Plant It

Whether you've started your seedlings from seeds or purchased them from local growers or garden centres, finally planting your vegetables outdoors is an exhilarating experience—especially if you live in an area with long winters and have been eagerly awaiting this moment.

Important Tips for Planting

Know Your Last Frost Date Before planting outside, make sure you know your last frost date to avoid the risk of your carefully nurtured seedlings perishing from a late frost. Checking this date helps you decide the optimal planting time. Frost can be detrimental to young plants, causing damage or even killing them. For more information on growing conditions, you can read about it here: Growing Conditions .

Planting from Seed Planting from seed can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires some knowledge and preparation. Some seeds can tolerate colder temperatures and even endure light frost, remaining dormant until the soil warms up sufficiently. Cold-tolerant vegetables include peas, spinach, and radishes. However, tender plants like tomatoes and peppers need warmer conditions to thrive and you’re better growing these indoors if you have a shorter growing season with long winters. When planting seeds, ensure they are sown at the correct depth and spacing as indicated on the seed packet. If you need more details on how to start from seed, check out our seed starting section: Sow The Seeds

Companion Planting Companion planting involves strategically placing plants together to benefit each other in various ways, such as pest control, pollination, and maximizing space. For example, planting basil near tomatoes can enhance flavour and deter pests, while growing beans with corn and squash (the “Three Sisters” method) creates a mutually beneficial environment. We've discussed companion planting several times. If you're curious about what companion planting is, take a look at our quick explanation here: What is Companion Planting?

For Novice Gardeners It's normal to have questions and concerns. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you get started. Here are some common tips for novice gardeners: