Tag: Month January Week 4

Natural Reed Diffuser: Freshen Up the Home with Essential Oils – Garden Therapy
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Add a fresh scent to your home without overpowering the senses. This natural reed diffuser uses a blend of essential oils and diffuser sticks from your own backyard to naturally neutralize odours and give your home a fresh boost.

From stinky pets to musty hallways, sometimes there is no avoiding certain smells in the house. I like to find ways to freshen up the home as naturally as possible. While I love using sprays such as my lavender water, sometimes I don’t always have time to spritz around the house.

That’s why I love my natural reed diffuser so much; it keeps everything smelling fresh without me needing to lift a finger. I use them in the bathroom, hallways, and even my bedroom to give off a pleasant aroma that is not too overpowering.

Here’s how to make them!

I like placing mine in dark, coloured jars.

Benefits of a Natural Reed Diffuser

By far, this diffuser’s number one selling point is that it is 100% natural. Whenever I have bought reed diffusers in the past, I have always found the scent to be overly harsh and chemical-like. The same can be said for many store-bought candles, plugins, or a cool air diffuser. The artificial fragrances are too irritating for my sensitive nose! Sniffle.

I also find that store-bought reed diffusers don’t last very long. While my natural reed diffuser may last the same amount of time, I can refill and refresh it as often as I like. It’s relatively inexpensive to make, so you can have multiple diffusers throughout the home or refills for the same price as a single store-bought one.

Of course, you also get to experience the many benefits of essential oils. They can enhance relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, and even clear toxins from the air. Certainly, no artificial fragrance can do that!

You can easily refresh these reed diffusers when the fragrance dissipates.

A Natural Pathogen Cleaner

Did you know that individuals spend 85% of their time indoors? While I do love to be out in the garden, there is something about curling up inside on a gloomy day that I can really get behind. With all that being said, I do miss the fresh air of the outdoors and do my best to maintain the best air quality indoors whenever I can.

Essential oils actually have antimicrobial properties. Some are better than others, with one study finding that oregano, thyme, and lemon oil actually help fight against human pathogens.

Another study found that essential oils also work to reduce airborne pathogens by inhibiting their growth in the air. After being exposed to different concentrations of essential oils, the growth of bacterial cells decreased. This is especially meaningful because it makes the air cleaner for allergies and avoids other sensitivities and infections.

While essential oils may not turn your air quality into the great outdoors, a little bit of air filtering always helps. And they smell good, too!

Essential oils increase the quality of the air around you, whether that’s their fragrance or antimicrobial properties.

Which Essential Oils are Best for the Reed Diffuser?

The very first question you should answer is what do you like. You will be smelling your reed diffuser oil throughout your home, and you want to ensure that you love it every time you catch a whiff.

Next, you can also look for specific aromatherapy benefits each oil may offer. For example, lavender is a popular choice because of its calming scent and microbial and therapeutic properties.

You can also go to the other side and choose something to boost your mood naturally. Sweet orange is great for lifting the spirits and is very fragrant.

Feel free to get crafty and mix scents together. My secret combo is mixing the two scents together! Lavender and sweet orange smell lovely together in my go-to, balanced blend.

Make a few tester combinations first in small quantities.

Fun Scent Combinations
- Balanced Blend: lavender and sweet orange.
- Fresh Air: pine, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender.
- Calm: lavender, tangerine, ylang ylang, and clary sage.
- Wake Up: rosemary, cedarwood, mint, and black pepper.
- Immune Boost: clove, lemon, rosemary, cinnamon bark, and thyme.
- Sweet Dreams: bergamot, lavender, and marjoram.
- Good Morning: peppermint, fir, and lemon.
- Citrus Celebration: bergamot, grapefruit, and lime.
- Happy Day: lemongrass, tangerine, and sweet orange.
- Harmony: lavender, geranium, and bergamot.
- Walk in the Woods: fir, clove, and cedarwood.
Before you use essential oils, be sure to read all warnings. They are powerful plant extracts that can cause issues with people when used inappropriately. They can bother pregnant women, those breastfeeding, and even pets. Most essential oils will have warnings on them that tell you if they are not suitable for a specific use.

