Category: Gardening

From the first garden in Eden to the small plots behind farmhouses and cottages, the act of gardening has continually drawn hearts closer to God. To work the soil is to join in His creation, and as we work our gardens we learn to care for what He made and trust in His hand for the harvest. When we plant a seed, we act on faith, we learn trust — we believe what is unseen will, in time, spring to life.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

A Christian themed heirloom garden is a beautiful practice that connects us not only to the earth and God’s amazing creation but to generations of gardeners before us who cherished these same plants. These seeds — pure, enduring, and freely given — remind us that God’s gifts are meant to be shared and multiplied, not hoarded, neglected, or lost. In cultivating them, we remember that He is the Giver of every good thing, and that tending His creation nourishes both body and soul.

Continue reading Plant a Christian Themed Heirloom Garden: Growing Closer to God Through His Creation

Have you ever wanted to create a quiet, beautiful corner in your own backyard—a place where you can pray, reflect, and feel closer to God, Mary, the Saints, or the Holy Family? That’s exactly what a Mary Garden (or Holy Family Garden) is. It’s not just about pretty flowers; it’s a centuries-old, grassroots Catholic tradition where we fill a space with plants that bear names or legends connecting them to the Blessed Virgin Mary, her life, or her virtues. We would add on other saints and virtues, as well. The garden is a perfect pace where Faith and our every day labors can meet…a place where we can extend our Faith and appreciate God’s creation, all at the same time!

Bringing Catholic Faith and devotions into the garden is a truly down-to-earth devotional. It shows us that holiness can bloom right alongside the daisies and the dill. Read on to see how to plant your Mary Garden, plus other Catholic tie-ins that will help grow and enhance your Faith as you grow your own food.

Continue reading Planting a Mary Garden: Faith, Flowers, and Tradition Grown from Heirloom Seeds

As summer heat intensifies and gardens burst into bloom, so do the bugs—some helpful, many harmful. If your vegetables are suddenly looking ragged or your tomatoes are under siege by aphids, it might be time to turn to a time-tested, natural solution: companion planting with herbs. This approach doesn’t just boost garden health—it can help you reduce or even eliminate the need for sprays or powders. And the best part? Many of the most beneficial summer sown herbs can still be started from seed in midsummer and offer long-lasting benefits through the season.

Whether you’re planting basil, dill, or cilantro, choosing the right summer sown herbs can tip the balance in your garden’s favor. Here’s how sowing dill, basil, cilantro, nasturtiums, and other summer-friendly herbs now can help protect your garden, encourage pollinators, and even improve the flavor of your crops.

Continue reading Beat the Bugs Naturally: Companion Planting with 10 Summer Sown Herbs

Summer may be in full swing, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to plant. In fact, several crops thrive in the heat and mature quickly enough to beat fall frost, even when started in June or July. Whether you’re filling empty rows or just getting started, these heat tolerant vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers are reliable performers—all available from St. Clare Heirloom Seeds.

Continue reading Too Hot to Grow? 11 Heat Tolerant Crops You Can Still Start from Seed

Why planting again and again is the key to nonstop harvests—and a more productive garden

By June, many gardeners breathe a sigh of relief—beds are filled, early crops are up, and the mad rush of spring planting is over. But experienced gardeners know that the season is far from done. In fact, June marks the perfect time to roll out one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) techniques in the home gardener’s toolbox: succession planting.

This method—sowing new seeds at regular intervals—keeps the harvest coming, reduces waste, and maximizes your garden’s productivity, keeping the garden going for fresh and healthy produce right from your back yard, and using those empty spaces as plants stop producing.

Continue reading The June Gardeners’ Secret Weapon: Succession Planting 101

When June rolls in and July heats up, many gardeners hang up their gloves—thinking the window for sowing has passed. But across much of the U.S., midsummer sowing opens the door to a second season of growth. With the right varieties and a little know-how, you can enjoy a late bounty of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and blooms from seed.

We’ve sorted recommendations by plant type and then by region, so you can get growing—right on time.

