Seed Starting with La Grainothèque

by Mary Strate  (February 2017)

My inbox is filling up with seed catalogues! Despite the frozen slush that is now my garden it is time to start planning for the summer. The winter months are ideal for browsing seed catalogues and gardening books while we are not battling birds and combating cutworms for our savoury shoots and roots. Some vegetable crops, like tomatoes and peppers, should be started indoors in early March to give them a healthy start when the soil receives them in June. I sow at least one variety of tomatoes and peppers by February 22. Not only does this give them a strong stem and root system in time for transplanting but it also helps me separate bloom periods of the different varieties within each vegetable species. As a seed saver, it is important to isolate the different varieties of tomatoes. This way, when the children plant Benoit’s seeds at their schools to transplant into Hemmingford Collective Garden (across from Hemmingford Aerospatiale) we will have Black Cherry tomatoes to harvest, which the school children love. By separating the different varieties spatially and temporally, we ensure that children will pick tomatoes that are dark purple, small, and delicious. Come learn about how to preserve heirloom varieties of your favourite vegetables with La Grainothèque!

The winter is ideal to exchange seeds and attend workshops. We will discuss how best to feed our families while honouring the efforts of our gardening grand-parents. The largest seed exchange in Quebec is the annual Fête des Semences at the Montreal Botanical Gardens, although inclement weather often keeps me at home. For an informative workshop and seed swap closer to home, La Grainothèque will be at the Recreation Centre March 4 at 10am. We will introduce new friends and old to the joys of exchanging seeds after we hear some presentations from notable horticulturists in the Hemmingford community. La Grainothèque Hemmingford will continue to bloom thanks to your enthusiasm and support.