Seeds to start indoors

Behind the evocative name of Japanese Wasabi rocket lies a brassica with a very distinctive character. Inspired by the pungent flavors enjoyed in Asia, this rocket offers finely cut leaves with a vibrant flavor, reminiscent of the aromatic warmth of wasabi when you bite into a freshly picked young leaf.

In the garden, it proves a reliable companion to the vegetable patch: rapid growth, abundant foliage, and staggered harvests as soon as the soil warms up slightly. In a thriving garden , it is sown in small, successive strips between rows of slower-growing vegetables to fill the space and cover the soil. Its small, unassuming flowers, typical of the cabbage family, mark the cycle of the seasons and provide an additional food source for passing insects when a few plants are allowed to go to seed.

Its presence fits in quite naturally with a respectful approach to cultivation : it is harvested at the pace of needs, its bolting to seed is observed, and some seeds can even be left to sow themselves, thus reconnecting with an ancestral gesture that strengthens the intimacy with the garden.

Native to the Americas and long cultivated by many Indigenous nations, Petit Canadien tobacco ( Nicotiana rustica ) is one of those plants that tells an ancient story of the relationship between humans and the garden. Introduced very early to the countryside here, it was long cultivated as a hardy tobacco, adapted to shorter growing seasons and poor soils.

In the garden, it's a compact and vigorous plant with an upright habit, forming a beautiful clump of green foliage. Its sturdy stems support broad, abundant leaves and discreet flowers, characteristic of Tabac rustica. In a living garden that respects the cycle of the seasons, it naturally finds its place within a diverse, edible space, as an ornamental companion plant or a traditional addition to the garden.

A companion to a harmonious garden, Petit Canadien tobacco invites us to reconnect with an age-old practice of respectful cultivation. Its structuring presence brings a beautiful consistency to the vegetable garden or biodiversity garden, where it helps create that intimate garden space that we observe day after day.

The delicate flowers of the cosmos are veritable pollinator magnets , and the 'Kiiro' cultivar is no exception. Introduced in 2019 , this variety is distinguished by its very pale yellow flowers , with petals slightly tinged with peach on the reverse , which bloom elegantly at the top of slender stems that can reach 1.2 m .

Flowering begins as early as July and continues until October , ensuring a continuous presence in the garden and effective pollination. Its appeal to bees and beneficial insects makes it a valuable ally for vibrant gardens.

Undemanding, the 'Kiiro' cosmos prefers light, well-drained, and infertile soils . In overly rich soil, it tends to produce more foliage at the expense of flowers. Planted in full sun, it offers an airy and poetic display throughout the summer.

Native to Spain, the Choricero pepper – often called pimiento choricero – is intimately linked to the sun-drenched landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula. It is traditionally seen drying in red garlands on the white walls of villages, ready to flavor stews and sauces. In a kitchen garden, it brings a warm and colorful presence that evokes the ancient practices of harvesting and preserving.

Its upright, compact habit, bright green foliage, and elongated fruits that ripen from green to deep red make it a distinctive companion in the vegetable garden. Throughout the seasons, Choricero offers discreet flowering, followed by an abundance of fruit that is best left to fully ripen before being hung to dry. In a harmonious garden, it finds its place among the warm-season fruiting vegetables, enriching the space with respectful cultivation and biodiversity.

Native to Mexico and Central America, the Mexican tithonia ( Tithonia rotundifolia ) evokes the warm, sun-drenched landscapes from which it originates. In a harmonious garden, its tall, upright stems are crowned with simple, bright orange flowers reminiscent of small wild sunflowers. Planted in welcoming, well-drained soil, it quickly forms a generous clump that adds height and movement to the garden.

Throughout the summer, the plant displays a continuous bloom that attracts numerous bees, butterflies, and other winged visitors. In the privacy of the garden, its benevolent presence structures the flowerbeds while nourishing life. It is a reliable companion for those who wish to invite biodiversity into the vegetable garden as well as the ornamental garden, in a deeply rooted approach to cultivation that respects all living things.

Originating in Peru, the Garden Peach tomato is a surprising heirloom variety, whose small, round fruits have a fuzzy skin reminiscent of a peach. Their pale yellow hue, sometimes pinkish when ripe, attracts the eye as much as the curious hand of the gardener.

In the vegetable garden, this indeterminate variety develops into a flexible, vigorous plant that is easy to grow, even in poor soil. It thrives in a sunny corner of the garden and produces consistently until autumn. Its unobtrusive appearance, hardiness, and reliable performance make it a dependable plant for a diverse garden.

Victoria rhubarb is one of the most popular varieties for home use. Who doesn't enjoy pies, jams, or sauces made from its fleshy stalks? Victoria rhubarb stalks are particularly flavorful, reaching up to 60 cm in length and boasting a beautiful reddish-green hue.

