Tiny seeds can be scattered over the surface of the soil-less mix; for larger seeds, trace shallow furrows on the surface. Cover seeds lightly, if necessary. Some seeds need light to germinate and should be left uncovered. (When planting more than one variety, label each container. Tiny seedlings can be hard to tell apart!)

To maintain moisture, cover the seed-starting container with a clear plastic dome or make a tent with a clear plastic bag. Most seeds need warmth to germinate. Keep the container in a warm location (about 75 degrees F) to encourage them. Put your seed-starting containers on top of your refrigerator, where the additional warmth will speed the process. As soon as seedlings sprout, remove the plastic cover and move the seedlings to a cooler spot. Water the emerging seedlings gently to avoid disturbing them. Allow the container to soak up water from below, or water from above with a mister. When seedlings emerge too close together, thin them without disturbing the roots

of those that remain by snipping off the extras at the surface. About one week after the seedlings appear, begin feeding them every time you water with a dilute water-soluble fertilizer.

Bright light is the key to growing sturdy, healthy seedlings indoors. If you live where late winter days are often cloudy, even a south-facing window may not provide enough light for your seedlings. Consider supplementing natural light with a fluorescent shop light, hung so the tubes are just an inch or two above the leaves. Wide-spectrum tubes come closest to duplicating sunlight, but cool white tubes give similar results at a fraction of the cost. Connect your shop light to an automatic timer that switches the light on for 14 to 16 hours a day. (If your seedlings grow weak and spindly, they are likely not getting enough light, or the room they are growing in is too warm.)
(Continued next page)