Watch the DIY Natural Reed Diffuser Video!

How to Make Reed Diffuser Oil

How to Make Reed Diffuser Oil

There are a ton of options when it comes to making your natural reed diffuser. The oil has three key components: carrier oil, essential oils, and alcohol. The first thing you will want to decide is what base you would like to use. Most recipes can be made using an oil or an alcohol base. Whichever you choose, you want to make sure it has a minimal scent.

For an alcohol base, vodka and water make a great combo, as it will travel easily through the reed diffuser sticks. However, you will find that it evaporates much quicker than an oil base. If you do use this method, use distilled water, as it will last longer since it is purified.

I prefer to use an oil base. The trick is to use an oil that is thin enough to travel up through the stems of the reed sticks. Oils that are good for a natural reed diffuser include fractionated coconut oil, safflower oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil. I would suggest avoiding any mineral oils as they are petroleum-based.

Use a lightweight oil that can travel up the reed sticks.

Once you have decided on your base, you will want to proportion your reed diffuser oil to 30% essential oil and 70% base. You can measure this out if you prefer, but I like just to eyeball it. Pour your oil into a glass or ceramic container that doesn’t leak with a narrow opening at the top. A narrow opening ensures that the oil won’t evaporate too quickly.

I also prefer a darker-coloured bottle as essential oils degrade after sun exposure. You can find a ton of cool containers at your local thrift store or can re-purpose an existing container in your home.

If you’re using an oil, you will still need to add a hint of alcohol to the recipe as it acts as a binder for the oil and will help to thin it. You can use grain alcohol, but I like to use isopropyl. Anything 90% or higher is preferable. This way, the recipe only needs a couple of drops of alcohol.

Three ingredients are all you need to make the oil base for your reed diffuser.

How to Make Reed Diffuser Sticks

Now that you have your base and container, it’s time to find some reed diffuser sticks! Like your oil, you can play around with some options here as well.

Bamboo skewers and rattan reeds are by far the most popular. However, I like to turn to my own garden whenever possible! By carefully looking through your garden and perennials, you may have some sticks and stems that will work as well. When choosing a stick for your diffuser, you don’t want anything solid: it must be porous for the liquid to travel up and diffuse.

I found the natural reeds that work best come from flower stalks! I used poppies, daylilies, and echinacea for my diffuser but there are a ton of different ones you can use. Every year, I always dry the flowers and seed heads from my perennials and am left with the stems. Now I have something to use them for!

To use natural sticks, thoroughly clean them of leaves, dirt, and sprigs. If the stick you are using has bark, you will need to peel at least half of it from top to bottom to help the liquid travel up. Bake the sticks at 200 F for 25-60 minutes to dry out the sticks and be ready for use.

Once complete, fill your container opening with as many reeds as possible to keep the liquid from evaporating too quickly.

Make sure your reeds are porous. Sticks with hollow centers work best as reeds.

Tips and Tricks for Reed Diffusing

Placement

Where you decide to place your reed diffuser can actually make a huge difference in how well it will perform. You want to try to place it in an out-of-reach spot, away from little fingers and paws but aim for a spot where movement will help to circulate the air and the scents.

Placing it near a vent can actually help to circulate the scent. Heat and sunlight will also aid it in a stronger smell, but it will last for a shorter period of time. Avoid warmth for a longer-lasting diffusion.

Remember, this diffuser will not be a strong smell. They are meant to diffuse subtle fragrances for the everyday house. It works best in an enclosed place, such as a bathroom, or you won’t really notice the smell.

You can use bigger containers for larger rooms to get a better diffusion of smell, but it can get pricey, considering how much essential oil you will need to fill the container. This is why I prefer small containers in small rooms.

Hallways, where lots of movement passes by, are great spots for this natural diffuser.

Reeds

In order to get the most out of your natural reed diffuser, you will want to give the reeds some attention. While I say reeds, this will apply to whichever kind of sticks you choose to diffuse the oil.

Rotate which reed ends are in the solution once a week to help refresh the scent.

Reeds will need to be replaced every 4-6 months. After a while, they stop diffusing the oil. This also helps to avoid any rotting stems.

