Besides the personal satisfaction gained, raising your own seedlings will give you a head start on the growing season, save you money from buying plants, and most importantly, give you an unparalled selection in varieties not available at the local nursery. Seed Selection Carefully read seed packets and garden catalogs for seed germination requirements. If you're a beginner, be sure to pick seeds labeled as easy or with a short germination time. Order seeds in early winter from garden catalogs to make sure you receive them in time. Check suggested advance starting dates on seed packets and mark your calendar.
Containers Always start with clean containers with drainage holes.
A variety of containers may be used, from recycled yogurt cups to plastic pots or cell packs. You may also use biodegradable peat pots. These are recommended for hard to transplant seeds such as cucumber or zinnia. Be sure to sterilize used containers with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water. Soil Mix Use a soilless commercial germinating mix for your seed starting.