When to start indoor seedlings
February is a good time to start planning your sowing and get essential material. But before you put the seeds in the soil, make sure the timing is right for when you will be able to transplant to the garden.
- Determine when the last frost should be in your area
- Check the seed packet to know when you can sow
- Choose the right seeds for your hardiness zone
Vegetable seedlings: what you need to know
If a big vegetable harvest is what you have in mind, check out the optimum growing conditions for vegetable seedlings according to each variety. Use the garden planner below.
| Name | Date | Depth | Container | Germination | Transplanting | Spacing in the vegetable garden | Maturity |
| Asparagus | Early February | 2,5 cm | Tray | 14-21 d | Mid-May | 60 cm | Spring |
| Eggplant | Mid-March | 3 mm | Tray | 8-17 d | Mid-May | 40 cm | 60-80 d |
| Beet | Mid-May | 1 cm | Soil | | | 15 cm | 50-95 d |
| Broccoli | Early April | 6 mm | Tray | 10-12 d | Early June | 60 cm | 60-80 d |
| Celery | Early March | 3 mm | Tray | 21-25 d | End of May | 20-30 cm | 90-110 d |
| Cauliflower | Early April | 6 mm | Tray | 10-12 d | Mid-May | 50-60 cm | 70-90 d |
| Pumpkin and squash | Early May | 2,5 cm | Peat Cup | 8-10 d | Early June | 1,25 m – 2,5 m | 90-120 d |
| Cucumber | Mid-April | 2,5 cm | Peat Cup | 8-10 d | Early June | 25 cm | 50-70 d |
| Spinach | Mid-May | 3 cm | Soil | | | 10 cm | 60-80 d |
| Lettuce | Mid-April | 6 mm | Tray | 8-10 d | Mid-May | 20-25 cm | 45-90 d |
| Onion | Early March | 1 cm | Tray | 12-14 d | Mid-May | 15 cm | 50-120 d |
| Pepper | Early March | 1 cm | Tray | 6-8 d | June | 30-45 cm | 70-80 d |
| Leek | Early March | 1 cm | Tray | 10-14 d | Mid-May | 15 cm | 110-120 d |
| Tomato | Mid-March to Mid-April | 6 mm | CTray or pots | 5-8 d | Early June | 45-60 cm | 50-80 d |
Source : W.H. Perron
Produce your own herb seedlings
Because they enhance all cooking, herbs are practically indispensable. If you start your herbs from seed, you will be able to rely on a plentiful and flavourful crop. Here is an outline of the optimum growing conditions for most herbs.
| Name | Date | Outside/Inside | Germination |
| Dill | Mid-May | Outside | 5-7 d |
| Basil | Mid- April | Inside | 12-18 d |
| Chives | Mid- April | Inside | 7-10 d |
| Cilantro | Mid-May | Outside | 5-10 d |
| Marjoram | Mid- April | Inside | 8-10 d |
| Oregano | Mid- April | Inside | 3-10 d |
| Parsley | Early April | Inside | 12-21 d |
| Summer Savory | Mid-March | Inside | 2-10 d |
| Sage | Mid-March | Inside | 5-12 d |
| Thyme | Mid-March | Inside | 2-20 d |
Growing flowers from seed
If you love your flowers, seedlings are a great way to expand the number of flower varieties you can grow and enjoy throughout the summer. Here are some pertinent details concerning the most common varieties.
| Name | Annual/Perennial | Date | Depth | Germination | Transplantation | Spacing |
| Alyssum | Annual | Mid-April | On the surface | 7-12 d | Late May | 20-30 cm |
| Begonia | Annual | Early February | On the surface | 15-20 d | Early June | 15 cm |
| Coleus | Perennial | Early April | On the surface | 10-15 d | Early June | 20-30 cm |
| Dahlia | Annual | Early April | 3 mm | 5-10 d | Late May | 30-50 cm |
| Gaillardia | Perennial | Early April | On the surface | 15-20 d | Late May | 30 cm |
| Geranium | Annual | Early February | 6 mm | 5-15 d | Late May | 20-25 cm |
| Impatiens | Annual | Mid-February | On the surface | 10-18 d | Early June | 20-30 cm |
| Lavender | Perennial | January | On the surface | 4 to 6 wks | Late May | 50 cm |
| Bee Balm | Perennial | Mid-February | On the surface | 15-20 d | Late May | 30 cm |
| Pansy | Annual | Mid-February | 6 mm | 7-14 d | Early May | 15-20 cm |
| Petunia | Annual | Early February | On the surface | 10-12 d | Late May | 25-30 cm |
| Black-eyed Susan | Perennial | Late April | 6 mm | 5-10 d | Late May | 25-30 cm |
| Sage | Perennial | Early April | On the surface | 10-12 d | Late May | 25 cm |
| Sunflower | Annual | Mid-May, outside | 3 cm | 6-10 d | Late May | Small: 15 cm
Large: 20-25 cm
Giant: 30 cm |
W. H. Perron sowing guides for annuals, biennials and perennials.