Seed planting guidelines.
Average depth, spacing, conditions, etc. for growing popular vegetable and herb seeds. These are general guidelines, and days to harvest may vary depending on varieties. Listed alphabetically.
If you live in Barrie or Innisfil, ON, the planting zone is 5a and the last frost date is estimated to be May 20 (Veseys Canada).
Learn to Grow Seeds Indoors will help you prepare and plant long-maturing plants that benefit from an early start like tomato, pepper and eggplant. Also tips on materials and how to set up a DIY grow-light station. Get more info on starting seeds indoors here.
Transplanting Seedlings will teach you when and how to transplant and upsize your seedlings into potting soil before they're ready for your garden.
Hardening off Seedlings teaches you how to prepare your indoor-grown spring, cool-weather vegetable and herb seedlings, like kale and parsley, for your outdoor garden with a process called "hardening off."
Basil
Method: start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost or direct sow 2 weeks after last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 2 weeks after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 5-10
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: 12-inches
Row spacing: 18-inches
Average days to harvest: 21
Grow tip: When harvesting, pinch sets of leaves from the centre of the stem to promote more growth and harvest.
Bean
Method: direct sow late spring and mid summer
Growing conditions: fertile, well-drained soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-14
Seed depth: 1-inch
Plant spacing: 3-5-inches
Row spacing: 12-24-inches
Average days to harvest: 50-60 for bush varieties, 60+ for pole varieties
Grow tip: Provide a trellis for pole beans to climb and install before planting seeds to avoid damaging roots. Consider Three Sisters Planting.
Beet
Method: direct sow spring (may also plant late summer for fall harvest)
Growing conditions: fertile, well-drained soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 10-12
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 3-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 50-60
Grow tip: Grow some beets for their young, tasty green leaves.
Broccoli
Method: start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost or direct sow early spring; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 2 weeks before last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-10
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 20-inches
Row spacing: 36-inches
Average days to harvest: 55-85
Grow tip: Broccoli prefers cool temperatures for head development. Mulching around plants will help to keep soil temperatures down. Use row covers to minimize pests like cabbage moth.
Cabbage
Method: start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 3 weeks before last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-10
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 12-24-inches
Row spacing: 24-inches
Average days to harvest: 60-100
Grow tip: The more space you allow between plants, the bigger the cabbage heads will be.
Carrot
Method: direct sow spring (may also plant late summer for fall harvest)
Growing conditions: fertile, well-drained soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 14-21
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 2-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 60-70
Grow tip: Avoid planting in rocky soil as it will impede root formation.
Chives
Method: start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow spring
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 14
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 12-inches
Row spacing: 18-inches
Average days to harvest: 60
Grow tip: This perennial herb can be harvested all season by cutting as needed or chopped completely to the ground to allow multiple mass harvests throughout the season.
Coriander
Method: direct sow spring
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-10
Seed depth: 1-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 4-6-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 45-70
Grow tip: Grow in cool season as plants will bolt at the onset of warm weather.
Corn
Method: direct sow 2 weeks after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-10
Seed depth: 1 1/2 to 2-inches
Plant spacing: 4-6-inches
Row spacing: 36-inches
Average days to harvest: 45-70
Grow tip: Soil temperature is key to successful germination. The ground can be warmed by a black plastic cover, if necessary. Plant seeds through holes in the plastic. Consider Three Sisters Planting.
Cucumber
Method: start indoors 2-4 weeks before last frost or direct sow two weeks after last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 2 weeks after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 5-7
Seed depth: 1-inch
Plant spacing: 18-inches
Row spacing: 18-36-inches
Average days to harvest: 50-70
Grow tip: Provide a trellis for pole bean to climb and install before planting seeds to avoid damaging roots (cucumbers do not like their roots disturbed!)
Dill
Method: direct sow late spring and summer
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 10-21
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 6-inches
Row spacing: 18-inches
Average days to harvest: 70 (90 for dill seed)
Grow tip: Dill (and parsley) is one of the host plants of black swallowtail caterpillars so plant extra for them!
Eggplant
Method: start indoors 6-9 weeks before last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 3 weeks after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 5-7
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 24-36-inches
Row spacing: 24-36-inches
Average days to harvest: 65-80
Grow tip: Eggplant is a heavy feeder so plant in compost-rich soil and avoid planting near other heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers to avoid competition for nutrients.
Endive
Method: direct sow early spring and late summer
Growing conditions: average soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-10
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 8-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 80-90
Grow tip: Grow in cool weather after danger of frost for best flavour.
Kale
Method: start indoors 6 weeks before last frost or direct sow spring and fall
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny or part shade location
Days to sprout: 5-8
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: 16-inches
Row spacing: 36-inches
Average days to harvest: 50-55
Grow tip: Cover with row covers to prevent cabbage moths from laying caterpillar eggs.
