Courtis Family Farms

03/30/2025

Our Seeds of Diversity 2025 Community Grow-out seeds arrived yesterday! For this year's community grow out we wanted an early, local variety that I thought would thrive in our area but also provide a good processing tomato. For this we settled on a variety called Quinte, Solanum lycopersicum. This medium sized tomato is known for its lack of a woody core making it easy to peel and ideal for canning. Dark red medium sized tomatoes on semi-determinate plants. This heirloom originally comes from the Smithfield Experimental Farm in Trenton, On where it was bred by Jack Metcalf in the 1970s.

🇨🇦 Don't forget to LIKE and FOLLOW for community grow out updates, as well as more amazing local heirloom varieties and information! Help support small local Canadian business today! 🇨🇦

03/15/2025

Come check us out today at Maple Heritage Fest at Museum of Ontario Archaeology

03/13/2025

Finalized the seeds for our upcoming market!!

03/11/2025

We're busy as bees 🐝🐝 getting ready for our table at the Maple Heritage Fest at Museum of Ontario Archaeology Saturday March 15th from 10am-4pm! We can't wait!

03/03/2025

Our next seed order finished and sent out this morning! Happy sowing!

03/01/2025

Every year seeds of diversity invites its members to participate in a seed saving projects for beginners and experts.

In addition to their Community Grow-Outs, they are always looking for experienced seed savers who can help multiply the especially rare seeds in the Canadian Seed Library collection.

This year Courtis Family Farms signed up for the bean and Canadian tomato grow outs to grow and save seeds from Quinte tomatoes. I was very impressed by the Xico Mexican bush beans we'd received a few years ago and have been growing them every year producing our own locally acclimated seeds which are currently available.

You have until March 3rd to sign up! Seeds Of Diversity membership is free!

Join the community grow out today!

Community Grow-Outs Every year, we invite our members to participate in seed saving projects for beginners and experts. If you're new to saving seeds, or you have a few years of experience, we invite you to get involved in the Community Seed Grow-out projects below. These are aimed toward gardeners....

02/25/2025

We're teaming up with Little Ems Crochet Co come check us out March 15th from 10 am to 4 pm for the maple heritage fest at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology

I am teaming up with Courtis Family Farms for the maple heritage fest at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology on March 15th from 10 am-4 pm! Come check it out! I can't wait to

02/21/2025

During these times of trade tensions, it's more important than ever to support local Canadian businesses. Explore our small urban farming initiative along with hundreds of other Canadian seed companies on the Canadian Seed Company Map by Seeds of Diversity and help strengthen our community!

Canadian Seed Companies Map Map showcasing the geographical location of all seed companies in Canada known to Seeds of Diversity. This resource was created by copying the seed company information we have available in our Canadian Seed Catalogue Index, and making it accessible in the form of a map. P...

02/21/2025

🌱🌼 Exciting News from Courtis Family Farms! 🌼🌱

Courtis Family Farms is thrilled to announce our 2025 Plant Sales! Mark your calendars for two Saturdays this May: May 10th and May 24th.

We're introducing an array of new and exciting plants, perfect for your garden! Here’s a sneak peek at some of what you'll find this year:

🍆 New Eggplant Varieties:

Turkish Orange (Heirloom, Best cooked when they are green to light orange, 80 days)

Thin Long Green (Delicate, light green skin that doesn’t need to be peeled, Drought Tolerant)

🍅 Tomato Lovers Rejoice! Choose from our diverse selection, including:

New Arrivals: Sungold Cherry, Get Stuffed, Vintage Wine

Returning Favorites: Amethyst Cream Cherry, Black Krim, Chadwick's Cherry, Old German, Pruden's Purple, Red Robin Cherry

🎃 Pumpkins Galore:

Small Sugar Pumpkins (Heirloom variety dating back to 1863)

Cinderella Pumpkins (Heirloom, OP, Seeds grown by us, pkg of 15 seeds, 105 days)

🌽 Corn

Glass Gem Corn (2022, OP, grown by us, 40 seeds, 105 days)

🥒 Squash - We’re excited to offer three unique varieties of Squash:

Yellow Scallop Squash (OP)
Acorn Squash “Table Queen” (Heirloom, OP, 85 days)
“Sunburst” Scallop Squash (Hybrid, AAS Winner, matures in 60 days)

🌿 New Artichoke Varieties hopefully ready for mothers day this perennial edible makes a lovely addition to any flower garden:

Green Globe (OP, Perennial, tastes better with each year!)
Imperial Star (OP, Perennial)