Continue reading Midsummer Planting Guide: Best Crops to Grow by Seed in June & July

Successful vegetable seed germination depends heavily on soil temperature. Each crop has its own ideal conditions that influence how quickly and reliably seeds sprout. This soil temperature guide outlines the minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures needed for germination, helping gardeners plant with confidence and accuracy.

Maintaining the right soil temperature for each crop encourages strong, uniform sprouting and sets the stage for healthy growth and abundant harvests. This resource is especially helpful for timing plantings of popular vegetables like asparagus, beans, carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Continue reading Soil Temperature Guide for Vegetable Seed Germination: Minimum, Optimum, and Maximum Ranges

The strength and productivity of any heirloom vegetable garden depend on more than just sunlight and water; they hinge on the specific plant food elements each plant receives from the soil. In heirloom and open-pollinated gardens, nurturing plants with the essential nutrients they need is especially crucial for strong yields and for sustaining their unique qualities. Just as we need balanced nutrition to stay healthy, plants rely on specific macronutrients and micronutrients to grow well and produce abundantly.

These essential elements are divided into two main categories: macronutrients—such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which plants require in larger quantities—and micronutrients, which are needed in much smaller amounts but are still critical for healthy growth. Each element plays a unique role in plant development, from building strong roots to producing flavorful, disease-resistant crops. Understanding these core nutrients helps gardeners diagnose problems and apply the right soil amendments when needed.

Continue reading Plant Food Elements for Heirloom Vegetables: Ensuring Healthy Growth and High Yields

A seasonal planting guide is essential for understanding the specific temperature requirements for heirloom vegetables, allowing you to make the most of your garden throughout the growing season. Heirloom vegetable varieties vary significantly in their temperature preferences, so planting them is a season-long effort rather than a one-day task. To achieve a productive and resilient garden, it’s vital to plant each heirloom crop according to its unique temperature needs.

From the cool days of early spring to the warmth following the last frost, and into the heat of midsummer, following this seasonal planting guide ensures that each vegetable is placed in its ideal environment. By aligning planting times with the temperature requirements of your heirloom vegetables, you’ll be able to stagger crops effectively, matching each one to the climate it prefers—leading to a healthier, more abundant harvest.

Continue reading Seasonal Planting Guide: Temperature Requirements for Heirloom Vegetables

Choosing the Ideal Heirloom Vegetable Garden Site

Choosing the right location is one of the most critical steps to ensure a productive heirloom vegetable garden site. Factors like sunlight, soil quality, drainage, and proximity to your home can significantly impact how well your heirloom garden grows. While a spot close to your house is convenient, sometimes poor drainage, shallow soil, or shade from nearby structures may mean that your heirloom vegetable garden site needs to be placed a bit further from home. Let’s explore the essential elements of selecting a garden site that fosters healthy, high yield heirloom plants.

Continue reading Selecting a Garden Site for Heirloom Vegetables: 6 Tips for Success

Key Factors for Growing Heirloom Plants Successfully

Anyone interested in Open Pollinated / Heirloom Vegetable gardening has one question in mind when choosing a new plant: Will it thrive in my heirloom vegetable garden? Many factors come into play to determine whether or not a garden plant will perform well for you. Each kind of garden plant has its own needs and plant requirements. Some plants, like the dandelion, are tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, while others, such as the pink lady slipper orchid, have very exacting requirements.

Continue reading Essential Plant Requirements for a Thriving Heirloom Vegetable Garden

Can you give me some ideas on how to best choose seeds for my needs? I’m having trouble choosing from all the variety that’s out there.

Choosing Seeds That Thrive in Your Climate and Season

Besides which varieties have the prettiest picture, what factors should weigh in on your list for what to plant this year? First up, should be what will grow in your region/climate. If you have a shorter season, look carefully at the “days to maturity”, if a plant will take too long to grow, your work will be in vain, and your setting yourself up for disappointment. So, plant things with the shortest “days to maturity” listed.

Continue reading How to Choose Seeds That Will Thrive: A Gardener’s Essential Guide