Starting Plant Seeds Indoors for a Spring Garden

Almost any gardener is going to start at least a few new seeds in a given year, even a gardener with many other well-established plants may wish to incorporate some new plants or increase the number of a favorite type. The cold days of February and March are a perfect time to get seeds started indoors. Starting seeds indoors allows them to get a real "foot-hold" on life before being exposed to the harsh elements of outdoor weather, and also allows them to have a bit of size before being incorporated in alongside other elements in a garden or flower bed.

After you have planned out your garden ambitions for the new year and have decided upon and purchased your seeds, it is time to plant them. When you are just starting your seeds, you do not need or really want a full-size pot. You can purchase small planters (they usually are two by two) or use any small water-tight container from around the house.

Note: Do not use a container that has had anything chemically harmful in it.

Be sure to read the soil coverage requirements on your seed packet. Reading this before adding in any soil will prevent redoing this step later. You want to leave clearance at the top of your planter to prevent spillage (a slight clearance will do), and then you want to calculate the soil needed to cover the seeds after planting. Make a measurement and mark the container (or eye it) and fill the soil to this level. Place the seeds and then cover with the left over soil.

Since the seeds being planted need plenty of nutrients, it is best to use a good potting soil instead of soil from outdoors. This will ensure that has many seeds as possible take root - allowing you plenty of new plants to transplant into the ground or outdoor pots in the spring.

It is important to store your planters in a warm spot in your house that is away from any drafty windows and away from the direct air blast of a forced air system or electric heater. If you use this type of heat, it is also a good idea to create a nice little cover for your seeds like a thin plastic bucket or bowl with holes pressed in it. This will allow oxygen to circulate while also helping to keep moisture trapped in the atmosphere of the bowl.

After the seeds take off and green begins to peek out of the soil you can begin to add some extra nutrients to the soil and move them into the light and use grow lamps. After more time has passed the seed can be transplanted to a larger pot. When spring arrives the seed you started is completely ready for outdoor life and can be introduced to the wind, rain, and sunshine gradually before being left outside permanently.