When to Plant
When is it safe to start planting? Please see below for a list to help point you in the right direction...Cold Weather Crops:
Plant outdoors 4 weeks before frost (in Southern Manitoba, this is approximately April 26th or as soon as the soil can be worked after the snow is gone)
-Leeks
-Onions
-Spinach
-Swiss Chard
-Peas
-RadishesCool Weather Crops:
Plant outdoors 2 weeks before the last frost (In Southern Manitoba, this is approximately May 15th)
-Carrots
-Lettuce
-Parsnips
-Parsley
-Beets
-Potatoes
-Broccoli
-Cauliflower
-CabbageWarm Weather Crops:
Plant after the last frost when soil is warm (in Southern Manitoba, this is approximately May 24th to June 2nd)
-Tomatoes
-Peppers
-Beans
-Eggplant
-Melons
-Cucumbers
-Squash
-Zucchini
-Pumpkin
-Corn
(Plant Peas when Forsythia & Daffodils blooms. Plant beets, carrots, cool crops, lettuce and spinach when Lily-of-the-Valley are in full bloom. Transplant eggplant, melon and peppers when irises bloom. Plant corn when apple blossoms start to fall.)
Products
PRODUCTS & SERVICESAnnuals, Perennials, Trees, Shrubs, Seeds, Fertilizers, and Gift CertificatesANNUALS
-A diverse variety of annuals
-Vegetables - An extensive variety of vegetable plants
-House, tropical and pond plants
-Our large tomato and cucumber plants are a perfect addition to your deck – What a great way to enjoy your summer season with the delicious taste of some fresh tomatoes and cucumbersPERENNIALS
-Visit our perennial house for a wide variety of perennialsHERBS
-A scrumptious variety of fresh herbs.TREES, SHRUBS, & EDIBLES
-Ornamental and Fruit Trees
-Shrubs
-Small fruit vines and bushes
-Custom orders of larger trees caged and burlap
-RosesSEEDS
-Flower, vegetable, seed potatoes, assorted bulbs, onion bulbs, garlic bulbs and grass seed.LANDSCAPE NEEDS
-Geotech fabric, lawn edging, pond liner, decorative rock, topsoil, sand, mulch bulk and bagged.-Hanging Baskets, Containers and Decorative Planters.
-Custom made planters and baskets for all your special occasions.FERTILIZERS
-Organic, Miracle Grow Products, Seaweed Magic, and Slow Release.PEST CONTROL
-Pest control products for deer, rabbits, and slugs.GIFT CERTIFICATES
-Available in the denomination of your choice
Testimonials
Karen Chopp, 529 Wellington Steakhouse
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful service and great selection of plants that you provided to 529 Wellington again this year. Your help in selecting, and placement of the plants made the gardens spectacular once again.We have received so many compliments. Believe it or not many of the plants were hardy enough and looked beautiful right up until the first week of November. It is great to work with someone who is passionate about flowers and who stands behind their product. I look forward to creating beautiful gardens with Rainbow Mill again this year.Sally Anderson
I have been a customer at Rainbow Mill Gardens since it opened in 2007. I find the owner Marie Mozil and her staff to be very knowledgeable, friendly and courteous. They take the time to help you make choices and have many beautiful displays. If you are looking for something that they do not have in stock, they will do their very best to find it for you.The Greenhouses are beautiful and kept spotless. They are also wheelchair accessible. I work at a Personal Care Home and enjoy bringing the residents out to Rainbow Mill Gardens to choose flowers and vegetable plants for the Personal Care Home. Marie and her staff treat us wonderfully. The residents of the Personal Care Home love to make this trip as they enjoy the plants, personal attention and reminiscing with the staff.I have brought many of my friends out to the greenhouse. After one visit, they are hooked and continue to come back. We especially enjoy our evening at the greenhouse where we attend a class with Marie and her staff to help us learn how to make up a planter with plants that compliment each other and best location for them to flourish.Rainbow Mill Gardens offers a vast variety of very healthy flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees at very reasonable prices. I also have noticed that even when I make a purchase at the end of the season, the plants are still very green and healthy. I notice that everything that I purchase at Rainbow Mills Gardens produces beautiful and healthy flowers and produce throughout the season.I would highly recommend a visit to Rainbow Mill Gardens. You will be amazed!
