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 |
| 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 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |