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Spring is approaching; time to get a jump on this year's growing season. Sprouting seeds indoors will give you a head start and a way to grow flowers and plants that might not be sold at your neighborhood nursery.

Deciding what to grow:

Not all seeds need to be started indoors; those that are slow growing or need extra growing time will benefit from an indoor boost. Nurseries have huge racks of enticing seed packets this time of year that lure you over as you enter the store. Read the backs of the packets to decide which choices are best and how long it will take for plants to mature. Flowers that are easy and fun to grow are petunias and marigolds. Good vegetables choices are tomatoes and eggplant.

Planting seeds indoors

The Farmer's Almanac will list the dates of the last spring frost where you live. Planting outdoors must be done after the last spring frost so seedlings should be started indoors 4-6 weeks before you can safely plant them in your yard or garden.

Peat pots from the nursery are perfect for starting new seedlings. There are also cow manure pots which are recycled, "you know what." These pots can be placed directly into the garden without removing the plants.

Fill the pots with potting soil, place a few seeds into each pot, cover with the amount of soil recommended on the seed packet then water each pot. Recycle your unused plastic lids or use clear plastic wrap placed over the peat pots. Set them in a warm place to grow.

Once the seedlings appear, remove the plastic and place the pots in your sunniest window to receive at least 8 hours of sunlight a day to continue growing. Consider using grow lights or fluorescent lights if no area will provide enough sunlight.

Caring for seedlings

Watering is a crucial step for the success of your indoor planting. Check your plants daily. The soil will appear a lighter color if dry. A spray bottle will deliver finely misted water to protect your fragile young plants or use a small watering pitcher with a long spout.

Once the plantings have grown a few inches you need to remove the stems in each pot that are the thinnest so only the strongest plant will continue to grow. About a week before you are ready to transfer them to your garden, is the time to prepare your plants for the harsher conditions outdoors.

Take the plants outside for a couple hours each day, at first avoiding direct sunlight. Increase the time and sun exposure each day so by the end of the week they are used to being outside all the time. Plantings acclimate better when transplanted if they go through this hardening-off process.

Nothing is more satisfying than starting and growing your own plants from seeds. Watching those little seedlings begin as sprouts then rise into full grown plants will make you feel proud and part of nature's growing life cycle.

Learn more about this author, Michele Blacksberg.
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