Brian Minter offers tips on ordering and planting seeds

For those in British Columbia who are enjoying spring-like weather, garden expert Brian Minter says it's time to think about seeds.

Minter says most gardening enthusiasts are eager to start sowing as soon as the weather gets warmer, but "there's a bunch of decisions" that need to be made. Here are a few things Minter recommends people think about before ordering seeds or planting them.  

Don't be tempted to grow everything

The photos of lush, colourful vegetables seen in seed catalogues can turn any home gardener's head, but be realistic about what you can actually grow, said Minter.

"One thing I always do is put your seed order in, think about it overnight, and go back and do another reality check the next day, because you're not going to grow everything. You're really not," Minter said to B.C. Almanac's Gloria Macarenko.

Don't take on more than you can plant

"If we plant tomatoes … we buy two dozen or three dozen seeds and not only that, we buy two dozen or three dozen seeds of 10 varieties," Minter said. "You don't need all that. Be specific in terms of what do you like, and what's realistic."

Consider your time commitment

Minter says transplants are a good choice if you want to save on time.

"They're saving you three to four weeks, so in terms of timing, do I really want to do all this, or can I get the same thing and have it already started for me?"

For more gardening tips from Brian Minter, click on the audio labelled: Things to consider when ordering and planting seeds.