The National Capital Greenbelt is often described as Ottawa’s backyard — a place of forests, trails, wetlands, and recreation. While these features are undoubtedly valuable, they overshadow another equally important reality: The Greenbelt is one of the largest publicly owned agricultural land bases in Canada. At a time when farmland is disappearing, farmers are aging […]
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Gaia Organics Plant Sale 2026 ❧ Gaia Organics · 399 River Road, Ottawa ❧ Hardy Fruit Trees& Berry Plants Grown tough for Ottawa winters — thriving in your garden for decades “From our fields to your backyard — real fruit, real flavour, real Ottawa hardy” Stone Fruits 🍑 Apricots · self-pollinating · 6ft trees · […]
Spring Awakening Festival: A Celebration of Gardens, Music & Connection The days are stretching longer, gardens are bursting into life, and the air carries that unmistakable feeling that summer is close. Seedlings are growing fast, birdsong fills the mornings, and the earth seems to hum with possibility. This is the season of abundance — of […]
with Gaia Organics SeedsFull-Time | April 1 – June 10 Summary of Gaia Organics Seeds Gaia Organics Seeds is a small-scale organic seed company and seasonal nursery dedicated to organic growing practices, ecological stewardship, and community food resilience. We grow a diverse collection of vegetables, herbs, and flowers with a strong focus on biodiversity, soil […]
Most gardeners think “melon” and picture dessert: sweet, fragrant, juicy slices on a hot day. But there’s another kind of melon that’s quietly legendary across Asian kitchens — one that’s grown specifically to be pickled. Meet the Katsura Giant Pickling Melon. This is the kind of crop that makes people say:“Wait… you can pickle a […]
You may be wondering when to start your precious seeds? Of course, seed packages have instructions such as 6-8 weeks before last frost or once the ground can be worked or even start 4 weeks early OR in situ. To better understand these directions, here’s a crash course on the whens and wheres of planting. […]
This article offers practical advice on starting eggplants and pepper seedlings, covering topics like lighting setups, overcoming light deficiencies, thinning, transplanting, and hardening off. It provides insights into using natural light, fluorescent tubes, and grow lights, emphasizing the importance of adequate light for photosynthesis. The author discusses challenges when starting seeds without artificial light and suggests solutions, such as window sills, winter-sowing, and alternative containers. The role of unheated greenhouses, containers, and grow boxes for larger plants or later starts is explored, along with tips for managing temperature. The article touches on container and growing mix selection, germination requirements, growing on, thinning, transplanting, and the continuous process of hardening off. It concludes by inviting readers to suggest additional topics for future posts. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive guide for seedling cultivation at various stages.
There are so many wonderful looking vegetable varieties that it can be easy to ‘buy all the seed.’ Unless you have a team, a tractor and a farm, it’s unlikely that you are really going to ‘grow all the seed,’ never mind ‘harvest all that veg!’ Leaving you to decide what to grow. We’re going […]
by AmandaSource: https://www.americanmeadows.com/blog/2018/03/07/how-to-cold-stratify-seeds Many native varieties, like Prairie Coneflower, require cold stratification if seeding in spring. The good news is this is an easy process for any gardener. Many wildflowers—especially native varieties—have clever mechanisms in place that help protect them from germinating too early in the spring or too late in the summer. These varieties re-seed […]
Source: http://justfood.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CGN_Garden_Guide_2015.pdf
New Seed Variety List 2025 —EN— —FR— Vegetable List —EN— —FR— Herb List —EN— —FR— Flower List —EN— —FR— Tomato & Pepper List —EN— —FR—
ONTARIO Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc – 1390 Windmill Ln, Gloucester, ON K1B 4V5 Herb & Spice Food & Wellness Shop – 375 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y2 Scrim’s Florist – 262 Elgin Street Ottawa, ON, K2P 1L9 Green Thumb Garden Centre – 17 Tristan Ct, Nepean, ON K2E 8B9 Dandelion Foods – 451 […]
