A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Kale From Seed Kale is a cultural icon. From smoothies, to chips, to massaged or simply sauteed with a little bit of garlic, kale is a major force in the food industry. Being that you eat it all the time, have you ever asked yourself, “How can I grow kale from seed?” Well now you have and we’re glad you did, because growing kale is a really easy thing to do! Whether you’re working with a small container growing space or a large, sprawling backyard garden, you can grow this delicious, nutritious, and popular green at home.  Kale has become a staple in home kit ..read more

We get asked this question all the time: “how long do vegetable seeds last?” The answer is simultaneously simple and complicated. However, we can break it down for you.  At Sow True Seed we get germination tests performed on every seed variety no less than twice per year. While, legally, we are only required to do germination tests once a year, we do it twice to ensure that we’re providing the highest quality seeds possible. Because we have all this data, we have a pretty good idea of how long seeds last, which we’re going to define as germinating at or above legal federal germination sta ..read more

  Raised garden beds are great for lots of reasons! Raised beds warm up earlier in the spring, making early planting easy. They can be filled with high quality soil instead of spending years improving the soil quality of your yard. Raised beds are also a great way to avoid soil erosion. And, there are plenty of raised garden bed ideas for every budget. Make spring planting easy this year by installing some raised beds into your garden! DIY Raised Garden Bed Designs DIY raised garden beds can be incredibly simple or elaborate! It’s completely up to you, your time constraints, and your budg ..read more

The Lemon cucumber plant, known for its peculiar round, yellow fruits, is a rewarding choice for novice and experienced gardeners. This guide aims to equip you with the essential knowledge on cultivating Lemon cucumbers from seed to harvest. When and How to Plant Lemon Cucumbers? Embarking on the journey of growing Lemon cucumber seeds begins with understanding the right time and method to plant them. Like their conventional counterparts, Lemon cucumbers are warm-season crops that love being in full sun.  When to Plant? Since Lemon cucumbers thrive in warm weather, the period after the la ..read more

Seeds are interesting little gems! Sometimes we try and try to get them to germinate - especially those gorgeous native wildflowers - and they just won’t! What you may be missing is stratification.  What is Cold Stratification? Many plants native to areas with winter weather must experience a period of cold and wet conditions before they will germinate. This prevents seeds of many species from germinating at the wrong time of year, when environmental factors are not just right for seed survival! Cold stratification is the process of providing or creating these conditions in order to help ..read more

Why Choose Non-GMO Seeds? GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, have been in the news for some time now, especially in discussions of health and the environment. Some say they’re necessary to feed the world, while others sound the alarm about their dangers. Sow True Seed is a signatory of the Safe Seed Pledge, which guarantees that we will never knowingly sell seeds that are genetically modified, or have been cross-contaminated with GM genetics. We’ve chosen to say no to GMOs, and here’s why. What does GMO mean?  “Genetically modified” means that foreign DNA has been introduced into a ..read more

When you started your garden, you probably remember the buckets and buckets of compost or soil that was moved into your beds. Or maybe you went the hugelkultur route with some logs and fallen leaves. Access to manure? Throw it in! Sure, why not. Whatever approach you took to developing the garden soil you have today - you may be missing out on this ongoing garden care task: amending the soil.  Why Amend the Soil? Over time, after seasons of growing, nutrients are leached from the soil. Rain can wash away nitrogen, plants take up nutrients and don’t return them on their own, and through al ..read more

Melons are not to be ignored. That sweet, juicy flesh is undeniable in the thick summer heat no matter where you’re located. When you start growing your own melons, you open up a world of delicious flavors unrivaled by any grocery store melon. Let’s take a look at a few common and rare types of melons. What Is A Melon? Melons are a beloved member of the Cucurbitaceae family. This means they’re related to squash and cucumbers. Melons are known for their sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. Botanically, the melon is a type of berry! Melons are known to have been grown by ancient Egyptians and were s ..read more

Who doesn’t love the fresh crunch of a cucumber? Whether pickled and cold or sliced fresh into a greek salad, cucumbers are the crispy dream vegetable of the summer. This vegetable comes in different shapes, sizes, and growing habits. There’s bound to be one that fits your garden needs.  What Is A Cucumber? Cucumbers have been cultivated for at least 3,000 years, originating in India. They have become a staple in many gardens all over the world. Cucumbers are 95% water, making them a great hydrating fruit - the perfect snack to bring on a hike. Most cucumbers grow on vines that attach to ..read more

What Is Kale? It seems a garden without kale is incomplete. With so many varieties, colors, textures and flavors, there is surely one to suit any taste. Some of them are so colorful and beautiful that they can even be used as an ornamental! Extremely nutritious, kale can be eaten fresh, in salads, or cooked in any number of ways limited only by one’s imagination.  Though it’s been trending in the culinary world for the past ten years or so, kale has actually been cultivated for over 2,000 years, originating in the eastern Mediterranean. This nutritional powerhouse is a must-have in the ga ..read more