🌶️ Sweet & Spicy Pepper Picks: Explore our hybrid pepper varieties:

Flavorburst (F1. Sweet Bell)
Twingo
Oranos
Red Candy Cane

Plus, our open-pollinated favorites:
Beaver Dam
Big Jim
Early Jalapeno
Shish*to Japanese

🌱 Returning Favorites for 2025:

Berta Talaska Pole Beans
Black Beauty Eggplant
Early Jalapeno
Lemon Basil
Lemon Cucumber
Marigolds
Shish*to Japanese Pepper
Suyo Long Cucumber
Tomatillo

📝 In seed production this year:

Barlotti & Berta Talaska Pole Beans
Chives
Indigo Rose Tomato
Suyo Long Cucumber

🚨 What’s Currently Out of Stock From Last Year?

Sweet Hearts Grape
Caiman
Galahad
Pink Bumble Bee
Mountain Magic

Have a suggestion about what we should start growing or offering? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to follow our page for updates and share this post with friends and family! We can’t wait to see you at our plant sales! 🌿❤️ Remember to like this post to support local farming! 🇨🇦

👉 Courtis Family Farms - Where Family and Nature Thrive!

02/07/2025

Curious about our sustainable approach? Our new seed order is wrapped in creativity!

We repurpose old seed catalogs and construction paper scraps to ensure our packaging is as environmentally sustainable as possible.

Below we just finished our first seed order of the year, check it out!

02/06/2025

🌱 Discover the Magic of Courtis Family Farms! 🌱

Welcome to Courtis Family Farms, your local biointensive small-scale, urban farm in Sarnia, Ontario! Proudly Canadian and dedicated to using best organic & sustainable practices, our mission is to provide Canadians with a local source of sustainably grown and affordable seeds. We grow, harvest, process, package, and ship all of the following seeds right here in the heart of Sarnia, unless otherwise stated. Our seeds are packaged in eco-friendly, homemade seed packets made from recycled seed catalogues.

🟥 🍁 🟥 Shop Local, Grow Local 🟥 🍁 🟥
During these challenging times in the trade landscape, we believe in supporting our fellow Canadians by keeping things simple and affordable. All of our seeds are priced at just $4 each unless stated otherwise and all seeds are available for free shipping.

LQ means limited quantities, Year of harvest may also be included.

🌼 Flowers

Borage – 10 seeds – $4 (2024, LQ)
Celosia Bright Sparks Mix – 20 seeds – $4 (2024, LQ)
Marigold (White) – 60 seeds – $4 (2024)
Marigold (Orange) – 60 seeds – $4 (2022)
Zinnia (Giant California) – (Not Available, Coming Soon!)

🌿 Herbs
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil – 25 seeds – $4 (2022. LQ)
Sacred Basil – 25 seeds – $4 (2022, LQ)

🍅 Vegetables
Beans (Xico Mexican Bush) – 70 seeds – $4 (2024)
Lettuce (Little Gem Romaine) – 0.2g – $2 | 0.5g – $4 (2024)
Pumpkin (Boer Flat White) – 8-10 seeds – $4 (2024, LQ)

🌶️ Peppers
Big Jim Pepper – 10 seeds – $4 (2024, LQ)
Flavorburst - 5 seeds - $4 (F1 Hybrid. Sweet Bell. LQ)
Shish*to Pepper – 25 seeds – $4 (2024, LQ)
Sweet Green Pepper – 10 seeds – $4 (2024, LQ)

🍅 Tomatoes

Black Krim – 20 seeds – (2024)
Massive Early Black Krim (Twilight Tomato) – 30 seeds (2024)
Old German – (Not Available, Coming Soon!)
Pink Bumblebee – (Not Available, Coming Soon!)
Brandywine – (Not Available, Coming Soon!)

🚚 Delivery Details
Send us a message to arrange pick-up or delivery! We offer FREE local delivery within 5 kilometers of Sarnia, and shipping is available.

📦 Shipping & Returns
Enjoy free local delivery in the Sarnia area! Orders containing ONLY seeds are eligible for free shipping within Canada. All other orders over $75, we provide free shipping! Flat rate express shipping with tracking is available across Canada for $25 on all orders (excluding seeds). Please note, all sales are final.

Join us in our mission to provide sustainably grown, affordable seeds to your garden. Together, let’s grow a greener tomorrow!

