{"product_id":"camas","title":"Camas","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a Camas Mix of Common Camas (\u003cem\u003eCamassia quamash\u003c\/em\u003e) and Greater Camas. Both are beautiful perennials, native to the Pacific Northwest, prized for their striking purplish-blue flower spikes and rich cultural history. These hardy plants thrive in naturalised meadows or cultivated gardens, adding vibrant colour and ecological benefits to your landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe edible bulbs, rich in inulin, have been an important food source for over 5,000 years, cultivated by First Peoples in British Columbia and beyond. While camas takes 4-6 years to fully establish, its longevity and beauty make it well worth the wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere Can You Grow Camas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCamas thrives in Zones 3-8, preferring full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It performs beautifully in naturalised meadows, woodland edges, or garden beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and Historical Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCamas holds deep cultural significance among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, who cultivated and managed camas meadows as vital food sources. The bulbs were traditionally slow-roasted or pit-cooked to convert inulin into digestible sugars, creating a nutritious and long-lasting staple. Today, camas is celebrated for its beauty, history, and ecological importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCanadian Zone Information\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are native to Western Canada but can be grown in the following zones:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZone 8:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds in autumn for natural stratification, or start indoors and transplant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZones 5-7:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds outdoors in autumn or early spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZones 3-4:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds in autumn with heavy mulching or start indoors to ensure germination.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\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\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Grow and Harvest Camas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow seeds 1cm (0.5in) deep and 15-20cm (6-8in) apart in well-drained soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season but avoid waterlogging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePatience:\u003c\/strong\u003e Camas requires 4-6 years to mature, but its blooms and bulbs will reward your patience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBulbs should be harvested after flowering once the foliage dies back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways cook bulbs thoroughly before eating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Saving Tips for Future Supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAllow Flowers to Go to Seed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leave some flower spikes to mature and form seed pods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Once pods turn brown and dry, collect them before they split open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDry and Clean:\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove seeds from pods and spread them on a towel to dry completely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStore:\u003c\/strong\u003e Store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Seeds remain viable for up to 2 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertified Organic By\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIslands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Metchosin Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48811181342962,"sku":"MF-NATIVE-004","price":4.76,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/4106\/0082\/files\/Camas_144e14e7-563e-43f4-b457-e484ae4bd86f.jpg?v=1772481887","url":"https:\/\/homeandwell.ca\/fr\/products\/camas","provider":"Home \u0026 Well ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}