How To Grow

Lettuce can be harvested from the garden from late spring to the late fall, and sometimes (given a bit of protection) all winter. The high protein chlorophyll in the dark-green leaves is highly nutritious. Salads are not complete without these leafy greens. Follow along with this handy how to grow lettuce from seed guide and grow fresh salad leaves all season long. Latin Lactuca sativa Family: Asteraceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Season: Cool season Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Zone: 4-12 Timing Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall. Sow in April every 2-3 weeks...

Annual flowers also known as English marigolds or pot marigolds. Calendula repels a number of bad nematodes in the soil, but may attract slugs. Plant with tomatoes and asparagus. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Calendula Guide and grow some sunshine in your garden this summer. Latin Calendula officinalis Family: Asteraceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Zone: 2-10 Timing Direct sow in early spring (around the end of February on the coast), when light frost is still a possibility and continue to sow until early summer for fall flowers. Calendula is easiest from direct...

The annual flowers in this group have been called many colourful names, including Bitter Indian, Canary-bird vine, Canary-flower, Indian cress, Monk’s cress, Flame flower, and plain old Garden nasturtium. Nasturtiums thrive in poor to average, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Grown in full sun, you might consider using some rocks around the plants to prevent their roots from getting too hot. In partial shade, plants tend to have larger leaves and a more sprawling habit. Keep watered during dry weather, and do not fertilize. Follow these How to Grow Nasturtiums as colourful companions for your Brassicas, cucumbers, melons, radishes, and tomatoes. Latin Tropaeolum majus...

Time your radish plantings a week apart for a longer harvest period. The secret to growing a great radish is to plant when the weather is cool, to not plant too close together and to harvest promptly before the roots get woody and bitter. Every part of the radish is edible. If you leave some of your radishes to go to seed you’ll find the pods before seed set are tender and juicy with a wonderfully sharp flavour that is excellent in stir-fries and soups. If you harvest the seeds before they dry they have a taste and texture reminiscent...

Aquilegia is a hardy perennial known as Columbine. Latin Aquilegia vulgaris Family: Ranunculaceae Difficulty Easy Season & Zone Exposure: Partial shade – full sun is tolerated where summers are cool Zone: 3-9 Timing Direct sow in autumn or mid-winter. Seeds can be started indoors, but it’s more complicated: Sow seeds in flats of moistened, sterilized seed starting mix, and place these inside plastic bags in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Then sink the flats outdoors in the ground in a shady spot, and cover with glass. As seedlings appear, transplant them or pot them on. Germination takes 30-90 days. Starting...