Seed Starting in 5 Easy Steps

Starting plants from seed may seem daunting, but it can be incredibly rewarding and is an affordable way to experiment with a variety of different plants - both edible and ornamental. My first experience with seeds was growing chives in third grade. Now I have over a decade of experience and  I still occasionally have seed struggles. I've broken the process down to made it a little less intimidating for beginners, or anyone with an interest in growing plants from seed.

First things first is the seeds themselves - you want to pick varieties that will thrive in your Growing Zone. If you're unsure what that means please check out the link for information on growing zones. 

The easiest way to choose good seeds is to purchase seeds from local seed companies that do germination testing and trial gardens - they have already done the hard work sourcing varieties that will do well in their zone. This also doubles as a great way to #SupportLocal.  

Growing Zones for Southern Ontario

While it appears there are an abundance of seed stands everywhere you look in the spring (my local grocery store has them in the check-out line!), the suppliers vary in quality and some have links to Mega-Corp Monsanto (which some people choose to avoid due to their involvement in GMO's). These stands may be a convenient way to start your seed collection, but I encourage everyone to look at their local garden centres or browse online and see what small business seed suppliers come up for their region. 

It's easy to get lost in the bright colours and shapes... 

If you live in Canada like I do, you're lucky to have a wealth of seed companies both large (like Vesey's in PEI) and small (Gerrie's in Fergus). The lovely folks over at "Seeds of Diversity" have compiled a list of Canadian seed companies and their contact information that can be found here: Seed Index .  For my American readers "Empress of Dirt" has compiled this list, organized by state: USA Seed Index

Seeds typically require a minimum ambient temp of 15c (59f), although some won't germinate until temps reach 20c (68f) or higher. Check the  information for your specific seed variety. Choose a dry, well ventilated location that remains above 15c at all times and is away from cold drafts, hot forced air, etc. If you want to splurge, heat mats are a safe way to enhance radiant heat and encourage faster germination rates. If you choose to use heat mats, leave them running 24/7 to maintain a stable temperature. 

*Some seeds require light to germinate but most don't, so your germination spot can be different from your growing location if desired. Again, check the specifics on your seed variety. Once your seeds germinate move them to a well lit windowsill or under artificial lighting. 

Most seed starting info states: "Start in a soil-less medium", which may sound confusing... There's a difference between 'potting soil' and 'potting mix'. 'Soil' contains organic matter that can hold too much moisture and can rot the seeds. There is also a difference between "Seed Starter Mix" and "Potting Mix" - the main difference being how finely the product is sifted.

Commercial 'seed starting mix' is generally made up of the same components, a blend of: peat moss, perlite and/or vermiculite. Depending on the company, some add a slow-release fertilizer or beneficial fungus like Mycorrhizae. You could purchase the components individually and create your own custom blend if desired.

You can also make your own seed starting mix by sifting the wood chunks and large peat pieces out of a commercial potting mix. Peat Pods are also an option!

The most important factor in seed starting is adequate watering. Do not let the medium dry out for longer than a day! Water with room-temperature water only, hot or cold water can shock the seed. The type of water you use matters too. If you can collect rainwater (or melted snow) that is ideal. A more luxurious option would be to purchase distilled water - but regular tap water is okay too. 

Every seed has suggested planting instructions - although this information can be difficult to find and sometimes even conflicts between sources. Rather than specific instructions, consider these to be guidelines. You don't have to follow the instructions perfectly for results. 

If you find your seeds aren't germinating, check out this post for potential issues and solutions.  

That's all you need to know to get a head start on your garden by starting seeds indoors. Once your seeds germinate provide as much light as possible, water regularly and watch as your seedlings grow into plants!

Stay tuned for my next post: You've got Seedlings