It’s that time of year again in Ontario, and we’re stoked to get our seeds started for the 2023 growing season. With all the eco-friendly benefits of growing your own food, we know more people are turning to their backyard spaces in search of their own planting paradises. So, whether you’re a seed master or a seed starter apprentice, here are the fundamentals that will help you make the most of your planting season!
Get Your Seed Starter Soil Ready
Giving your seeds the best start possible is crucial for a healthy plant! We recommend using a specialty seed starting soil over a general potting mix, as it contains less nitrogen and will protect your seeds from any soil-borne diseases. Fill your seedling containers with a good quality seed starting mix, and add a bit of fertilizer when your little seedlings have sprouted a couple of leaves.
Buy a Seed Starter Kit
Just like all baby organisms, seeds need delicate care when they’re starting out, so consider using a seed starter kit this season to help you give your new plant babies the right light, humidity and temperature levels. Most seed starter kits come with domed lids and a built-in lamp to keep your seeds at optimal levels while germinating, meaning you can set one up anywhere and keep your window sills free for the cat to sleep on!
When Should You Start Your Seeds?
Knowing when to start your seeds is vital for ensuring they stay warm enough during the seed season and that you don’t delay the harvest of your crops. Seeds must never be planted outdoors until after the last spring frost (around May 31st for us Muskoka folks), and many seeds need to be started between 7-12 weeks indoors before the last frost, so make sure you mark down important dates on a planting calendar or journal to give everyone enough time to germinate. If you’re ever lost, don’t worry! Your seed packets will have a planting schedule to help keep you on track.
Pick Your Best Seedlings
Unfortunately, not all your seedlings will survive in your seedling cup or container, and many will be weak and leggy. So, when all those seeds start to sprout and grow at least two leaves, it’s time to thin out the herd by plucking the ones with the strongest growth. Remember that the tallest seedlings may not be the best selection, so look for compact growth and thicker stems.
Hardening Off Your Seedlings
After weeks of careful nurturing comes the stage of the season where you let your babies leave the nest for the big wide world of your garden! This stage is one of the most important in your plant’s development and crucial for bountiful crops over the season. To transition your seedlings properly, you must first get them used to the change of environment by slowly acclimatizing them over a period of about 7-10 days. Harden them off by putting them outside for short periods of time, gradually increasing the duration each day. It’s also best not to expose them to harsh, direct sun or wind right away, but rather to let them adapt slowly until they are ready to fully move outdoors. Make sure their soil remains moist during this process, as dry air can cause young plants to lose water quickly.
Moving Your Seedlings into Their New Home
Before you plant your seedlings into the ground or raised garden bed this season, make sure the soil has been loosened up and aerated and is free from weeds and rocks. New plants also benefit from rich organic matter in the soil, which helps drainage and moisture retention. Before placing seedlings into the ground, ensure the soil is moist but not soaking wet, and put seedlings into the ground at the same depth as the pot it grew in. Fill around the seedling with soil and pat down to make good contact between the root ball and the ground. Finally, give your seedlings a good watering to help them settle in and to reduce any air pockets that may have formed around the root ball.
If you’re ready to start the seed season, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of your planting experience. Stop by and visit us at our Port Carling and Bala Garden Centres today!
