It has been my experience that seeds started indoors produce a higher ratio of  beautiful plants. It also makes a great year-round indoor hobby to "play in the dirt" and watch your plants grow. You can invest in seed starting equipment or be creative and use household supplies. Here are some tips that have worked well for me through the years:

CHOOSE YOUR CONTAINERS

There are many options for containers to start your seeds in. Jiffy Peat Pots (about 2") work well because they are biodegradable and can be planted outside when ready without disturbing the roots. 2-4" plastic starter pots or seed tray inserts work well. I have also used disposable plastic drinking cups with holes poked in the bottom for drainage. The clear plastic "cocktail" cups work especially well and can easily be found in most grocery stores. If reusing pots from last year, wash thoroughly in hot, soapy water. To protect against plant disease, rinse with a dilute solution of household bleach or distilled vinegar(1 part) and water(10 parts).

SELECT YOUR GROWING MEDIUM
Seeds require moisture and air to germinate, so you will need a medium that allows water to easily drain so air can be available for the seed. Soil less seed-starter mix is excellent. You can purchase it in bags at a local nursery or garden center or you can make your own with ingredients commonly found at the same locations. Blend equal parts of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss. Add 1/4 teaspoon of lime to each gallon of mix to neutralize the acidity of the peat. Jiffy Peat Pellets are also excellent as they combine the soil less medium with a starter "container".  A good quality potting soil mix can also be used if it is well-draining.

SOWING YOUR SEEDS
Moisten your medium in the container before sowing the seeds. I always use lukewarm water to pre-moisten. Follow seed sowing directions for seed depth, covering with additional moistened medium. If seeds require top sowing, gently press into moistened medium but do not cover as they need light to germinate. Space seeds as evenly as possible - normally 2-3 seeds per pot. Do not plant seeds deeper than instructed as this could result in seed failure.

NURTURE YOUR SEEDS
Cover pots or inserts with plastic wrap or a clear dome to create a "greenhouse" environment. You can also place small pots in a ziploc bag. This helps to retain moisture and heat. Select a location that will stay warm - @70 degrees is best. You can invest in a seed heating mat, but I have had great results in windowsills, a table near a window or even the top of my refrigerator (sounds silly but it provides good bottom warmth!). Keep lightly moist - water when the top of the soil begins to feel dry with room temperature or lukewarm water. Over watering can cause a seed to rot before germination. Mist the top with a spray bottle or bottom water - place pot or tray into a container with 1/4" water so it wicks up from below. Both options will not disturb the seeds and also help prevent over watering.

SEEDLING CARE
At the first signs of sprouting, uncover and move the containers to a bright spot - a sunny window, or suspend fluorescent lights 2" above plants. Raise lights as seedlings grow. Seedlings don't have to stay as warm as germinating seeds. 12-16 hours of daily light is optimum. The first leaves to appear are called "seed leaves"(they are normally round). After that, the true plant leaves will grow, at which time you can start to water with a half-strength solution of liquid fertilizer or organic fish/seaweed solution every week or two. Use either a spray bottle or add the fertilizer to the water if you are bottom watering. After the seedling has at least two sets of true leaves, you can transplant to a larger container or separate if multiple plants are growing (or cut the weakling to promote better growth of the strong plant). When you transplant, add compost if using soil less medium or you can use a good quality potting soil mix.

FINISHING TOUCH
About 1 week before plants are to go outside, start acclimating them to outdoors conditions (commonly called hardening off). Start my moving containers to a shaded, protected place, such as a porch, for a few hours. Weather permitting, gradually increase the daily exposure to sun and breeze. At the end of the week, leave them out overnight. They will then be ready to transplant outdoors. For best results, mix compost and potting soil with your native soil when transplanting outdoors to help the plant develop a strong root system.

These tips have worked well for me and I hope they help you as well. I think it will, at the very least, get you on your way to discovering what works best for you. There is so much enjoyment from starting flowers and plants from seeds - watching your "babies" grow every day! If one thing does not work, try something else but do not give up! You will be successful and enjoy the experience.

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