BEASTIE CARDS
The BEASTIE CARDS are filled with LOVE ... and SEEDS!
Find the number below that matches the one on your tiny envelope to discover which magical seeds have landed in your hands.
If it is impossible for you to plant them, please don’t throw them away. Simply offer them as a gift or compost them.
Please recycle the envelope and the card if you don’t want to keep them, or give my card to someone else, maybe with seeds you’ll have bought yourself!
If planting instructions are not clear enough, don’t hesitate to contact Incredible Seeds, TreeSeeds.ca or me!
This is the perfect way to connect with nature and with yourself, your BEASTIE U!
Have fun and feel the love, the BEASTIE LOVE!
My suggestion: Start the seeds inside, in a Jiffy-Pot (one seed per pot) for example that you would place in a tray. Use an indoor/outdoor potting soil mix like Miracle-Gro. Plant the seeds and water according to the instructions and when the seedlings are strong enough, start to put them outside gradually so they get used to it. Once ready, transplant outside directly with the pot, that will decompose over time. Please note that even if you do your best to start the seeds, some may not grow. And be patient, some seeds may take more time than others to germinate!
BEASTIE TREE SEEDLINGS
I've started tree seedlings last June (1 Norway Spruce, 1 White Spruce and 2 Eastern White Pine, 1 Flowering Dogwood) and even more in October. Hoping they'll all make beautiful seedlings, I'll sell them once they're ready. In October, I've started a total 8 seeds of each of the following: Sugar Maple, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Flowering Dogwood, Austrian Black Pine, Balsam Fir and Eastern White Pine. Stay tuned!
SEEDS GALLERY
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MOUNTAIN MINT
(Pycnanthemum pilosum)
Perennial.
Mountain Mint is a native North American plant. It's not a true mint but has true minty flavour! Grows to 3 feet in height and has pretty, white flowers. Can be used in all ways mint can be used! You'll love it and so will pollinators!
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-14 days.
SOWING: Transplant (recommended): Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting out in mid- to late spring. Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly tamp into the soil so that the seeds are barely covered. Harden off before transplanting outside. Space 12" apart in rows 18" apart.
LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Grows well in average to moist soil.
PLANT HEIGHT:24-36".
PLANT SPACING:12".
HARDINESS ZONES: Zones 5-8.
HARVEST: Leaves may be harvested throughout the growing season. Gather flowering tops and leaves in late summer to dry for winter use. Leaves may be used for making teas and scenting potpourris. Flowers can be used in dried arrangements.
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ECHINACEA (PURPLE CONE FLOWER)
(Echinacea purpurea)
Perennial.
Also, known as purple cone flower, is a stately addition to the garden. Her beautiful, strong (and spiny) presence is telltale of her powerful medicinal talents. Echinacea has been used medicinally in Native North America for centuries and early settlers learned to use its roots to make medicine that ultimately strengthens the immune system.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
Sow echinacea seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit. Cover the seeds lightly with 1/4 inch of seed starting mix. Keep the soil moist at 65-70 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 10-20 days.
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VALERIAN
(Valeriana officinalis)
Perennial.
Common Valerian Root is one of the most well known herbal sedatives. It is commonly found in calming and sleepy time teas. This is an easy to grow plant that will establish itself in your garden and be available for you year after year.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
Valerian is easily grown from seed by direct sowing in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Plant between 3/8 and 1/2 inch deep. The clumps will eventually increase to about 18 inches wide. It takes two to three weeks to germinate.
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OLD-FASHIONED ENGLISH LAVENDER
(Lavandula angustifolia Vera)
Perrennial, zones 4-5.
This classic heirloom lavender is the best! Extremely fragrant dark blue flowers bloom in early summer and are beautiful in the garden. Perfect for anything from sachets and soap to shortbread and jellies. The most cold-hardy of the English Lavenders, also known as Common Lavender.
These are great all around open pollinated lavender seeds adaptable to any home organic garden.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil. If using a plastic seedling tray, plant one seed per slot. If planting in a division-free container, space the seeds 1/2 to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) apart. Gently press the seeds into the soil (no deeper than 1/8 inch).