HERBS
Harvesting Tips
In general, herbs grown for their leaves should be harvested before they flower. After they flower, most herbs tend to lose their flavor or become bitter. Pick leaves when they are tender and contain the highest amount of oil, which supplies taste and fragrance. For most herbs, the best time to pick is early in the morning just as the dew evaporates, but before the heat of the day. Do not wash the leaves or aromatic oils will be lost.Basil Greek (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet, miniature leaves on dense, mounded plants that grow in a compact growing habit. Great for use as a topper to salads, and as an ingredient in salad dressings, pasta dishes, and soups. Also makes a great companion to tomato plants as basil is a superb pest repellent. In the garden, basil works to repel aphids, mites, and horn worms. Freeze entire stems, with the leaves still attached, for best flavor retention, or dry the leaves for seasoning. (12-18 in.)(30-45 cm)Basil Holy (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Aromatic, many-branched shrub. Flowers are purplish. Widely known across India as a medicinal plant and a herbal tea. Commonly used in Thai (12-24 in.)(30-60 cm)Basil Italian Large Leaf (Ocimum basilicum)
The best choice for authentic Italian cooking. Use fresh, dried or in pesto. Upright growing habit. Rich in oils and aromatic. Can be used in pesto’s and spaghetti sauces. Also makes a great companion to tomato plants as basil is a superb pest repellent. In the garden, basil works to repel aphids, mites, and horn worms. Freeze entire stems, with the leaves still attached, for best flavor retention, or dry the leaves for seasoning. (24-30 in.)(60-75 cm)Basil Sweet Thai (Ocimum basilicum)
Authentic spicy Thai basil flavor. Flavor is described as anise or licorice-like. More stable under high or extended cooking temperatures than that of sweet basil. Green leaves and attractive purple blooms / stems. (12-18 in.)(30-45 cm)Basil Lemon (Ocimum africanum)
Lemon flavoured basil which gives you that little lemon flavoured zip. Is used in rice dishes, curries, stir-fries, stews, steamed or grilled dishes. Often eaten raw with salad and a popular seasoning in Indonesian dishes. A tropical plant, this herb should be in a spot that receives at lease 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Harvesting after the flowering stage will sacrifice the taste, leaving the leaves to become smaller, dry and leathery. (8-16 in.)(20-40 cm)Bergamot Wild (Monarda fistulosa)
Member of the mint family. Commonly known as bee balm. Distinct flavour of Earl Grey tea. Showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers. Often used as a honey plant, medicinal plants, and garden ornamental. Grows in large clumps. Considered a medicinal plant by many Native Americans including the Menominee, the Ojibwe, and the Winnebago. Was most commonly used to treat colds. (36 in.)(90 cm)Bergamot Lemon (Monarda citriodora)
Lemony aroma with a wonderful taste. Produces masses of tiered pink-purple blossoms. Flowers cut and dry well. Usually grown as an ornamental or for its cut flowers. Dried flowers can be used in tea. Highly attractive to honeybees and other pollinators. Blossoms from August until frost. (24-36 in.)(60-90 cm)Borage (Borago officinalis)
Used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Flower has a sweet honey-like taste, often used to decorate desserts and cocktails. Leaves have a cucumber-like taste and can be used in salads or as a garnish. Can be used as an ingredient in sauces, as a filling in pasta ravioli and pansoti, and is used to flavour Polish pickled gherkins. Has been used for regulation of metabolism and the hormonal system, a good remedy for PMS and menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. (24-40 in.)(60-100 cm)Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Is cultivated as an ornamental plant for used in gardens and is used to for its attractant qualities to house cats and butterflies. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Used as a repellent for mosquito’s, flies, aphids, and squash bugs. The flowering tops are used to make medicine. (20-39 in.)(50-100 cm)Chives Chinese Broad Leaved (Allium schoenoprasum)
Deep green leaves are broad and thick with mild flavor. Best for Chinese cooking and stir fry. Flavor dissipates quickly when heated, should be added to cooked dishes last minute. (14-16 in.)(35-40 cm)Chives Garlic Geisha (Allium schoenoprasum)
“Just right” garlic flavor and vigorous growth. Slightly wider, flatter and more refined leaves than others. Useful as both an edible and an ornamental. Flavor dissipates quickly when heated, should be added to cooked dishes last minute. Holds up to cooking a little better than regular chives. (10-24 in.)(25-60 cm)Chives Onion (Allium schoenoprasum)
Excellent for seasoning, onion flavoured leaves used for fresh eating or cooking. Mince and sprinkle into and on salads, potatoes, cheeses, sandwich spreads, dressings, omelettes, dumplings, butters, devilled eggs, mushrooms, soups, fish, poultry, and most vegetables. Flavor dissipates quickly when heated, should be added to cooked dishes last minute. (12-18 in.)(30-45 cm)Cilantro Santo (Coriandrum sativum)
