Growing native plants from seed

Have you ever tried growing plants native to your area from seeds? Most plants native to my Toronto zone 5 garden have a built-in dormancy period that doesn’t let them wake up and grow UNLESS they go through 6 weeks of cold. Nature has built this safeguard in so seeds only grow after winter.

While sowing seeds directly in the garden in the fall is one option, if your squirrels and birds are as dedicated as mine, they will dig up and eat anything they can.

I get around this by starting my seeds indoors and getting a jump on the growing season by planting the seedlings outside after the last frost.

Follow my 7 pictures for an easy guide that is sure to inspire you too!

Step 1/7: Prepare a small amount of damp vermiculite in a small zipper bag. Write the name of your seed and the date on the bag and pour in the seed. Make sure you knead the bag so the seeds are evenly distributed. Try to remove as much air as you can and seal the bag.

Step 2/7: You can see that I am serious about growing from seed. I usually start about 40 different varieties that I share with friends and family. I pack up my zipper bags and put them in a tin box IN THE FRIDGE!!!!! (never the freezer!). Putting your seeds in the freezer is the surest way to kill them. I put them in the fridge and make a reminder on my phone to check on them in 6 weeks.

Step 3/7: In about 6 weeks, You will begin seeing roots on most seeds.

Step 4/7: To plant the sprouted seeds, you need a seedling tray or container, potting soil as well as labels.You can get ready-made labels, use popsicle sticks, or make your own using strips cut from plastic containers…. in this case, a small solo drink cup. Use a permanent marker to write the name of your seeds.

Step 5/7: Try not to touch the seeds and use a small teaspoon to put a few in each spot. When, in this case, the seeds are really small, you can just put a scoop of the vermiculite in each spot, knowing that tiny seeds will be in there too!

Step 6/7: Don’t forget to label your tray and cover the planted seeds with more soil. put the tray in a sunny location or on a light stand and water regularly until the seeds sprout.