Category = seeds

Small in stature but big on presence, Tom Thumb Popcorn is a dwarf popcorn variety that naturally finds its place in compact vegetable gardens and allotments. Its short plants, topped with small golden ears, evoke the age-old practice of corn cultivation while adapting to the limited spaces and sometimes unpredictable seasons of northern gardens.

In the garden, Tom Thumb forms a small, vibrant thicket , a tranquil corner where the ears of corn soak up the summer sun. Its modest size makes it easy to care for and harvest, allowing it to be integrated harmoniously into a garden, whether planted along a border or mixed with other crops. Dried at the end of the season, it yields golden popcorn with a crunchy texture, transforming the garden harvest into a daily culinary delight.

Companion to a diverse food space, this popcorn corn participates in the cycle of the seasons: sown in spring in welcoming soil, it stands up in summer, then lets itself dry in autumn to offer its grains and seeds to attentive gardeners who wish to continue the rooted approach of preserving varieties.

Native to Western Europe , this hardy biennial, tolerant to zone 3, has become a staple in vegetable gardening for its rapid growth, delicate foliage, and unique flavor . Its airy habit and finely cut, light green leaves are reminiscent of parsley, but offer a milder, aniseed aroma.

Undemanding, chervil prefers partially shaded, cool spots , especially during the summer heat, and thrives in light, humus-rich soil . Its white umbels of flowers add a touch of lightness to herb borders or leafy vegetable combinations. A discreet yet valuable plant, it attracts beneficial insects and contributes to the balance of a living garden , embodying the gentle and nurturing spirit of eco-friendly gardens.

Native to the tropical regions of Africa and later widely cultivated in Asia and South America, okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) has found a valued companion in the Clemson Spineless variety for kitchen gardens. Selected for its pods free of irritating spines, this green and bountiful variety integrates naturally into a harmonious garden, where gardener comfort is valued as much as an abundant harvest.

In the vegetable garden, Clemson Spineless stands tall with beautiful, slender stems and finely cut foliage reminiscent of its close relative, the hibiscus. Its pale yellow flowers with purple centers give way to elongated fruits, harvested young to retain their tenderness. In welcoming, warm, and well-drained soil, it provides a steady harvest throughout the summer, discreetly contributing to the cycle of seasons in a diverse and nourishing garden.

Native to South America, jasmine-flowered tobacco ( Nicotiana alata ) first became famous as an ornamental plant, cultivated for its small, trumpet-shaped flowers, often white and pleasantly fragrant. In a vibrant garden, it easily finds its place at the edge or in the heart of flowerbeds, where its summer blooms accompany the cycle of the seasons.

Its soft green foliage beautifully complements the star-shaped flowers, which release their fragrance especially in the late afternoon and evening, reminiscent of the sweet notes of jasmine. In a diverse, nutrient-rich garden, this ornamental tobacco provides a discreet yet constant presence, harmonizing with the other plants. Its careful cultivation from seed is part of an age-old tradition that connects the gardener to nature, year after year.

Native to the Near East, Za'atar marjoram ( Origanum syriacum ) is one of those aromatic plants that embodies an entire landscape: bright sunshine, stony soil, hearty cuisine, and time-honored traditions. In the organic garden, it brings the characteristic fragrance of the za'atar blend—warm, slightly camphoraceous, and lemony—that immediately evokes flatbread, olive oil, and shared meals.

Its grey-green, slightly downy foliage forms compact clumps that establish themselves beautifully in well-drained soil. In summer, small, whitish to cream-colored flowers appear in discreet spikes, much appreciated by pollinating insects. A warm-climate plant, but adaptable, it thrives in pots or flowerbeds in cooler climates, provided it is given a sunny spot and fertile, never waterlogged soil.

In a garden in harmony with nature, Za'atar marjoram becomes a faithful companion in the vegetable patch: undemanding and fragrant, it complements the harvests of Mediterranean vegetables and finds its way into the kitchen every day. Its benevolent presence reminds us of the profound relationship between aromatic plants, culinary traditions, and the diversity of ecosystems.

The Canada Crookneck squash is an heirloom variety steeped in history, its roots stretching far beyond its first commercial description. While first described in the United States in 1834 by Boston seed merchant Charles H. Hovey, it is highly likely that it was cultivated in Quebec well before that date, as the Iroquois were already growing it before the 1700s. This deep historical connection gives the variety significant heritage value, closely linked to North American agricultural knowledge.

The plant produces elongated, beige fruits that can reach up to 30 cm in length. It is easily recognizable by the curved tip of its stem, forming a characteristic hook that gives the variety its name. Some variability in fruit shape is perfectly normal, a common trait among older, non-standardized varieties, reflecting their genetic diversity.

In the garden, Canada Crookneck develops vigorous, trailing plants that require space and stress-free growth. It appreciates warmth and rich, well-drained soil, but is more tolerant than many other squashes of varying weather conditions, especially late in the season. Harvested at maturity, it offers a bright orange, dense, and flavorful flesh.