*Version Francaise suit dessous* Our 2025 seeds are officially available in our online store alongside a new quick search feature. Find what you are looking for with greater ease than ever before by following these easy steps; 1) From the menu bar select the “Quick Search” tab 2) Select the list you wish to explore […]
Okra has been one of those plants with which I have a tumultuous growing relationship. I love the look of the plant and have enjoyed it in a few recipes but my success has been uneven. When this happens, I usually assume that there is something yet to learn about the plant. Perhaps a growing […]
In the world of gardening and horticulture, the search for new and exciting plant varieties is a never-ending adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, the prospect of obtaining unique seeds or plants to grow can be both thrilling and rewarding. Gaia Organic Seeds, a trusted seed company, offers you the opportunity to […]
Ontario’s Plan to Consolidate Conservation Authorities: What’s at Stake | ERO #025-1257 | #LocalConservationMatters Before continuing, readers may wish to review this background research brief:Doug Ford Is Dismantling Ontario’s 70-Year Watershed System👉 https://gaiaorganics.ca/doug-ford-is-dismantling-ontarios-70-year-watershed-system/ The Ontario government is proposing major changes to how Conservation Authorities operate.Right now, Ontario has 36 local Conservation Authorities, each governed by […]
Genetically engineered vegetable seeds could soon be sold to home gardeners in Canada. Farmers are raising serious concerns about what this could mean for seed saving, organic integrity, and transparency in our food system. Unlike traditional breeding, many new gene-edited seeds may enter the market without mandatory labelling or public disclosure, leaving gardeners unaware of […]
Proposed changes would further erode this ancient practice – Cathy Holtslander 🌱 Why Farmers’ Right to Save Seed Matters — and Why It’s Under Threat Seed isn’t just the starting point of every crop — it’s the foundation of our food system and centuries of traditional farming practice. But in Canada, proposed changes to the […]
A Call to the Seed Industry for Collaboration and Data Sharing Across the seed sector, biosecurity and export access increasingly depend on transparent seed-health verification. In the case of tomato and pepper seeds, six regulated Pospiviroids have emerged as critical trade barriers — requiring declaration of freedom or negative test results for export, particularly to […]
Seeds and Sovereignty By Manish Kushwaha & Gaia Organics (Submitted to the Canada Gazette — August 2025) Introduction When trade grows uncertain, handing control of plant breeding to a small circle of private firms is a dangerous gamble.Seed is not just another input — it is the foundation of life, food, and freedom. Whoever controls […]
Public Farmland Leases: Balancing Responsibility and Stewardship Across Canada, approximately 18.5 million acres of farmland — involving about 14,300 farm operations — are leased from public authorities at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. These publicly-owned farms range from grazing rangelands to mixed crop farms and are essential to our food system. But for many […]
— and How You Can Speak Up Canada has launched new public consultations on the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) — open until November 3, 2025.👉 View the announcement on Canada.ca 🌱 Seed Is Foundational Seed is the first link in our food system.If cross-border seed import/export is hampered by inconsistent or opaque rules, breeders and […]
Seeds are more than just the beginning of a crop. They are the foundation of food, culture, and community. Who controls seeds shapes who controls our food system — and by extension, our livelihoods, health, and sovereignty. Right now, Canada is at a crossroads. The federal government, through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), is […]
The federal government is proposing major changes to the Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Regulations. See Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 32: Regulations Amending the Plant Breeders’ Rights Regulations for more details. On paper, the goal is to “align with international partners” and “support innovation.” But for farmers and small seed companies, these amendments could […]
Accepting free woodchip and log drop-offs! Located conveniently with no prior arrangements needed. Perfect for arborists and tree care professionals looking to dispose of materials sustainably. Call 613-219-8463 or check our map for drop-off details.