After 4-6 months, compost the reeds and replace them with new ones from your garden.

Oil

You will likely need to replace the oil monthly as it will slowly lose its scent. To ensure you are not wasting oil, only fill your container up halfway at a time. I suggest creating batches and storing them in a mason jar until ready to use. This way, you have it ready to go whenever it needs a top-up or replacement!

Replace your oil every month to keep the scent fresh.

More Ways to Use Essential Oils to Freshen Your Space
How to Make a Natural Reed Diffuser

Looking for a simple, natural way to freshen up your space? Add a few of these pretty natural reed diffusers with homemade diffuser oil.

oil to use as base I like fractionated coconut oil, safflower oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil.

essential oils of your choice

natural reeds Bamboo skewers, rattan reeds, sticks or stems from your garden – just make sure it is porous so the liquid can travel through them.

Mix together a combination of 70% oil and 30% essential oils.

Add reed oil to the jar, and add your reeds.

Place the natural reed diffuser out and enjoy! I’ve found they work best in enclosed spaces such as bathrooms. They also work well near an air vent or in front of a window.
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
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Stephanie Rose

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January 26, 2026
Find Good Fortune With The Chinese Money Plant – Garden Therapy

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The handsome Chinese Money Plant has taken the world (and internet) by storm, famous for its unique coin-shaped leaves and deep green colour. But don’t let its delicacy intimidate you! These gorgeous plants are easy to care for and, with a little patience, will make an excellent, propagation-friendly addition to your indoor jungle.

Meet the Chinese Money Plant

The Chinese Money Plant, or Pilea peperomioides, originates from the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southern China, where it loves to grow on rocky mountainsides. This flowering beauty belongs to the nettle family, but don’t worry, it won’t sting you!

In fact, it was once believed to bring good fortune due to its distinct, coin-like leaves. It is also commonly called Pilea, Pancake Plant, UFO Plant, or Friendship Plant.

These plants typically grow to reach 30 cm in height and in the right conditions can double in size in only a year, making them perfect and rewarding indoor companions for both home and apartment dwellers.

If you’re willing to invest extra care into this plant, you could even see it bloom, revealing delicate white or pink flowers grown from a purple stem. Below I’ll show you how easy it is to help your pilea thrive.

This post will cover…

Chinese Money Plant Care

Location

Looking to keep your Chinese Money Plant looking as beautiful as when you bought it? This plant loves a bright room kept between 13°C to 30°C—if you have an east-facing window, this little guy would love to be near it in a ceramic pot with a good drainage hole.

Sun

The Chinese Money plant loves bright, indirect light. It’ll love a window, but not the scorching sun! If placed in a west-facing window that gets intense afternoon sun, you’ll see the leaves burn and lighten, and in too much shade the plant could grow tall and lanky.

If your only window options get a lot of direct sunlight, fear not! Investing in a simple, sheer curtain will do this plant a world of good.

Water

Year-round you can let pilea almost dry out between waterings (but not bone dry!), as it doesn’t like to be soaked. Typically you can expect to water your Chinese Money Plant once a week, but make sure to give the soil a quick touch before watering to make sure it isn’t already damp. If you lift your plant and it feels very light, you might have waited too long between waterings and it could use a good drink.

If one day you spot some of the leaves yellowing—the worst, I know!—it’s likely due to overwatering. Try not to panic and make sure to let the soil dry out before giving it its next water. If your plant is sitting on a saucer that fills after watering, don’t let it sit in that extra water for more than a couple of hours.

Soil

Your plant will thank you if given well-drained potting soil, as it doesn’t like to be soggy. Ideally, a soil based on peat coir fiber and perlite will give your plant all the nutrients and drainage it needs to stay happy and growing.

Fertilizer

Though it might be tempting to generously fertilize this pretty plant in the hope of speedy growth and new daughter plants, the Chinese Money Plant only needs fertilization once a month during spring and summer when it is actively growing. It’s best not to fertilize dry soil, so try adding your diluted fertilizer a day after your usual watering.

