by Diane Reiter

Created on: March 07, 2008

After enduring months of teeth-clattering temperatures and nuisance snowfalls, April always teases Minnesotans with fleeting debuts of sunshine and spring-like air. Minnesota winters are always long but after tolerating the state's coldest in 12 years, we're even more anxious than usual for that springtime weather to linger.

Why not embrace the residual days of winter and invite a bit of spring into your home right now? April is the perfect time to ward off cabin fever with some potting supplies, your favorite vegetable or flower seeds, and a dose of gardening know-how.

Begin by gathering your seeds and a few essentials. Seeds and starter kits can be purchased at a variety of retail stores including home improvement and discount centers. Supplies are also available through catalogs and online sites including Gurneys.com, Stokeseeds.com, Burpee.com, and Parkseed.com.

Select seeds that will produce plants appropriate for your soil and light conditions. If you wish to start perennials, choose varieties suitable for hardiness zones 2-4 that have the ability to weather harsh Minnesota winters.

Timing is essential when starting your seeds. First, determine the date of your last expected frost. Check your seed packets to establish the total number of week's growth that are required before transplanting outdoors, then use a calendar to count back the appropriate number of weeks from that date. In most areas of Minnesota, this date is usually mid to late May.

Select a growing area in your home near a southern window for optimum daily sun light. Since ample light is usually at a minimum in Minnesota homes, once your plants sprout you'll most likely need to supplement your natural light source with a fluorescent or growing bulb available at most retail and garden stores. These lights should remain above your pots for 14-18 hours per day until transplant time.

Plant seeds in containers filled with loose, slightly damp soil-free potting mix and make certain each pot is labeled with the plant type. Three to four seeds should be planted per pot at the depth specified on the seed packet.

Most plants will do best when kept lightly moist, never wet, in 75 to 80 degree temperatures. After seeds germinate and the plants have acquired their first leaves, thin them by removing the weakest-looking growths from each pot.

A week or so before your target transplant date, move your plants outdoors for one to two hours a day at first, gradually increasing the time your plants spend outside until they are ready to be moved to their new garden home. When the date finally arrives for planting, make sure the plants are spaced in your garden according to the recommendations printed on your seed packets.

Starting your spring garden indoors while snow still blankets the ground is the perfect cure for the winter blues. And the moment you take that first bite of your homegrown tomato or gather your first garden bouquet, you'll realize just how gratifying gardening can be when it's done entirely from scratch.

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