A seed-starting party is the perfect cosy activity for right now

Big Night In is a series where Canadian experts and creatives share advice on how to spend a magical night at home. It's the ultimate guide to staying in — whether solo or with friends — featuring thoughtfully curated ideas that are anything but routine.

This isn't your typical garden party. A seed-starting party — where you and your friends plant trays of seeds that'll eventually sprout into seedlings — is the perfect way to spend a cold winter night together. "Gardening is all about building connections with the land and the people around us," said gardening expert Luay Ghafari. Plus, growing your own seedlings instead of buying plants later can save you a lot of money.

For a smooth seed-starting session, Ghafari suggests keeping the group to four to six people. That way, you'll need fewer supplies and cleanup will be easier. Before you get together, decide on the type of garden everyone wants to grow and make that the theme for the night. "Sensory gardens and cut flower gardens can be a great way to hone in on a specific topic," he said. 

Ask your guests to bring seed packets that fit the theme and suit their own growing spaces — and enough to share, of course. Just make sure your picks are meant to be started indoors, Ghafari cautions. Seed catalogues contain lots of useful information about space, light and climate considerations, he says. 

To prep your space for the main event, cover a table with an old tablecloth or butcher paper — things can get messy, especially if kids are taking part in the fun. Everyone will need their own tray, containers and a bowl of seed-starting mix, Ghafari said, but seeds, a spray bottle and water can be shared. Repurposing old yogurt containers, plastic cups or egg cartons as planters is another way to keep costs down.

When it comes to snacks and drinks, which you can serve before everyone gets their hands dirty, Ghafari suggests taking inspiration from the night's theme. Planting salsa gardens with tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and the like? Serve a variety of jarred or homemade salsa, he says. "Who knows? Maybe someone will try that salsa verde for the first time and ... discover tomatillos and [decide to] sow those seeds for their own garden." 

As everyone settles in and enjoys a snack, invite your guests to trade gardening tips from last year, swap seeds and finalize their planting plans. After all, "seed-starting in a group can foster discussion, learning and sharing of ideas," said Ghafari. 

Then, it's time to get sowing! Watch Ghafari's full tutorial for step-by-step instructions, plus some expert tips and tricks.