Community Seed Library

Seed Library Code: AMA003

Common name: Shiny Black Amaranth

Genus species 'variety': Amaranthus spp.

Family: Amaranthaceae

Description: Seeds of an intense glossy black color that smell like chocolate as they cook, have a sweet flavour and good texture. Leaves and seeds are edible when cooked.

Type: annual, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: purple-red

Days to maturity: 65 to 75

Height of mature plant: 1.8m

Days to germinate: 7 to 10

Requires: full sun

Seed depth for planting: Lightly cover seeds after pressing them into the soil.

Plant spacing: 30cm

Timing: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost or directly into prepared beds after the last frost. Succession sow 3-4 times, 3 weeks apart for continuous blooms.

Growing tips: Thin seedlings if needed. Plants will require significant space when mature. Mature plants are a striking ornamental consider planting in a site partially sheltered from the wind to avoid bending.

Harvesting: You can harvest the seeds for eating, for returning seed to the Seed Library, for floral arrangements of for dried floral arrangements. Harvest when the tassels begin to elongate. Remove foliage so the spikes and tassels are more visible. Brush the flowers or hang the cut flowers to dry. To cook simmer 10-12 minutes in an equal volume of water.

Seed Library Code: CAT001

Common name: Catnip

Genus species 'variety': Nepeta cataria

Family: Lamiaceae

Description: Edible flowers can be used fresh or dried. Attracts pollinators and cats.

Type: perennial, edible, open pollinates

Days to germinate: 10-20

Requires: sun to part shade

Seed depth for planting: Lightly cover seeds after pressing them into the soil.

Timing: Direct sow in the fall or sow seeds 2 to 6 weeks after the last frost date.

Growing tips: Catnip does well in containers, raised beds, or borders. The main challenge to growing it is protecting it from cats. After the main bloom, plants should be cut back hard to encourage a second bloom and tidy shape.

Companion planting: Attracts pollinators and cats, but repels aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, ants, weevils, and squash bugs.

Seed Library Code: COR002

Common name: Plains Coreopsis

Genus species 'variety': Coreopsis tinctoria

Family: Asteraceae

Description: Naturalized across much of the Prairies, this hardy perennial is drought tolerant works in well drained containersand attracts pollinators. The stems are stiff and upright, so it makes a nice cut flower.

Type: perennial, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: yellow with red centre

Days to maturity: 75-85

Height of mature plant: 90cm

Days to germinate: 5-25

Requires: full sun

Seed depth for planting: Sow seeds on the surface of the soil. Transplant or thin to 15cm.

Timing: Direct sow when a slight risk of frost is still possible.

Growing tips: Deadhead and do not feed, as fertilizers can reduce flowering. Coreopsis will adapt to many different soils, but prefers well drained, rich soil. This perennial species may self sow and is hardy to Zone 4.

Seed Library Code: EUR001

Common name: Showy Aster

Genus species 'variety': Euphorbia conspicoa

Family: Asteraceae

Description: A hardy, native perennial plant produces showy violet flowers with yellow centres. Spread by seed and rhizomes, so they can be aggressive spreaders. Attracts pollinators

Type: perennial, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: blue violet

Height of mature plant: 0.25 to 0.9 m

Requires: full sun to light shade

Seed Library Code: GOL001

Common name: Goldenrod

Genus species 'variety': Solidago canadensis

Family: Asteraceae

Description: Canada Goldenrod is a hardy, native perennial plant produces tall spires of showy yellow blooms highly attractive to pollinators from mid-summer well into fall. Goldenrods spread by seed and rhizomes, so they can be aggressive spreaders. Attracts pollinators.

Type: perennial, edible, open pollinates

Flower colour: yellow

Height of mature plant: 0.5 to 1.75 m

Days to germinate: 7 to 21

Requires: full sun

Seed depth for planting: Lightly cover seeds after pressing them into the soil. Seeds need light to germinate.

Timing: Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out OR Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Harvesting: Has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and is used in herbal medicine for overall immune system support. Its leaves can be used as a tea, which tastes very similar to green tea.

Seed Library Code: HOL001

Common name: Blue Hollyhock

Genus species 'variety': Alcea Rosea

Family: Malvaceae

Description: Tall spires grow to 2m or more, with beautiful blue flowers which turn pink as they mature.

Type: biennial, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: blue turning to pink

Height of mature plant: 1.5 to 2 m

Days to germinate: 10 to 14

Requires: full sun to partial shade

Timing: Start hollyhocks 6-8 weeks before planting out after the last frost date. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil, and provide bright light.

Growing tips: Grow in rich, moist soil with good drainage and a neutral pH range of 6.0-7.5. The most important factor is good air circulation, so do not crowd plants or plant too close to structures, hedges, etc… Keep well watered and feed a few times during the growing season. If the flower stalk is cut back immediately after finishing, plants may bloom again. Stake tall plants.

Seed Library Code: LIA001

Common name: Meadow Blazing Star

Genus species 'variety': Liatrus ligulistylis

Family: Asteraceae

Description: Attracts butterflies,hummingbirds.and many other pollinators. Meadow Blazingstar is the only blazingstar that is widely branched with many brilliant purple individual flowers blooming in late summer..

