by Woody Woodhouse

Created on: March 07, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Can't wait for spring? Get a jump start on your growing season and start your seeds indoors. It's easy!

When picking your seeds to grow, you should purchase fresh seeds (packed for the upcoming growing season). You also have to be careful picking the type of seeds. As a rule, the types of seeds that grow outdoors in your local environment will be the best suited to indoor as well.

Once you have your seeds, you need a container for them. This will vary in accordance with the seeds you have chosen. Once your pot has been picked clean it well and make sure there is adequate drainage. There are pots available for specifically starting seeds indoors so try these as they will have less disturbance on the roots when transplanting them!

Once the seeds and pots are covered your well on your way to the growing season. Before this can happen you need a few other pieces of equipment to help you along the way to success. The equipment needed includes: A sterile potting mix, a capillary mat underneath to water the seeds from below (for optimal results, otherwise a watering can), plastic wrap (to cover the pot with until the seeds germinate, when the cover is removed), an appropriate place for them to stay (away from drafts and adequate sunlight - artificial light can be used if necessary) and fertilizer for when the seedlings appear.

One of the most important components of growing your indoor seeds is the issue of light. Even if you have natural light its optimal to include artificial light. This is done by suspending a fluorescent light three inches above the tray. As the seedlings grow raise the light so it remains three inches above, use an incandescent bulb if the artificial light is not available. You should only expose the plants to approximately 14 hours of light per day (varying in according to the type of seed).

Once you have set up the light, you can plant the seeds in the soil according to the packet instructions, making sure to water them adequately. Cover them with the plastic wrap until germinated when you remove it. Continue watering (if not using an automated system) and applying the light routine to the plant until four leaves are visible on the seedling when fertilizer should be added.

One week before your ready to transplant your seeds you need to 'harden them off', this process requires the plant to be acclimatized to the outdoor condition slowly by putting the plant outside during the day and bringing it back indoors at night. Gradually increase the time spent in the sun each day until the plant is ready for transplanting (usually around a week after you started hardening off).

Don't rush into transplanting them, make sure you have prepared the outdoor garden properly and the plants are well suited for the outdoor environment. Once you believe they will survive the frosty conditions you can transplant them to the outdoors carefully. The process is now complete and you have a thriving plant before other people have even started gardening for the season!

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