BPL Seed Library

• You can use a soilless, pre-mixed growing medium, if you have ready access to it; however, as long as you keep your pots moist (by covering them with saranwrap at the beginning and watering routinely once seeds have germinated), potting soil works just as well.
• In a pinch you can use soil from outside.  This is not the best option: it may be too dense (like clay) or too sandy, it may come with tiny eggs or diseases, or it may be buried under two feet of snow!

• Find a sunny spot in your house; if your seedlings don’t get enough light they’ll become leggy and prone to snapping.
• Most seeds will germinate at temperatures between 18-22°C. If you’re able to get your hands on a grow-light, this is a great option.

• When choosing how many seedlings to start, keep in mind the amount of indoor space you have to work with, the size of your outdoor growing area, and the possibility that some plants might not thrive. In time, you’ll learn what you like to grow and eat best, what gets left in the garden, and what doesn’t do well in your soil.
• Resist the urge to start seeds earlier than you should – this will result in leggy plants prone to breaking when they are moved outside. Refer to seed-specific planting instructions to figure out when you should plant each variety of seed.

• Damp soil and plants can lead to disease. It’s important to avoid drowning your seedlings.
• Make sure that your pots have good drainage holes, and once they have germinated, it’s a good idea to water from the bottom up by filling the drip trays and allowing the soil/plant to suck the water up into the pot. You can keep stems dry at the base by adding a thin layer or sand or perlite to the surface to absorb excess moisture.
• Let the soil dry out completely between waterings (once seeds have germinated). Don’t crowd your pots with too many plants; thin them if too many come up.

• On mild days, move your plants outside, gradually leaving them out for longer periods of time.
• After a week or so of this, if nighttime temperatures are above freezing and you’re past the last frost date (in Barrie this is May 11-20), your plants should be ready for a permanent move.
• If a severe drop in the temperature catches you by surprise, cover your plants with a blanket or some straw.

We welcome donations throughout the year. When you harvest your plants, please save some seeds to donate back to the library. Before you donate seeds, please label the envelope with the seed type, the date the seed was harvested or purchased, and your contact information. 

This year, we are grateful to the following local seed companies for their generous support:

• Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery
• Carrick Seeds
• Matchbox Garden & Seed Co
• Greta’s Family Gardens
• Kitchen Table Seed House