Seed Starting Basics for Canberra Gardeners

Starting seeds successfully is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening! Here are some key tips, with a Canberra focus:

1. Know Your Timing

Canberra has distinct seasons with cold winters and hot summers.

• Cool Season Crops (e.g., peas, lettuce, broccoli, spinach): Can be started indoors in late winter/early spring for transplanting, or direct-sown in early spring and again in late summer/early autumn for a winter harvest.
• Warm Season Crops (e.g., tomatoes, capsicums, zucchinis, beans, corn): Need warmth to germinate and grow. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost (typically mid-October in Canberra, but be watchful!). Transplant out only when soil has warmed and all frost danger has passed.

2. Quality Seed Starting Mix

Use a specific seed starting mix. It's finer, lighter, and usually sterile, which helps prevent diseases. Don't use heavy garden soil.

3. Choose Your Containers

Seedling punnets, individual pots, toilet paper tubes, or recycled containers (with drainage holes!) all work. Clean them thoroughly if re-using.

4. Sowing Depth

Check the seed packet! A general rule is to sow seeds at a depth of about twice their diameter. Tiny seeds might only need a light dusting of mix over them or can be surface sown.

5. Water Gently

Keep the mix consistently moist but not waterlogged. A spray bottle is good for initial watering to avoid dislodging seeds. Water from the bottom if possible once seedlings emerge.

6. Warmth & Light

• Warmth: Most seeds need warmth to germinate. A warm windowsill, heat mat, or top of the fridge can work.
• Light: Once seedlings emerge, they need LOTS of light. A sunny north-facing windowsill is okay, but often insufficient, leading to leggy seedlings. Grow lights are a fantastic investment for strong, healthy seedlings in Canberra's often cloudy spring.

7. Hardening Off

This is CRUCIAL for Canberra. Before transplanting seedlings grown indoors into the garden, you must gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions (sun, wind, cooler temperatures). Over 7-10 days, increase their outdoor exposure time. Start in a sheltered, shady spot and gradually move to more sun. Bring them in at night if frost threatens.

8. Transplanting

Choose an overcast day or late afternoon. Water seedlings well before transplanting. Handle them gently by their leaves, not stems. Water in well after planting.

Happy seed starting!