Seeds to start indoors

The Lebanese Green Finger cucumber is a variety prized for its delicate flavor, sweetness, and uniformity. It produces elongated, slender, and straight fruits with smooth, dark green skin, almost seedless when harvested young. Their flesh is crisp, juicy, and free of bitterness, making it a very pleasant cucumber to eat fresh.

The plant is vigorous and productive, offering a continuous harvest when the fruit is picked regularly. It can be grown on the ground or trained on a trellis, which facilitates aeration, fruit cleanliness, and harvesting. Green Finger particularly thrives when grown vertically.

In the garden, this variety thrives in warm, sunny locations and rich, well-drained soil. Regular growth, without water stress, results in uniform fruit of consistent quality. Its tolerance and productivity make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and flavorful cucumber.

The Dark Green courgette is a classic and reliable variety, known for its productivity and the uniformity of its fruit. It produces elongated, smooth courgettes of a uniform dark green color, with firm and tender flesh when harvested young.

The plant develops a vigorous, bushy habit, quickly producing numerous flowers followed by abundant fruit. This prolific yield makes it an ideal zucchini for family vegetable gardens, where harvests follow one another throughout the summer season.

In the garden, Dark Green thrives in warmth, full sun, and rich, well-drained soil. Steady growth, supported by consistent watering, results in straight, flavorful fruit with no bitterness. Frequent harvesting encourages continuous production and maintains fruit quality.

In the ecumene, the Dark Green courgette is seen as a plant of abundance and sharing. It embodies the quintessential summer vegetable garden, one overflowing with harvests and inviting cooking, preserving, and giving away.

Genovese basil is the undisputed champion of culinary basil. Recognizable by its large, tender green, slightly crinkled, and highly aromatic leaves, it embodies the freshness of summer both in the garden and in the kitchen. Its clean and balanced flavor, both sweet and peppery, makes it a cornerstone of Mediterranean traditions.

In the garden, it quickly forms a compact, flexible clump, easy to incorporate into the vegetable patch, as a border plant, or in containers. It thrives in sunny locations, rich, well-drained soil, and with regular, but not excessive, moisture. With careful cultivation, it provides a continuous supply of tender leaves throughout the summer.

Genovese basil responds very well to regular pruning. Pinching the tips and delaying flowering encourages branching and prolongs the harvest. Allowing it to flower attracts pollinators and signals the end of its optimal harvest period.

The King of the North pepper is a North American heirloom variety renowned for its reliability in cool climates. Specifically bred for short-season regions, it has become a go-to choice for gardeners in northern areas.

At Jardins de l'écoumène, the first trials conducted as early as 1998 quickly confirmed its potential. From then on, King of the North won over our desire to be Guardians of Seeds, establishing a relationship of trust and loyalty that has continued for more than 25 years.

The plants are robust, well-branched, and relatively compact. They produce medium to large-sized fruits, initially green and then red when fully ripe. The flesh is thick, juicy, and sweet, without bitterness, making it a versatile and enjoyable pepper in cooking.

In the garden, King of the North stands out for its earliness and consistency. Its generous, sometimes demanding, nature has prompted us to refine our cultivation techniques. Unlike its cousin the chili pepper, the bell pepper requires careful attention—warmth, fertility, watering, and pruning—to fully express its potential. In return, it offers reliable and sustained production.

Despite these requirements, King of the North demonstrates great adaptability. It grows equally well in containers or in the ground, in greenhouses or gardens, but is best suited to gardeners with some experience . When given the necessary attention, it becomes a reliable and generous ally, capable of producing bountiful harvests even in cooler climates.

Originating from the large onion family, the Parade bunching onion has carved out a prime spot in kitchen gardens for its long, hollow, straight, and upright leaves. It is cultivated not for the bulb, but for its glossy green foliage, with its distinct fresh onion flavor, which is harvested in bunches throughout the season.

In the garden, Parade grows in tight, even clumps, easy to tuck into a corner of the vegetable patch or along an edible border. Sown in several waves, it accompanies the entire cycle of mild seasons and offers a discreet yet constant presence in the harmonious garden. Its slender shape blends well with other vegetables, and its soil-friendly cultivation makes it a reliable plant in a diverse, edible space.

Originating in the United States, the Marketmore 76 cucumber is an heirloom variety renowned for its hardiness and ability to withstand cool temperatures. Prized for its vigorous growth habit and consistent fruiting, it has become a staple in the organic vegetable garden.

This cucumber is distinguished by its elongated, dark green, slightly ridged fruits, which are easy to harvest and retain their crispness. In the garden, it plays a valuable role by providing an abundant harvest even in temperate climates, bringing freshness and deliciousness to summer tables.