Type: perennial, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: pink/purple

Height of mature plant: 1 to 1.5 m

Requires: full sun

Timing: Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out OR Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Growing tips: Prefers well drained medium to moist, loam soils.

Seed Library Code: LUP002

Common name: Pink Lupin

Genus species 'variety': Lupinus perennis

Family: Fabaceae

Description: Lupins are a native North American wildflower producing tall spire shaped flowers in purple and pink. Lupins are an important source of nectar for pollinators. The flowers will bloom all summer and return to delight with another stunning display the following year.

Type: perennial, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: pink

Days to germinate: 14-60

Height of mature plant: 30cm

Requires: full sun to partial shade

Seed depth for planting: 5 mm or lightly cover seeds after pressing them into the soil.

Timing: For best results soak seeds in water for 24 hours then start indoors or in a greenhouse in early spring.

Growing tips: Starting from seed it may take two years to bloom. These are hardy plants and worth waiting for.

Harvesting: Following period of bloom let the flowers dry and they will pop their seeds. If you do not want the lupins to self seed pick the pods.

Seed Library Code: MAR001

Common name: French Marigold

Genus species 'variety': Tagetes patula

Family: Asteraceae

Description: Compact plants densely covered in tiny yellow and orange flowers, a mix of Tangerine Gem and Lemon Gem. Petals are edible with a citrus flavour. Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs.

Type: annual, edible flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: orange

Flower scent: scented

Days to maturity: 60

Height of mature plant: 20 to 30cm

Requires: sun

Seed depth for planting: 5 mm or lightly cover seeds after pressing them into the soil.

Plant spacing: 30cm

Timing: Direct sow 1 to 2 weeks last frost date.

Growing tips: Can be grown in containers or as a border.

Companion planting: Avoid planting near beans.

Seed Library Code: MON001

Common name: Wild Bergamot

Genus species 'variety': Monarda fistulosa

Family: Lamiaceae

Description: Wild Bergamot or Bee Balm is a native wildflower producing masses of tiered pink-purple blossoms from August until frost above stout, strong stems bearing scented leaves. The leaves are edible. Flowers will attract pollinators.

Type: perennial, edible leaves, open pollinates

Flower colour: lavender

Days to maturity: 80-100

Height of mature plant: 60 to 90cm

Days to germinate: 10-14

Requires: full sun to partial shade

Timing: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in early spring when a light frost is still possible. Seeds can also be direct sown in the fall, as the first frost approaches.

Growing tips: These perennial plants spread by rhizome growth, and should be dug and divided every three years

Companion planting: Basil, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes all benefit from the pollinators attracted to Bee Ballm. Coneflowers, yarrow, coreopsis, and milkweed will attract pollinators for biodiversity and annuals such as Cosmos, Verbena, and Nasturtium complement the upright and open Bee Balm flowers and have the same growing requirements for an easy, low-maintenance design.

Harvesting: Deadhead regularly to prolong the blooming period. Pick new leaves for adding a lemon pepper flavour to teas.. For drying, harvest leaves before the flowers open. Cut flowers for drying as soon as they’re fully open.

Seed Library Code: SUN001

Common name: Sunflower Mix

Genus species 'variety': Helianthus annuus

Family: Asteraceae

Description: Mix of Velvet Queen, a dark orange; Teddy Bear, yellow, fluffy, round, fully double; and yellow sunflowers. These sunflowers are a mix of multi-branching and single stem.

Type: annual, flower, open pollinates

Flower colour: mix of yellow and orange

Height of mature plant: 1.8m

Days to germinate: 10-14

Requires: sun

Seed depth for planting: 5 mm or lightly cover seeds after pressing them into the soil.

Plant spacing: varies

Timing: Direct sow repeatedly after the last frost date.

Harvesting: Harvest for flower arrangements just as petals start to open. Harvest seeds when they are plump and flower petals are dry.

Seed Library Code: TOB001

Common name: Burley Tobacco

Genus species 'variety': Nicotiana tabacum

Family: Solanaceae

Description: A good, productive tobacco, but requires a little more care than other Canadian grown tobacco types, i.e. it suffers in drought conditions, and leaves break easily in strong wind. Resistant to disease, this variety continues to be among the most common cultivated today. Leaves cure into a light brown color.

Type: annual, heirloom

Flower colour: acid yellow

Height of mature plant: 1.5m

Days to germinate: 14-21

Requires: sun

Plant spacing: 0.5m

Growing tips: Seed should be sown about 50-60 days prior to transplanting. Transplanting should be after danger of frost has passed.

Companion planting: Since tobacco seed are very small (300,000 or more per ounce), they should be sown in a greenhouse or in a protected area. The soil should be free of weed seed and disease organisms. A flower pot would be a satisfactory container if only a few transplants will be needed. Sprinkle the seed on the soil surface, then firm the soil surface to insure good seed to soil contact. Irrigate with a very fine spray, or add water to a saucer under the flower pot. Add water as often as necessary to keep the soil surface moist, but avoid excessive water.

Anecdotes: Unaged tobacco is harsh and does not have good flavor. For the home gardener, aging will probably be as difficult or even more so than proper curing. Aging may require as long as 5-6 years and does not occur unless temperature and moisture conditions are favorable. If the tobacco is too dry, there is no aging and if it is too moist, there will be decay of the leaves.