Broad, celery-like leaves are medium green and heavier than standard strains. Leaves are used in a variety of recipes and has a unique flavor. To help keep from bolting, cut back 1/3 of the plant each week, has an upright growing habit. Flowers are also edible. A great complement to sour fruits such as rhubarb and lime. Seeds can be used in curries, curry powder, pickles, sausage, soups, stews, and ratatouille. Fresh leaves are used in chutneys as well as Chinese and Mexican dishes, particularly salsa, guacamole, and as a garnish. Heat diminishes the flavor quickly. Should be added raw or immediately before serving. Try using it in ice cream recipes for an interesting take! (12-18 in.)(30-45 cm)Dill Ella (Anethum graveolens)
Dwarf variety excelled for container growing. Flavour of a giant garden dill. Stays compact and bushy with a great fragrance. Makes an excellent addition to many dishes including fish, fresh potatoes, soups, vinegars, and salads. Easy to grow. Attractive to bees and butterflies. (10-14 in.)(25-36 cm)Dill Fernleaf (Anethum graveolens)
Excellent in the herb garden, and ideal for windowsill growing. Ferny part of the plant makes an excellent addition to many dishes including fish, fresh potatoes, soups, vinegars, and salads. Easy to grow. As flowers appear, seeds can be harvested for making dill pickles. Attracts bees and butterflies. (12-15 in.)(30-38 cm)Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Crunchy and slightly sweet, popular in Mediterranean cuisine. The bulb, stalk, leaves and seeds are edible. The stalks can be used for soups, stocks and stews. The leaves can be used as a seasoning. Is a great source of vitamin C, fiber, folate, and potassium. Can be useful in the prevention of colon cancer, helps to lower high blood pressure. (98 in.)(250 cm)Lavender (Lavendula)
Highly recommended plant. The aroma is amazing and it has many uses. From bath oils to relaxation therapy. Blend with chamomile for a relaxing aromatherapy scent. Use it in sachets for its delicate scent. Another great use is homemade soap using goats milk. Lavender flavor pairs especially well with chocolate, and can be used to make lavender sugar. Flowers are occaisionally blended with black, green, or herbal teas. Flourishes best in dry, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun. (24 in)(60 cm)Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Strong, lemon-scented foliage used to repel mosquitoes. Great pollinator for attracting bees to your garden. Fresh leaves can be chopped to sprinkle on fruit salads or are used in teas. A member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. Add to a bath bag with rose petals for a calming bath. Was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas, bloating, and colic). A leaf can be chewed to freshen breath or crushed and place on a bug bite to help ease the itch. (13 in.)(33 cm)Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon)
Lemon flavor which can be chopped up and used in stir fry’s. Can be dried and powdered or used fresh. Used in teas, soups, and curries. Suitable with poultry, fish, beef, and seafood. (36-60 in)(90-150 cm)Marjoram Sweet (Majorana hortensis)
Use fresh or dried. A delicate sweet flavour, slightly spiced with a lot of health benefits. Adds a nice mellow flavour to vegetables such as spinach, beans, peas, and carrots. Great in salads, herbed butters, and vinaigrettes. Marjoram aids digestion, relieves nausea, improves the cardiovascular and circulatory system, and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Can be used topically as an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral agent. Relieves insomnia, reduces stress, calms anxiety, wards off fungal infections and relieves symptoms of PMS. Makes a pretty summer ground cover or edging. Grows well in the garden or in containers. Keeps its full flavour even when dried. (12-24 in.)(30-60 cm)Mint Mojito (Mentha x villosa)
Great for making those delicious mojito drinks. Mojito mint tastes great with lime and can be used to season lamb and other meats. Grow indoors in a sunny spot to enjoy Mojitos all year round! (24 in)(60 cm)Mint Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Low growing and vigorous – do not place near slow-growing or weak-habited plants. Can be used for tea and oils. Peppermint offers benefits to the respiratory system, including for coughs, colds, asthma, and allergies. Also helps to alleviate symptoms of IBS. The essential oil can be used topically for pain relief, hair and skincare, and fresh breath. (4-6 in.)(10-15 cm)Mint Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Low growing and vigorous – do not place near slow-growing or weak-habited plants. Can be used for tea and oils. A great addition to many dishes including lamb, poultry, and fish dishes. Add to mayonnaise for seafoods, or enjoy with chocolate. A popular herb for infusions. Goes well in lemonades and tea. Attracts butterflies and bees. A great companion plant to tomatoes and cabbages, repels cabbage white butteries, aphids, flea beetles, ants, mice, and rats. (4-6 in.)(10-15 cm)Oregano Greek (Origanum heracleoticum)
