Spring is coming...
The days are getting longer, the birds are chirping in the trees and if you are anything like me, you are impatiently waiting to plant your garden.
I have good news. You can start now. Yes, that’s right if you are in the lower mainland of British Columbia or anywhere designated as hardiness zone 7/8 now is the time to start your seedlings in doors if you haven’t already and even sow some hardier vegetables outside under cover.
What is a hardiness zone?
I’m glad you asked. The hardiness zone tells you what type of plants will survive the winter in your local climate based on the usual winter temperatures for your region.
In our global society we now have access to plants and seeds from around the world but that doesn’t mean they will all grow in your garden. Knowing your hardiness zone helps you select the right plants. To find out more about Canadian plant hardiness zones, click here.
Average frost dates
This is something else you should look up for your area. Here in Vancouver, the average last frost date is March 28 and the first frost is usually at the beginning of November. Many plants can’t survive a frost so it’s important to know when you can safely plant your seedlings in the garden and how long they have to grow before the frost appears again.
- Start seeds now for transplanting later in the year
- Read the back of the seed packet carefully
- Choose a bright warm place to keep your pots
- Use seeding starter compost for best results
- Keep soil moist but don’t over water
What can I plant now?
When you buy seeds, read the back of the packet carefully. They usually give information on when you can start your seeds indoors or outdoors and when they can be transplanted into the garden if you started them indoors. I particularly like West Coast Seeds as they give detailed information on the seed packets and provide exceptionally well written guides and resources for growing vegetables, flowers, herbs and some fruits. Check out their website here: West Coast Seeds
Disclaimer: This is not an affiliate link and I have not been sponsored to write about this company. I really like their seeds and service and that they are a local company.
Start indoors in March/April
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Sweet peppers
- Hot peppers
- Broccoli
- Leeks
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
- Anything that can be sown “4-6 weeks before the last frost”
This list is not exhaustive but covers some of the more common vegetables and this is what I started at the beginning of the month.
Plant outside
- Peas
- Corn salad
- Radish
- Lettuce (under cover)
- Spinach
- carrots
- transplant established seedlings of broccoli, leeks, onions
How do I get my seeds started?
First you need a container to hold the soil and the seeds, secondly, you need soil or compost to plant the seeds in and third, you need a bright, warm place to keep your pots.
Going potty
There are many options for seedling containers. This year I recycled plastic pots from plants I purchased last year but I’ve also made pots from newspaper, toilet roll tubes and egg cartons. I also sometimes use old food containers that have a clear lid such as the containers you get roast chicken in from deli counter at the supermarket. See some examples in the picture to your right.
Good seedlings start with good soil
You can use soil from your garden or any general potting compost to start your seeds but I have found I get the best results using a seedling starter mix. This tends to be a finer compost so it’s easier to put into small pots and seems to produce more consistent results. However, use what you have on hand.
Let the sunshine in
This is important. Your seeds won’t grow with a good amount of light. They don’t need direct sunlight but it needs to be bright and for a long time. A window sill that gets sun for most of the day is great. The light not only helps the seeds germinate it also helps warm the soil. I use a grow light to help my seeds sprout. Grow lights mimic the sun and can be useful if you don’t have a sunny spot.
Let's go outside
The sun is shining! Time to prepare your garden so that it is ready for all of the seedlings. Now is the time to clean up and prepare for planting. If you have been composting over the winter, dig that black gold into your garden. Plan where you are going to plant everything. Get rid of the pesky weeds – they don’t stop for winter.
Here are a few pictures of my garden. It’s almost ready for planting. I still have some cleaning, pruning and repairs to do.
Don’t worry about being too late. I have successfully planted vegetables late in the season and still had a good harvest. It’s always worth experimenting. Happy gardening everyone. Enjoy spring.
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Love this Claire
Thank you