Perennial ground covers, as you’ve probably guessed from the name, are used instead of grass to cover the ground. They can vary in height, colour, and shape but one thing they all have in common is that they spread. They can be a little slow to fill in but once established, they form a robust stand of compact plants, helping to crowd out weeds, enrich the soil, and shelter beneficial insects. Perennial ground covers don’t require the regular mowing, fertilizing, and overseeding of traditional lawns. As such, they’re often used on slopes and other areas that are difficult to access or maintain ..read more

Welcome back to another growing season! Canadian gardeners have been relying on high-quality OSC seeds for over 125 years! That doesn’t happen by accident. There’s actually quite a bit that goes into our quality control and we’re dishing up the inside scoop In this post, we’ll talk about: Vegetable Seed Testing Flower Seed Testing Grass Seed Testing More QC Strategies Vegetables: In Canada, there is a federally regulated germination and purity standard for vegetable seed. This is very important to protect our beloved farmers’ time and land. Good germination is essential for all successful ..read more

Open Pollinated, Hybrid, Heirloom, GMO, Organic. We can’t tell you how often we get asked to clarify these terms. We understand! There’s a lot of information out there that can be confusing. So we’re making it easy. Find short, simple definitions clearly listed below. Open Pollinated Hybrid Heirloom GMO Organic Already know these terms like the back of your hand? Learn one more here: Curing! 1. Open Pollinated Open Pollinated refers to plants that are pollinated naturally (for example by birds, wind, human hands, and pollinating insects). Seeds collected from Open Pollinated plants will pro ..read more

Have you ever wished you could banish weeds from your garden? Reduce or eliminate fertilizers? Manage pests naturally? Cut back on your water consumption? Well, you can do all that and more in one easy step! Introducing: Mulch Mulch is a gardener’s best friend. It’s your superpower. It’s the unsung hero. It’s the force behind the scenes. ^ An example of a forest floor covered in a natural mulch of fallen leaves, pine needles, and bark/wood   What is mulch? Put very simply, mulch is any material that is spread on the earth for the benefit of the soil. Specifically, we’re talking about nat ..read more

A lawn is a space for gathering, playing, and enjoying the outdoors. Lawns provide a soft, resilient surface that is comfortable underfoot. They are resistant to wear & tear, and tolerate regular mowing to maintain a short, even height. Lawns cool the air above them and the soil below. They help slow moisture evaporation, control runoff, and prevent erosion. Their root systems provide organic matter, habitat, and nutrients to soil and soil-dwelling organisms. Want to provide even more resilience and some extra support to local wildlife? Clover Lawns might be for you! Visually, lawns can be ..read more

Wildflower gardens are often referred to these days as “Pollinator Gardens” or “Pollinator Sanctuaries” – and that is true! Pollinator populations have declined and wildflower gardens certainly provide valuable pollinator habitat. But wildflower gardens don’t only help pollinators! They are a wonderful way to support the entire ecosystem by sharing our space. In this blog post, we’re talking about how and why to establish a wildflower garden of your own. If you already have a wildflower garden and you want to try something new, why not start a vegetable garden this year? Read our vegetable gar ..read more

Every year, gardeners look forward to this time when they can begin growing again. Flowers and vegetables with long growing seasons may need more good weather than Mother Nature provides in your region. You can get around this constraint by starting these varieties indoors early. By simulating springtime conditions indoors, you can trick your seeds into germinating and growing, despite the winter weather outside! But watch out- it is possible to start seeds TOO early! Starting seeds too early can lead to seedlings outgrowing their pots and suffering from lack of nutrition, light, or space. The ..read more

It’s aliiive! It can be funny to think of your soil as a living thing but it absolutely is! Soils are complex ecosystems full of living organisms. Just like your plants, soils need things like good nutrition, air circulation, and good old H2O to thrive. In a natural ecosystem, soil is usually capable of replenishing its fertility on its own. However, most gardens are not natural ecosystems, so your soil will probably need help. Garden plants (especially vegetables) can be “heavy feeders,” drawing a lot of nutrients from the soil to grow. In your garden, it’s up to YOU to get those nutrients ba ..read more