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ALEXANDRIA
ALPINE
Strawberry
(Fragaria vesca)
Zones 5 - 8. Perennial. 115 days.
This ultra productive, ever-bearing alpine strawberry is a true winner in the garden! Delightful, scarlet strawberries are oblong and bite-sized. Don't be fooled by their small stature;
Alexandria Strawberries are twice the size of wild strawberries and their incredible, oh-so-sweet flavour knocks commercial strawberry varieties right on their hineys!
Plants themselves are small and compact and if planted early, can produce berries in their first year.
*Germination: Alexandria Strawberries have a natural germination rate of about 75%.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
The best way to start alpine strawberries from seed is to sow seeds indoors, under grow lights, in late winter. The seeds can take several weeks to germinate, but once they sprout, they grow quickly. The ideal soil temperature for germination is between 65 and 75 degrees F. An alternate method is to start the seeds outdoors in a protected area, such as in a cold frame or raised bed. Keep the seeded area moist and only cover the seeds very lightly with soil or sand after planting. They need light to germinate so a small dusting is all that’s needed to keep the seeds from washing away.
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ITALIAN LARGE LEAF BASIL
(Ocimum basilicum)
90 days to maturity. Heirloom Basil Seeds.
Italian Large Leaf basil is very similar to Genovese. It has a more delicate leaf and is the preferred variety for tomato sauces.
This is a great all around open pollinated basil variety, adaptable to any home organic vegetable garden.
Italian Large Leaf Basil Seeds Mature in about 90 days and are an open pollinated basil variety.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
To direct sow, plant Italian large leaf basil seeds 1/4" deep in rich soil and full sun, thinning to 15-18" apart when the seedlings develop. Italian large leaf basil seeds also grow well indoors or as a container plant. Growing: Basil thrives in soil that drains well, yet needs water often.
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DARK PURPLE OPAL BASIL
(Ocimum basilicum)
60 days to maturity.
A fantastic purple leafed basil. Medium sized leaves are glossy with a nice sheen. Great aroma and tasty for cooking. Plants reach 1 to 2 feet tall.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
Start seeds indoors or plant outside when temperatures are 65 degrees F. (18 C.) or warmer. Plant seeds of this basil in a light, well-draining soil that's amended with well-composted materials. Allow 3 to 14 days for germination.
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CALENDULA
(Calendula officinalis)
Annual. 50-55 days to maturity.
Calendula has simple, yellow and orange, daisy-like flowers.
Calendula is very talented as a dye flower and as well as an edible, adding colour and beauty to food and fibre. Medicinally, this is the most potent of the Calendulas for relieving inflamed, irritated tissue.
https://www.incredibleseeds.ca/
Growth Habit: Upright, two feet high, self seeding
Sun Requirements: Sun, part shade
Soil Preference: Fertile, well drained
When to Plant: Direct seed after last frost date OR start indoors 4-5 weeks before last frost date.
How to Plant:
Direct sow: Sow seeds ¼“ deep. Keep the soil bed moist until germination. Thin young plants 6-18” apart. Sow Calendula seeds in succession every 2-3 weeks until early Summer for continuous blooms.
Transplant: Sow seeds indoors in flats or containers. Calendula seeds need darkness to germinate, and will sprout in 14-20 days in room temperature soil. Once they germinate, move plants to bright light until ready to transplant.
When to Harvest: Harvest Calendula flowers as they open through Summer and Fall. Calendula will survive light frost and bloom well into Fall.
How to Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest with stems when flowers are half open. For edible or medicinal use, harvest flowers when they are fully open, and remove petals from the flower centre. Use Calendula fresh or dried.
Uses: Edible, dye, medicinal. Use flowers fresh or dried in tea or jellies, or as “sprinkles” on desserts and salads. Calendula is very talented as a dye flower and as well as an edible. Medicinally, Calendula is helpful for relieving inflamed, irritated tissue.
