy We Recommend: Laurentian (RU692) has been a WCS favourite for many years. It’s hard to imagine improving on this reliable workhorse. Season & Zone Season:...