This perennial variety is distinguished by its vigor and remarkable hardiness. Capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -30°C, it establishes itself permanently in the garden and offers abundant harvests when conditions are favorable. The harvest period generally extends from June to September, provided the correct techniques are followed.

In the garden, Victoria requires careful attention. Regularly removing the flower stalks as soon as they appear is essential to maintain the production of the petioles. This attention allows you to extend the harvest over several weeks and improve the quality of the stems.

Hopi Red Dye amaranth is a remarkable traditional variety, known for its intense red color, which makes it particularly prized in natural dyeing. Cultivated for centuries by the Hopi people, this ornamental and dye plant is distinguished by its red pigment-rich grains and slender growth habit. In addition to its value for eco-friendly textile dyeing, Hopi Red Dye amaranth offers an elegant silhouette and attractive texture for ornamental gardens.

A tropical plant with a cosmopolitan distribution, Celosia 'Flamingo Feather' derives from species adapted to warm climates. It captivates with its airy blooms and feathery inflorescences , a pale silvery pink with soft pearly highlights. Evoking the grace of a flamingo feather , it brings an airy and luminous touch to summer flowerbeds , structured borders , or living bouquet gardens .

This annual, which thrives in full sun and has an upright, elegant habit , is both very prolific and easy to grow . Its straight, sturdy stems , perfect for cut flowers , bear up to 40 secondary branches , each adorned with soft, silky flower spikes. Its early and prolonged flowering lasts all summer, attracting butterflies, pollinators , and admiring glances.

Originally from Galicia in northwestern Spain, the Padrón pepper (or Pimientos de Padrón ) first became known in the vegetable gardens and taverns of this coastal region before spreading to gardens here. Its small, elongated, slightly wrinkled green fruits lend themselves well to successive harvests throughout the summer, bringing a regular and cheerful presence to the vegetable garden.

In the garden, it forms a compact, upright plant that gradually becomes covered in white flowers and then numerous drooping fruits. Harvested young, they provide an abundant harvest for everyday cooking. Well-established in warm, welcoming soil, it's a reliable chili pepper that naturally finds its place in a diverse, productive garden and a cultivation approach that respects living organisms.

Originating from regions with sunny summers, the Turkish poppy readily finds its place in cheerful gardens where original shapes are appreciated. Its large, round capsules, topped with a small decorative "hat," prolong the plant's presence long after flowering and become veritable living sculptures at the heart of the vibrant garden.

In welcoming soil, it raises its flowering stem above the finely cut foliage, producing large, ephemeral flowers before transforming into striking dry fruits. It naturally finds its place in a space that is both nourishing and ornamental, where the plant's complete cycle—flowering, seed production, and dispersal—is allowed to unfold. It is a perfect companion for those who wish to observe life through the seasons and allow the garden to harmonize with the wind, insects, and time.

Native to the temperate regions of Eurasia, common oregano ( Origanum vulgare ) is one of those companion plants that naturally find their place in living gardens. At Jardins de l'écoumène, it is presented as a hardy perennial, ideal for borders and dry corners of the vegetable garden or herb garden, where its aromatic green foliage forms dense and inviting clumps.

In the garden, oregano establishes itself with remarkable consistency: once rooted in well-drained soil and a sunny location, it faithfully returns year after year. Its summer blooms, with small pink to purplish flowers, attract numerous pollinators and contribute to the garden's vibrancy in harmony with the cycle of the seasons. It is a reliable plant, both decorative and edible, whose fragrant presence complements the age-old practices of harvesting and drying herbs.

The Belle Linda tomato is a rare treasure, born under the watchful eye of Michel Verdon, aka "The Tomatoologist." Appearing through spontaneous crossbreeding in 2011, it was patiently selected and stabilized, then named in honor of Linda, the love of his life. This story gives this tomato a profoundly human and relational dimension, like a plant of memory carried by the heart.

In the garden, Belle Linda forms a large, indeterminate plant, reaching up to 2 meters in height. Its regular, slightly open foliage reveals superb , heart-shaped fruits with a slightly ribbed, deep red skin. Generous, it offers regular harvests in mid-season, approximately 75 days after planting.

In a nourishing garden that respects living things, it becomes a precious, faithful and sensitive companion, flourishing in living soil and a patient relationship with the rhythm of the seasons .

The Purple tomatillo is a remarkable variety, renowned for its purple fruit and its central role in Mexican-inspired cuisine. Belonging to the Physalis genus, it is distinguished by its fruit encased in a papery husk, picked before full ripeness for its characteristic acidity.

In the garden, this variety proves productive and fast-growing . The abundant fruits ripen quickly and are produced throughout the season on vigorous, easy-to-grow plants. The flavor is rather tart , but becomes more complex and fruity when cooked, revealing an intense aroma that enhances sauces, salsas, and stews.

