Hybrids vs Heirloom Plants

When it comes to gardening there are two types of plants - hybrids and heirloom. In order to understand the difference, you need to know a bit of basic genetics. An heirloom plant is one that has not been modified other than by nature. It breeds true meaning if you collect seeds from the plant, the resulting plants from the seeds will be the same as the parent plant (P). An hybrid is the

Repotting Houseplants and Starting Seeds

It's that time of year! Spring is just around the corner and with our ADLF quickly approaching it is time to start seeds. I have been busy repotting all of my houseplants into self-watering pots. I really do like the pots! The larger self-watering pots for the floor plants are only $7.47 at Wal-Mart which is rather inexpensive compared to some of the regular pots that size (12 - inch). I

Protecting Saved Seeds

As a home gardener I am also a seed saver. Seeds can be saved from any plant but heirlooms are preferred as they breed true unlike seeds from hybrid plants. Really from a genetic perspective if you cross two hybrids you have a 25% chance of the resulting plant being true for either of the homozygous traits but a 50% chance of it it being nothing like the parental plant. I grow and save

Garden Seeds are Appearing in the Stores

I was at Home Hardware today picking up paint for the bathroom. As I went to the check-out I noticed two large displays of garden seeds! I popped a packet of Little Marvel peas in with my painting supplies. I am planning on painted every room in the house this winter but you can bet I will still make time to get my seedlings ready for the new gardens. It won't be long now :)

Happy Gardening!

Ordering Seed Catalogues

It's that time of year! I have a lot of plans for my new gardens in the spring so I spent a bit of time ordering seed catalogues today. This was triggered by receiving my shipment of potted herbs from Richters (Goodwood, ON) and the first snow flurry of the season. I focused on those seed companies located in Ontario, Canada offering seeds and/or plants. It is very important for me that any