By Jennifer Langille

This is seven-year-old me, gazing in excited wonder at a bean seedling about to be born. I remember planting this bean seed with my dad and watching that pot by the hour. For as long as I can remember, I have been awestruck at the sight of a seedling emerging from the soil. The anticipation is exhilarating, and the sprouting process is nothing short of miraculous. Read more about the miracle of seeds here.
Why Start Seeds Indoors?
You might be wondering: why not just sow seeds directly in the garden or buy transplants from the garden centre? Starting seeds indoors has several advantages:
- Control – You can manage temperature, light and water to ensure strong, healthy plants.
- Head Start – Indoor seed starting allows you to have robust transplants ready to plant out when the weather is suitable.
- Cost savings – A packet of seeds can yield dozens (maybe hundreds!) of plants for the price of a few store-bought transplants.
- Variety – Seed catalogues can offer a far greater selection than most nurseries. Veseys has fifty-four varieties of tomatoes alone!
- Satisfaction – There is nothing quite like sharing the fruits of your labour with friends and family and being able to boast “I grew this ~ insert gorgeous fruit, vegetable or flower ~ from seed!”

Timing: When to Start Seeds
So – you’ve decided to give indoor seed starting a try – great! But when should you begin?
Two key pieces of information will help you determine the right time:
- Your last average frost-free date for your location. Learn why this is important and how to determine yours here.
- The recommended sowing time on your seed packet. This varies by plant; some need months, while others require just a few weeks before planting outdoors.

There are many tools to help you create a planting schedule, including apps, websites, and spreadsheets. I prefer an old-fashioned wall calendar – mark your last frost date, count backward, and list what to start each week.
Winter blahs and Spring fever are REAL – but resist the urge to start your seeds too early! Here in Northern Nova Scotia, our long, cool springs mean most seeds will be started in late April to early May. Seedlings do best when they receive 16 hours of light per day, and now, in February, we only get 9-10 hours of natural daylight. So, sit tight, and use this time to plan, organize and read up on gardening. If you are eager to start seeds now, why not give winter sowing a try?
12 Steps to Seed Starting Success
- Gather your supplies

The basic equipment is simple and inexpensive. As you gain experience, you can invest in fancier tools, but for now, keep it simple:
- Seeds: Beginner-friendly options include kale, lettuce, tomato, beans, squash, onions, sunflowers, sweet peas, cosmos, zinnias, marigolds and nasturtiums.
- Containers: egg cartons, yogurt cups, salad containers, or seed trays all work – anything that provides a reservoir for soil and water will do. Ensure proper drainage by poking a few holes in the bottom. Paper pots are fun to make with kids; learn how to make them here.

- Trays: A cookie sheet, roasting pan or boot tray will catch excess water.
- Humidity dome: A clear plastic cover speeds up germination but isn’t essential. Plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag also works.
- Labels: Even if you think you‘ll remember what you planted – you won’t! Make labels from household items or buy them.

- Seed-starting mix: A sterile, soilless medium that is light and fluffy and helps prevent issues like overwatering and root rot. Avoid regular potting soil or garden soil.

- Watering can and spray bottle: a gentle mist prevents disturbing your seeds.
2. Prepare the Soil
Dampen your seed-starting mix in a container until it feels uniformly damp, like wet sand. This prevents air pockets, settles the soil evenly into the container and helps the seeds make good contact with the soil. Fill containers, leaving about 1 cm of space from the rim and tap the bottom gently on your work surface.
3. Label your containers
Before you go any further, clean your hands and label your containers with the plant name and date of planting.
4. Sow Your Seeds
Follow seed packet directions for planting depth. A general rule: cover with 2-3 times their width (not their length) in soil. Some seeds require light to germinate and should not be covered at all.

- Water Gently
Mist seeds with a gentle mist of lukewarm water from a spray bottle. You started with moistened soil, so this is a light watering just to settle the seeds into the soil.
- Cover & Provide Warmth
Cover with a humidity dome and place in a warm spot. Seeds don’t need light yet, but they do need warmth to germinate. During this time, only water if the soil feels dry to the touch. A seedling heat mat can help but isn’t essential.
- Monitor Germination
Be patient and resist the urge to become a helicopter-plant-parent! Some seeds sprout in days, others take weeks. Avoid overwatering—this is the #1 mistake in seed starting.

- Move to Light
Once 50% of the seeds have germinated, remove the humidity cover. Place seedlings in the brightest spot you have, like a South-facing window. As mentioned, 16 hours of daylight is optimal, and if seedlings don’t receive enough light, they can become stretched and weak. If you observe this, rotate your trays each day.
It is preferable to provide supplemental lighting. Grow lights are readily available in a wide range of styles and prices.
- A standard fluorescent shop light with one warm-white and one cool-white bulb works just fine, although the price of LED grow lights has come down in recent years.
- Keep the lights 3” above the plants and on for 16 hrs per day.

9. Thin Seedlings
If too many seedlings sprout in one container, leave the strongest-looking ones by snipping the extras at soil level with a small pair of scissors. This prevents overcrowding and promotes strong growth.
- Water Carefully
Be careful of overwatering your seedlings! Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to promote oxygen flow to the roots through the open spaces in the soil. This is as essential for growth as water, light and good soil. Bottom watering (pouring water into the tray to be absorb upward) is best – it distributes moisture evenly and is also gentler on delicate seedlings.
- Fertilize
Once they have their first set of true leaves (the second set of leaves), start fertilizing at ¼ strength, increasing the strength each week. Most fertilizers advise weekly fertilizing – I make a habit of doing it every Monday.

12. Transplant and Harden Off
Once your seedlings have 4-6 sets of leaves, it’s time to transplant them into larger containers. This will trigger the roots, stems and leaves to grow into their new space.
Hardening off is the process of helping your plants adjust from their indoor environment to their new outdoor environment. Over a period of about 1 to 2 weeks:
- Start by placing them outside in shade & shelter for a few hours.
- Gradually increase sun & wind exposure each day.
- Avoid transplant shock by bringing them in if temperatures dip too low.

Final Thoughts
Starting seeds indoors is a fun pastime that I truly love. Just like my seven-year-old self watching that tiny bean seedling emerge, I still find joy in the anticipation and wonder of new growth. Over the years, I’ve adjusted my methods, found my rhythm, and learned not to get too caught up in the details. There are always mishaps and surprises, but to me, any gardening activity is a success as long as I’m enjoying it. I hope you give indoor seed starting a try—because there’s nothing quite like witnessing that first sprout push through the soil, full of promise and possibility.
February 2025
Our sponsor, Veseys Seeds, is offering free shipping on seed orders.
Use the code NORTH25 at checkout to take advantage of this great offer and support this site. Expires: November 30, 2025.
