When you think gardening, think local seeds and supplies
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8
Did you know you can buy seeds perfectly suited to our climate from two local sources—both packaged right next door in Sturgeon County? Plus, don’t forget to check out Morinville Community Library’s Seed Library!
It might be hard to believe by looking out your window today, but now is the time to get your seeds started indoors if you haven't already. We are roughly 7 weeks from the generally accepted 'date of last frost' (the May 24 long weekend) for the Morinville area.
But before that, you can get peas, radishes, spinach, kale and more started in your garden plot - as soon as the soil is workable, experts say. And if you have no space in your yard (or no yard) for a garden, you can rent a plot at your local community gardens.
So ignore the snow and start thinking about your veggie garden journey in 2026!
First things first: you need seeds!
Life has been expensive lately, so let’s start with free seeds.
Morinville Community Library’s Seed Library – Borrow a packet of seeds for free from the library, grow your plants, and return harvested seeds in the fall to keep the cycle going. If you’re not an experienced seed collector (and how many of us are?), the library has information on seed starting and saving, including:
Seed Sowing and Saving (Grower's Blend and The Northern Seed Library)
Seed Saving and Gardening Terms (Seed Savers Exchange)
Seed Saving Resources (Community Seed Network)
(Note: there is no requirement to return seeds in the fall, it just helps the library keep its seed library robust for all users).
Deb’s Greenhouse – Local favourite for flowers, Deb’s Greenhouse also sells their own brand of flower and vegetable seeds branded ‘Secret Garden Seeds.’ The varieties sold are those Deb and her family have been growing for generations, well-adapted to our local climate. You can buy them online before the greenhouse opens mid-April.
Moonglow Gardens – Based in Sturgeon County, Moonglow Gardens (website) is a “small artisanal seed-production farm growing heirloom & open-pollinated seed.” They have a large selection of high-quality, (non-certiifed) organic seeds for flower, herb and vegetable varieties selected to thrive in our local growing conditions.
Next, something to start your seeds in!
Once your seed order is in, you’ll need to start thinking of where to plant them. Again, let’s start with the free options (mostly - unless you already have potting soil, you’ll need to buy some).
Two super easy and cheap ideas are cardboard egg cartons (poke holes in the bottom) and toilet paper rolls. There are tons of videos on Youtube to show you how. These are great options because you can just transplant your little seedlings, container and all, outside when you are ready.
You can use plastic salad containers (they already have those handy holes in the bottom), milk or cream cartons, coffee containers, drink bottles - pretty much anything that will hold soil and provide drainage. Large clear or translucent plastic drink bottles (pop, water, orange juice, milk) can be cut to provide greenhouse-ish properties (again, Youtube will help you: try searching ‘milk jug greenhouse).
Professional seed trays and supplies
And if you don’t mind spending to have a tidier, more professional seed-starting window, Home Hardware also carries proper seed starting trays (empty or with pellets) and even heated seedling mats to give your growing efforts an extra boost. Heated mats really are helpful to start heat-lovers like tomatoes and peppers, especially if your window area gets pretty cool at night still, but they’re not a must-have.
Dollar Tree and Dollarama also carry some seasonal gardening supplies, including seeds, seed trays, (and some fun garden decorations).
Your outdoor garden space
Create a space at home
If you're putting a new garden into the ground, it's usually best to do it in the fall but if you are dying to get started this summer, consider building or buying some raised beds and/or try the lasagne method. Or, put some pots out on your patio to plant everything from herbs and greens in shallower containers to tomatoes and cucumbers in 5 gallon buckets. There are loads of guides and videos online to help you. Buy soil by the bag at Home Hardware or in bulk from Riverbend Landscape Supply.
Morinville Centennial Community Gardens
Don’t have space for a garden at home or just don’t have the confidence you’ll maintain one all on your own? Think about renting a plot at Morinville Centennial Community Gardens. There, you’re not just renting a bit of dirt, you’re joining a community of gardeners of all levels of knowledge and experience. Morinville Centennial Community Gardens offers private plots at the Morinville United Church and at Champlain Park, and also maintains a public garden at Champlain Park that anyone from the community can harvest from.
Every member of Morinville Centennial Community Gardens commits to doing some volunteer work throughout the gardening season as well, giving you more opportunities to meet, work with, and learn from your fellow gardeners.
The Champlain Park gardens are a beautiful spot for the whole family to hang out in the summer, with lots of room for little ones to run through grass, smell flowers and taste fresh-picked veggies. There’s also a little basketball court at the Champlain Park location.
First Time Gardener?
Sign up for the Eat Well Workshop offered by the Town of Morinville on April 15, 2026.
Get started!
Growing your own food is a satisfying feeling and being outside with the sun on your skin and soil on your hands has proven physical and mental health benefits. Even if you’ve never done it before, why not try growing a couple of tomato plants from seed? It might be fun, and you can donate the seeds you don't use to the library.
With all these fabulous local resources, Morinville is a great place to start or expand your gardening journey. Watch for more local gardening posts as the warm weather nears and local greenhouses, outdoor landscaping supply spots and tree farms open for the season.
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