Why Start Seeds Indoors? Starting seeds indoors allows you to extend the growing season, especially in climates like Prince George where the growing season is shorter due to cooler temperatures. With a wider selection of seeds available compared to bedding plants, you can choose from heirloom varieties, short-season crops, and organic options. Starting your own seeds is also cost-effective; a single packet of seeds can yield hundreds of plants for a fraction of the cost of buying mature plants.
Some seeds can be directly sown into the garden in May, but there are other seed varieties that require a longer growing season, and these should be started indoors and then planted outdoors. Most flowers, as well as some vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, celery, and leeks, can be started in March. Other vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, corn, cucumber, lettuce, squash, and zucchini can be started indoors throughout April to get a head start on the season.
Check out the regional planting chart crafted by our friends at West Coast Seeds for some helpful info: westcoastseeds.com/blogs/regional-planting-charts.
Supplies Needed:
Containers: Use plastic or peat containers suitable for seed starting.
Tray: To hold the containers.
Clear Dome: To cover the tray and create a greenhouse effect.
Starter Mix: Essential for healthy seed growth.
Heat Mat: Speeds up germination by providing bottom heat.
Adjustable Light Stand: Ensures your seedlings receive enough light.
Cleaning Supplies: A mild bleach solution for sanitizing reused materials.
Seeds
Did you know? Art Knapp has the largest selection of seeds in Prince George! Our seeds are usually fully stocked by mid-January.
such as resistance to pests or adverse conditions.
Organic: Seeds certified as produced without synthetic chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, adhering to organic farming standards.
Pelleted: Seeds coated with an inert material to make them larger and easier to handle, which is particularly useful for very small seeds.
Open-Pollinated: Seeds from plants that pollinate naturally through wind, insects, or birds, capable of producing similar offspring to the parent plant.
F1 Hybrid: The first generation of seeds from two distinct parent plants, known for vigor and consistency but not suitable for saving seeds as subsequent generations will vary.
Germination Rate: The percentage of seeds that can be expected to sprout under normal conditions.
Days to Maturity: The expected time from planting to harvest, helping gardeners plan their growing season.
Seed Selection: Based on the Northern BC Vegetable Planting Guide from West Coast Seeds, here are some vegetables you might start indoors:
March Start: Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, celery, and leeks.
April Start: Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, corn, cucumber, lettuce, squash, and zucchini.
lanting Timelines:
In regions like Prince George, where the growing season is compressed due to cooler temperatures, starting seeds indoors is not just a benefit—it's often a necessity for achieving a full growing cycle.
Timing Seed Starting
To make the most of the growing season, follow a detailed planting schedule:
Late March: Start warmth-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors. These plants need a long season to produce fruit and starting them early indoors gives them a head start.
Early to Mid-April: Begin seeds for slower-growing, cool-season crops such as celery, onions, and leeks. These plants benefit from an early start to ensure they develop fully before cooler temperatures set in at the end of the season.
Late April to Early May: Sow fast-maturing crops like lettuce, cucumbers, and zucchini indoors. These plants grow quickly and can be moved to the garden soon after the last frost, allowing for successive planting opportunities.
Integrating Crop Rotation
Starting seeds indoors allows for precise timing of transplanting, which can be aligned with a crop rotation plan to optimize garden space and health:
Prevent Soil Depletion: Rotate crops to manage nutrient uptake and replenishment. For example, follow nitrogen-fixing legumes with nitrogen-loving leafy greens.
Reduce Pest and Disease Risk: Change where crops are planted each year to interrupt the life cycles of pests and diseases that thrive on specific plants.
Planting Process:
Prepare Containers: Fill containers with moistened starter mix nearly to the top.
Sow Seeds: Sprinkle seeds into the containers, covering lightly with more mix. For peat pellets or pots, sowing two seeds per unit is sufficient.
Heat and Humidity: Place the tray on a heat mat and cover with a clear dome to maintain moisture.
Lighting: Once seeds germinate, provide plenty of direct light—either from a south-facing window or an adjustable light stand placed about 15-20 cm above the seedlings.
How to Tell if Your Seeds Have Germinated
Sprout Emergence: The first sign of germination is the appearance of a sprout, or radicle, which will become the plant’s root. This usually shows as a small white tip emerging from the seed.
Cotyledons: These are the first leaves to emerge from the soil, part of the seed’s embryo. They're generally rounder and appear before the true leaves.
True Leaves: After the cotyledons, look for the development of true leaves, which have distinct shapes and textures that vary by plant type.
Care and Fertilization:
After seeds have germinated, remove the dome to promote better air circulation and turn off the heat mat to encourage strong, sturdy growth.
Start with a high-phosphorus fertilizer (10-52-10) to encourage robust root development. As plants grow, switch to a balanced fertilizer formula (20-20-20) to support overall health.
Begin the hardening-off process by placing young plants outdoors during the day and bringing them inside at night. This gradual exposure helps plants adjust to the outdoor environment.
Ensure frost-sensitive plants like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and corn are not placed outdoors permanently until all threat of frost has passed. This protects them from cold damage during unexpected late cold snaps.
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