Common Issues

A common problem you might face with Pilea is yellowing leaves, often due to overwatering. If you see this start to happen, don’t panic! Gently remove the yellow leaves and allow the soil to dry out before your next watering.

If you’re noticing your plant start to droop, it’s thirsty! Give it a good drink and allow the water to drain out of the pot.

How to Propagate Chinese Money Plants

Chinese Money Plants are generous propagators, hence its nickname the Friendship Plant! As your plant grows, you might start to see small daughter plants, also called offsets or pups, growing near the base of the original plant that you can separate and share with your fellow plant-lovers.

Once these offsets grow to an inch or two tall, you’ll be able to separate them into their own pot. Dig gently into the dirt around the daughter plant to expose the roots, then snip it free from the original plant with a clean, sharp pair of scissors.

There should be a small number of roots attached to the new plant to be planted in its new pot with fresh soil. If you accidentally cut off all the roots of this new offset, all is not lost. Pop the cut end of the plant into a little bit of water and wait for new roots to grow, then repot into the new soil.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Money Plants

What is the Meaning of Chinese Money Plant?

The Chinese Money Plant earned its name from its round, circular leaves that resemble coins. They used to be considered good luck and capable of bringing their owner’s good fortune, and with how easy it is to propagate them, I like to believe they still can!

Why Are My Chinese Money Plant’s Leaves Curling?

If you notice your plant’s leaves start to curl, there could be a number of causes. Most commonly this indicates too little light—your leafy friend might need a brighter spot in your home.

It could also be due to temperatures being too low or too high (this plant’s sweet spot is typically 13°C to 20°C) or incorrect watering. Make sure to follow the care tips above and given a little time and correction, these curled leaves should unfurl.

Note: new leaves will always grow in curled, but they should flatten out over time as they get bigger.

Are Chinese Money Plants Safe for Cats?

Chinese Money Plants really are a good fortune for pet lovers! These beauties are non-toxic to both cats and dogs and thus are safe to keep in your home with curious furry friends.

Do you have a Chinese Money Plant at home? Let me know any other care questions you may have in the comments down below!

More Houseplant Care Guides

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.

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Stephanie Rose

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January 24, 2026
How Modern Gardeners Can Understand Changing Microclimates –
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Gardening ten years ago is not the same as gardening today. With temperatures changing and drastic weather conditions becoming increasingly frequent, gardeners can no longer rely on old averages and practices. Understanding how local climate works now, not ten years ago, may be the key to a successful garden amongst changing times.

A few months ago when I was hosting The Regenerative Garden Book Club, I couldn’t stop coughing. My apartment felt as though it were getting smoky. I almost feared that a fire was happening downstairs!

It turns out that my tenant in the unit below me was cooking a really hot pepper. The smell wafted up and it got so bad that I have to open all my windows and turn on my air purifiers to get rid of the smell.

This past summer, we had a very intense heatwave. I’m talking more than 40 degrees Celcius in June. For Vancouver, this is practically unheard of. And since peppers get hotter with more intense heat while growing, the resulting warm weather meant that the local peppers were quite the doozy.

Funny enough, my solution was air purifiers, another result of my local weather. Wildfire season is now an annual thing here in BC, which means at some point in the summer we can expect Vancouver to be blanketed in smoke. Like how some consider air conditioning a must, air purifiers have become essential for me in my home. Without it, it becomes difficult to breathe amongst the smoke.

Without a doubt, the weather is changing and it’s affecting us every day, be it as big as a wildfire or as small as hotter peppers.

This post will cover…

Understanding Microclimates in Gardening

As gardeners, we are constantly looking at weather patterns. When will the ground thaw and allow us to plant our seedlings? At what time of day is the sun the hottest so we can offer shade protection for our plants? When will the first freeze come and officially end the gardening season?

To understand the weather, we typically would look at the thirty-year historical average of data. Before, this could give us some fairly accurate data. But now, the weather is too rapidly changing for us to rely on this information.

The weather has never been more different than it is today.

Instead, we all must come to understand our individual microclimates and work within them. Even in established zones, things can vary greatly.

For instance, in the Greater Vancouver Area, our mountains are always rainier. But when you get to the coast, it’s very sunny along the water. Go a further half an hour away and there’s even more sun.