The Purple tomatillo has one key characteristic: fruiting requires cross-pollination . Even though the flowers are self-fertile, the pollen must come from another plant of the same species. It is therefore essential to cultivate at least two plants to allow for pollinating insects or wind.

In the ecumene, the Purple tomatillo is perceived as a plant of relationship and interdependence. It reminds us that some cultures can only fully express themselves in the presence of other individuals, highlighting the importance of living interactions in the garden.

The Czech's Bush tomato is a determinate variety that forms a small, compact bush, ideal for gardens where every square meter counts. Its medium-sized, standard-type fruits offer the classic red color and familiar flavor of table tomatoes, while also adapting well to cooler conditions.

In a harmonious vegetable garden, it easily finds its place at the edge of a flower bed, in a container, or in a large pot. Its compact size makes care and harvesting easy, allowing for careful daily attention without taking up too much space. It's an interesting companion for gardeners seeking a rooted approach, respectful cultivation, and a reliable presence at the heart of a diverse, productive garden.

Originaire des steppes froides d’Asie centrale, le caraganier de Sibérie (Caragana arborescens) est un arbuste de la famille des Fabacées qui a voyagé bien au-delà de sa région natale. Dans les paysages ouverts et venteux, il a longtemps été planté comme brise-vent et haie vive, profitant de sa grande rusticité et de sa capacité à se contenter de sols pauvres.

Son feuillage composé, léger et finement découpé, offre une ombre douce et mobile qui accompagne le jardin au fil du cycle des saisons. Au printemps, ses petites fleurs jaune pâle apportent une note lumineuse dans le jardin vivant, avant de laisser place à des gousses étroites contenant de petites graines. Dans un potager complice ou en bordure de terrain, sa présence bienveillante participe à la création d’un espace nourricier résilient, notamment grâce à son appartenance aux plantes de la famille des légumineuses.

Originally from Hungary, the Szentesi Cherry pepper is a cherry-type variety that has become popular in vegetable gardens for its small, round, bright red fruits when ripe. In a thriving garden, its compact plants produce an abundance of fleshy balls that stand out sharply against the green foliage, adding a warm touch to the heart of the summer season.

In a nurturing environment, this chili pepper behaves like a reliable plant: it produces generously after the first warm days and allows for repeated harvests. Adapted to gardens in cooler climates when started indoors, it naturally lends itself to a respectful cultivation approach, where the plant is nurtured from sowing to harvest by observing the seasonal cycle.

Originating from the Altai Mountains on the border of Russia and China , the Gregori Altai is an heirloom tomato with robust roots, bred for extreme climates . This indeterminate Siberian variety stands out for its remarkable earliness in the beefsteak tomato category.

In the garden, it grows vigorously and consistently. Its dense foliage accompanies the formation of dark pink, slightly flattened fruits weighing 250 to 600 g , whose firm, meaty flesh is highly prized. Well -suited to both cool summers and hot ones , it reassures the gardener with its rapid maturity (as little as 75 days) and good yield. It integrates harmoniously into a thriving vegetable garden , where the simplicity of the tasks – staking, watering, harvesting – brings out a wealth of flavors.

The Anawine tomato, a beefsteak-type variety resulting from a spontaneous cross between Ananas and Red Brandywine , was developed thanks to the patient work of Didier Meunier in the CART garden in Aubrecay. Even today, it remains rare in Quebec, cultivated with care after being recognized as one of the top 15 tomatoes by renowned tomato expert Michel Verdon.

In the garden, it displays a vigorous, indeterminate growth habit , producing large, yellow fruits streaked with red, often weighing close to a kilo. These vibrant fruits are reminiscent of the pineapple tomato with their marbled flesh, but are distinguished by their better firmness and resistance to cracking . In a vegetable garden that works in harmony with the rhythm of the seasons , it thrives on a stake or string, supported by a nourishing mulch, careful watering, and gentle pruning.

Long present in the vegetable gardens of temperate Europe, garden sorrel ( Rumex acetosa ) has established itself as a companion herb for the first days of spring. Its clumps of tender green leaves, borne on lanceolate foliage, emerge as soon as the soil warms up a little, offering one of the first fresh greens in the living garden.

In a quiet corner of the vegetable garden or at the edge of a edible flower bed, it forms a dense and regular rosette that faithfully returns year after year. Its tangy flavor adds a lively note to simple everyday dishes and recalls an age-old practice: picking, as the seasons change, just the right amount of leaves for soup, sauce, or omelet.

A discreet yet constant companion, garden sorrel integrates easily into an environmentally friendly gardening approach. Its benevolent presence accompanies the cycle of the seasons: in spring, it outshines many vegetables, and in autumn, it continues to produce as long as the soil remains hospitable.