March Seed Starting!
Starting seeds indoors in March can be a great way to jumpstart your gardening season in the Maritimes. With the right preparation and care, you can grow a wide variety of plants from seed, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Let's get growing!
Choosing the Right Seeds
The first step in starting seeds indoors in March is choosing the right seeds. You'll want to choose seeds that are suitable for the climate in the Maritimes, which can vary from coastal regions to more inland areas. Always make sure you refer to the recommended indoor sowing dates on the back of each seed package. Also knowing the date of the full moon in June allows you to backtrack your starting dates for crops that need warm soil and the danger of frost has passed.
Vegetables that grow well in the Maritimes include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, brassica vegetables, melons, sweet corn, green beans, and okra. These crops can be started from seed indoors in March and then transplanted into the garden once the threat of frost has passed.
Herbs are also popular plants to start from seed in March. Some herbs that do well in the Maritimes include basil, cilantro, parsley, chives, thyme, and sage. These herbs can be started indoors and then transferred to a sunny windowsill or outdoor herb garden once they've germinated and the weather is warm enough.
Flowers can also be started from seed in March. Some popular flowers that grow well in the Maritimes include marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, petunias, asters, dahlias, and larkspur. These plants can add color and beauty to your garden and can also attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.