Lettuce
Method: direct sow spring and fall
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny or part shade location
Days to sprout: 7-14
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 12-inches
Row spacing: 24-inches
Average days to harvest: 45-50 for loose leaf; 75 for head
Grow tip: Grow in cool season or in part shade as plants will bolt and flower at the onset of warm weather.
Mustards (leafy)
Method: direct sow spring (may also plant late summer for fall harvest)
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny or part shade location
Days to sprout: 2-5
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 6-12-inches
Row spacing: 12-18-inches
Average days to harvest: 30-40
Grow tip: Grow in cool season as plants will bolt and flower at the onset of warm weather.
Onion (green bunching)
Method: start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow spring
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 12-14
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 2-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 65-70
Grow tip: Harvest through the season by snipping sprouts, which will regrow through the growing season.
Parsley
Method: start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedings outdoors 2 weeks before last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 21 days
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 6-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 70-90
Grow tip: Harvest throughout season by snipping herb back and it will regrow from its centre. Like dill, parsley is one of the host plants of black swallowtail caterpillars so plant extra for them!
Parsnip
Method: direct sow mid to late spring
Growing conditions: avoid high nitrogen soil; part to sunny location
Days to sprout: up to 21
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: 2-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 105
Grow tip: Make several direct sowings a week apart and keep soil moist during germination period. Leave in ground in fall for as long as possible for sweeter flavour.
Pea
Method: direct sow spring
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-14
Seed depth: 1-inch
Plant spacing: 3-inches
Row spacing: 12-inches
Average days to harvest: 54
Grow tip: Presoak peas for 24 hours to speed up germination. Provide a trellis for peas to climb, and plant early for best harvest.
Pepper
Method: start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 2 weeks after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-21
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 18-24-inches
Row spacing: 24-inches
Average days to harvest: 60-90
Grow tip: Peppers are heavy feeders so plant in compost-rich soil and avoid planting near other heavy feeders like tomatoes and eggplant to avoid competition for nutrients.
Radish
Method: direct sow spring (may also plant late summer for fall harvest)
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 5-7
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 4-inches
Row spacing: 12-18-inches
Average days to harvest: 20-30
Grow tip: Grow in cool season for best harvest.
Rutabaga
Method: direct sow early to mid summer
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 4-7
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 8-inches
Row spacing: 14-18-inches
Average days to harvest: 70-85
Grow tip: Leave rutabaga in the ground as first frost comes, and before the ground freezes, to improve taste.
Sage
Method: start indoors 6 weeks before last frost or direct sow late May
Growing conditions: average soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: up to 21
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 3/4-inches
Row spacing: thin to 6-inches
Average days to harvest: 75
Grow tip: Sage repels both the cabbage moth and the carrot rust fly, so it’s a great companion plant in the vegetable garden.
Spinach
Method: direct sow spring (may also plant late summer for fall harvest)
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny or part shade location
Days to sprout: 7-14
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 3-inches
Row spacing: 12-18-inches
Average days to harvest: 35-45
Grow tip: Grow in cool season or in part shade as plants will bolt at the onset of warm weather.
Squash
Method: start indoors 2-4 weeks before last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 2 weeks after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location; lots of ground space
Days to sprout: 7-14
Seed depth: 1-inch
Plant spacing: 24-inches
Row spacing: 36-48-inches
Average days to harvest: 55-60 for summer varieties; 100-120 for winter varieties
Grow tip: For both summer and winter squash, give their vines lots of space to sprawl and grow! For summer squash like zucchini, avoid planting in a windy location as this may disrupt pollinators from doing their job. For winter squash like pumpkins, start seeds indoors to get a jump start on these long-season vegetables, and harvest only when they are fully mature on the plant for best results. Consider Three Sisters Planting.
Swiss chard
Method: direct sow spring
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 7-14
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 6-8-inches
Row spacing: 18-inches
Average days to harvest: 45-60
Grow tip: Soak seeds for 24 hours before planting to speed up germination.
Tomato
Method: start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; after hardening off process transplant seedlings outdoors 1 week after last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 5-10
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: 24-36-inches
Row spacing: 36-inches
Average days to harvest: 50-80 or more
Grow tip: Check if your tomatoes are determinant or indeterminant varieties to establish staking needs and expected quantity of harvest. Also give them room to grow to allow airflow and prevent disease.
Turnip
Method: direct sow early spring
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 4-7
Seed depth: 1/4-inch
Plant spacing: thin to 4-6-inches
Row spacing: 12-18-inches
Average days to harvest: 42-70
Grow tip: Plant in loose soil for best root development, and water regularly for best results.
Watermelon
Method: start indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost
Growing conditions: fertile soil; sunny location
Days to sprout: 5-7
Seed depth: 1/2-inch
Plant spacing: 2 to 3 feet
Row spacing: 6 feet
Average days to harvest: 80
Grow tip: Watermelons need lots of space—up to 20 square feet per plant. Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won’t crowd out other crops.