Image via WikipediaNow is the time to start your seed plantings indoors. We've started our tomato plants, and pepper plants inside. When they get a few inches high we'll transplant them outdoors if the weather permits. Of course if you still have snow on the ground you won't be planting your tomato plants. But starting them inside now by the time they are ready to transplant, the weather should be warm enough that they will survive.
When they are about 3" high you may want to harden them to the weather where you live to ease them into the natural environment where they will be planted. What I mean by hardening them is to set them outdoors in their pot for a few hours each day on warmer days until they are ready to plant. By then they will be acclimated to your outdoor environment. When they are 5" - 7" you can plant them outdoors if they have been acclimated and if the weather is warm enough without freezing temperatures at night. Freezing temperatures at night can kill your young plants so take care.
But today we're just talking about starting your seeds indoors. You can use peat pots, paper pots, clay pots, or plastic, or a starter kit by one of the many seed companies. Or your can make your own soil cubes for planting with a soil cube tool.
Starting your seeds in peat pots, paper pots, or soil cubes - you can them plant them directly into the ground when they are ready. Just make sure if using paper pots the paper used to make the pots contains no ink, and make sure the roots have plenty of room to grow for healthy plants. If you need to open the bottom of your pots when planting time comes around for your plants to have good root growth then do that. You'll have happier healthier plants and a better harvest.
Your seedling pots will need to stay moist and warm for germination to take place. You don't want your pots to be sopping wet, just moist. A spray bottle with water to mist your pots daily is a good choice. Your pots will also need light. So placing them in a window is best or you may chose to use a grow light for a limited time each day if you don't have a lighted place to put them.
Where you buy your seeds is not important. What's important is to get a garden started to provide for your family. You won't ever regret having fresh food for your family.