Everybody has a unique microclimate to deal with in their own garden.

Regenerative Gardening Climate Practices

When it comes to climate, there’s quite a bit to sit and think on. To begin, we need to see where we’re at, where we’re going, and then identify where we need to make the changes.

For me, the effort that goes into making a regenerative garden initially pays off as it is less work for me to manage. A big part of that is understanding how to work with the natural cycles, the land around you, and letting the ecosystem regenerate itself.

Tracking and harnessing climate doesn’t have to fall on meteorologists. And it doesn’t have to be difficult either. You can use the climate’s natural energy combined with smart design systems that work for, not against you, in your microclimate.

In cold regions, you can capture heat with thermal masses or greenhouses. In warm regions, you can cool plants with shade and water. And if set your systems up right, your garden will take it from there!

Umbrella greenhouse

Climate-Friendly Garden Projects

When it comes to exploring the power of climate in the garden, there are many projects and designs you can implement into the garden. Here are a few.
- Greenhouses: a greenhouse can help to extend the season in colder climate. They capture and store heat and light while also protecting plants from wildlife. They don’t have to be big either. A simple clear umbrella over a planter does the trick.
- Thermal mass: structures can actually capture, hold, and radiate heat to warm plants and soil around it. With the right materials, you can harness the power of the sun for your plants.
- Herb spirals: not only do they add additional space to your garden, but they allow you to use materials to help hold heat and place plants in varying levels of sunlight.
- Windbreaks: while I love a cool summer breeze, you can have too much of a good thing sometimes. Windbreaks create protection from strong winds for more delicate plants.
- Reforestation: many of us live in communities that once use to house many more trees. Not only are they beautiful, but trees help to cool streets with their shade and feed the soil. Making an effort to replant trees in neighbourhoods is a must.
Herb spiral

Frequently Asked Questions About Climate in Gardening

Why Does Climate Matter in Gardening?

Understanding climate allows you to grow healthier and more resilient plants for your area. Some plants can be costly and you want to make sure they’re going to survive in your climate.

Climate includes rain/snowfall, heat, wind, and humidity. All of these play a factor in your unique climate conditions and each plant will have different ideal conditions.

What’s the Best Climate for Gardening?

Just about any climate can grow all kinds of vegetables, fruits, and plants. Lower zones are cold-hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. Some plants even need the cold in order to germinate or grow in the spring. Plants with higher zones are more likely to handle the heat.

Zones 9-11 are fairly tropical, while zones 3-7 can survive some cold conditions but won’t handle prolonged cold, and anything below 3 is very cold tolerant.

Why Do Climate Zones Matter?

Understanding your climate zone can help you identify what kind of plants will grow best in your garden. A zone will have similar weather conditions, humidity, and precipitation levels.

If a plant says it grows well in your zone, it works well with your rainfall amount, sunlight levels, wind, humidity, heat, cold, and other climate conditions. For a successful garden, you want to try and grow plants that work in your zone.

Our Next Steps

All of these projects can be found in my upcoming book, The Regenerative Garden. Beyond climate, I explore over 80 concepts and projects that can be applied in the home garden to make it more sustainable, self-reliant, and biodiverse.

Regenerative gardening is one sure way we can make an impact on our local communities. And when everyone starts to care about these practices, it makes an impact globally.

We can work with these changing cycles in our climate and speak loudly. Let everyone know that this is a planet we care about and want to keep caring out.

A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
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Stephanie Rose

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January 23, 2026
The Seed Shopping Handbook: Tips for Buying Seeds for Gardening
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If I could have every seed in the world, I would. But I know that when it comes to seeds, less is more. The key is knowing what you can actually grow, what you truly want to grow, and managing your expectations. Here are the nitty-gritty details about buying seeds for gardening.

Reading a seed packet can be like reading a whole other language when you first begin. Gardening has a TON of jargon and specialty terms that can make getting started a little daunting.

And I’ve been there! I didn’t grow up gardening, so it was a steep learning curve when I began my gardening journey.

