In these final days before Christmas, as the days seem to rush by, it is easy for the noise, the last minute preparations, and all the hustle and bustle to drown out what this season is truly about. Advent, the season of quietly awaiting the Messiah, is a season that calls us to be watchful, prayerful, and expectant—a time of waiting for the coming of Christ, not just a time for a countdown to shopping deadlines, presents under the tree, or packed schedules.

Before the shepherds heard the angels, there was silence. Before the manger, there was waiting. Christ entered the world quietly, humbly, and to come for the poor, the weary, and the overlooked. It is with this in mind that we offer a warm suggestion. 

The holidays are just around the corner, and with our Black Friday – Cyber Monday Sale coming up, it’s the perfect time to save on thoughtful, meaningful gifts for the gardeners in your life, or even those you know who want to garden, but have never taken the plunge(maybe all they need is that bit of encouragement to try it out!). Whether you’re Christmas shopping for a loved one who spends hours in the garden, a couple starting a new life together, friends at church or the office, or a child discovering the wonders of planting a seed, heirloom seeds from St. Clare Heirloom Seeds make unique, heartfelt presents that keep on giving.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.