Early spring is the time of year most northern climate gardeners find the most challenging…the dark and cold days of winter are left behind, while the frost-free mornings and warmer temperatures are still weeks away. If a gardener knows where to look, shopping and swapping for unique and interesting varieties of herbs and vegetables can make these early weeks easier to bear! Shopping at these recommended shops will ensure a unique collection of plants in a Toronto area vegetable garden.
Richter’s Herbs
- Location: 357 Highway #7, Goodwood, Ontario, plus annual gardening events such as Canada Blooms.
- Contact Information: Telephone (905) 640-6677 or Richters’ website.
- Description: Richter’s is a family owned, herb specialist business that has been operating since 1968. Their catalogue states, ‚”Whether you grow dried herbs, fresh-cut herbs, hydroponic herbs, or live potted herbs, you can count on the best varieties and the best quality from Richters.”
- Richter’s sells dozens of varieties of all kinds of herbs, including culinary herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary, as well as other decorative herbs including scented geraniums, and native species such as Aquilegia and Echinacea. They also sell heirloom tomatoes, peppers and other gourmet vegetable plants.
- Gardeners can extend their gardening season by attending many free workshops such as ‚”Healthy Herbal Teas & Tonics” and ‚”Bringing Herbs Indoors” in the Richter’s greenhouse in spring and fall.
- Shipping: Richters ships orders all over North America. Other international customers can contact the company for a shipping quote. Their order form is available on their website and can be faxed to (905) 640-6641.
Seeds of Diversity, Seedy Saturday Events
- Location: Various locations across Canada, several of which take place in the Greater Toronto Area
- Contact Information: Seeds of Diversity operates Seedy Saturday events, and can be reached by Telephone: 1-866-509-SEED (7333) or on the Seeds of Diversity website.
- Description: Seeds of Diversity is a non-profit Canadian organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing over 1900 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Seeds of Diversity organizes Seedy Saturday and Seedy Sunday events across the country to facilitate seed sharing.
- Seed-toting gardeners will find all kinds herb and vegetable seeds when they attend one of these events!
Urban Harvest
- Location: The Big Carrot, 348 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, plus additional locations including local farmer’s markets, gardening events and various other retailers.
- Contact Information: Telephone (416) 504-1653 or Urban Harvest’s website.
- Description: According to their website, Urban Harvest’s ‚”plant seeds and garden supplies are specially chosen for their unique qualities by seasoned urban gardeners. All of our seedlings are grown in or near the greater Toronto area to support our local economy.”
- Urban Harvest sells organically grown heirloom tomatoes and other vegetables, herbs and native plants in a number of locations across Ontario, concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area. Their selection of flowers includes edible blooms. Native plants sold by Urban Harvest include perennial flowers, shrubs, vines, grasses and rushes.
- Shipping: Urban Harvest will ship seeds and supplies to any location in Canada. Their order form is available on their website and orders can be faxed directly to (416) 504-7426.
Planning the gardening season is one of the great joys experienced by gardeners, and searching for rare and interesting varieties of herbs and vegetables can be a welcome challenge. Happy shopping!