The following is a handy resource to get you started finding plants, seeds, and all the information you need to grow your garden up right.
*Buyer Resources: Please be aware that while I have done my best to provide links to honest retailers I can't be held responsible for any bad experiences that might result from your transactions with these companies. Use your own discretion when shopping online.
Cacti & Succulents
Cacti Info
The encyclopedia section of this site provides indepth information about the care and cultivation of countless cacti and succulent species.
The Succulent Plant Page
A great succulent plant resource site.
The Cactus & Succulent Plant Mall
Everything cactus and succulent including garden groups, growing information, and nurseries.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
How awesome is this place! Fall asleep in the Sonoran Desert next to a giant organ pipe cactus.
Cacti Guide
Cacti and succulent plants often come from the garden centre with generic, unmarked tags. This site contains hundreds of photos sorted by genus to help you identify your mystery plant.
Lithops
Lithops, a.k.a living stones, are super cute but dang finicky to grow. This introduction to the plant might clear some things up.
Cactus Clinic
An online 911 resource for when your plant needs help fast.
The Cactus File
Specialist cactus publications including books and magazines that go the extra mile beyond beginner books.
Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary (book)
The best book I have seen for identifying those store-bought mystery succulents. Also see book 2.
The Cactus Family (book)
An incredibly comprehensive volume that covers a vast assortment of cactus plants.
The Ultimate Book of Cacti & Succulents (book)
A great beginner cactus and succulent grower resource. Includes a small identification section of popular plants.
Cactus (book)
A great pocket-sized resource for beginners.
Carnivorous Plants
The Carnivorous Plants FAQ
The most definitive carnivorous plants website (I know of) on the internet. A fabulous resource! While you're there check out some of his amazing field trips to see carnivores in the wild.
International Carnivorous Plant Society
Join the society and gain access to seed banks, or get involved in conservation efforts.
The Savage Garden (book)
A really great book that covers all the ins and outs of growing carnivorous plants in your home or garden.
Botanique
Online carnivorous plant retailer. Plants are nursery propagated and NOT stolen from natural habitats.
California Carnivores
A large nursery located near San Francisco.
Community Gardening
American Community Garden Association
The place for American residents to start.
FoodShare
Includes the Toronto Community Garden Network. Also see "How Does Our Garden Grow? A Guide to Community Garden Success", by Laura Berman (1997)
Herbs
Growing Herbs in the Home Garden
A basic beginner guide to starting an herb garden.
Herbnet
Everything herbs.
Healing Herbs Community
Lots of info to be found here. This site features a lengthy list of herb descriptions as well as photos, gardening tips, recipes, crafts and more.
Richters Herbs
Herb specialists located just outside Toronto. If you're looking for rare or unusual herbs, Richter's is the place to go. They now offer a selection of organic seeds called "SowNatural™ Seeds".
The Culinary herb FAQ
Herb photos, growing info, recipes and more from a variety of contributors.
Growing Culinary Herbs in the North
How to Bring and Grow Herbs Indoors
A step-by-step guide.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Find out which herbs are happiest indoors and how to care for them.
Grow and Dry Your Own Herbs & Spices
Includes growing info, and companion planting, as well as freezing and drying methods.
Houseplants & Indoor Gardening
Ficus Tree
All about caring for your indoor ficus.
The Gardeners Network: All About Houseplants
A good general guide to houseplant care.
Indoor Plant Lighting
Way more than you'd ever care to know about using artifical lights. This writer literally breaks down the types of bulbs by manufacturer etc.
Orchid Lady
More orchid growing tips then you can shake a stick at. This woman knows orchids!
Orchid Photo Encyclopedia
A comprehensive encyclopedia of orchid photos, facts, and growing information.
Orchid 411: Stop the Shrivel
A great post by an orchid-lover on what to do when your orchid's pseudobulb is dehydrated.
Plants and your Cat
Get educated on which plants are toxic to your cats and what to do if your cat eats one.
Propagating Houseplants
Introductory information about turning your plants into more plants.
Terrariums
An introductory guide to making and growing a terrarium.
Miscellaneous
Cathy's Composters
A Toronto-area vermicomposter supplier. The site includes information on how to set up and maintain a worm bin.
Composting & Mulching
A dry, but informative guide to making compost and using mulch.
EcoFlora
A fair trade and organic florist located around Toronto.
