Ecovale Farm 2021 Seed List
Welcome to what is hopefully the first of many seed lists for our farm!
As it is the first year of seed offerings, you will notice a number of plants not offered. There are a few possible reasons for this: 1) I didn’t grow it last year; 2) I grew it but did not or could not save seed; 3) it is a biennial plant and only goes to seed in its second year (e.g., carrots).
The target client for this list is the small-plot gardener. For many of us (even me with close to 1/3 of an acre of garden), the usual size of seed packet contains rather more seeds than I am going to use. I love growing different types of tomatoes, but I don’t need 100 seeds of each! The other consideration for seed-packet size is that there are a lot of factors that affect how many seeds end up being fruiting plants, so there do need to be at least a few more than you actually want to grow, just in case. To that end, the seeds available will be sold in relatively small numbers, at $2.50 per packet, with mixes and collections available for $2.50 - $5. So per packet, roughly 15 seeds, except for the ones that are tiny and hard to count, which will likely have a higher count.
If you are interested, I will be drafting some useful tips and guidelines for beginner Ontario gardeners, which will also be available at $2.50 each; most are about a page of point- or chart- form summaries of information.
And now to the list!
Amaranth, red:
This is a grain, with small seeds, and will grow to 4 to 5 feet tall. It is dark red to maroon, with the seeds growing in heads at the top of the stalk. Seeds can be eaten and the plant can be used for decoration as well. Best planted when the soil has warmed in spring, at no more than 1/4” deep, as thickly as you like.
Beans - Scarlet Runner
These are the ones that grow a good 6 or more feet tall and definitely need something to climb. They are good producers of long, flat, green beans that can be eaten raw or left to dry and be used for soups and stews. Plant at least 4” apart, with supports, once the soil has warmed in spring, 1/2” deep.
Borage
This is a great companion plant in gardens, and bees and other pollinators tend to love it. Grows to about 2’ tall. Multiple small 5-pointed purple-blue flowers, and fuzzy leaves, make it fun to look at as well. And the leaves & flowers are edible! Sow about 1/4” deep and a couple of inches apart, after last frost.
Calendula
These ones are the older type, more like the wild flowers, in a mix of orange and yellow (though mostly orange). Grows about 1-1/2’ tall, multiple flowers per plant, and all edible! Sow 1/4” deep and about 3” apart, no earlier than a week before first frost.
Chamomile
Dozens of pretty, tiny white flowers with yellow centres on each plant, they grow to be almost as wide as they are tall (1-2’). The flowers are edible. Sow in a very shallow trench once the soil has warmed in spring; thin if desired.
Corn - decorative - Painted Mountain
This is a decorative corn but could be milled for flour. Corn is a heavy feeder and needs fertile soil; soil fertility will affect plant height. The cobs are a lovely mix of white, blue, purple and red. Plant once the soil has warmed in spring, 1/2”-1” deep and 3-4” apart, in rows spaced about 2’ apart. It is important to plant corn in a block (e.g., 4-5 rows of 4-6 plants) to ensure that ears fill out.
Dill
Tasty herb that grows tall (5-6’) with feathery leaves and wide heads with seeds. Plant 1/4” deep about 8” apart, after last frost, in a location protected from wind.
Foxglove
Biennial (flowers every other year), grows over 2’ tall. Showy spikes of long, nodding, bell-shaped flowers in various colours. Plant in spring once soil is warm, not more than 1/4” deep and several inches apart.
Hollyhock
Tall (up to 6’) plant, with several circular, hibiscus-like flowers on the top length of the plant. Either plant after last frost or in early fall for blooms next year, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before planting out; plant 18” apart. Surface sow the seeds; plants will self-seed.
Marigold
These are good for keeping rabbits out of your garden when planted around the perimeter, as well as being pretty and fragrant flowers. The mix is mostly oranges, with some yellow. Seeds are best started indoors 6-8 weeks before being planted out after last frost, but can be seeded outdoors 2 weeks before last frost.
Milkweed
Wild milkweed seed - Monarch butterflies love it! Seeds are pretty and are best “planted” by being blown by wind or human to fall on reasonable soil. Plants have thick stems and leaves, with the classic milky white fluid when broken. Pods are 75₵
Poppies
Thin stems, feathery leaves, and lovely large bright flowers, mostly red. Plant no more than 1/4” deep in late spring.
Savory (Summer)
Excellent herb for use with meats and eggs. Plants do have small, pretty purplish flowers but it is the leaves that are used in cooking. Plant one week before last spring frost, on surface of soil; can be reseeded every few weeks for longer season.
Spilanthes
This medicinal herb, also known as toothache plant, has pretty leaves and interesting-looking flowers - somewhat like the centre of zinnias without the outer petals. Surface sow after last spring frost.
Sunflower
*also available in a mix of all types
There are a few types of sunflowers available, below. Plant 1” deep after last frost, at least 6” apart and for giant varieties, closer to 18” apart.
Autumn Beauty: roughly 5’ tall, with smaller flowers that are a gorgeous range of red, yellow, and brown.
Teddy Bear: adorable short sunflower with big, yellow, double-flowered petals giving it an almost fluffy appearance.
Giants: mix of giant striped and Russian giant seeds, these are the huge ones! Growing well over 6’ tall and with big yellow flowerheads, full of seeds that the birds will love.
Tomato
*also available in a mix of all types
Once you have tasted an heirloom tomato fresh from your own garden, you will never want the store-bought ones again. Even the plants smell good! Tomatoes are heat lovers, so start indoors 8 weeks before planting out once the risk of frost is past. Tomatoes can be determinate, which means the fruit ripens all at once (mostly), or indeterminate, with the fruit ripening over a longer period.
Bellstar: determinate; a Canadian paste tomato variety. Compact plant producing earlier and larger plum tomatoes than many other varieties.
Burpee’s Golden Jubilee: large, round, bright orange, juicy tomato; excellent for slicing.
Green Zebra: indeterminate; sweet and tangy fruit that is yellow to light green and has darker green stripes.
Purple Calabash: indeterminate; one of my favourites, it is pink- to purplish-brown when ripe, and deeply fluted which gives it a unique appearance to partner its rich taste.
White Cherry: indeterminate; lots of cream-coloured fruits, about 1” long, mildly sweet. Great snacking tomato, if it lasts long enough to get to the house.
Yellow Pear: indeterminate; produces plenty of bright yellow fruits that are shaped like pears! But are in fact tomatoes. Sweet.
Herb mix ($5): includes borage, calendula, chamomile, dill, savoury, spilanthes
Flower mix ($5): includes calendula, foxglove, hollyhock, marigold, poppies