Grow Doug

Here's how we start seeds in February.

Screen the compost so it's fine and holds moisture evenly. Pre-wet it in a bucket before filling trays. Sow thin. Cover light. Label immediately because you will not remember which is which.

Keep trays warm until they sprout. Then give them actual light. Not window light. Grow lights close enough that seedlings stay compact.

Water from below. Let the trays sit in a shallow basin for 10 to 20 minutes. Dump the extra. Steady moisture beats soaking.

Once true leaves show up, thin to one plant per cell. Snip the extras at soil level. Don't pull them or you'll disturb the roots of the keeper.

Right now we're starting onions, leeks, celery, and peppers. Tomatoes wait until mid-March. Cucumbers and squash wait until mid-April.

Starting too early backfires. Big seedlings aren't the goal. Strong ones are.

Full guide just went up on the blog. Link in bio.

Valentine’s reminder:

It’s not the roses.
It’s the roots.

Skip the quick fixes.
Build soil that holds water, cycles nutrients, and feeds your plants naturally.

Because the best gardens are built on strong foundations.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

As we wrap up another year here at Doug, we can't help but feel grateful for the incredible community that's grown alongside us, for the hands in the soil, and for every single person who's followed along on this journey.

It's been a year of growth (literally and figuratively), and we're so thankful for all of you who've trusted us, shared your gardens, and believed in what we're building here.

We've got some exciting projects lined up for 2025, and we can't wait to share them with you. But for now, we're taking a moment to slow down, enjoy the season, and soak up time with the people we love most.

From our family to yours, thank you for being part of the Doug community. Here's to good soil, good food, and a season full of rest and joy.

Winter doesn't mean the planters have to sit empty!

Steph's been out foraging and repurposing her summer pots into something beautiful for the season. A few evergreen clippings, some pieces collected over the years, and suddenly those planters have a whole new life.

It's simple, it's sustainable, and it's a great way to keep things looking alive even when the garden's taking a rest.

We're shaing a video next week showing exactly how she put it all together, but for now... consider this your sneak peek!

Do you dress up your planters for winter, or do they get tucked away until spring? We'd love to know what you do with yours.

While most people are writing holiday wish lists, we're already sketching out next year's garden beds! Call us eager, or maybe just a little garden-obsessed, but there's something special about planning your growing season while the ground rests.

Mapping out crop rotations, dreaming about new varieties to try, and deciding where the tomatoes will thrive next summer. It's all part of the process.

The truth is, great gardens start long before spring planting. They begin in these quiet winter months, when we're reflecting on what worked, what we learned, and how we can grow even better food for our families next year.

Are you already dreaming about your 2026 garden, or are you waiting until the snow melts?

While the garden is currently covered in snow, it’s nice to look back at some of our favourite colourful shots of the season!

Who else is already planning and looking forward to next years growing season?

Not too late! With the ground still workable and snow holding off, now's your window to get Renu into your soil. This fall application works through winter to deliver nutrients when your soil needs it most, setting you up for a stronger spring. Don't wait for the freeze, get it down while conditions are perfect!

As winter settles in and things slow down in the garden, we find ourselves reflecting on the year that’s been. We’re so grateful for the amazing team around us at GrowDoug, and for the chance to grow food our kids can enjoy straight from the garden. It’s always one of our favourite parts of what we do.

From our family to yours, happy gardening!
Whether you grew a few heads of lettuce or filled your garden with colour and abundance, getting our hands in the soil will always be good for the soul.

Even though the garden rests through winter, there’s still plenty happening behind the scenes here at GrowDoug, and we can’t wait to share a few winter projects and tips to help you prepare for spring!