Organic Fertilizer Guide
This handy chart helps you determine what to use, and when.
Why Buy Organic Flowers?
All about pesticide use in the floral industry.
Organic Gardening
All About Organic Orcharding
Organic help for those who want to grow apples and other fruit trees without chemicals.
Organic Gardening Magazine
Home to Rodale's monthly magazine this site includes everything you need to know about starting to grow organically.
Organic Gardening Outline
Information for the organic garden beginner.
Plant 911: Pests & Disease
A Beginner's Guide to Organic Pest & Disease Control
The name says it all. Learn how to prevent pests and disease in your garden.
Entomology Image Gallery
A comprehensive encyclopedia of insect pests and the damage they can do.
Pest Control Naturally
This short guide includes tips for pest prevention and a chart of common garden pests and dieases.
Plant Disease Control
An awesome database of diseases that will allow you to determine what ails your plants. The picture index alone is awesome!
Public Gardens
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Explore the gardens online through photos and Quicktime vr.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Includes plant information and tips.
Jardin Botanique de Montréal
My favourite botanical garden (so-far). The greenhouse is exceptional including a fern room, an orchid room and a large carnivorous plant display.
The New York Botanical Garden
Explore the gardens, find out about up and coming events.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Located in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Located in Golden Gate Park.
Toronto Botanical Garden
Includes a garden shop and library.
University of British Columbia Botanical Garden
Gorgeous garden located in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Wave Hill
Located in the Bronx.
Greenthumb Goes Globetrotting
Get your travelling shoes on and check out these vacation hotspots for the horticulturally inclined.
Seeds: General
Burpee
No introduction needed here since just about everyone has heard of the Burpee seed company.
The Cook's Garden
As you can guess from the name, they have a good selection of vegetable, salad green and herb seeds. A full range of organic seeds are also available. Some very interesting varieties are found in their catalogue.
Park Seed
Park offers a huge selection of flower seeds, but of course a good selection of veggies, herbs and fruits are also available.
Stokes Seeds
If you're from the Niagara Region you probably know of Stokes, located in St. Catharines, Ontario.
West Coast Seeds
Located in British Columbia, they offer a good selection of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Books and interesting tools are also available.
Seeds: Heirloom & Organic
Eden Organic Nursery Services Inc.
They offer a relatively small selection of general seed, but I find it particularly interesting that they offer organic tobacco seeds. If you must smoke, why not thwart big tobacco and grow your own organic tobacco?
Heirloom Seeds
Lots of heirloom and open-pollinated varieties are offered, but only a few are organic. They also have a good selection of organic fertilizers.
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Located in Maine, Johnny's has a good selection of unusual varieties as well as organic and heirloom. Tools and books are also sold through the catalogue.
Richters Herbs
If you're looking for rare or unusual herbs, Richter's is the place to go. They now offer a selection of organic seeds called "SowNatural™ Seeds".
Seeds of Change
A well-known organic and heritage seed company. Get their catalogue free online.
Seeds of Diversity
Canada's heritage seed program. This is a non-profit group of gardeners from across Canada who grow, save and exchange heritage varieties. Be sure to check out the famous (and awesome) Seedy Saturday events. Look for one in you area.
Seed Savers Exchange
This is my personal favourite place to get unusual heirloom varieties. Seed Savers is a non-profit organization that is saving heirloom garden seeds from extinction. In addition to seed, they offer heirloom bulbs, plants, garlic and organic seed potatoes. Wicked good!
Seeds West Garden Seeds
Organic and heirloom seeds for Southwest gardeners. A good resource for organic chiles (poblano, ancho, habenero to name a few) and other peppers.
Sow Organic Seed
Lots of organic and heirloom vegetable varieties as well as herbs and flowers.
Territorial Seed Company
An American company that sell some organic seeds in addition to a variety of veggie and flower seeds. They also sell all kinds of gardening supplies, tools and organic fertilizers.
Urban Harvest
An organic and heirloom seed and plant company located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I love this company and get a lot of my heirloom tomato transplants from them rather than sowing my own. And especially handy for west-enders, Colette has a booth at the Dufferin Grove Farmer's Market every Thursday!
Victory Seeds
A resource for untreated, open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. They also theme packs such as The Bible Theme (plants referenced in the old and new testaments) and seeds to grow as wedding favours.
