While it might still feel like the heart of winter outside here in Strathcona County, for a gardener, the season has already begun. We are roughly 90 days away from our “safe” planting date—traditionally the May long weekend—which means right now is the perfect time to start your indoor nursery.
Starting from seed isn’t just a budget-friendly way to fill your garden; it’s an act of optimism. It’s also a powerful way to take climate action by choosing heritage varieties that are resilient to our specific Alberta conditions and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting nursery-grown plants.
Timing Your Success
In Zone 3, timing is everything. Start too early, and your plants become “leggy” and stressed; start too late, and our short summer might end before your first harvest.
| What to Start Now (Late Feb/Early March) | What to Wait For (Late March/April) |
| Peppers & Eggplants: They need a long head start and lots of heat. | Tomatoes: If started too early, they’ll outgrow their pots before June. |
| Onions & Leeks: These take their time to build a strong bulb. | Cucumbers & Squash: These grow rapidly and hate having their roots moved. |
| Slow Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano. | Zinnias & Marigolds: These quick growers only need about 6 weeks. |
The Eco-Conscious Toolkit
You don’t need a fancy setup to grow healthy seedlings. In fact, some of the best tools are already in your home:
- Repurpose with Purpose: Instead of buying plastic trays, use egg cartons, yogurt containers (with holes poked in the bottom), or even folded newspaper pots. These reduce waste and keep plastic out of our landfills.
- The Right “Dirt”: Use a dedicated seed-starting mix. It’s lighter and sterile, preventing “damping off”—a fungal disease that can kill tiny sprouts overnight.
- Light is Life: Our Alberta winter sun is still a bit weak. If your seedlings look like they are “stretching” toward the window, they need more light. A smart plug paired with a simple LED shop light can automate a 14-hour “day” for your plants.
- A Gentle Breeze: Once your seeds sprout, place a small fan nearby. A light breeze mimics the outdoors, strengthening the stems so they don’t snap when they finally meet the Strathcona wind.
A Note on Sustainability
As members of Strathcona in Bloom, we know that a beautiful community is a healthy ecosystem. When choosing your seeds this year, consider adding a few Alberta native species like Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) or Giant Hyssop. These plants are naturally adapted to our cycles of “last-minute snow” and “summer heat,” requiring less water and providing vital fuel for our local pollinators.
What’s Next?
In a few weeks, we’ll discuss the “Hardening Off” process—the delicate dance of introducing your indoor babies to the great outdoors. Until then, enjoy the quiet magic of those first green hooks pushing through the soil.
Do you have a favorite heirloom variety that thrives in our local soil? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
Strathcona In Bloom 