Tomatoes and peppers require only seven to eight weeks. For cole crops such as broccoli and cabbage start seeds five to seven weeks before it's time to plant them outdoors. Wait until April to start melons, cucumbers, and squash. Instead of buying non-recyclable plastic trays, sow your seeds in egg cartons or cardboard milk containers cut in half lengthwise. Use a prepared seed-sowing medium, and be sure to punch a hole or two in the bottom for good drainage.
Peat pots are another good choice as they can be planted directly in the garden.
Seedlings will need as much light as possible. Use special grow lights or regular, cool white tubes, placing them about six inches above the tops of the plants. Leave on a minimum of 16 hours a day. Start saving plastic milk jugs this month to use for individual hot caps or cloches. They will fit nicely over small garden plants, creating a miniature greenhouse.