Get Growing
Getting ready to start seeds? Here are the basics you need to know.
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How to produce strong seedlings
- Fill a flat tray with seed-starting mix, or make your own using sterilized, bagged planting soil mixed with equal parts perlite, vermiculite and sterilized coarse sand.
- Fill the tray with the mix until it is level with the sides of the tray, then gently firm the mix down until it is 1/4" to 1/2" below the rim.
- Place seeds evenly across the top of the flat, one to three seeds per cell, depending on the size and type of seed.
- Cover the seeds lightly by sifting soil or mix over them. Some seeds do not need to be covered, just pressed into close contact with the soil.
- Water the flat thoroughly using a seedling sprayer or watering can with a fine rose.
- Label the tray and cover with a glass sheet, clear tray cover or plastic film to retain moisture and warmth.
- Place the tray in a warm, bright spot but not in direct sunlight as it will cause the interior to heat up excessively.
- Remove the glass, tray cover or plastic film when the plants emerge from the soil.
- Move the flats into direct sunlight or under full-spectrum grow lights for best results.
- Keep the soil evenly moist and maintain even airflow.
- If required, thin out the seedlings, removing the weakest, smallest plants and leaving more space for the strongest plants to establish roots and grow.
The seedlings are ready to transplant when the first "true" leaves appear. Harden off young plants by slowly introducing them to the outdoors before planting them in larger containers, in the ground, or in a raised bed. Bring the seedlings outdoors for a few hours, gradually increasing their outdoor time for several days . This step allows the plants to develop thicker leaves and sturdy stems that will withstand the stronger light and wind. It also prevents transplant shock by gradually exposing the plants to outdoor temperatures.
Start Your Seeds
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OSC Herb Seed Packets
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OSC Flower Seed Packets
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OSC Organic Vegetable Seed Packets
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Fiber Pots
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Self-Watering Seed Starter
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Windowsill Seed Starter
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Coir Pellets
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Potmaker
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Lee Valley Trowel
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Seedling Sprayer
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LED Grow-Light Kits
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Hardening off - Boot Camp for Seedlings
Before moving seedlings from the pampered pot, where they received just the right amount of light, nutrients and water, to the garden plot, they need a little toughening up.
Learn More
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When is it time to sow outside?
- When all danger of frost has passed
- As soon as the soil can be worked
- When the soil stays in a ball when squeezed, but easily releases
- When you can comfortably sit barelegged on the ground or
- When the depth of the earth is warm to the touch to a depth of 6 inches
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Seeds need only moisture and warmth (and in the case of some plants, light) to germinate because they are self-contained systems. A seed contains not only the tiny embryo of the future plant but also endosperm, a tissue which stores enough food to keep the embryo alive in the dormant stage and for the first few weeks of growth until the first "true" leaves form. This accounts for the frequently given instruction of not fertilizing until the leaves develop because photosynthesis starts only then. The best way to determine when the time is right for sowing seeds directly outdoors is to use a soil thermometer to measure the temperature of the soil itself. |
Moving Outdoors
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A Gardener's Journal – A Ten Year Chro...
$44.50
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Small Garden Tool Set
(Set of 6)
$11.90
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Wi-Fi Weather Station with Wind and Ra...
$163.00
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Tabletop Tarp
$11.30
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Lee Valley Trowel
$39.90
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Women's Garden Gloves
$34.20
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Wi-Fi Forecasting Weather Station
$114.50
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Double-Walled Cold Frame
$285.00
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Small Vegepod Container Garden
$239.00
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Self-Watering Raised-Bed Hardware
$159.00
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Stainless-Steel Outdoor Wash Table
$259.00
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Giant Plant Tray
$39.90
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Lee Valley One-Prong Cultivator
$33.50
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Lee Valley Container Garden Narrow Tro...
$33.50
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Lee Valley Narrow Trowel
$39.90
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Lee Valley Trenching Hoe
$57.50
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Floating Row Cover
$29.90
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Frost Protectors
(Pkg. of 3)
$19.70
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Garden Cloches
(Pkg. of 10)
$24.80
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Growing Under Cover
by Niki Jabbour
$24.90
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Lee Valley U-Bar Digger
$168.00
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Folding Kneeler Stool & Tool Holder Se...