Its hardiness makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a reliable and generous crop while respecting the principles of biodiversity and the natural cycle of the garden.

Native to the Andean regions of South America, the Jewel nasturtium is a vibrant and abundant variety, renowned for its luminous flowers and delicately veined, rounded leaves. Traditionally used for both its edible properties and its ornamental role, this nasturtium has become a staple in natural gardens as a plant that is both decorative and useful.

In the garden, it develops a creeping or trailing habit, perfect for adorning borders or slopes where it acts as an effective ground cover. The Jewel nasturtium attracts numerous pollinators, especially bees, providing valuable support to local biodiversity while beautifying the space with its hues ranging from bright orange to deep red.

Its robust and generous nature also makes it a recommended companion for repelling certain pests, thus contributing to the natural balance of the garden. It is a cheerful presence that brightens every corner, inviting curiosity and creative gardening.

Originating from temperate regions, this lettuce mix creates a symphony of leaves—wavy, curly, smooth, or serrated—ranging from tender green to deep red . Each variety finds its place, contributing texture, color, and depth to a leafy carpet that is as pleasing to behold as it is to harvest.

Easy to grow, mixed lettuce can be sown in rows or broadcast, offering a quick harvest from early spring. With successive sowings every 2 to 4 weeks , it ensures a continuous lettuce production . It prefers cool, well-drained soil and partial shade during warmer periods. Its low-growing habit limits weeds and attracts beneficial insects that promote healthy soil .

Santo coriander is a variety known for its rapid growth and good tolerance to changing conditions. It produces abundant, bright green, finely cut leaves that are very aromatic from the first harvests. Its characteristic fragrance, both fresh and lemony, is appreciated in many cuisines around the world.

In the garden, Santo stands out for its vigor and its ability to quickly produce usable leaves. However, it is sensitive to prolonged heat, which encourages flowering. Grown in cool to temperate conditions, with successive sowings, it offers a regular production of tender leaves.

This variety adapts well to both open-ground and container cultivation, allowing for better management of watering and sun exposure. Harvested young and frequently, it retains a fine texture and a balanced aroma.

In the local culture, Santo coriander is seen as a plant of rhythm and opportunity. It reminds us of the importance of timing: sowing, harvesting, and starting again, following the rhythm of the season.

Curly parsley is one of the most widespread and widely used herbs in the world. In Levantine cuisine, that of the eastern Mediterranean countries, it holds a central place, comparable to that of maple syrup in Quebec cuisine. It is used on all five continents, as a spice, as a herb, and as a true leafy vegetable.

The plant has an upright, vigorous, and well-structured habit. Its dense, finely cut, and curly foliage offers a highly prized decorative texture, making it one of the most common ornamental garnishes in cooking. This vigor also allows it to withstand cold well, extending the harvest period late into the season.

In the garden, curly parsley is easy to incorporate into flower beds, vegetable patches, and container gardens. It thrives in rich, moist soil and prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. Its steady growth allows for repeated harvests throughout the season.

Garden chives are an essential perennial plant, prized for their simplicity, hardiness, and abundance. They quickly form dense clumps of fine, cylindrical, bright green leaves, which regrow continuously when harvested regularly.

In spring, it's among the first to emerge in the vegetable garden, heralding the start of the season. In early summer, pretty, spherical, mauve-pink flowers appear, adding an ornamental touch while attracting pollinators. These flowers, like the leaves, are edible and bring a delicate note to dishes.

In the garden, chives are very tolerant. They adapt well to vegetable gardens, flower beds, borders, and container gardening. Undemanding, they do, however, appreciate cool, well-drained soil to reach their full potential. Once established, they can remain in place for several years without losing quality.

Originating in Italy, the Yellow of Parma onion is an old, guard variety known for its perfectly round bulbs with a golden-yellow skin. In a thriving vegetable garden, it provides a discreet yet essential presence: a reliable, consistent plant that accompanies the gardener throughout the seasons.

In the garden, its upright foliage forms neat rows that structure flowerbeds. The mature bulbs, with their dry, golden skin, then grace the kitchen for many months, extending the bounty of the welcoming soil well after the first frosts. It's a reliable variety for those seeking a storage onion, rooted in respectful and self-sustaining cultivation practices.

Originating in the warm temperate regions where the pepper (Capsicum annuum) evolved under the watchful eyes of gardeners of yesteryear, the Gourmet Pepper perpetuates a tradition of flavor and bounty. This sweet variety, well-suited to Quebec vegetable gardens , produces squat fruits with thick, crisp flesh, which develop on compact, upright plants.

