Seeds

Native to the Mediterranean basin, the common pot marigold ( Calendula officinalis ) has long been a staple of traditional vegetable and medicinal garden practices. Its single or semi-double flowers, ranging from yellow to bright orange, dot the welcoming soil with small touches of sunshine that follow the cycle of the seasons, from late spring until the first frosts.

In a harmonious garden, it gently self-seeds where the soil suits it, forming bushy clumps with tender green foliage that is slightly sticky to the touch. A benevolent presence, it attracts a host of pollinators and beneficial insects, offering nectar, shelter, and resources for the small fauna of the thriving garden.

A reliable and easy-to-grow plant, the pot marigold naturally finds its place in vegetable garden borders, edible flower beds, or the quiet corner of a herb garden. Ornamental, edible, and medicinal, this generous companion connects the gardener to a long tradition of respectful cultivation and a relationship with living things.

Native to the mountainous regions of South America, the tamarillo ( Solanum betaceum ), also known as the tree tomato, has found a special place in ecological gardens with cooler climates thanks to its dwarf form. The dwarf tamarillo retains all the charm of the species – its fruit-bearing shrub appearance, broad leaves, and colorful fruit – but in a more compact size, suitable for small spaces and container gardening.

In a sheltered spot, against a warm wall or in a greenhouse, it develops a branching habit and tender green foliage that immediately evoke the atmosphere of a small subtropical garden. Its clusters of flowers give way to ovoid fruits, yellow, orange, or red depending on the variety, which ripen when the warm weather lingers. In the spirit of a living garden, the dwarf tamarillo invites us to observe the cycle of seasons in a new way: started in a warm environment and nurtured with patience, it offers in return an unusual harvest and a unique presence in the ecosystem of the edible garden.

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.

Growing wild on heaths, sunny embankments, and rocky outcrops across Europe, creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum and related species) is a small, creeping perennial that forms dense mats. Its slender stems grow close to the ground, taking root wherever they can and gradually weaving a fragrant cushion that gently accompanies the changing seasons.

Its tiny, green to grayish-green foliage releases a thyme fragrance at the slightest touch. In the heart of summer, a myriad of small pink to mauve flowers cover the clumps, attracting a swarm of bees and other pollinators. In a thriving garden, creeping thyme provides a discreet yet essential presence: it protects the soil, tolerates drought, and naturally finds its place in a supportive vegetable garden, along pathways, or in a quiet corner left to attract bee-friendly plants.

Hardy and well-suited to poor, dry soils, it integrates easily into a respectful cultivation approach, where observation, understanding, and gentle action are taken to support the plant rather than force it. Once established, this fragrant carpet becomes a reliable plant, faithful year after year.

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.

Passed down since the late 19th century by the Morin family of the village of Chertsey in the Lanaudière region, the Adelin Morin tomato is a rare heritage variety that embodies a living chapter of Quebec's vegetable-growing history. Its flattened, heavily ribbed fruit, with its deep pinkish-red hues, evokes the large tomatoes seen in gardens of yesteryear. Produced in clusters of four, this beefsteak tomato forms robust, indeterminate plants that require careful staking and support until maturity.

It complements the gardener's age-old gestures—sowing, staking, observing, harvesting—and invites a relationship with life, following the rhythm of the days, from the small, fragile seedling to the heavy, sun-ripened fruit. In a supportive vegetable garden , it requires welcoming soil, sunshine, and regular attention, but it generously rewards with spectacular harvests, with fruits weighing from 200g to over a kilo. Faithful and expressive, it naturally finds its place in a respectful and deeply rooted cultivation.

Originating in Kentucky, the Pineapple tomato is an heirloom variety that attracts attention with its yellow fruits streaked with red and its spectacular shape. In a well-mulched, thriving vegetable garden , it forms a vigorous, indeterminate plant, which is supported by stakes or strings, with careful attention to detail. Its large, deeply lobed leaves shade the soil , creating a welcoming environment for roots and beneficial insects.

The fruits, enormous and often misshapen, resemble the scalloped shape of a pineapple and attest to the rustic charm of trusted varieties , the result of long, artisanal selection. The vines grow up to 1.7 meters tall and produce late , in the cool of autumn, when the flavor concentrates into sweet and complex notes.

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.

Originating from Sichuan, China , the Halfmoon China is an heirloom beefsteak tomato variety, selected for its delicate colors and rich flesh. Its generous, flattened, slightly ribbed fruits turn a very pale yellow, almost ivory, with pinkish highlights when fully ripe, evoking the light of a calm evening.

In a thriving and well-tended vegetable garden , this vigorous, indeterminate plant requires space, support, and attention . Production occurs in irregular but generous waves until the first frosts. It fits naturally into an approach to sustainable gardening , where each harvest becomes a moment of wonder.

Originating from a family heirloom passed down by an Amish woman from Missouri, the Dester tomato has its roots in Germany , where it was reportedly cultivated for many years by a doctor's family. This heirloom variety with large, pink, beefsteak-type fruit is the result of a transatlantic journey, a blend of living tradition and a passion for good tomatoes.

In the garden, it grows vigorously, supported by indeterminate growth. Carefully staked , it develops long, sturdy, leafy stems, ready to bear massive fruits that can reach 450g . In a sunny, fertile spot , it integrates perfectly among summer companions, extending the harvest season thanks to its staggered production. It is a reliable plant , consistently accompanying daily tasks: tying, observing, picking, sharing.

On the plant, 'Don Camillo' tomatoes display their broad, ribbed shoulders and reddish-pink skin, evoking a robust Italian character. This beefsteak-type variety is distinguished by its generous presence in the vegetable garden. The slightly flattened, finely ribbed fruits display an attractive pinkish-red hue. Each tomato weighs on average 250 to 400 grams. g – some easily exceed 500 g in ideal conditions. The plant, with indeterminate growth, climbs vigorously and requires sturdy support to support its abundant fruiting.