We’re in the midst of seed starting season, and I wanted to go back to the basics. I’ve had people ask me things like how you pick what to plant (especially when you want to grow everything!) and what all the information on the back of a seed packet even means.

I’m going to explain it all, so sit back and let’s talk about what you need to know about buying seeds for gardening.

Rather than buying seeds for gardening, you can also save seeds from your existing garden to plant next year.

Today, I’m sharing some excerpts from my ebook Get Growing! Expert Seed Starting for the DIY Gardener. Be sure to check it out for the full guide and everything you need to know, from sowing to thinning to transplanting your seeds.

Choose Your Seeds

Combing through seed catalogues and seed websites can be a fun adventure if done properly, but if you don’t prepare, you may end up with more than your garden (and you) can handle.

It is important to first think about what kind of plants you want (Flowers? Herbs? Vegetables?). Is it warm enough to grow watermelons in your garden or cool enough to grow kale? Do you really have space for three varieties of squash, or will one do?

Make sure to label your seedlings so you know what is what!

Perennial vs Annual Seeds

Starting seeds early in the season is a great way to save money on annuals like flowers, herbs, and vegetables that will flower or fruit in the first year. For beginners, annuals are typically the best garden seeds to buy.

More advanced gardeners could also start perennials from seed in many cases, but it is a more difficult and time-consuming process as perennials may need many months or even years to reach the size of a nursery plant.

Some perennials are easier to grow from seed than others, so if you want to try your hand at starting perennials from seed, be sure to read up on which ones are your best bet in this post.

It’s important to keep in mind that some plants do better than others from seed. This does not mean that what you sow has to be severely limited. There are plenty of flowers, vegetables, annuals, and perennials that will grow easily from seed and thrive. With so many options, you might even have a hard time choosing what to plant.

Of course, your unique location will have its own limits in terms of climate, so be sure to check the seed packet before you buy to see if your area fulfills the seeds’ requirements to succeed.

Only Buy Your Favourites

When buying seeds for gardening, it can be easy to buy every colourful, enticing seed packet you see. But try to stop and think about how much you will use.

The best garden seeds will be different for each person, depending on what you like to grow and where you live.

Make a list of your absolute favourites, and only sow the amount of veggies you will eat or the flowers you need to fill the beds.

This will make the growing process simpler and more fun, and you won’t find yourself overwhelmed by crops you can’t keep up with later in the season.

Herbs are one of my favourites to grow, so that’s what I prioritize in the garden.

Heirloom vs Hybrid vs GMO Seeds

These are terms that can get confusing for new gardeners. And they can easily get mixed up with one another! Learning the difference between the terms heirloom, hybrid, and GMO is key. This will help you in your seed selection process and ensure you buy the best garden seeds for your preference.

I have a whole post on the difference between these types of seeds and all of their pros and cons. Check that post out here.

How to Read a Seed Packet

I can’t stress this enough. Following the instructions on the seed packet will give you the best possible start. Unless, of course, the growing directions read like the radicchio I once started, “Sow seeds a few days after a moonless night.” There is a long history of growing plants with the cycles of the moon, which you can read about in this post. But for this post, we’ll stick to using the last frost dates and the Gregorian calendar.

The majority of seed instructions will list everything you need to start seeds, like when and where to sow, planting depth and spacing, special watering requirements and the number of days to germination.

Some will list special information like germination temperatures, repeat sowing, transplanting, and thinning. Following the instructions gives you the best chance of success, so those map-hating, instruction-scoffing types out there best pack away their stubbornness for seed packets.

A good seed packet will give you all the information you need to begin growing the plant.

Key Seed Packet Terms

Here are some terms you might encounter on your seed packet and what they mean.
- Germination rate: the likelihood of a seed germinating, represented as a percentage.
- Plant type: answers whether the seed is a perennial, annual, or biennial.
- Seed spacing: how far apart you should ideally place each seed from one another.
- Plant spacing/spacing after thinning: how far apart the plant should be from other plants.
- Height: the height the plant will be upon maturity.
- Days to maturity: how many days from planting until the plant is ready for harvest/blooms.
- Planting depth: how deep to plant the seed.
- Days to germination/sprout: how many days you can expect to pass before the seed begins to grow.
- Bloom period: when the plant will be flowering.
Read the packet and the growing instructions before buying the seeds.

