Seeds & Plant Starting Hub

From germination to seed saving

Whether you're starting vegetables, flowers, herbs, or native plants, this hub will help you start seeds successfully, understand common seed treatments, and solve problems when things don't go as planned.

Featured Resource: Seed Stratification Reference Chart

Many flowers, perennials, and native plants require a period of cold stratification before they will germinate. Use this reference chart to quickly check whether a plant needs cold treatment before sowing.

View the Stratification Reference Chart →

Choose Your Starting Point

Start Seeds

New to seed starting or preparing for the growing season.

Learn About Seeds

Understand germination, seed treatments, and long-term storage.

Solve Seed Problems

Troubleshoot poor germination and weak seedlings.

Seasonal Seed Checklist

Late Winter: Start slow-growing flowers and stratified seeds.
Spring: Start vegetables and warm-season crops indoors.
Late Spring: Direct sow hardy vegetables and annual flowers.
Summer: Save seed from open-pollinated plants.
Fall: Prepare seeds for storage and sow suitable species for natural stratification.

Quick Seed Facts

Not every seed requires stratification.
Temperature and moisture affect germination more than most gardeners realize.
Many perennial flowers germinate naturally outdoors after winter.
Proper seed storage can extend viability for years.

Explore More Gardening Topics

Site support: Advertising helps support canadian-gardening.ca and keeps the site free for everyone.