Seed Starting in New Brunswick

January 30, 2025

Winter may be long in New Brunswick, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a jump on your gardening season. Starting seeds indoors is a fantastic way to extend your growing season, grow healthier plants, and ensure you’re ready to transplant as soon as the weather warms up. Be sure to refer to each seed package for specific information and guidance, as each variety may differ in seeding times, temperature, and lighting needs. Let each package be your guide. Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from planning your seed calendar to using the right tools like heating mats and grow lights.

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Why Start Seeds Indoors?

Starting seeds indoors offers several advantages:

•    Extend Your Growing Season: Our growing season in New Brunswick is relatively short, but recent trends show that fall weather is staying warmer later, allowing gardeners to extend their growing season even further. Starting seeds indoors gives your plants a head start, ensuring they have enough time to mature and produce.
•    Grow Healthier Transplants: By starting seeds indoors, you can control light, temperature, and watering to grow stronger seedlings.
•    Save Money: Growing from seed is much more cost-effective than buying mature plants.

Planning Your Seed Starting Calendar

The first step to seed-starting success is knowing what to plant and when. Different plants have different growth timelines, so timing is everything. To help you plan, here’s a seed starting schedule tailored for New Brunswick gardeners:

Pro Tip: 

After the full moon of June or the second week of June (whichever comes first) is usually a safe time for heat-loving plants to go outside.

Keep an eye on the weather in May and June to cover your rows if there’s a risk of frost.

 

If your veggies start flowering early, pinching the flower off will help the plant focus on getting bigger and stronger instead of focusing on producing fruit.

Essential Tools for Seed Starting

To give your seeds the best possible start, you’ll need a few key tools and techniques:

1.    Seedling Trays and Containers

Use seedling trays or small containers with drainage holes. These allow you to start multiple seeds while ensuring proper drainage. Reusable plastic trays, biodegradable pots, or even upcycled containers like yogurt cups work well. Domes can also be very useful to get your seeds to sprout, as it helps keep the humidity in.

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2.    Seedling Heat Mats

Many seeds, like lavender, peppers and tomatoes, benefit from a warm soil to germinate. A seedling heat mat ensures a consistent temperature for optimal germination. Simply place the heat mat under your seed trays, and you’ll see quicker and more uniform sprouting. Once germination is complete, remove the heat mat to avoid overheating.

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3.    Grow Lights

Natural sunlight is limited during winter and early spring, so grow lights can be a helpful tool for successful seed starting. While seeds can be started anytime, starting early or using grow lights may lead to faster growth, which could require repotting before transplanting outdoors. Grow lights also help prevent seedlings from becoming too leggy by providing consistent light. Look for full-spectrum LED or fluorescent lights, positioning them 4-6 inches above your seedlings, and provide 12-16 hours of light per day to encourage strong, healthy plants.

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4.    Quality Seed-Starting Mix

Avoid using regular garden soil for seed starting. Instead, choose a light, well-draining seed-starting mix that’s specifically designed for young seedlings.

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5.    Watering Tools

Use a gentle spray bottle or watering can to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to mold or root rot. Once your plants are well sprouted, let the soil dry out between waterings to encourage roots to branch out in search of water. Deep watering, rather than frequent shallow watering, helps to establish a robust root system.

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6.    Row Covers

For early plants and cold-tolerant crops planted in May, row covers can be a lifesaver during frosty or cold nights. These lightweight covers protect your plants from the cold, providing an extra layer of warmth to help them thrive in unpredictable early-season weather. Row covers can also be used in the fall to protect your crops during cold or frosty nights and extend your growing season.

Steps to Start Seeds Indoors

1. Choose Your Seeds

Pay attention to the days-to-maturity information on your seed packets. This is crucial for maximizing your time to harvest, as it ensures you select plants that will reach maturity within your growing season.

1. Choose Your Seeds

Pay attention to the days-to-maturity information on your seed packets. This is crucial for maximizing your time to harvest, as it ensures you select plants that will reach maturity within your growing season.

2. Fill Containers with Seed-Starting Mix

Moisten the mix slightly before filling your trays or pots. Once filled, gently compress the soil to minimize the risk of the seed dropping too deeply during watering. This helps ensure your seeds are planted at the right depth for optimal germination.

3. Plant Your Seeds

Follow the depth guidelines on your seed packet. Most seeds are planted 2-3 times as deep as their diameter.

4. Cover and Label

Cover seeds lightly with mix if needed and label each variety.

5. Water Gently

Mist the surface to keep it evenly moist.

6. Provide Heat and Light

Place trays on a heat mat and under grow lights.

7. Transplant as Needed

Once seedlings have 2-3 sets of true leaves, transplant them into larger pots if necessary. Potting up allows for a good rooting system to develop before going outside. 

Tips for Seed Starting Success

•    Don’t Rush: Starting seeds too early can lead to overgrown, leggy plants. Follow your calendar.


•    Rotate Seedlings: Rotate trays occasionally to ensure even light exposure and prevent leaning.


•    Harden Off Plants: Before transplanting, acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions by gradually exposing them to sunlight and cooler temperatures over 7-10 days. The ideal first day for transplanting outside should be a shady, non-windy day to minimize transplant shock.


•    Check for Pests: For fungus gnats, spread a layer of small stones on top of the soil to stop them from laying eggs. Another trick is to place potato peelings, cut side down, on the soil surface. After 24 hours, collect the peelings; the larvae should be attached. Dispose of them to reduce infestations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•    Overwatering: Water according to the root size. Smaller seedlings require less water, while larger ones need more. Keep the soil damp, not soaking.
•    Skipping Labels: Always label your trays to avoid confusion later.
•    Too Much Heat: Remove domes and heat mats after germination to prevent overheating. Seedlings need airflow and cooler temperatures once they emerge.

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Ready to Start?

At Scott’s Nursery, we have everything you need to start seeds indoors: trays, grow lights, organic fertilizers, heat mats, and a wide variety of seeds. Stop by our store or visit our website to get started today! 🌱


Let us help you turn your indoor seed-starting journey into a thriving garden. Happy planting! 🌻

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