diff --git a/backend/routers/auth.py b/backend/routers/auth.py
index 2291968..36a6708 100644
--- a/backend/routers/auth.py
+++ b/backend/routers/auth.py
@@ -3,11 +3,29 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from auth import create_access_token, get_current_user, hash_password, verify_password
 from database import get_db
-from models import User
+from models import User, Variety
 from schemas import Token, UserCreate, UserLogin, UserOut
 
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/auth", tags=["auth"])
 
+STARTER_VARIETIES = [
+    dict(name="Tomato", variety_name="Cherry", category="vegetable",
+         weeks_to_start=8, weeks_to_greenhouse=2, weeks_to_garden=2,
+         days_to_germinate=7, frost_tolerant=False, sun_requirement="full_sun",
+         water_needs="medium", color="#e76f51",
+         notes="Great in containers. Very prolific producer."),
+    dict(name="Basil", variety_name="Sweet", category="herb",
+         weeks_to_start=6, weeks_to_greenhouse=1, weeks_to_garden=2,
+         days_to_germinate=7, frost_tolerant=False, sun_requirement="full_sun",
+         water_needs="medium", color="#40916c",
+         notes="Very frost sensitive. Transplant after all danger of frost."),
+    dict(name="Marigold", variety_name="French", category="flower",
+         weeks_to_start=6, weeks_to_greenhouse=1, weeks_to_garden=0,
+         days_to_germinate=5, frost_tolerant=False, sun_requirement="full_sun",
+         water_needs="low", color="#f4a261",
+         notes="Great companion plant for tomatoes. Deters pests."),
+]
+
 
 @router.post("/register", response_model=UserOut, status_code=201)
 def register(data: UserCreate, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
@@ -15,6 +33,9 @@ def register(data: UserCreate, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Email already registered")
     user = User(email=data.email, hashed_password=hash_password(data.password))
     db.add(user)
+    db.flush()  # get user.id before commit
+    for v in STARTER_VARIETIES:
+        db.add(Variety(**v, user_id=user.id))
     db.commit()
     db.refresh(user)
     return user