You also minimize the chance of introducing soil-borne diseases to your garden. For the Pure Joy of It Planting seeds indoors during the dark days of winter is a sure-cure for the Winter Blues. The first decision you have to make when starting seeds indoors is what type of container to use. You can start seedlings in flats, soil cubes or in individual containers. Many gardeners prefer to start seedlings in open flats or in soil cubes and transplant them in individual pots after the first set of true leaves appear.
Individual containers can be homemade or commercial pots.
Yogurt cups, styrofoam egg cartons, bread pans and cottage cheese tubs make excellent containers. Be sure to punch a drainage hole on the bottom of each one. Commercial pots are an additional expense initially, but they offer some advantages. Square plastic pots take up less space and often come with trays to hold them together as a unit, or pack. I prefer this setup, especially when shuttling the seedlings outdoors and back during the hardening off process.