The Promise of Spring: Choosing Seeds for a Bountiful Season

There’s something about ordering seeds in the thick of winter that feels like a love letter to spring. Snow may still cover the ground, but flipping through seed catalogs, sketching out garden plans, and dreaming of sun-warmed soil is a ritual that never gets old.

Every year, I return to my tried-and-true favourites—the ones that never fail me. But I also love to experiment, adding a few new discoveries to the mix. Gardening is part tradition, part adventure. Here’s what I’m sowing this season, along with a few tips to ensure a strong start.

Peonies are lush, ruffled blooms with timeless elegance, a romantic fragrance, and enduring, effortless beauty.

Tried and True Favourites

• Pineapple Kosock Groundcherry: Golden, husk-covered fruit with a tropical pineapple flavour. Reseeds itself, making it an effortless staple.

• Cool Breeze Cucumber: Crisp, fresh, and fast-growing. Ideal for slicing into salads or infusing into water. Doesn’t require pollination, making it great for small-space or container gardens.

• Sungold Cherry Tomatoes: The sweetest cherry tomatoes you’ll ever taste. Golden-orange, bursting with flavour, and perfect for fresh eating.

• Floret Flower Zinnias: Cut-and-come-again heirloom zinnias in stunning shades. Great for pollinators, bouquets, and adding colour to the garden.

New Varieties to Try

• Mini Butterbaby Squash: A compact version of butternut with the same creamy texture and nutty sweetness. Perfect for roasting whole or blending into soup.

• Galeux de Eysines Pumpkin: A French heirloom with peach-colored skin covered in sugary warts. Excellent for soups, roasting, and baking.

• Porcelain Princess Pumpkin: A compact, fairytale-style pumpkin with soft blush skin. Decorative yet edible, making it perfect for both the porch and the kitchen.

Square Foot Gardening: More in Less Space

Square foot gardening is an efficient way to grow more in small spaces. Instead of planting in rows, divide garden beds into one-foot squares and plant according to each crop’s spacing needs.

Why it Works:

• Less weeding and maintenance

• Higher yields in smaller areas

• Ideal for raised beds

• Great for beginners-easy spacing and companion planting

What I’m Growing in a Square Foot Garden

• Lettuce & Spinach: Packed in close for a continuous harvest

• Radishes & Carrots: Thrive in small-space plantings

• Cucumbers: Trained to climb a trellis, saving ground space

• Tomatoes & Basil: Classic companion plants that flourish together

• Zinnias & Marigolds: Attract pollinators and help deter pests

Good Soil, Good Garden

A garden is only as good as its soil. Healthy soil builds strong plants, reduces pests, and improves yields.

• Worm Castings: Nature’s multivitamin for plants, improving soil structure and moisture retention.

• Compost: Adds nutrients and feeds beneficial microbes.

• Mulch: Helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and build soil over time.

Instead of forcing plants to grow, focus on creating the right conditions so they can thrive. Healthy soil makes all the difference.

Tips for Buying Seeds

• Order Early: The best varieties sell out fast.

• Mix Old & New: Reliable favorites ensure a strong harvest, while new varieties keep things exciting.

• Consider Your Space: Whether you have acres, raised beds, or containers, choose seeds suited for your growing area.

• Think About Pollination:Flowers like zinnias and sunflowers help attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Planting a garden is an act of faith-seeds sown today will bring abundance in the months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, I hope your soil is rich, your plants are strong, and your harvest is abundant.

What seeds are on your list this year? I’d love to hear what you’re growing.

Happy Planting!