DOWN EARTH
Indoor seedlings
Starting seedlings indoors is easy
SEEDLINGS
Our goal is to democratize gardening. You don’t have to be a chef to cook. You don’t need to be an expert to get your hands dirty. Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time gardener, indomitable, resilient, “come what may” or “off the beaten track” type of person, this guide is for you!
SEEDLINGS OUR MISSION
WHY START YOUR SEEDLINGS INDOORS?
Save money
Growing your own annuals and vegetables from seedlings is much more affordable. This saves you the cost of buying alreadygrown plants, which are often more expensive.
A pleasant, rewarding experience
The process of starting seedlings and monitoring their growth is an experience in itself—and very rewarding. Watching your plants develop from their earliest stages offers a unique sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Greater diversity of varieties
By starting your seedlings indoors, you’ll have access to a broader range of varieties.
At your Passion Jardins garden centre, you’ll find a vast selection of seeds, allowing you to grow unique varieties that aren’t always available as plants.
The pride of doing it yourself
There’s a special pride in knowing that the plants you grow have been nurtured by you, from the very beginning. This adds personal and emotional value to your garden, making each flower and vegetable all the more special.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
1
Choose vegetable, herb and annual seeds according to your preferences.
2
Use a potting soil specially designed for seedlings, such as Fafard SEED Starting Mix.
3
Prepare pots for seedlings. Don’t hesitate to recycle: many suitable containers are probably already in your recycling bin.
Approved for organic gardening, the Fafard SEED Starting Mix is specially designed for seed germination (vegetables, flowers and herbs), cuttings (leaves, stems and roots) as well as growing microgreens. This Starting Mix contains coconut fiber to help retain moisture for optimal germination. It is also enriched with natural fertilizer to help establish young plants after germination.
4 5 6
Cover your seedlings with a transparent plastic dome, like a mini-greenhouse. You can also use plastic film as an alternative.
Mark your seedlings with identifying sticks. This is a fun activity to do with the kids, decorating the sticks with pretty designs.
Use a spray bottle and a small watering can with a shower head for gentle watering.
STEP STEP by
In a bowl, moisten the potting soil well before placing it in the pots. Make sure your pots are perforated so that the water doesn’t stagnate, and place them in a tray to avoid damage.
Place your seeds in the soil according to the instructions on the packet, and don’t forget to identify and date them so you can follow their progress.
Place your seedlings in a well-lit spot and wait. Within a few days, you should see the first little growths appear! 1 3 2 4
Spray lightly before covering with the plastic dome, ensuring a good dose of humidity and heat for seed emergence. If you’ve watered well, you shouldn’t need to do it again during the germination period. The dome will create the necessary condensation. If there is no condensation, spray again.
Wrong timing for sowing: sowing too early or too late can affect plant growth. Refer to your seed packet or the advice of your Passion Jardins experts.
Lack of light: indoor seedlings need plenty of light to grow well. Insufficient light can result in etiolated, weak seedlings.
Over- or under-watering: soil moisture must be balanced. Too much water can cause root rot, while too little can dry out young plants.
Inappropriate temperature: seedlings require specific temperatures to germinate and grow healthily. Temperatures that are too high or too low can be detrimental.
Using the wrong substrate: poor-quality or inappropriate potting soil can affect seedling growth. We recommend using a substrate specially designed for seedlings.
Lack of space: Seedlings need sufficient space to develop. Overcrowding can limit their growth and encourage the development of disease.
Neglecting acclimatization: Gradually acclimatizing seedlings outdoors is crucial before transplanting them.
7 MISTAKES TO AVOID
MY PLANTS GROW IN A SINGLE-STEMMED FASHION
Are your shoots growing very high and looking frail and weak? It could be a lack of light. Seedlings need plenty of sunlight to grow well. If you don’t have enough light, use adjustable accent lighting. Available from your Passion Jardins garden centre, these fluorescent tubes will help your seedlings grow straight and strong!
NOTHING GROWS OR EVERYTHING COLLAPSES AS SOON AS IT EMERGES FROM THE GROUND
Your best option is to start from scratch, disinfecting all your containers and tools with a 1:10 mixture of bleach and water.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS?
LOW GERMINATION RATE
If very few shoots emerge from the ground, perhaps your seeds weren’t at their best. Seeds can be stored for some time but have a shelf life. If your germination rate is low, buying new ones is best. Make sure you choose a good, rich potting soil specially designed for seedlings. It will help you achieve greater success.
MY PLANTS ARE WILTED
If your plants turn yellow or wilt, they may have received too much water, and the roots have rotted. You want to keep your soil moist but not soggy. Here’s a tip: if you squeeze a clod of soil between your fingers, the water shouldn’t run out. You may have to start your seedlings again if they’ve been drowned. The good news: you still have time.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS?
THERE ARE TINY FLIES IN MY SEEDLINGS
Seedlings can be infested by small fruit fly-like soil flies and their transparent, black-headed larvae. These larvae, feeding on decomposing organic matter, are generally harmless but can damage very young seedling roots. To control them, use yellow sticky traps and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. To prevent infestation, use potting soil designed for seedlings.
WHEN TO SOW INDOORS?
February
March
April
Begonia
Geranium Impatiens
Eggplant
Celery
Celery root
Ground cherry
Brussels sprouts
Chives
Coleus
Onion
Oregano
Violet
Parsley
Leek
Peppers
Petunia
Rosemary
Thunbergia
Thyme
Tomato
Verbena
Alyssum
Basil
Swiss chard
Broccoli
Garden nasturtium
Cabbage
Cosmos
Lettuce
India Carnation
Rudbeckia
Calendula
Zinnia
Bas-Saint-Laurent
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Lac-St-Jean
AMÉNAGEMENT
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