Your zone affects how early you can start certain seeds indoors. The colder the zone, the more valuable it is to start slow growers early, especially peppers, onions/leeks, and perennials.
You don’t need a huge setup to start. A tray + seed-starting mix + grow light goes a long way (and for peppers, a heat mat is a game-changer).
Zone 4 - Petawawa / Pembroke: Seeds to sow now (Early February)
Zone 4 growers get a shorter season, so starting early helps a lot.
| Seed/Plant | Avg time to sprout | Main needs | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot peppers | 7–21 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Rosemary | 14–28+ days | Warmth + bright light (slow starter) | After last frost (warm nights) |
| Thyme | 7–21 days | Light (surface sow) + don’t overwater | 1–2 weeks before last frost |
| Leeks (seed) | 7–14 days | Bright light + steady moisture | Around last frost to 2 weeks after (harden off) |
| Geraniums | 7–21 days | Warmth + strong light | After last frost (no cold nights) |
| Wave petunias | 5–14 days | Light (surface sow) + grow light | After last frost |
| Perennials (assorted) | 14–30+ days | Varies (some need cold stratification) | After last frost (follow tag) |
| Pansy | 7–14 days | Cooler temps (15–20°C) + light | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
| Viola | 7–14 days | Cooler temps (15–20°C) + light | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
Zone 5 - Ottawa: Seeds to sow now (Early February)
A little more wiggle room than Zone 4, but it’s still worth starting slow growers early.
| Seed/Plant | Avg time to sprout | Main needs | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot peppers / peppers | 7–21 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Onions (seed) | 7–14 days | Bright light + steady moisture | 2–4 weeks before last frost (harden off) |
| Leeks (seed) | 7–14 days | Bright light + steady moisture | Around last frost to 2 weeks after |
| Celeriac | 10–21 days | Light (surface sow) + even moisture | After last frost (cool-season tolerant) |
| Rosemary | 14–28+ days | Warmth + bright light | After last frost |
| Thyme | 7–21 days | Light (surface sow) + don’t overwater | 1–2 weeks before last frost |
| Wave petunias | 5–14 days | Light (surface sow) + grow light | After last frost |
| Perennials (assorted) | 14–30+ days | Varies by type | After last frost (follow tag) |
| Pansy | 7–14 days | Cooler temps (15–20°C) + light | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
| Viola | 7–14 days | Cooler temps (15–20°C) + light | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
Zone 6 - Brockville: Seeds to sow now (Early February)
Zone 6 typically warms sooner, so you can start a wider mix without pushing your space too early.
| Seed/Plant | Avg time to sprout | Main needs | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peppers | 7–21 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Onions (seed) | 7–14 days | Bright light + steady moisture | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
| Leeks (seed) | 7–14 days | Bright light + steady moisture | Around last frost to 2 weeks after |
| Celeriac | 10–21 days | Light (surface sow) + even moisture | After last frost (cool-season tolerant) |
| Rosemary | 14–28+ days | Warmth + bright light | After last frost |
| Thyme | 7–21 days | Light (surface sow) + don’t overwater | 1–2 weeks before last frost |
| Wave petunias | 5–14 days | Light (surface sow) + grow light | After last frost |
| Impatiens | 10–21 days | Warmth + light (surface sow) | After last frost (no cold nights) |
| Coleus | 7–14 days | Warmth + light (surface sow) | After last frost (warm nights) |
| Gazania | 7–21 days | Warmth + strong light | After last frost |
| Perennials (assorted) | 14–30+ days | Varies by type | After last frost (follow tag) |
Pro tip: Peppers need heat (and they’re worth it)
Peppers are slow and picky at the beginning, but if you give them the right start, they reward you all summer.
For the strongest pepper seedlings:
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Use a heat mat (pepper seeds love warm soil)
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Use a grow light (winter windows aren’t enough)
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Keep soil damp, not soaked
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Pot up once they have a few sets of true leaves
Need help picking varieties or supplies?
If you’re not sure what to start, or you want help choosing the right trays, lights, seed-starting mix, or heat mats, pop in and our team will set you up.
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