Courtis Family Farms – Where Family and Nature Thrive 🌾

02/01/2025

🌱 Grow Greener with Courtis Family Farms 🌱

Are you ready to elevate your gardening game? Discover the perfect, eco-friendly alternative to plastic pots with our premium fabric grow bags! Ideal for growing patio tomatoes, peppers, and even potatoes, our durable and reusable 10-Gallon bags with handy handles are here to help you cultivate your garden with ease.

Why choose fabric pots? Unlike traditional plastic pots that can quickly become damaged and unusable after just a season or two, our high-quality non-woven bags can be easily washed and reused, extending their lifespan for many growing seasons to come.

With features like durability, permeability, and a BPA-free design, our grow bags are perfect for patio or balcony gardening, as well as for in-ground cultivation anywhere! Plus, a little tip: lining the bags with newspaper makes cleaning and reusing them even simpler.

Pricing:

Single Bag: $10
2-Pack: $15
5-Pack: $30

Delivery Details: Send us a message to arrange pick-up or delivery! We offer free local delivery within 5 kilometers, and shipping is available.

Shipping & Returns: Enjoy free local delivery in the Sarnia area. For orders over $75, we provide free shipping! Flat rate express shipping with tracking is available across Canada for $25 on all orders (excluding seeds). Please note, all sales are final.

👉 Stay Connected!
We’d love your engagement! Don’t forget to like, comment, and share our posts. Your support helps us grow! Keep an eye out for an upcoming update on the seeds we have available and much more exciting news!

Happy Gardening! 🌼
Courtis Family Farms 🟥🍁🟥

12/10/2024

🎃 Unleash the Magic of the Pumpkin Patch with Our Flat White Boer Pumpkin Seeds! 🎃

Transform your garden this season with our exclusive packs of Cinderella pumpkins! Each pack includes 15 premium seeds for just $4.

Hailing from South Africa, the Flat White Boer pumpkin is a culinary gem and a decorative delight! With a unique creamy white exterior that stays vibrant and stunning throughout fall, these pumpkins will elevate your autumn displays to a whole new level. Not only are they visually captivating, but they also boast sweet, deep orange flesh - perfect for baking, roasting, and soups!

Why Our Seeds?

Exceptional Quality: Selected for their uniformity and yield, each seed promises a bountiful harvest.

Versatile Variety: Enjoy them as a delicious addition to your meals, from savory roasts to delightful soups and baked dishes.

Long-Lasting Storage: These pumpkins have great storage capabilities, making them ideal for winter sales and culinary endeavors.

Sowing Instructions:

Sow 2-3 seeds, 2-3 cm deep, and spaced 45-60 cm apart.
For an earlier harvest, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost.
Plant outdoors after all frost threats have passed.
Enhance growth by applying thick mulch around the root zone to conserve soil moisture.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, these heirloom, open-pollination seeds are suitable for USDA zones 3-9. Plus, you can't go wrong with a pumpkin variety that stands out as one of the best for baking!

Don't miss your chance to grow these extraordinary pumpkins - grab your pack today for just $4! Your taste buds (and your autumn décor) will thank you!

For orders and inquiries, contact us today.👩‍🌾🥳

12/03/2024

🌸 Boost Your Garden with Borage AKA Star Flower Seeds! 🌸

Discover the incredible benefits of Borage with our premium seeds, priced at just $4.00 for 15 seeds. Handpicked from Courtis Family Farms, our seeds are designed for those who value quality and sustainability.. Borage is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their garden's flavor, beauty, and biodiversity.

Medicinal & Culinary Properties:
Borage, known for its stunning azure blooms of star-shaped flowers, is an ancient herbal remedy. But this ancient herb isn't just a feast for the eyes—its striking blue edible flowers and fresh, cucumber-like flavor make it a delightful addition to salads, desserts, and teas. Young leaves taste best (hair is softer and less dense) however borage should not be eaten every day due to a small number of alkaloids found in the leaves that can cause liver damage when consumed in large quantities.

Companion Crop Benefits:
Borage is not just a culinary delight; it's a powerhouse in the garden! As a companion plant, it attracts a variety of pollinators, especially bees, making it an essential addition to any ecosystem.
By attracting bees and other beneficial insects, it boosts pollination and enhances the growth of nearby plants.

Support local farms and help sustain our precious pollinators. Order your Borage seeds today and watch your garden thrive while enjoying the beauty and benefits of this incredible plant!

👉 Purchase your Borage seeds now for just $4.00 for 15 seeds 🌱

Courtis Family Farms
Grow Your Own Future Before Someone Else Does! 🌼