Strong, spicy flavour, great for use in spaghetti sauce and many Mexican, Italian, and Greek dishes. Tea is used to treat colds, influenza, mild feverish illnesses, indigestion, stomach upsets, painful menstruation, and issues with sleep. The essential oil can be used to relieve toothache. Dark green leaves. White flowers. (14-24 in)(35-60 cm)Oregano Italian (Formerly Oregano Common) (Origanum vulgare)
Italian type. Use fresh or dried. Strong flavour and great for use in spaghetti sauce and many Italian dishes. Flowers on their strong woody stems can be dried and used in aromatic wreaths or as a dried flowers in arrangements. (36 in.)(90 cm)Parsley Forest Green (Petroselinum crispum)
Dark green, triple-curled leaves. Great use for garnish and fresh eating. Can be used to season salads, soups, meats and pasta dishes. A natural breath freshener. (8-12 in.)(20-30 cm)Parsley Italian Dark Single (Petroselinum crispum)
Flat, deeply cut leaves with rich flavour. Leaves are commonly used fresh or dried to flavour soups, poultry dishes or salad dressings. A slightly bitter taste offers a balance to savoury dishes. Fresh cut-sprigs make an excellent garnish. (15-18 in.)(38-45 cm)Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Use seeds and leaves for cooking. It can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, as well as garnishes for beef and chicken dishes. When used as a tea, is said to be good for headaches, colic, colds, nervous diseases, and depression. Historically has been used as a symbol for remembrance. (24 in.)(60 cm)Salvia-Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Is a member of the mint family. Use fresh or dried. Has a savoury, slightly peppery flavour. Most notably appears in Italian, Balkan, and Middle Eastern cookery. (24 in.)(60 cm)Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis)
A popular herb in recipes that call for sage and thyme. Can be used as the main flavouring in dressing for turkey, goose, and duck. Used in stews, sauces, meat pies, and as a seasoning for grilled meats and barbecues. May be pulled up and dried for winter use. (12-24 in)(30-60 cm)Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
Incredibly sweet leaves are used as a sugar substitute. Has no calories and is 200 times sweeter than sugar in the same concentration. Has been known to treat burns, colic, and stomach problems. (30 in)(75 cm)Tarragon Russian (Artemisia dracunculoides)
Green, fine-leafed variety. Commonly used with fish, omelettes and chicken. Tarragon should be added towards the end of cooking due to the fact that heat diminishes its taste. Can be used as a garnish. This anise-flavoured herb can be used fresh or dried as a seasoning for tomato dishes, mushrooms, poultry, and other oily foods. Makes a great ingredient in herbal vinegars, salad dressings, hot sauces, and salsa. Aids in repelling insects. (24 in.)(60 cm)Thyme Creeping (Thymus serpyllum)
Easily grown. Excellent planted as a lawn substitute or among stepping stones to create a living patio. Edible with a mint-like aroma when crushed or steeped for teas. Harvest in the morning when the essential oils of the plant are at their peak. Deer resistant. Capable of withstanding tromping upon which makes it a great choice to plant anywhere with frequent foot traffic. Emits a lovely fragrance when stepped upon. Attractive to bees. (2-4 in.)(5-10 cm)Thyme Winter (English) (Thymus vulgaris)
Less aromatic than Summer types. A spicy herb. Can be used as an attractive ground cover or edging plant. Plant among and over rocks, growing best in light, well-drained soil. Also does well in window sill planters or hanging baskets. Aids in the digestion of high-fat foods. Can also be used in oils for many remedies as well as a mosquito and gnat repellent. Tea preparations are used for sore throats and coughs and are used to improve general immune system functions. A companion plant of cabbages, repels cabbage worm. (12-18 in.)(30-45 cm)
POTATOES
REDSAC Peregrine Red
High yielding variety with very round, uniform and smooth shaped tubers. Excellent red colour! Do not turn dark or ‘slough’ with cooking. Our best potato for long storage, much better than Norland. Maturity: Late season (100–120 days)Norland
A good yielding, early maturing variety with shallow eyes. Oblong to round, medium-sized, bright red-skinned attractive tubers with white flesh. Norland is good as a general-purpose potato (baked or mashed). If mashed, it will have a grey colour known as after cooking discolouration. To prevent this cooking discolouration, put a teaspoon of vinegar in the boiling water when cooking. Norland potatoes have a short dormancy period. Maturity: Early season (70–85 days)Red Pontiac
