Preparing Seeds for Upcoming Growing Period
In the heart of Canada, gardening enthusiasts are gearing up for the new growing season, and selecting the right annual vegetable seeds is crucial for a successful harvest. Here's a guide to help you make the best choices for Canada's short growing seasons.
Yonder Hill Farm, Matchbox Garden, Sage North Seeds, and other Canadian seed companies offer a variety of seeds suitable for our climate. Similarly, in the USA, companies like Johnny's Selected Seed, High Mowing Organic Seed, and Territorial Seed Company provide a wide range of options.
For a quick harvest, consider radishes, lettuce, peas, spinach, carrots (Little Finger variety), and green beans. Radishes, for instance, mature in as little as 20 to 25 days, making them ideal for late-season planting and tolerant of cool weather. Lettuce, peas, spinach, and carrots also have short maturation periods, making them suitable for Canada's climate.
Green beans, bush varieties in particular, mature in about 50 to 55 days, making them a good choice for short seasons.
To optimise your garden, use a seed planting calendar. Tools like the interactive seed starting calculator can help create a customised planting schedule based on your ZIP code and frost dates.
Choosing cold-hardy varieties and considering planting in protected areas like greenhouses or cold frames can extend the growing season.
By focusing on these vegetables and using the right planting strategies, gardeners in Canada can enjoy a productive harvest even in areas with a short growing season.
Remember, the days to maturity refer to the optimal growing condition time from seedling to harvest.
In addition to these tips, consider heirloom, open-pollinated, naturally, or organically grown seeds from local growers as a second best option. Knowing the frost-free days in your region is crucial for determining the maturity period of the seeds.
Links to find frost dates in Canada and the USA are provided to help you plan your garden.
For heat-loving plants, choose varieties that mature faster.
Happy gardening, and may your harvest be bountiful!
