Save Money - Start Seeds

• Gather your supplies.   You'll need seed trays, potting medium (not potting soil) and of course seeds.
  Timely Tips on Starting Seedlings at Home  This article includes a recipe for home-made soil-less mix + a variety of helpful information.
  Wayne Schmidt's Potting Soil Comparison Page   This article compares five well-know brands.  Wayne Schmidt share the results of germination rates and growing speed

• Prepare trays.  Here you have lots of options.
  Dirt Works sells Trays  Also check in your favorite seed catalog - most companies sell a variety of supplies.
  Make your own from egg cartons - assuming you saved them all year - but what gardener doesn't?  And if you didn't you can buy them online.

• Plant the seeds.  It is best to moisten the "soil" before planting the seeds.  Drop 2-3 seeds in each container. 
  Cover the newly planted seeds with plastic wrap - to trap humidity.  Remove the cover when the seedlings emerge.
  Vegetable and Flower seeds should be planted indoors about six weeks before the final frost date in the spring.  Give your babies about 15 hours of light per day - use a grow light or any fluorescent light.

• Keep the plants moist.  The soil should be moist, not soaked.

• Thin out.  After the second set of true leaves appear, it is time to thin your plants.  You want to keep only one plant per container. Sometimes picking the plant to keep is just arbitrary.  The plants you eliminate can be planted in separate containers - if you want to go to all that trouble.

• Harden-off.  About a week or two before it is time to transplant your seedlings to the garden, put them outdoors every day.  Select a protected area and increase the time outdoors each day.   Do this will help your plant adjust to their new outdoor homes.

• Enjoy your harvest.