Seeds or seedlings: Deciding how to plant your garden this season

In the gloomy depths of winter, a simple packet of seeds represents the promise of warm weather and future harvests.

Sowing your own seeds can be incredibly rewarding, but you might get just as much satisfaction from finding well-established seedlings and planting those directly in your garden. One requires a bit of forethought and some seed-starting materials, while the other means you can spend a bit more time planning your garden as you wait for spring seedling sales. 

The question is, how should you decide what to start and what to buy?

Reasons for growing plants from seed

The wide range of varieties in a single seed catalogue is a major consideration when you're deciding what plants to start yourself. It also means that you aren't relying on a nursery to stock the seedlings you want. "When we choose to grow from seed, the varieties available become almost endless," explained Hanna Jacobs, owner of Matchbox Garden & Seed Co., based in Caledonia, Ont. "That means you'll have an easier time getting those hard-to-find varieties." 

Jacobs also pointed to the benefit of quality control. "If you start your own seeds, you get to decide what type of soil they grow in, you get to care for them and make sure they get everything they need. You can monitor for any issues that might arise — and make sure your plant babies are healthy and happy for when they will be planted out into the garden."

Deciding what to plant from seed

There is no such thing as a no-fail seed but new gardeners can boost their success rate with more forgiving plants, said Miranda Holt, co-owner of City Street Farms (CSF), based in Regina. "If you are a beginner, you should definitely try starting something, anything, to get the 'knowledge ball' rolling," said Holt. "Start with easier seeds that don't require too much fuss, yet are very satisfying to grow." 

Good examples are anything from the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, she added. 

A few tips to help you get started:

• Figure out the materials you need, such as starter trays or plantable pots, soilless seed-starting mix, a spray bottle or a heat mat.

• Read your seed packets carefully. They should state when seeds can be started indoors or whether they are best directly sown into the garden.

• Research the specific needs and germination times of the seeds you're planting and "save yourself all the bewilderment of inconsistent germination," Holt said. "All seeds have their own specific needs to support germination. Some of the factors to consider are light levels, temperature, humidity, soil depth and the length of time needed." 

• Be patient. "Don't be in such a hurry to start your seeds indoors," Jacobs said. "Follow the general guidelines for when to start different seeds. It seems like not a big deal, but your plants will be so much happier come garden time if you can stick to the recommended time frame."

• Look up the frost-free dates where you live. 

"Remember, plenty of crops can be sown directly from seed into the soil and actually prefer it, so do your homework as you plan your garden," Holt said. 

I like to sow turnips, radishes, carrots, beets, and greens like bok choy. Jacobs said new gardeners could start with beans or peas, lettuce, arugula, spinach and green onions.

Seed-starting setup recommendations

I use a couple of tabletop grow light setups that I keep in a corner of my furnace room. My windows simply don't yield enough light to produce strong, healthy seedlings. 

Jacobs also recommended using grow lights because window glass can affect the light received by the plant, possibly resulting in weaker plants. 

However, if you're not ready to invest in grow lights, you can still have success with a bright, south-facing window, Holt said. After the first day of spring, all regions in Canada should get about 12 hours of sunlight a day. 

"My Nonna has started her seeds in a windowsill for decades, and this was how I grew my own plants in the decade leading up to growing for CSF," she said. "If you go this route, try and find a south-facing window if you can. Your seedlings will be happiest and healthiest with 16 hours of light, so if you have the ability to use a grow light for an extra four hours a day, your plants will thank you."

When to opt for seedlings 

I've been growing plants from seed for a long time, but with limited space under my grow lights I've developed my own system for what I decide to purchase. I buy lemongrass seedlings — which I love to use in container arrangements in place of a dracaena —  because they're further along and fill in faster. 

I like supporting local growers and going to seedling sales, so I think about what I'll likely be able to find on my list. Tomato seedlings are an easy score so I may start one variety indoors and then purchase other heirloom varieties. I order zinnias, China asters and strawflowers from an urban flower farmer. 

These planned and predicted purchases leave me space to grow my must-haves, like tomatillos, basil and broccolini.  

Some plants, like dill, are notoriously fussy when transplanted so you may be wasting your money purchasing a small plant. Others — like lavender, lovage, echinacea, rosemary and strawberry — can be hard to germinate.

"Any seedling that needs a lot of growing time and has fussy germination needs would be a great reason to support a local grower out there to save you time and trouble," Holt said. 

Jacobs added: "If you are wanting to grow peppers and you can't get a heat mat to provide warmth for the soil from underneath, you're likely further ahead to purchase seedlings."