Born of mystery, the 'Don Camillo' tomato variety conceals its exact origins – no source precisely traces its geographical birthplace. All that is known is that a collector first shared it in 2009 via the Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook (United States). Its unusual name is a cinematic nod: the gardener who christened it playfully alluded to the famous rebellious priest Don Camillo, portrayed by Fernandel. This tomato thus seems to carry within it a piece of Italian soul, as if it had traveled from the sun-drenched villages of the Po Valley to our vegetable gardens today.

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.

Originating from Aveyron in southern France, the Grosse de Rodelle is an old variety that doesn't go unnoticed. It produces very fleshy, round to slightly flattened fruits with light ribbing all over, reminiscent of the rustic tomatoes found in family vegetable gardens.

This indeterminate plant grows vigorously, bearing large fruits weighing 300 to 500 grams with dense, juicy flesh reminiscent of the famous "beefsteak" texture. It boasts regular foliage and good natural disease resistance. Its average earliness allows for a generous mid-season harvest, with production extending until the first chills of autumn.

Well suited to both cool and warm climates, the Grosse de Rodelle is a reliable companion for gardeners seeking robustness, generosity... and taste.

The “Mémé de Beauce” tomato has a story as mysterious as it is touching. In 1995, nearly 300 unidentified tomato seeds were discovered in a house that had been abandoned for several years in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce . Neighbors confirmed that no vegetable garden had been cultivated at that address for over 60 years . These dormant seeds thus survived the years, untouched, in the shadows.

The seeds were entrusted to Mr. Gérard Parent , who germinated three of them. Despite the intervention of specialist Antoine D'Avignon , the variety could not be identified. It was thus named “Mémé de Beauce,” an implicit homage to the gardeners of yesteryear, silent guardians of seeds and knowledge.

In the garden, this tomato stands out for its impressive production of giant fruits , frequently reaching nearly 1 kg , sometimes even more. The fruits are fleshy, multi-locular , and covered with a thin pink to red skin . At full maturity, their flesh becomes very tender, almost melting, making it a remarkable tomato for juices and sauces.

The plant, with indeterminate growth , can reach 1.4 to 2 meters in height . Its vigor and the exceptional weight of its fruit require sturdy support , otherwise the stems may break. It exhibits good resistance to powdery mildew, which contributes to its consistent performance in cultivation despite its unusual characteristics.

In the ecumene, “Mémé de Beauce” is perceived as a tomato of resilience and transmission . It embodies the ability of seeds to cross decades and reappear when someone takes the time to observe, sow and accompany life.

Originally from Sicily , the Rosso Sicilian is an old determinate tomato, carefully passed down by a Sicilian immigrant in 1987. This hardy variety has adapted well to Quebec gardens , where it appreciates rich, well-drained, and warm soils .

Its deep red, heavy, and heavily ribbed fruits resemble open flowers: spectacularly shaped tomatoes weighing up to 330 g . Their compact growth habit makes them ideal for planting in close rows, with light staking to support the weight of the clusters. In a thriving, nutrient-rich environment , this tomato becomes a reliable ally throughout the summer , with a harvest spread over 70 to 90 days . Its floral structure and moderate vigor make it a dependable plant in a vegetable garden that thrives during the warmer seasons.

The Early Cherry tomato, a determinate cherry variety, has been selected to thrive even in cool and unpredictable climatic conditions . It naturally finds its place in a vibrant garden or a sheltered spot , where warmth is limited and the seasons are short.

Its small, round or slightly oval red fruits ripen very early— as soon as 60 days after sowing —forming an abundant cluster of sweetness . Its slightly lobed foliage, reminiscent of potato leaves, testifies to its hardiness. It grows easily and consistently , whether in the ground or in containers, and is suitable for both novice gardeners and enthusiasts eager to experience the pleasures of vegetable gardening.

Originating from North American breeding programs, the Gold Nugget cherry tomato brightens the garden as soon as the first signs of warmth appear. This determinate variety forms a small, compact bush, well-suited to sunny balconies, deep planters, or edible flower beds .

Its small, round to oval fruits, a luminous golden yellow , stand out beautifully against the light green foliage. Early ripening, consistent growth, and hardiness make it a reliable companion for short summers. Its abundant flowering gives way to a continuous and plentiful harvest, starting as early as 55 days after sowing .

Ideal for gardens that are close to nature and overflowing with life , it fits perfectly into a respectful cultivation approach, closely linked to the rhythms of life.

Originating from a population of wild cherry tomatoes in Mexico, Matt's Wild Cherry was selected for its vigor and intense flavor. It retains an almost wild character: fine foliage, supple stems, and long clusters of tiny, bright red fruits that punctuate the garden with small, luminous touches.

In a thriving vegetable garden, it behaves like a true vine, eager to explore its surroundings. Each plant produces a profusion of very small but numerous cherry tomatoes, which ripen continuously until the first frosts. Its extended flowering and fruiting period make it a reliable companion in the kitchen garden, particularly valued in a respectful and diversified cultivation approach.

Originating in Russia, Orange Hat is a dwarf cherry tomato variety that has been specially selected for balconies, planters, windowsills and small sunny spaces .
Its extremely compact form (20 to 30 cm) makes it an ideal companion for growing in pots, even indoors, where light penetrates gently.
The dense, regular foliage forms a cushion which quickly becomes covered with yellow flowers, followed by abundant fruiting of small, bright orange tomatoes, slightly flattened on top.
Easy, generous and self-sufficient in determined form , it transforms a simple container into a veritable miniature food garden , faithful throughout the summer.