In the kitchen, this squash is equally suitable for eating raw, grated or in salads, as it is for cooked preparations. Once cooked, its flesh becomes tender and develops a pleasant sweetness, making it suitable for both simple dishes and more elaborate recipes.

In the local world, the Canada Crookneck squash is seen as a plant of continuity and transmission. It embodies the link between Indigenous cultures, gardeners of yesterday and those of today, reminding us that some varieties survive through the centuries because they know how to adapt, nourish, and tell a story.

Native to Japan, Red Mizuna is a brassica that captivates with its finely cut leaves, tinged with dark purple. Born from a refined agricultural tradition, it has long been cultivated in the pure waters of Kyoto, where its name "mizuna" — meaning "water-vegetable" — testifies to its connection with humid and nurturing gardens.

In the garden, it thrives from the first cool days of spring and returns vigorously at the end of summer, thus avoiding the intense heat that would trigger it to go to seed. With its bushy habit, rapid growth, and high cold tolerance (down to -12°C), it stands out as a reliable, simple, and generous plant. It allows for staggered harvests, perfect for extending the green season in harmony with the garden's gentle rhythm.

Celosia Pampas Plume is a spectacular annual plant, renowned for its feathery, airy inflorescences that resemble small, vegetal flames. Rising above dense foliage, they bring verticality, texture, and color to summer gardens.

Derived from ornamental celosias long cultivated in warm climates, this variety is distinguished by its compact, well-branched habit and the delicate nature of its panicles. Flowering is continuous and abundant when conditions are favorable, providing a constant display from early summer until the first cooler weather.

In the garden, Pampas Plume thrives in warmth, full sun, and well-drained soil. It integrates easily into flower beds, decorative vegetable gardens, and containers, where it quickly becomes a focal point. Undemanding once established, it responds well to steady growth without excessive moisture.

Native to North America , Coreopsis 'Bouquet Magic' is a vibrant perennial that combines ease of cultivation , abundant flowering , and a positive ecological impact . Its bright yellow flowers with purple centers create bursts of sunshine in flowerbeds and borders, bringing a touch of elegant cheer throughout the summer.

In the garden, it is prized for its compact, bushy habit , its heat tolerance , and its ability to bloom profusely , especially if faded flowers are removed. It attracts a variety of pollinators , including bees and butterflies, while contributing to the garden's vibrant ecosystem.

Easy to grow and undemanding , it adapts to various well-drained soils and tolerates dry summers. Perfect for borders, rock gardens or pots , it also makes a welcome addition to the home in the form of fresh, rustic bouquets .

Originating in Belgium , and more specifically in the area around Brussels , Brussels Endive is a variety of chicory prized for its winter harvest. Its particular cultivation, which requires forcing in the dark after germination , makes it a plant well-suited to the cold seasons , offering crisp, pale, and tightly packed leaves with a delicately bitter taste .

With its compact shape and creamy-white leaves , it brightens up winter harvests and extends the diversity of the vegetable garden into the quietest months . Its cultivation requires patience, preparation, and care , but the result—a tender, fresh, and flavorful endive— fully rewards the gardener who is attentive to the rhythms of the seasons.

The Queen Pink malope is a flowering annual with an elegant habit, known for its large, bright to deep pink, cup-shaped flowers that open wide. Each flower stands out clearly against the bright green, slightly lobed foliage, creating a simple yet effective contrast in the garden.

The plant develops upright, branching stems, bearing a generous and continuous bloom throughout the summer. The large, showy flowers attract attention from afar and make a strong statement in flower beds, borders, and cut flower gardens.

In the garden, Queen Pink is easy to grow and undemanding. It appreciates sunny locations and well-drained, but not overly rich, soil. Once established, it tolerates heat and short periods of drought quite well, while maintaining regular flowering.

A vibrant tribute to the diversity of North American vegetable gardens, the Royal Burgundy dwarf bean offers a unique spectacle with its dark purple pods contrasting against intense green foliage. Its compact, bushy habit makes it a perfect companion for urban gardeners, balconies, or small vegetable patches.

Hardy and cold-resistant, it ensures a generous yield even at the beginning of the cooler season. Its discreet white flowers herald long, tender, and flavorful pods that turn green when cooked. Undemanding and nitrogen-fixing, it integrates naturally into ecological crop rotations, nourishing the soil while adding color to the harvest. Accessible and rewarding, this bean embodies the balance between beauty, simplicity, and abundance in the garden.

Native to the temperate regions of Europe and Western Asia, Rhubarb Red Swiss chard is distinguished by its bright red stalks reminiscent of rhubarb, hence its evocative name. Its ample, deep green foliage provides a striking contrast that energizes vegetable gardens and edible gardens.

In the garden, this variety proves robust and easy to grow. It stands out for its ability to provide long harvests of crisp, colorful ribs, adding a vibrant touch to summer dishes. A valuable companion to root vegetables and slow-growing crops, it enriches the diversity and structure of the vegetable garden.

