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 and perennials.
You don’t need a huge setup to start. A tray, seed-starting mix, and a light go a long way.
Zone 4 - Petawawa / Pembroke: Seeds to sow now
Zone 4 growers get a shorter season, so starting early helps a lot.
Start indoors now:
| Seed/Plant | Avg time to sprout | Main needs | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super hot peppers | 10–30 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Hot peppers | 7–21 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Chives | 7–14 days | Bright light, keep evenly moist | 2–4 weeks before last frost (hardy) |
| Parsley | 14–28 days | Patience + steady moisture + bright light | 2–3 weeks before last frost (tolerates cool) |
| Geraniums | 7–21 days | Warmth + strong light | After last frost (no cold nights) |
| Perennials (assorted) | 14–30+ days | Depends on variety (some need cold stratification) | After last frost (follow tag) |
| Wax begonias | 10–21 days | Warmth + light (surface sow) | After last frost (warm soil) |
Zone 5 - Ottawa: Seeds to sow now
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 | 7–21 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Chives | 7–14 days | Bright light, evenly moist | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
| Rosemary | 14–28+ days | Warmth + light (slow starter) | After last frost (warm nights) |
| Parsley | 14–28 days | Steady moisture + bright light | 2–3 weeks before last frost |
| Thyme | 7–21 days | Light (surface sow) + don’t overwater | 1–2 weeks before last frost |
| Geraniums | 7–21 days | Warmth + strong light | After last frost |
| Perennials (assorted) | 14–30+ days | Varies (some need cold stratification) | After last frost (follow tag) |
| Wax begonias | 10–21 days | Warmth + light (surface sow) | After last frost |
| Wave petunias | 5–14 days | Light (surface sow) + grow light | After last frost |
| Pansy | 7–14 days | Cooler temps (15–20°C), light | 2–4 weeks before last frost (cool-season) |
| Viola | 7–14 days | Cooler temps (15–20°C), light | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
Zone 6 - Brockville: Seeds to sow now
Zone 6 typically warms up sooner, so you can start a wider mix without pushing your space too early.
Start indoors now:
| Seed/Plant | Avg time to sprout | Main needs | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peppers (hot/sweet) | 7–21 days | Heat mat (27–30°C) + grow light | After last frost + nights 10–12°C+ |
| Chives | 7–14 days | Bright light, evenly moist | 2–4 weeks before last frost |
| Rosemary | 14–28+ days | Warmth + light (slow starter) | After last frost |
| Parsley | 14–28 days | Steady moisture + bright light | 2–3 weeks before 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 |
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 often 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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