Starting your own seeds is a rewarding way to kick off the gardening season. There is nothing like the satisfaction of seeing those first green shoots emerge—it's a true promise of summer. Plus, it allows you to grow unique varieties you won't find as pre-grown plants.
Choosing the Right Containers
Always use clean, sterilized containers to prevent soil-borne diseases. While many options exist, these are the most effective for home gardeners:
- Cell trays: Best for small seeds, allowing you to grow many plants in a compact space.
- Individual pots: Ideal for larger seeds that grow quickly and need more root space.
- Peat pots and pellets: A smart choice for squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins. These plants have sensitive roots; peat pots allow you to plant the entire container directly into the ground without disturbance.
Essential Seed Starting Supplies
Before you get started, make sure you have chosen the right varieties for your needs. If you're unsure, check out our beginner's guide to choosing seeds to find the species best suited to your garden.
Set up your workspace with these essentials to ensure success from day one:
- High-quality seeds (selected for hardiness zones 3, 4, or 5)
- Seed tray with a clear humidity dome
- Seed starting mix (sterile, soil-less medium)
- Spray bottle and room-temperature water (avoid cold tap water)
- Plant labels and a waterproof marker
- Grow lights (LED or fluorescent shop lights)
- Small oscillating fan
Step 1: Prep and Fill
Moisten your seed starting mix in a bucket before filling your trays. Pre-moistened soil ensures better water absorption later. Fill your containers and tap them gently to level the surface, ensuring there are no large air pockets without packing the soil too tightly.
Step 2: Sow and Identify
In Canada, timing is everything. Avoid starting too early to prevent your plants from becoming overgrown before the last frost. For a precise schedule, refer to our seed starting and planting calendar.
Sow your seeds according to package instructions. A general rule: cover seeds with soil to a depth of twice their size (except for fine seeds that need light to germinate).
Don't forget to label! It is impossible to recognize varieties by observing young shoots. Immediately label each tray or pot with the variety name, the seed brand, and the date sown. Use a waterproof marker so humidity won't erase your vital information.
Step 3: Boost Germination and Lighting
Cover the tray with a clear plastic dome to lock in humidity and create a greenhouse effect. Place in a warm spot. As soon as sprouts appear, remove the dome. Important Note: Natural light from a window is rarely sufficient in February or March. To prevent your plants from becoming "leggy" (long, thin, and weak), keep your grow lights just 10 to 15 cm above the plants.
Step 4: Potting Up and Preventing Damping-Off
Once your seedlings have two "true leaves" (the jagged leaves that appear after the smooth seed leaves), move them to larger pots. Always handle seedlings by their leaves to protect the delicate stems.
Expert Tip: "Damping-off" is a disease where the plant dies at the base and suddenly collapses. To prevent this, place a small oscillating fan nearby. The gentle breeze prevents excessive surface moisture and strengthens your plants' stems.
Step 5: Caring for Growth and Watering
Maintain temperatures of 22°C during the day and 18°C at night. Watering is critical: always use room-temperature water. Cold water from our taps in winter can cause fatal thermal shock to young roots, especially for peppers. Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings.
Step 6: Hardening Off and Planting
Before moving plants to the garden, you must "harden them off" over 7 to 10 days. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions in a sheltered spot, away from direct wind. Wait until the soil has warmed up (about 18°C for tomatoes) before final planting. Choose a cloudy day to minimize transplant shock.
Starting your own seeds is the best way to beat our short Canadian growing season. For personalized advice, visit our garden center experts. Happy gardening!