Native to the highlands of Mexico, the tomatillo has long been a staple in kitchen gardens and popular cuisines. The Queen of Malinalco variety is distinguished by its elongated fruits, encased in a pale beige lantern that splits open when ripe to reveal a golden-yellow skin.

In the garden, this vigorous annual forms a large, branching bush dotted with small yellow flowers with dark spots at the center. In a harmonious vegetable garden, it naturally finds its place near tomatoes and peppers, contributing to a vibrant and diverse space. Its generous and gradual production follows the cycle of the seasons: the first flowers swell in midsummer, and the harvest often continues until the first frosts.

A valuable companion in organic gardens, it offers a fruit that is both tangy and sweet, highly prized in cooking for fresh sauces and preparations inspired by Mexican traditions. When grown properly in fertile soil and full sun, Queen of Malinalco becomes a reliable plant, faithfully delivering summer harvests.

Native to North America, Coreopsis is a summer flower that brings a sunny and cheerful touch to eco-friendly gardens. The "Incredible Sea Shells Mix" variety is distinguished by its multicolored blooms and wavy petals, reminiscent of seashells. It invites contemplation in sunny flowerbeds and borders.

In the garden, this variety plays a valuable role by attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, thus contributing to soil health and fertility. Its bushy habit and vigorous growth make it a robust ally, easy to incorporate into a variety of planting schemes.

Native to North America, Heliopsis Burning Hearts displays its fiery brilliance on hot summer days, illuminating gardens with its vibrant red and orange flowers. This particular heliopsis variety, related to sunflowers, is prized for its hardiness and ability to bloom profusely despite varying conditions, making it a faithful and cheerful companion in the summer garden.

At the heart of the garden, it plays a starring role, attracting a myriad of pollinators and offering a spectacle of warm colors that marks the seasons. Its upright silhouette and bushy habit give it a beautiful presence, while its late flowering prolongs the life and beauty of the garden until autumn.

Originating in France, the Comtesse de Chambord dwarf bean embodies the refinement of old gardens and the richness of a seed heritage to be preserved. A descendant of period kitchen gardens, it evokes the orderly plots of château gardens, while also appealing to modern gardeners seeking elegance, gentleness… and flavor.

Its compact, bushy habit, adorned with medium-green foliage, reveals long, straight, glossy pods. Inside are small, white seeds of exceptional culinary quality. But the Comtesse is not without its demands: it is capricious with the first spring frosts and dislikes overly cool mornings. While it may appear fragile at the beginning of the season, it thrives magnificently under a tunnel or in a sheltered location, where warmth and attention provide it with peace of mind.

When cultivated with care, it yields one of the most tender and melting flesh imaginable, rewarding the attentive gardener with a generous harvest of rare refinement. A precious, delicate yet reliable variety, it invites us to rediscover the gentle touch and the pleasure of cultivating slowly and lovingly.

Native to East Asia, the Prize pak choi is a variety of Chinese cabbage known for its rapid growth and hardiness in the garden. This plant is distinguished by its large, slightly wavy, light green leaves, whose crisp texture delights the palate in cooking.

In the garden, the Prize pak choi stands out as a compact and easy-to-grow vegetable, particularly appreciated in organic vegetable gardens where it fits easily into short crop rotations. Its earliness makes it a valuable ally for short growing seasons, especially in cool temperate climates like that of Quebec.

This variety lends itself to culinary diversity, offering delicious salads, stir-fries, or soups with a mild and fresh flavor. Prize pak choi is also a generous plant that adds a touch of greenery to the edges of cultivated fields, contributing to soil health and the balance of neighboring plants.

The Brad's Atomic tomato is a recent but already iconic creation, carefully selected by Brad Gates in the United States and marketed since 2016. It is distinguished by its indeterminate growth habit, its light and airy foliage, and above all by its amazing fruits that look hand-painted.

Each cluster offers a vibrant kaleidoscope of shifting hues: lavender, green, purple, reddish-brown, and even hints of orange. Its elongated, slightly pointed shape is more reminiscent of a small plum than a cherry. This variety exemplifies the dynamism of artisanal selections and the inventiveness of gardens in motion. Resistant to extreme conditions and cracking, it fits perfectly into a collaborative and resilient gardening approach.

Originating from Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad Scorpion Orange belongs to the lineage of the world's hottest peppers. Selected from strains of Capsicum chinense , it bears bright orange fruits, often ending in a small point reminiscent of a scorpion's stinger, which gave it its name.

In the garden, it's a vigorous plant with a compact habit typical of hot peppers, readily establishing itself in a warm, sunny spot in the vegetable patch. Its discreet flowers give way to abundant fruiting, offering a range of orange fruits that are as decorative as they are impressive in their heat. With respectful cultivation practices, it's welcomed as a benevolent presence, but one to be handled with care, keeping in mind the connection between the age-old practice of cultivating peppers and the potent flavor they bring to cooking.