April 01, 2022
The time has come, despite what the thermometer says, to start certain vegetable seeds…indoors that is. And to make sure we get off to a great start we reached out to a local gardening expert, Sarah of Pigeon Lake Permaculture, to gather her sage advice.
Sarah: Pigeon Lake Permaculture is a small-scale market garden we started in 2021. We focus on organic growing methods and permaculture practices, which means we strive to work WITH nature, instead of against it. We offer fresh vegetables and eggs every weekend (June through October) at our farmstand as well as CSA shares and weekly fresh food boxes. Our garden overlooks Pigeon Lake, located at 2041 Pigeon Lake Road.
Sarah: The average gardener really only needs some basic supplies to get started including seed starting potting mix, starter pots or a starting tray with a dome cover, a spray bottle with water to mist the plants and of course your favourite vegetable seeds!
Sarah: Starting seeds indoors has many benefits, including an earlier harvest. While some crops can be direct seeded, you can start them indoors and move up the harvest date. Another perk of starting seeds indoors is the ability to grow long season crops in short season climates, like here in Ontario.
Sarah: This is a great question, there are so many seeds you can start planting indoors right now such as:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Onions
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Herbs
Note that you should know your plant hardiness/growing zone before planning your garden. Follow a seeding calendar for that growing zone for a more accurate timeline on indoor planting, transplanting, direct seeding, etc. In Bobcaygeon we are Plant Hardiness Zone 5a.
Sarah:
Sarah: There are so many seeds you can direct seed into the ground! A few easy vegetables to directly seed into your garden are:
- Beans
- Beets
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Radish
- Spinach
- Squash
- Watermelons
- Pumpkins
For most vegetables, you’ll want to wait until the last frost date to direct seed. Our last expected frost date here in Ontario is usually around the second week of May. Again, each growing zone is different so it’s best to follow your growing zone seeding calendar!
Sarah: Each vegetable harvest date varies.
There are a few cool weather crops we can harvest in June, such as strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, radish, peas, lettuce, spinach, and many herbs.
The rest, and the majority of, our summer vegetables are harvested early July through to September.
You can purchase our produce and eggs at our at our farmstand, located on our farm, at 2041 Pigeon Lake Road. We also offer a weekly ‘fresh-food box’ which includes 6-10 vegetables and herbs that are harvested fresh each week. This is the best way to practice ‘eating with the seasons’, while enjoying ultra-fresh, locally grown, organic produce.
We are open every Friday to Sunday beginning mid June to early October. If you can’t make it over the weekend, you can contact us any time via Facebook, Instagram, or email and we’re happy to arrange a time for produce pickup that’s convenient for you.
Instagram & Facebook:
@pigeonlakepermaculture
Email: pigeonlakefarm@outlook.com