Spring Gardening Tips: Support Local & Grow Your Garden from Seed

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! As I’m writing this, Toronto is still holding onto winter with a brisk -5°C day. But St. Patrick’s Day always reminds me that spring is just around the corner.

After months of cold, grey days, there’s something incredibly refreshing about seeing the first signs of life return to our gardens. The longer days, milder temperatures, and that unmistakable scent of fresh soil all signal that it’s time to get outside and start growing again.

As you begin planning your garden this season, it’s the perfect opportunity to shop local for all your gardening needs. Supporting local businesses not only strengthens your community, but it also gives you access to plants, soil, and supplies that are better suited to your specific climate. Local growers understand the unique conditions of your area, and their products are often fresher, healthier, and more resilient. Plus, you’ll often find one-of-a-kind items and personalized advice you just can’t get from big box stores.

A little advice when planting seeds: A little preparation goes a long way. Starting early gives your plants a strong, healthy foundation before they face the unpredictable conditions of early spring outdoors. It’s also a rewarding process. You get to watch your garden come to life from the very beginning.

To get started, choose seeds that benefit from an early indoor start, such as tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Use small containers like our 5” Amphora Pot, any of our Window Boxes, with good drainage and a quality seed-starting mix. Place them in a warm, bright spot, ideally near a sunny window, or use a grow light if natural light is limited. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soaked), and be patient. Within days or weeks, you’ll start to see those first green shoots pushing through.

As the weather warms, you can gradually transition your seedlings outside in a process called “hardening off,” helping them adjust to sunlight, wind, and cooler temperatures before planting them in your garden.

Spring is all about new beginnings, and your garden is no exception. By shopping local and starting your plants from seed, you’re not only setting yourself up for a beautiful season, you’re creating something meaningful from the ground up.

If you’re starting seeds indoors, use small containers with good drainage and a quality seed-starting mix. Keep them in a warm, well-lit area, sunny windowsills work well, or you can use grow lights for more consistent results. Be mindful not to overwater; the soil should be moist, not soggy.

For outdoor planting, follow the spacing and depth instructions on your seed packets, and keep an eye on the weather. Early spring can still bring unpredictable frost, so be ready to cover young plants if temperatures drop.

Gardening is as much about patience as it is about care. Take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or simply refreshing your outdoor space, there’s no better time to reconnect with nature.

Here’s to a season of growth, renewal, and supporting the local businesses that help make our communities bloom.