$72.50
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Lee Valley Propagation Guide |
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Plant |
Planting |
Ideal |
Ideal |
Days |
Weeks |
Additional Information |
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Asparagus |
TR |
60 to 85 |
16 to 29 |
14 to 21 |
Perennial |
Can harvest after 2nd year. |
|
Bean, Bush |
DS |
65 to 85 |
18 to 29 |
7 to 10 |
9 |
Pick regularly to encourage continued production. |
|
Beet |
DS |
50 to 85 |
10 to 29 |
5 to 20 |
9 |
Best grown as spring and fall crops. |
|
Broccoli |
TR |
70 to 75 |
21 to 24 |
10 to 14 |
9 |
Plant out deeply, with only 1”-2” showing. |
|
Cabbage |
TR |
45 to 95 |
7 to 35 |
8 to 14 |
10 |
Root prune mid-season to prevent head from splitting. |
|
Carrot |
DS |
45 to 85 |
7 to 20 |
7 to 20 |
10 |
Very small seed; mix with sand to aid in sowing. |
|
Cauliflower |
TR |
45 to 85 |
8 to 14 |
8 to 14 |
10 |
Grow near celery to reduce cabbage worm. |
|
Celery |
TR |
70 to 75 |
21 to 24 |
10 to 14 |
12 |
Mound soil as plant grows to blanche the stalks. |
|
Cucumber |
DS |
65 to 95 |
18 to 35 |
7 to 10 |
6 |
Most varieties grow well on a trellis. |
|
Eggplant |
TR |
75 to 90 |
24 to 32 |
10 to 15 |
4 |
Soak seeds overnight before planting. |
|
Garlic |
TR |
45 to 85 |
7 to 29 |
5 to 14 |
22 |
Transplant in fall for next season’s crop. |
|
Kale |
DS |
50 to 85 |
10 to 30 |
7 to 10 |
9 |
Most varieties are very cold tolerant. |
|
Leek |
TR |
70 to 75 |
20 to 24 |
10 to 14 |
12 |
Plant out deeply, with only 1”-2” showing. |
|
Lettuce, Leaf |
DS |
40 to 80 |
4 to 27 |
3 to 10 |
5 |
Lots of light for seedlings; shade for mid-season plants. |
|
Melon |
TR |
75 to 95 |
24 to 35 |
5 to 7 |
10 |
Use compostable pot to minimize transplant shock. |
|
Onion, Bulb |
DS |
50 to 95 |
10 to 35 |
5 to 14 |
14 |
Good companion plant that repels many insect pests. |
|
Parsnip |
DS |
50 to 70 |
10 to 21 |
7 to 20 |
10 |
Harvest after a few frosts for improved flavor. |
|
Pea |
DS |
45 to 75 |
7 to 24 |
7 to 20 |
9 |
Most varieties grow well on a trellis. |
|
Pepper, Sweet |
TR |
65 to 95 |
18 to 35 |
10 to 15 |
10 |
Protect from low night temperatures. |
|
Potato |
DS |
60 to 75 |
16 to 24 |
7 to 20 |
15 |
Pre-sprout seed potatoes before planting. |
|
Pumpkin |
DS |
70 to 95 |
21 to 35 |
7 to 10 |
12 |
Heavy feeder; requires lots of compost/fertilizer. |
|
Radish |
DS |
45 to 90 |
7 to 32 |
5 to 10 |
4 |
A late summer planting can be done to harvest in fall. |
|
Spinach |
DS |
45 to 75 |
7 to 24 |
7 to 20 |
7 |
Sow multiple times for continuous harvest. |
|
Squash, Summer |
DS |
70 to 95 |
21 to 35 |
7 to 10 |
6 |
Heavy feeder; requires lots of compost/fertilizer. |
|
Squash, Winter |
DS |
70 to 95 |
21 to 35 |
7 to 10 |
10 |
Remove flowers after mid-summer to concentrate growth. |
|
Swiss Chard |
DS |
50 to 85 |
10 to 29 |
7 to 20 |
8 |
Very ornamental. |
|
Tomato |
TR |
60 to 85 |
16 to 29 |
8 to 10 |
10 |
Inconsistent watering may cause fruit to crack. |
|
Turnip |
DS |
60 to 95 |
16 to 35 |
7 to 14 |
9 |
Plant onions nearby to deter root maggots. |
|
DS – Direct Sow | TR – Transplant (It is best to consult the info. on the back of the seed packet for specific types and varieties.) |
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Average Last Frost Dates |
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Burlington, ON – May 5 |
Niagara Falls, ON – May 11 |
Timmins, ON – June 9 |
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Calgary, AB – June 1 |
Ottawa, ON – May 11 |
Toronto, ON – May 10 |
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Coquitlam, BC – April 13 |
Quebec City, PQ – May 17 |
Vancouver, BC – April 1 |
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Charlottetown, PE – May 22 |
Regina, SK – June 3 |
Vaughan, ON – May 9 |
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Edmonton, AB – May 29 |
Saint John, NB – May 22 |
Victoria, BC – April 22 |
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Halifax, NS – May 13 |
Saskatoon, SK – May 28 |
Waterloo, ON – May 13 |
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Kelowna, BC – May 19 |
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – June 1 |
Windsor, ON –April 28 |
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Kingston, ON – April 28 |
St. John’s, NF – June 6 |
Winnipeg, MB – May 28 |
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London, ON – May 15 |
Sudbury, ON – May 21 |
Whitehorse, YT – June 12 |
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Montreal, PQ – May 6 |
Thunder Bay, ON – June 22 |
Yellowknife, NT – May 31 |
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Laval, PQ – May 6 |
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