A good yielding, late maturing, drought-tolerant variety with attractive red skin. Red Pontiac has deep eyes on the tuber. Fair boiling and baking quality. Tubers have a good white colour after cooking. Maturity: Late season (100–120 days)Sangre
Dark red-skinned variety with white flesh. A high yielding variety! Sangre is great for storage with a medium to long dormancy period. It rarely exhibits a hollow heart and has a moderate tolerance to drought. Excellent for boiling and baking. No after cooking discolouration. Maturity: Late season (100–120 days)Viking
Viking is high yielding, oblong round, shallow eyes, smooth red skin with very white flesh. Tubers size early and size rapidly! Viking has some drought resistance and can tolerant adverse weather conditions. Very white and tasty as a mashed potato! Viking are also good as a baked potato. Our gardeners love this potato for its taste, for the large size of potato it produces and for its moderate storage. A very popular potato! Maturity: Mid Season (85–100 days)WHITESGoldrush
It is a long, white-fleshed potato with golden brown skin with shallow eyes. Like a baked potato, its texture and taste are difficult to match, but can also be used mashed or in stews. Great for perogies and french fries! Goldrush is resistant to hollow heart and to scab. Maturity: Late Season (100–120 days)Russet Burbank (Netted Gem)
A high quality, late maturing variety with russet skin and shallow eyed tubers. Excellent baking and french fry quality. Russets are a potato that stores well. A consistent adequate supply of moisture is required for uniform growth. It is a long, white fleshed potato with a golden brown skin with shallow. Maturity: Late Season (100–120 days)YELLOWSBintje
A high yielding variety with smaller tubers, smooth yellow skin and light yellow flesh. A very smooth texture potato, it converts even the toughest non-potato consumer! Excellent boiled, remarkable baked! Susceptible to late blight. A good storage potato. Maturity: Late Season (100–120 days)Kennebec
Fair yielding, fast-growing, oblong, smooth creamy buff skin with shallow eyes and white flesh. Good to excellent for boiling, baking, chipping, and french frying. Tubers green rapidly when exposed to light. Maturity: Late Season (100–120 days)Yukon Gold
Yukon gold has yellow skin with shallow pink eyes and light yellow flesh. It is a moderate producing potato that does not produce well in drought conditions. Good for boiling and can be baked. Yukon gold has moderate storability (better than a Norland, not as good as a Goldrush). A highly prized potato for makers of perogies! Maturity: Midseason (85–100 days)SPECIALTY or GOURMETCaribe
Purple skinned, creamy white fleshed tubers. Great as mashed, good baked. Will lose its purple skin colour when baked. High yield with very large tubers. A very popular potato for gardeners. Higher in antioxidants than red, white or yellow-skinned potatoes. If you can only grow one, this is a good choice! Maturity: Midseason (85–100 days)Marilyn
Marilyn is a smooth, oval potato with creamy, yellow skin, shallow eyes and smooth, yellow flesh. Wonderful baked or boiled. Amazing roasted. Excellent in salads as it has firm skin. What flavour!! Maturity: Late season (100–120 days)Purple Viking
High yielding, oblong round, shallow eyes, smooth purple skin with very white flesh. Tubers size early and size rapidly! Viking has some drought resistance and can tolerate adverse weather conditions. Very white and tasty as a mashed potato! Vikings are also good as a baked potato. Our gardeners love this potato for its taste, for the large size of potato it produces and for its moderate storability. A very popular potato! Maturity: Midseason (85–100 days)Russian Blue
A long season variety, Russian Blue has a brilliant purple colour on the inside and a dark purple skin. Great presentation on a dish with yellow and red-skinned potatoes. Definitely a conversation piece with company! Very high in antioxidants! Maturity: Late season (100–120 days)
EVENTS
PLANTING PARTIES
An evening with friends! Build your own planter using one of your favorites from home or purchase one the many beautiful products we carry. Our staff will help you to choose plants that are a great fit for your space and work well together. Phone to book an appointment.INFORMATIVE TOURS
By appointmentMOTHER’S DAY & FATHER’S DAY
Enjoy a day of dainties and refreshments in celebration of mom and dad.CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTRE
-coloring with chalk
-water tableDID YOU KNOW?
-We have 14,000 square feet of greenhouse space
-All of our greenhouses are wheel chair accessible
-We carry a nice selection of deer proof plants
-Butterflies and Hummingbirds are attracted to many of the plants we carry
-Gardening can take on many forms including deck and patio friendly garden boxes sold in our store.
-At the end of every season we hold an adult and a children’s draw as a thank you for your patronage. Enter one ballot with every purchase.
-Follow us on Facebook to learn interesting gardening tips, facts, and trivia.
Thank You
Thank you for visiting us today. We would love to see you at our greenhouse soon. Thanks again.