Determining Your Growing Conditions

Before you can plant or even buy your seeds, you should have a fair grasp of your growing conditions. Each plant has specific needs to germinate and grow, so you need to make sure your garden can meet those needs if you want to grow a specific plant.

Timing

On the seed packet, it will usually tell you when to plant your seeds based on frost dates. Finding your average frost date for your area is crucial. To do this, you can use the calculator from the Farmer’s Almanac.

You can then use this date to count forwards or backwards or know when to begin certain seeds indoors.

I also encourage you to try and implement succession planting. By carefully timing when to start seeds, you can extend your harvest and space it out.

Avoid having all your vegetables ready for harvest at the same time.

Lighting

All plants will have specific lighting requirements, which are listed on the seed packet. These are usually described as full sun, partial sun, partial shade, or shade. Before buying seeds for gardening, ensure your garden has the right amount of sunlight (check out this post for how to measure the sunlight in your backyard).

Seeds will also need a specific amount of light when germinating. Seeds with a low planting depth that only have a thin layer of soil overtop will require lots of light to germinate. Likewise, those planted deeper in the soil will require less light.

Sunny windowsills or grow lights are a must for starting seeds indoors.

Temperature

Some seeds require certain soil temperatures to germinate. A heating mat can help achieve this supplemental heat indoors for certain plants like peppers or tomatoes. Others, like carrots or radishes, prefer the temperature of the outdoor soil.

For more on soil temperature, check out this post.

Soil

Most plants prefer well-draining soil, but not all do! Your seed packet may provide some information on the type of soil or location the plants prefer. If not, do a little research beforehand for the plant’s soil needs.

For seed starting, you want potting soil with sterile ingredients that won’t promote fungal or bacterial growth. You can find my go-to seed-starting potting soil recipe here.

Moisture

Some plants are considered drought tolerant and do better in areas that won’t receive supplemental watering or hot climates. Others prefer lots of water, doing best in places close to the house where they will receive extra water or areas that receive enough rainfall.

When selecting your seeds, consider your garden’s moisture conditions and how much extra watering you want to do.

This olla watering system slowly waters plants in my raised bed.

Best Places to Buy Seeds

If you’re like me, you get giddy when the seed catalogues arrive in the mail. It feels like Christmas is coming, and you can’t help but circle all the best garden seeds you want.

But for most people getting started, the first step is finding a reputable sources for buying seeds online. My favourites for Canada include West Coast Seeds and Richters.

Avoid buying seeds online from across borders or anything that could be invasive to your area. When in doubt, don’t buy the seeds. The local garden centre will always carry good-quality and safe seeds.

Also, see if there is a little seed library in your neighbourhood! Some libraries even offer seeds as well. Because who could say no to free seeds?

FAQ About Buying Seeds for Gardening

Is it better to buy seeds online or in person?

Either is a fine option. When buying seeds online, you get a wider range of seeds available. You can find many varieties and rare plants that you couldn’t get at the garden centre. You do have to double-check and perhaps do some extra research to ensure the seeds will germinate and grow in your area.

How do I choose the right kind of seeds?

The most important factor when buying seeds for gardening is ensuring your garden has the right growing requirements for the plant. Look at the seed packet for its sunlight, water, soil, and space requirements. If your garden matches, then the seeds are good to go.

The other main aspect you want to look at is gardening zones. This will give you a quick indicator of whether or not the plant can handle the temperatures in your gardening zone.

What’s the best way to store seeds?

Seeds should be stored in airtight packaging and then labelled with the plant name and variety, where you grew it, and the date. This information will be very helpful when you decide where to plant it the following year.

Keep the seeds in an area where they won’t get damp and at a relatively stable temperature. They should be in a cool, dry place. Most seeds are good for two years. After, their germination rate decreases with every additional year in storage.

Coriander seeds.

More Seed-Starting Resources

This is just the beginning of all the seed-starting info I have to share. Check out these posts for more information about the next steps in growing plants from seed.
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Stephanie Rose

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February 5, 2024