Ryan Ferland -  April 13, 2020

WHEN TO START YOUR SEEDS

With everything that's going on in the world currently, now is a great time to start growing your own vegetables and herbs when possible. Here is a great breakdown for anyone wanting to try sowing their own seeds.

Why start your own seeds?

1. Selection, selection, selection. Nurseries tend to stock common varieties.

2.  Earlier harvests and blooms. Jump-start the season and enjoy sooner

3. More for less. A flat of plants costs many times more than a packet of seeds.

4. Organic guaranteed. Grow your own so there’s no worry about chemicals.

When to start seeds indoors?

Seed packages identify how many weeks ahead of average last frost date to start the seeds. Count back from that frost date for each type of seed.

LONDON ONTARIO – AVERAGE LAST SPRING FROST MAY 10

Harden off 1-2 weeks after this date and keep a close eye on the night temperatures. Late May is usually safe for planting out.

Recommended # of Weeks to Start Seeds, Prior to Frost Free Date

Note 1 - Don’t sow too early. This is Rule number one. Your plants will be leggy and overgrown long before you can transplant them. If the seed packet recommends sowing four to six weeks before the last frost date, choose the four.

Note 2 - Many things can be direct-seeded into planting beds rather than starting indoors, for example:

March (as soon as soil can be worked): Asparagus, Carrots, Onion sets, Radish, Turnip, Spinach, Peas, Parsnip

April: Beets, Brussel Sprouts, Swiss Chard, Leeks, Lettuce, Potatoes

May: Beans, Pumpkin, Squash, Corn, Watermelon