{"product_id":"nigella","title":"Nigella Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eNigella, also known as Love-in-a-Mist, is a classic summer flower that brings charm and delicacy to the garden. Its finely cut foliage, similar to that of fennel, creates a misty effect around its star-shaped white to blue flowers. When the flowers fade, they give way to remarkable swollen, balloon-shaped capsules, which are very decorative and useful for dried bouquets and craft creations. This hardy annual is easy to grow, self-seeds spontaneously, and adds a rustic and romantic elegance to flowerbeds and natural gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere can Nigella be grown?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNigella thrives in zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sun and light, well-drained soil. It is perfect for cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and natural borders. Once established, it naturalizes easily and returns year after year through self-seeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginating from southern Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia, Nigella has been cultivated for centuries as an ornamental plant. It was particularly prized in Victorian gardens for its light texture, delicate flowers, and unique seed pods. Although rarely used in cooking, its cousin Nigella sativa produces edible seeds sometimes confused with black cumin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZone information for Canada\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZones 8–9: Direct sow in early spring or autumn for flowering the following season.\u003cbr\u003eZones 5–7: Direct sow in spring after the last frost or start indoors 4 weeks before.\u003cbr\u003eZones 3–4: Start indoors and transplant after the last frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1976\" data-start=\"1699\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/7841\/5473\/files\/Plant_Hardiness.png?v=1734491528\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to grow and harvest Nigella\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sow seeds 3 mm (1\/8 in) deep, spacing them 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) apart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering\u003c\/strong\u003e: Water lightly but regularly; avoid waterlogged soil.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cut flowers just before they fully open for fresh or dried bouquets.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Allow some plants to go to seed to ensure natural reseeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTips for saving seeds for future supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapsule maturation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Allow a few flowers to form capsules and dry on the plant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed harvesting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pick the capsules when they are brown and brittle, then open them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrying and storage\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fully dry the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage life\u003c\/strong\u003e: Well-preserved seeds remain viable for up to 4 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertified Organic by\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIslands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Metchosin Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53644644647280,"sku":"MF-FLOWER-032","price":5.75,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0969\/0801\/8032\/files\/Nigella.webp?v=1776549346","url":"https:\/\/www.biocos.ca\/en\/products\/nigella","provider":"Biocos Canada ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}