Early March is when seed-starting really kicks into gear in Zones 4–6.
Days are getting longer, the sun is stronger, and this is the perfect window to start anything that needs a head start indoors, especially long-season crops and slower-growing flowers.
You still don’t need a complicated setup. A tray, seed-starting mix, labels, and a light will get you great results. If you’re starting peppers, eggplants, and a few picky seeds, adding a heat mat makes everything faster and more reliable.
ZONE 4 — PETAWAWA / PEMBROKE
| Veggies to Start Now | Flowers to Start Now |
|---|---|
| Peppers (hot + sweet) | Impatiens |
| Eggplants | Gazania |
| Celery | Pom Pom Marigolds |
| Brussels sprouts | Coleus |
| Cabbage | Alyssum |
| Kale | Cleome |
| Cauliflower | |
| Kohlrabi |
ZONE 5 — OTTAWA
| Veggies to Start Now | Flowers to Start Now |
|---|---|
| Peppers | Impatiens |
| Eggplants | Marigolds |
| Tomatoes | Pom Pom Marigolds |
| Cabbage | Double petunias |
| Brussels sprouts | Flowering kale |
| Kale | Alyssum |
| Cauliflower | Cleome |
| Kohlrabi | Celosia |
ZONE 6 — BROCKVILLE
| Veggies to Start Now | Flowers to Start Now |
|---|---|
| Peppers | Marigolds |
| Heirloom tomatoes | Double petunias |
| Cabbage | Dahlia |
| Broccoli | Flowering kale |
| Brussels sprouts | Ageratum |
| Kale | Alyssum |
| Cauliflower | Celosia |
| Kohlrabi |
PRO TIP: START STRONG
(SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO “FIX” SEEDLINGS LATER)
Most seed-starting problems come down to two things: not enough light and soil that’s too cold.
For sturdy, fast starts:
-
Use a grow light (keeps seedlings compact and strong)
-
Use a heat mat for peppers/eggplants (warm soil = faster germination)
-
Keep soil evenly moist (damp, not soaked)
-
Pot up once plants have a few sets of true leaves if outdoor planting is still weeks away
Need help choosing seeds or supplies?
Pop into any Ritchie’s location and we’ll help you match your seeds to the right trays, soil, lights, and timing for your zone, so you get strong seedlings from day one.
Shop seed-starting essentials online here: https://www.ritchiefeed.com
