Roubos Greenhouses

So you want to know more about seeding your own flowers and vegetables. (Really, it’s much easier, a lot less work to just come to Roubos Greenhouses and purchase plants that have already received the love and care needed to get to the planting stage but…..if you’re determined, the following hints may help.

If you’re thinking about starting your own vegetable or flower garden from seed, it’s important to know the best time to start indoor planting and when to transplant your seedlings outdoors. Timing is crucial to ensure that your plants grow and flourish properly.

Vegetables

For most vegetables, once the seedling is approximately 4 inches tall they are ready to be transplanted outdoors once the danger of frost has gone. For southern Ontario, the general rule here is May 24.

BASIL

Basil is a popular herb that’s often used in cooking. It’s best to start basil seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Basil prefers warm weather, so make sure to plant it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes are a staple in many home gardens. They’re best started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil to grow properly.

BROCCOLI

Broccoli is a cold-tolerant vegetable that’s best started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Broccoli prefers cooler temperatures and rich, well-draining soil.

CAULIFLOWER

Cauliflower is another cold-tolerant vegetable that’s best started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Cauliflower also prefers cooler temperatures and well-draining soil.

PEPPERS

Peppers are a popular vegetable that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re best started indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Peppers need plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil to grow properly.

PARLSEY

Parsley is an herb that’s often used in cooking. It’s best started indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Parsley prefers cool temperatures and well-draining soil.

CABBAGE

Cabbage is a cool-weather crop that can be grown indoors or outdoors. Start your cabbage seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last expected frost date. Cabbage prefers cool temperatures and moist soil, so be sure to keep the soil evenly moist and protect your plants from pests and diseases.

PUMPKIN

Before planting pumpkin seeds, it's important to choose a location that receives full sun exposure and has well-draining soil. Once the seedlings have reached about 2-3 inches in height, it's time to transplant them outdoors. The ideal time for transplanting is about 2-3 weeks after the last spring frost. This is usually around mid to late May in most regions.

When transplanting, make sure to plant the pumpkin seedlings in a spot that receives full sun and has plenty of space for them to grow. It's also important to ensure that the soil is well-draining and nutrient-rich. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide support for the vines as they grow.

In terms of harvesting, pumpkins are usually ready to be picked when the skin has turned a deep orange color and the stem has started to dry out. This typically occurs in late September or early October, depending on your location and the variety of pumpkin you are growing.

BEETS

Beets are a hardy vegetable that can withstand frost, making them a great choice for outdoor planting. However, if you're looking to start your beets indoors, the best time to do so is about six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date. This will give them enough time to grow and mature before they are transplanted outdoors.

KALE

Kale, on the other hand, is a cool-season crop that can be grown either indoors or outdoors. If you're starting kale from seed, it's best to start them indoors about six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date. However, if you're planting kale outdoors, you can do so in early spring or in the fall when the weather is cooler.

CELERY

Celery is another cool-season crop that can be grown either indoors or outdoors. If you're starting celery indoors, it's best to do so about eight to ten weeks before the last expected frost date. Celery seedlings are delicate, so it's important to keep them in a warm and moist environment until they are ready to be transplanted outdoors.

CUCUMBER

The best time for planting and transplanting cucumber in hardiness zone 6a is between mid-May and mid-June. Cucumbers prefer soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves and stems, and should be done once or twice a week. Natural pest control methods include manually removing any insects from the plant and encouraging natural predators, such as ladybugs, to the garden.

ONIONS

The best time for planting and transplanting onions in hardiness zone 6a is between mid-March and mid-May. Onions prefer soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. Watering can be done by sprinkling the ground around the base of the plant and should be done once or twice a week. Natural pest control methods include manually removing any insects from the plant and encouraging natural predators, such as ladybugs, to the garden.

LETTUCE

The best time for planting and transplanting lettuce in hardiness zone 6a is between mid-March and mid-May. Lettuce prefers soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves and stems, and should be done once or twice a week. Natural pest control methods include manually removing any insects from the plant and encouraging natural predators, such as ladybugs, to the garden.

MELON

The best time for planting and transplanting melon in hardiness zone 6a is between mid-April and mid-June. Melons prefer soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. Watering should be done at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves and stems, and should be done once or twice a week. Natural pest control methods include manually removing any insects from the plant and encouraging natural predators, such as ladybugs, to the garden.

Planting and Transplanting Flowers in Temperate Zone 6a

Welcome all you green-thumbed gardening enthusiasts! Are you ready to add some color and life to your garden? You're in luck! In this article, we're going to dive into the optimal times for seeding and transplanting some favourite annual flowers in Zone 6a. From the sassy Black-eyed Susan to the delicate lavender, we've got you covered. So, put on your gardening gloves, and let's get started!

MARIGOLD

Marigolds are one of the most popular annual flowers, known for their bright and vibrant colors. For hardiness zone 6a, it is best to plant marigold seeds directly into the soil after the last frost in early spring. They thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil. If transplanting, wait until the seedlings are at least 2 inches tall before moving them to a new location.

PETUNIA

Petunias are another favorite annual flower that come in a variety of colors and patterns. For hardiness zone 6a, it is best to start petunia seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date in early spring. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last frost, making sure to choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil.

ZINNIA

Zinnias are a popular choice for adding color and texture to any garden. For hardiness zone 6a, it is best to plant zinnia seeds directly into the soil in early spring after the last frost. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil. If transplanting, wait until the seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall before moving them to a new location.

IMPATIENS

Impatiens are a great option for shady areas of the garden, adding bright colors to areas that may not receive a lot of sunlight. For hardiness zone 6a, it is best to start impatiens seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in early spring. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the last frost, in a location with partial to full shade and well-draining soil.

COSMOS

Cosmos are an easy-to-grow annual flower that produce a wide range of colors and sizes. For hardiness zone 6a, it is best to plant cosmos seeds directly into the soil in early spring after the last frost. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil. If transplanting, wait until the seedlings are at least 3 inches tall before moving them to a new location.

Now on to our most popular perennial flowers found in zone 6a. From the vibrant hues of daffodils to the fragrant blossoms of lavender, we've got you covered. So, grab your gardening gloves and your best gardening hat and get ready to dig in!

PEONIES

Peonies are a staple in many gardens, prized for their fragrant, fluffy blooms. These perennials are best planted in the fall, around six weeks before the first frost. This allows the roots to establish before the cold weather arrives. If you must plant in the spring, make sure to do so early, as peonies need a long growing season to produce blooms.

DAYLILIES

Daylilies are hardy perennials that come in a variety of colors and sizes. The best time to plant daylilies is in the spring, after the threat of frost has passed. These plants are fast growers, so don't worry if you missed the spring planting window - you can also plant in the fall, up until six weeks before the first frost.

LAVENDER

Lavender is a favorite among gardeners and non-gardeners alike, prized for its soothing fragrance and delicate purple flowers. The best time to plant lavender is in the spring, after the last frost. These plants prefer well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine, so choose a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are a hardy, low-maintenance perennial that produces bright yellow flowers with dark centers. These plants are best planted in the spring, after the last frost. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade. If you're planting from seed, start them indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost.

So you want to grow some seeds.....