Starting Your Garden
Starting a garden can seem like a daunting task. You may feel like you lack the knowledge, space, or equipment to start growing your own plants, but we are here to tell you that you can do it!
This gardening 101 guide is designed to help ease the uncertainty of starting your garden. Read along to find out how you can make the most of our seed library, through a variety of topics:
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Surveying Your Space
You may have a backyard, community garden plot, patio, or a small window; all of these spaces can be used to grow some plants.
Growing in a yard
Note the places in your yard that get the most sunlight. If an area gets 6 or more hours of sunlight a day, you can classify it as a sunny spot (great for sun loving plants). If an area gets less than 6 hours of sun per day, you can classify it as a shady spot.
Note if there are any areas where water tends to pool when it rains. Those areas may have poor drainage and probably won’t be great for plants.
Growing in community gardens or patios
Take note of the amount of sunlight your space gets (more or less than 6 hours).
Growing indoors near windows
Note how much direct light is coming through the window throughout the day. If you have a dark space, you may want to consider a grow lamp.
Choosing Your Seeds
One of the first things to consider is exposure- the amount of light your plant needs. You'll be able to find this information on seed envelopes at the seed library:
full sun = >6 hours of light
part sun to shade = <6 hours of light
There are a few more factors that come into play when choosing your first seeds, but not to worry- when you visit your local seed library, make sure to look for these icons on our seed envelopes!
Container-friendly
These seeds can be started in small containers or pots.
Pollinator attractants
These plants can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden!
Heirloom seeds
Heirloom seeds are varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation, often with better flavour, productivity, resilience or adaptability.
Open-Pollinated
With open-pollinated plants, seeds can be harvested, saved, and regrown into the same variety over and over again (which is not the case for some seeds!)
When to Plant
We all know that spring is the time to start planting things. But did you know that there are some seeds you can start well into summer?
For example, you could seed lettuce in July and have a fresh salad in August. For more information about when you can plant various seeds (specific to Vancouver’s climate), check out this handy planting guide by West Coast Seeds.
Starting Your Seeds
Some seeds are happy to be planted directly into the ground outside while others prefer to be seeded inside and transplanted when they are bigger and stronger.
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You will be able to find detailed instructions on how to start your seeds on our seed catalogue.
Make sure you check out the specific instructions for the seed that you want to grow inorder to have the most success.
Maintaining your Garden
We can’t sugar coat it, maintaining a garden takes work. We have some ideas to keep you motivated throughout the growing season:
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Come up with a watering schedule
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Take pictures on your garden to track its progress
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Check Village Vancouver’s website for upcoming gardening events to help build community
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Encourage a friend or family member to join you on your gardening journey
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Follow a gardening blog or website
Garden Starting
Are you new to gardening and don’t know which projects to begin? Here are some easy and creative ideas to get you inspired! Garden starter seeds are available for free at the seed library!
Cool Seasonal Vegetable Garden
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Spinach
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Radish
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Rutabega
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Pac choi
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Lettuce
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Kale
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Carrots
Warm Seasonal Vegetable Garden
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Cucumber
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Pole bean
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Snow peas
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Squash
Indoor Herb Garden (Beginner)
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Basil
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Cumin
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Dill
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Oregano
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Mint
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Parsley
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Tarragon
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Cilantro
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Sage
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All these herbs are grown at relatively the same light levels, meaning if you germinate them and pot them indoors, they can use the same light source if you have a grow lamp.
We recommend you grow a few of your favourite herbs at a time if you are just starting.
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For a challenge, try growing rosemary or thyme!