🌾 Scything Workshop at Gaia Organics 🌾 Hosted by Božena Hrycyna & Gaia Organics 📅 Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 🕖 Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Location: Gaia Organics, 399 River Road, Ottawa, ON 🎟️ Cost: $70 per participant 👥 Limited to 4–7 participants—🛠️ About the Workshop: Join Božena Hrycyna for a hands-on […]
-BY EM CASALENA Source: https://www.backyardboss.net/winter-squash-recipes/ Autumn and winter cuisine is simply the best. From soups to casseroles to roast meals, this is the time of year when we can all enjoy some seriously hearty and delicious recipes. One great staple of wintertime cuisine has to be the winter squash. And, luckily, there are a ton of […]
For ease of ordering, we have created a bulk ordering form. You easily search by variety name, vegetable category and sub-category. You can access the form at the link below.
VEGETABLES ARUGULA ASPARAGUS BEETS BELL PEPPERS BROCCOLI BRUSSELS SPROUTS CABBAGE CARROTS CAULIFLOWER CELERY CORN CUCUMBERS EDAMAME EGGPLANTS GARLIC GREEN BEANS HORSERADISH KALE LETTUCE OKRA ONIONS PARSNIPS PEAS POTATOES PUMPKINS RADISHES RHUBARB RUTABAGAS SPINACH SUMMER SQUASH (ZUCCHINI) SWEET POTATOES SWISS CHARD TOMATOES TURNIPS WINTER SQUASH HERBS BASIL CHIVES CILANTRO (CORIANDER) DILL LAVENDER MARJORAM MINT OREGANO PARSLEY […]
Seed Storage Guidelines Vegetable Storage Years Vegetable Storage Years Arugula 4 Leek 2 Bean 3 Lettuce 5 Beet 4 Muskmelon 5 Broccoli 3 Mustard 4 Brussels Sprouts 4 Okra 2 Cabbage 4 Onion 1 Carrot 3 Parsley 1 Cauliflower 4 Parsnip 1 Celeriac 3 Pea 3 Celery 3 Pepper 2 Chard, Swiss 4 Pumpkin 4 […]
In our zone 5a, fall gardening can be a great time to plant cool-season crops. We hit our first frost between the first week of October and mid-October. Fall crops can be planted between late August and early September to harvest just before winter sets in. Following crops are a great start for a fall […]
Join us for an unforgettable night at Gaia Farm! Overview Celebrate summer with soul-stirring live music at Gaia Farm, Ottawa. The Under the Stars Concert Series – Summer 2025 Edition invites you to experience intimate outdoor performances surrounded by forest, community, and warmth. Set against a serene natural backdrop, this event brings together local talent […]
What you need to know You’re Invited to the First Annual Dandelion Festival! Saturday, May 17th | 10:30 AM – 2:00 PMGaia Farm – 399 River Rd The wait is over—our plants are ready for their new homes, and the field is alive with a golden sea of dandelions! To honour this radiant moment in the season, […]
Article from the University of Maine Extension’s Cooperative Extension Office. Please scan the above link to their website directly. Below is the copy. Highbush Cranberry (not a true cranberry) Viburnum opulus var. americanum L. Ait (formerly known as Viburnum trilobum) Quick Links: FAQs || Plant Description || Insect Pests || Pruning Some Other Common Names: American cranberrybush, guelder rose, dog rowan, *European cranberry tree, marsh alder, rose […]
Vegetable Plant List —EN— —FR—Herb Plant List —EN— —FR—Flower Plant List —EN— —FR—Fruit Plant List —EN— —FR—Tomato & Pepper Plant List —EN— —FR—
We implemented a new database system last year to manage our lot numbers. During the implementation, a software bug caused the system to incorrectly assign the same lot number, GO23001, to 155 newly released varieties. Below is the corrected list of lot numbers for all affected varieties. If you have a lot number labeled GO23001, […]
Step back in time and bring a piece of history to your garden with Burpee’s iconic ‘Golden Bantam’ sweet corn. First introduced in 1902, this heirloom variety revolutionized American gardening and dining, earning its place as one of the most cherished sweet corn varieties of all time. With its exceptional sweetness, tender texture, and rich […]
We are proud to present our latest edition of the Gaia Organics Seed Packet, featuring: ?New & updated icons providing in-depth growing information ?Our new logo by Cielle’s Creations ?Bilingual variety names and descriptions ?Companion planting information It has truly been a labor of love for our whole team this past year, with special thanks […]