by Kimberly Foster

Created on: April 21, 2008   Last Updated: May 27, 2008

For the novice gardner, bedding plants can be a particular challenge. What seeds to get, what soil? What type of pot do I buy? Are just some of the questions you'll have to answer before you begin and the main reason the newbie gardner will decide to go with easier store-bought bedding plants. After doing this for a number of years, let me share some tips that will take some of the stress from this supposedly stress-reducing hobby.

First, don't be afraid of starting seeds. Seeds want to grow and your chances of success far outweigh the chance of failure. Starting seeds is fun and miraculous. It's also not as complicated as you think.

1. All seeds are not created equal but that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune for quality seeds. I've never known one brand of seeds to have a better grow rate than another. You'll find your favorites with experience.

2. Pots - I prefer peat pots because you can plant them right in the ground when the time comes. The pots shed excess water and stay nice and moist.

3. Soil - Get a good starter soil. You certainly don't have to go with Miracle-Gro. I don't. But if you have poor soil you might consider it to give your seedlings a really strong start. I use a simple seed-starter soil.

4. Water depends a lot on what you're trying to grow but a good rule for most seedlings is to keep the plant moist. You really don't have to watch over your seedlings too closely.

5. Timing - This is the most critical detail. I live in Chicago and our growing season can be abnormally short or abnormally long. I start my seeds mid-march or earlier indoors. If all goes well I should plant by the first week in May and start harvesting by July. If we get a late frost or an early warm-up, my plant is ready for anything.

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