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Sugar Maple
(Acer saccharum)
The national symbolic tree of Canada! Native to eastern Canada, the deciduous sugar maple is a mighty hardwood coveted by woodworkers. Also it's the tree that is commonly tapped to produce syrup. Light green flowers in springtime are followed by the green seeds which fall in early to mid-summer. The foliage is brightly coloured in the fall.
Germination: Soak in water for 24 hours. Cold stratify in a sterile potting medium for 8-12 weeks and then plant the seeds in a warm location.
From TreeSeeds.ca
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Norway Spruce
(Picea abies)
Norway spruce is an excellent fast growing, hardy tree suitable for northern climates. It makes a great windbreak tree and is commonly used in timber plantations. Produces large, 15cm+ cones when mature and has deep emerald green needles. Native to Europe, this tree grows beyond the arctic circle and tolerates a variety of climates. Norway spruce is fairly resistant to deer browsing and generally a hardy specimen for many tough growing conditions. Enjoys full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Overall, a great tree for a variety of sites and excellent for beginners and hobbyist growers.
Germination: Soak seeds in water for 24 hours. Cold stratify the seeds for 2-3 weeks, then plant in a soil substrate with good drainage.
From TreeSeeds.ca
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White Spruce
(Picea glauca)
White spruce is a fast-growing, coniferous tree native to Canada. It is a robust tree, growing in all provinces and territories and a variety of climates. It enjoys drier, well drained sites with full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. A very cold-hardy plant, the white spruce can generally grow up to the coldest grow zones, 1 and 2 (-40 C to -50 C). This makes it a very resilient tree, adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. It grows at a fast pace in sunny areas and is quick to colonize empty sites.
Germination: No stratification required. 2-3 weeks in a moist potting soil mixture. Keep soil evenly moist to avoid drying out. Water 1-2 times a week until ready for transplant to its permanent location.
From TreeSeeds.ca
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Flowering Dogwood
(Cornus florida)
Flowering dogwood is a small tree native to southern Ontario that grows up to 10m in height. The leaves are ovate and turn a rich red brown in the fall season. The fruit produced by this tree contains 2-10 seeds. This tree enjoys forest edges and dry ridge habitats as its ideal location. Although the individual flowers are small and clustered in the middle, the large white bracts around the flower give the tree its name and attractive aesthetic quality.
Germination: Soak in water for 24 hours, cold stratify for 90-120 days. Sow 1-2cm deep in soil medium and wait for seedlings to emerge.
From TreeSeeds.ca
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Austrian Black Pine
(Pinus nigra)
Austrian Black Pine (Pin noir) is a hardy species of pine native to the alps. It is often planted as a tree in landscaping for its rugged growth habit and low maintenance requirements. Germination for this pine is relatively easy, achieving good germination rates without any pre-treatment, but cold stratification is recommended for best results.
Germination: Soak seeds for 24 hours in water. Mix the seeds and soil mixture into a bag and place it in the fridge for 4 weeks. Place into your seed tray and germinate. Make sure seeds do not dry out during treatment.
From TreeSeeds.ca
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Balsam Fir
(Abies balsamea)
Balsam fir (Sapin baumier) is native to eastern Canada, and the only type of fir tree native to this region. Tolerant of shade, as well as cold northern conditions. It is an important part of the northern boreal forest in which it thrives. The tree often has a wide spreading root system and can grow in wetter soils.
Germination: Soak seeds in water for 24 hours. Place in a cold fridge at 4C for 30-45 days. Sow in a pot 1cm below the earth, watering regularly to keep moist.
From TreeSeeds.ca
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Eastern White Pine
(Pinus strobus)
Also known as Northern white pine or Pin blanc in French, this is the tallest species of tree in eastern North America. This fast-growing conifer can survive in a diverse range of conditions, but prefers full sunlight, well-drained soil and sandy sites.
Germination: Stratify in cold for 4 weeks, then plant in moist soil. Seedlings should emerge in 20-28 days. Keep in a well-drained potting mix. Do not allow substrate to dry out during germination.
From TreeSeeds.ca