Did you know that if you want to start your garden from seeds, now is the time to plant?
Since we’re probably not all the way out of the frost zone, yet, you can place seeds in pots and then transfer your small plants outside once the weather is a bit warmer.
There’s nothing more satisfying than growing your garden all the way from seeds to harvest.
So, get ready to flex your green thumb. All you need is the right light and some simple equipment. Check out tips from gardeners.com below and our infographic to see what seeds you should be planting in March.
- FIND THE LIGHT: Most plants do well in a sunny, south-facing window. If you don’t have access to one, you may have to invest in grow lamps.
- START SLOWLY: If you’re not an experienced gardener, don’t try to grow too many seeds at once – stick to one or two varieties and try to pick something that will grow easily without much maintenance.
- READ THE LABEL: The seed package will often provide instructions for timing, such as “plant 6-8 weeks before last frost.” It may also say whether plants can be started indoors (or if you should plant them directly outdoors).
- CHOOSE CONTAINERS: You can use pretty much anything, as long as it’s 2″ to 3″ deep and has some drainage holes. If you’re at the lawn and garden store, you can buy planting containers made specifically for seeds.
- PREPARE SOIL: Don’t use the usual potting mix, but find one that specifically says “for seedlings.” You should moisten the soil before filling in your containers and add additional fertilizer once the seeds germinate.
- USE PLASTIC WRAP: Once you’ve planted the seeds, you may want to cover the pots with plastic wrap to keep them moist. This will help them germinate faster.
- TRANSFER SLOWLY: When it’s time to move the seedlings outside, don’t take them directly from their safe spot inside to the ground outside. Set them outside in a cool place with little wind and bring them in at night for a couple days before planting.
If you’re already a seed pro, check out more gardening tips at HGTV.com.