In a welcoming soil and a sunny corner of the garden, this plant thrives alongside tomatoes, basil, and other summer vegetables. Its steady growth, natural tolerance, and ability to provide a continuous harvest make it a reliable companion for both novice and experienced gardeners. With its deep roots and sensitivity to the seasons, the Gourmet Pepper helps transform the garden into a bountiful, tranquil, and flavorful space.

Originating in Russia , the Early Russian pickling cucumber is a traditional and hardy variety , prized for its small, firm, crisp, and non-bitter fruits , which can be enjoyed from the first weeks of summer . Renowned for its early maturity , it is among the first cucumbers to be harvested from the garden , offering abundant yields even at the beginning of the season.

When young, it can be eaten fresh, in salads or simply eaten raw , revealing a tender, juicy flesh with no bitterness whatsoever. It is also perfect for pickling , thanks to its compact size and slightly pungent skin which retains aromas well during fermentation or pickling.

In the garden, it stands out for its vigorous growth , dense foliage, and resilience to the variable conditions of a temperate climate. Compact in size, it integrates easily into an organic vegetable garden , contributing both to summer abundance and the preservation of culinary traditions.

Garden dill is a delicate and expressive aromatic plant, recognizable by its finely cut foliage and characteristic aniseed fragrance. From its very first appearance, it brings a visual and sensory lightness to the garden, swaying gently in the breeze on its supple stems.

Cultivated since antiquity, Anethum graveolens is valued for both its leaves and seeds. In the garden, it behaves as a warm-season annual, growing quickly but relatively short. It prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil, where it can fully express its aroma.

Dill integrates easily into vegetable gardens and mixed flower beds. It grows well alongside cucumbers, lettuce, or cabbage, while attracting a variety of beneficial insects when it flowers. Its yellow umbels of blossoms add a graphic touch and support biodiversity.

German thyme is a hardy, evergreen perennial, prized as much for its longevity as for its rich fragrance. Compact and well-structured, the plant forms a small, resistant subshrub over the years, perfectly suited to simple, well-drained gardens.

In summer, it is covered in small, highly nectariferous mauve flowers that attract numerous pollinating insects. Its fine, green, and aromatic foliage remains decorative all year round, even during the cold season.

In the garden, German thyme prefers light, dry to moderately dry soils and dislikes excessive moisture. Once established, it requires very little maintenance and tolerates drought well. It integrates naturally into flower beds, herb gardens, rock gardens, or borders.

In the ecumene, German thyme is perceived as a plant of stability and continuity. It embodies those modest but essential perennials, capable of offering, year after year, flavor, resilience and a discreet presence in the garden.

Originally from Central America, the yellow zucchini quickly became a favorite in European vegetable gardens thanks to its vibrant color and delicate flavor. This variety brightens flowerbeds with its brilliant yellow, bringing a cheerful touch and a mild taste that appeals to both cooks and gardeners who love diversity.

In the garden, it proves vigorous and generous, producing abundantly from the warmer months onwards. Its tender flesh is a welcome addition to summer dishes, while its spreading habit and broad leaves provide good ground cover, helping to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Native to North America, Parris Island Cos romaine lettuce is known for its hardiness and its ability to add crispness and freshness to salads. This variety has become a staple in organic vegetable gardens thanks to its majestic appearance and dense foliage, offering excellent resilience to the vagaries of the climate.

In the garden, it stands out with its upright habit and elongated, light green leaves with pronounced veins, promising a firm texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Versatile and prolific, it integrates harmoniously into a vegetable garden where it adds a touch of verticality and a constant source of flavor.

Native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated for centuries, 'Rainbow Mix' Swiss chard is renowned for its foliage in a variety of colours, ranging from bright yellow to deep red, including orange and pink, which brightens vegetable gardens with a cheerful and vibrant touch. This colourful mix pays homage to the natural diversity of this nutritious and robust plant.

In the garden, 'Rainbow Mix' Swiss chard unfurls its large, wavy leaves with an upright habit, making it easy to grow even in small spaces. Its role as a versatile leafy vegetable makes it a valuable companion, providing a regular abundance of harvests for salads or cooking, while also contributing to crop biodiversity.

Native to the Mediterranean basin, Italian parsley with its large, flat leaves has become a staple in kitchen gardens. Its deep green, finely cut clumps provide a discreet yet constant presence in the vegetable patch, always ready to offer a handful of fresh greens for everyday cooking.

In the garden, this so-called "Italian" variety is distinguished by its particularly fragrant foliage, highly prized in cooking. It thrives along the edge of flowerbeds, in a quiet corner of the vegetable garden, or mixed with other aromatic plants to create a vibrant, nourishing space. Its consistent yield throughout the season makes it a reliable plant for ecological gardening, where harvesting is done as needed while respecting the natural cycle of the seasons.