Vegetable Garden in Calgary, Start Your Seedlings NOW!

Even though it’s snowing outside, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your vegetable garden. Indoor gardening allows us to defy the seasons and get a head start on spring. In this blog post, we’ll explore the science of full spectrum grow lights, discuss the importance of blue and red light for plant growth, and provide recommendations for affordable grow lights. Let’s embrace the chill of winter as an opportunity to prepare for a bountiful harvest in the coming months. 🌱

Part 1: Planning Your Vegetable Garden: A Calgary Gardener’s Guide

In Calgary, the last frost typically occurs around the May Long Weekend. With a growing season of approximately 114 days (from May 23 to September 15), it’s important to plan your planting schedule carefully. Here are some common garden plants and when you should start their seedlings indoors:

1. Tomatoes: These plants love the heat and should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. This means you should start your tomato seedlings around late March to early April.
2. Peppers: Like tomatoes, peppers prefer warm weather. Start your pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date, which would be around mid to late March.
3. Cucumbers: Cucumbers grow quickly, so you can start these seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, or around late April to early May.
4. Lettuce: Lettuce can tolerate cooler temperatures, so start these seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date, or around mid to late April.
5. Broccoli: Broccoli prefers cooler weather, so start these seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date, or around mid to late April.
6. Cabbage: Like broccoli, cabbage prefers cooler weather. Start these seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date, or around mid to late April.
7. Kale: Kale is a hardy plant that can tolerate cooler temperatures. Start these seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date, or around mid to late April.
8. Swiss Chard: Swiss chard is a versatile plant that grows well in both cool and warm temperatures. Start these seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, or around late April to early May.

Remember, these are general guidelines. Always check the seed packet for specific instructions, as germination times can vary by variety. Happy gardening! 🌱

Part 2: Getting Your Seedling Ready for Your Vegetable Garden

Germinating Your Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting Your Seedlings

Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard:

• Begin by placing your seeds on a damp paper towel. This creates a moist environment that encourages germination.
• Fold the paper towel over the seeds to ensure they’re fully covered.
• Place the paper towel with the seeds into a sealed plastic bag. This helps maintain the moisture levels.
• Keep the bag in a warm place. The heat will stimulate the germination process.
• Check the bag daily. Once the seeds have sprouted, you can transplant them to a more permanent home, such as a pot with soil or a hydroponic system.
• Alternatively, you can use egg cartons for germination. Simply poke holes in the bottom for drainage, fill each section with soil, place your seeds on top, and cover with a bit more soil. Keep the soil moist and place the carton in a warm place. In a few days, you should see your seedlings sprout!

Feeding Your Seedlings

• Seedlings don’t require fertilizer until they’ve developed their true leaves. These are the second set of leaves that appear after the initial sprouting leaves.
• Once the true leaves have appeared, you can start feeding your seedlings. Use a half-strength, balanced NPK fertilizer. NPK stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, the three essential nutrients for plant growth.
• Apply the fertilizer once a week until you’re ready to transplant the seedlings. This will provide them with the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

Transplanting Your Seedlings

• Seedlings are usually ready to be transplanted once they’ve developed three to four true leaves. At this stage, they’re strong enough to survive the transition to a larger pot or an outdoor garden.

Recognizing Healthy Seedlings

• Healthy seedlings should be vibrant and green. They should stand upright and not be overly tall or spindly.
• The first leaves that appear are called cotyledons. These are part of the seed itself and provide the seedling with its initial nutrients.
• After the cotyledons, the seedling will start to produce true leaves. These leaves are responsible for photosynthesis and will look different from the cotyledons.
• Once the seedling has a few sets of true leaves and is standing strong, it’s ready for a dose of fertilizer to help it continue to grow.

I hope this guide helps you on your gardening journey! Happy planting! 🌱

Part 3: The Benefit of Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Yor Vegetable Garden

The Science of Full Spectrum Grow Lights

Full spectrum grow lights are designed to emulate the natural light spectrum of the sun, providing all the light wavelengths that plants need for optimal growth.

The Importance of Blue and Red Light

Within the full spectrum, blue and red lights play crucial roles in plant growth:

• Blue light encourages robust vegetative growth, helping plants develop strong stems and leaves.
• Red light is essential during the flowering and fruiting stage, helping plants produce bountiful flowers and fruits.

A balance of both blue and red light is key for healthy plant growth.

Sizing Your Grow Lights

The size of your grow light should be proportional to the number of seedlings you have. As a rule of thumb, you want to have around 20-40 watts per square foot of grow space. This ensures that your plants receive adequate light without getting too much heat. Remember, more isn’t always better when it comes to grow lights. Too much light can cause light burn, while too little light can lead to weak, leggy plants.

Recommended Grow Lights

When selecting a grow light, it’s important to choose one that offers both red and blue light. Here are a couple of affordable options available on Amazon that are suitable for small to medium-sized indoor gardens:

1. Barrina LED Grow Light, 252W: This light offers a full spectrum of light, including blue and red, and is highly rated by users for its effectiveness and value for money. It’s a great choice for small indoor gardens or for starting a few seedlings. You can find this here,
2. MARS HYDRO TS 1000W Led Grow Light: This light also offers a full spectrum of light and has a dimmable feature that allows you to adjust the light intensity according to your plants’ needs. It’s suitable for larger indoor gardens or for growing a larger number of seedlings. You Can Find this Here

Remember, the right lighting can make a significant difference in your indoor garden’s success. Choose a light that best suits your plants’ needs and watch them thrive! Happy gardening! 🌱