Starting Seeds Improves the Gardening of those Without Green Thumbs

Even if you haven't been gifted with a green thumb you can still successfully start a garden. This guide will give you advice and information on starting seeds to plant outside later. I hope you find it helpful!

First step: purchase high quality seeds and a few containers to plant them in. I personally like using peat pots because you can plant them directly into the ground later. If you're planting multiple seeds in one container use a large pot (plastic or terra-cotta) and make sure it has drainage holes. You'll also want to pick up some soil; they sell special seed starting soil in most gardening stores.

If you don't have a window that offers enough bright light you can buy plant lights at any hardware or gardening store. You should also have a tray handy to place underneath your plant pots to catch excess water.

Second step: Once you have your materials you can start planting your seeds. You'll want to moisten your soil slightly with lukewarm water. Fill your containers all the way up with your now moist soil and then compact it so that it is ½ to 1 inch from the top of the container. The seed packet will tell you what depth the plant the seeds. Poke holes into the soil where you need your seeds to be and then cover with soil.

Third Step: Make sure to label the pots with their type and also mark the date the seeds were sewn.

Fourth Step: Pour about an inch of lukewarm water into the tray so that the plants can pull water from the bottom of the container. Cover the containers with a sheet of plastic wrap or a plastic tray cover. Make sure to place the containers on a bright windowsill or under a plant light (keep the light 3-5 inches above plants).

When your seedlings start to grow above the surface remove the plastic cover and keep them under your plant light or on a bright windowsill. You can keep watering them by pouring water into the tray for now, but once they start to grow leaves you should switch to regular watering (making sure not to over water). When the plants get too large for their current container it's best to transplant them into larger pots. Before you decide to move the plants outside permanently it's best to only leave them outside for a few hours each day so that they can gradually get accustomed to the weather change they will experience.

As far as talking to your plants, singing to them, or playing music for them...hey if you believe it works do it! I'm sure your plants will enjoy it.