Starting your own garden from seed is rewarding, economical, and allows you to choose the exact varieties you want to grow. It's also the first step towards a productive vegetable garden! This guide explains how to select the right seeds, even if you've never gardened before.
When to start seeds? Plan your garden!
Before you get started, take a moment to consider:
- Available space: Balcony, raised bed, large garden? This will influence the number of plants and the choice of varieties (some, like zucchini, take up a lot of space!).
- Sunlight: Most vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Observe your space.
- Your hardiness zone: This indicates the minimum temperatures in your region (in Canada, for example). You'll find this information on the seed packet or online. This will help you choose suitable plants. Learn more about hardiness zones.
- Your tastes! Grow what you love to eat!
Choosing your seeds: organic, heirloom, hybrid... What's the difference?
There's a wide variety of seeds available. Here are the main categories to help you choose:
- Organic seeds: Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. An excellent choice for eco-friendly gardening and delicious vegetables.
- Untreated seeds: Have not undergone any post-harvest treatment.
- Heirloom (or Heritage) seeds: Varieties grown for at least 50 years, often with exceptional flavour and good resistance. They preserve a valuable genetic heritage.
- Hybrid F1 seeds: Result from the crossbreeding of two parent varieties. They are often more vigorous, productive, or resistant to certain diseases. *Note:* seeds harvested from an F1 hybrid plant will not necessarily produce identical plants.
- Seed tapes: Ideal for row seeding (carrots, radishes, lettuce...). The seeds are pre-spaced on a biodegradable tape, which facilitates sowing and avoids thinning.
- Coated seeds: Each seed is coated with a layer (often clay) to facilitate handling and germination, especially for very small seeds.
- Pre-germinated seeds: Germination is initiated before packaging for faster emergence. Sow quickly after purchase.
How to read a seed packet: the practical guide
The seed packet contains all the essential information:
- Variety name: So you know what you're growing!
- Plant type: Annual, biennial, perennial.
- Sowing time: Indicated in weeks before or after the last frost. Find the average date of the last frost in your region (horticultural calendars, weather websites) and count the number of weeks. Example: "Sow 4 weeks before last frost".
- Sowing depth: Generally, 2-3 times the diameter of the seed. Very small seeds are often sown on the surface.
- Spacing: Distance between seeds and between rows.
- Germination time (Emergence): Approximate number of days before you see the first seedlings.
- Light Requirements: Full sun (6-8h), partial shade (4-6h), shade (less than 4h).
- Days to maturity: Approximate time between sowing and harvest.
Easy seeds for beginners: our suggestions
Herbs (indoor or direct sowing)
Here are some easy-to-sow herbs, indoors or directly in the ground:
- Organic Sweet basil: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or directly after the frost. Loves heat.
- Organic Geisha chives: Direct sow or start indoors. Delicate garlic flavour.
- Astra Curly parsley: Soak seeds for 24 hours in water. Sow in peat pots.
- Prostratus rosemary: Trailing habit, ideal for containers. Sow indoors.
- Organic thyme: Very easy, adapts to all soils. Direct sow or start indoors.
- Cilantro: Direct sowing is preferable.
- Mint: Sow indoor or direct, but be aware, it can be invasive!
Easy vegetables (combination of indoor and outdoor sowing)
These vegetables are perfect for starting your vegetable garden:
- Organic Red Cored Chantenay carrot: Short, sweet, adapted to heavy soils. Direct sow.
- Hybrid Fresh Pickles cucumber: Productive, compact, ideal for containers. Sow indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost, or directly after.
- Salad Bowl lettuce: Cut-and-come-again. Direct sow, staggered every 2 weeks.
- Hybrid Tasti Lee tomato: Determinate plant (compact), continuous production. Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
- Candyland Cherry tomato: Very productive, sweet. Indeterminate plant (staking required). Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
- Organic Carnival Blend pepper: Varied colours and flavours. Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost.
- Radish: Very easy and fast direct sowing.
- Beans (bush or pole): Direct sow after frost.
- Zucchini/Courgettes: Sow indoors or direct after frost. Be warned, one plant takes a lot of space!
Easy flowers (to attract pollinators!)
- Calendula (Pot Marigold): Direct sow or start indoors. Edible flowers.
- Nasturtium: Direct sow. Edible flowers and leaves.
- Sunflower: Direct sow.
- Cosmos: Direct sow or start indoors.
- Zinnia: Direct sow or start indoors.
Additional tips for successful seed starting
- Use a light and sterile seed starting mix. [See our seed starting mixes]
- Keep the soil moist, but not soggy (use a spray bottle).
- Provide plenty of light to indoor seedlings (ideally under grow lights).
- Gradually acclimate indoor-sown plants before planting them outside.
- Label your seedlings!
Also read:
Gardening is a constant learning process. Don't hesitate to experiment and learn from your successes and mistakes!
Ready to get started? Explore our wide selection of seeds from W.H. Perron, Fothergills, Ferme Coopérative Tourne-Sol, McKenzie, and a variety of local seed growers!
