Starting seeds indoors this February or March is a sure way to beat the winter blues.

It also allows you to grow unusual vegetable or flower varieties that won't be available as starter plants in your local nursery or garden center.

Seed starting is easy and requires little equipment. All you need is a shallow planting tray or pot (make sure it is clean), a good seed-starting planting mix such as Schultz Seed Starter Plus, a warm spot in your kitchen or basement, and patience.

Plant your seeds according to directions on each packet. Make sure the soil remains slightly moist (misting with a spray bottle is best). It is important to keep the soil from drying out or becoming too wet, both of which conditions will hinder germination or even kill the young seedling.

Many gardeners recommend covering the top of the planter with plastic wrap or glass to keep moisture in, but this is not necessary if you check once a twice a day for dryness in the soil.

After planting, place your seed starting trays & containers in a warm spot. The germination process requires no light, but a temperature of around 70° F is vital. Some people put their starting trays on top of the refrigerator or furnace, etc., for warmth. Check your planting trays daily for germination and moisture.

When seeds begin to sprout, move the planters to a sunny window, or set under fluorescent shop lights positioned about 14" above the planters. Plant food may be applied at any time to hasten the seedlings' growth. We recommend Schultz Plant Food Plus, available in liquid or powdered form at many garden centers, supermarkets, nurseries and home improvement centers nationwide. You may order from Schultz Company by clicking on the Schultz Products Page.

Your seedlings will probably grow rapidly at this point, and will soon have to be moved to a larger container. When a second set of "true leaves" has appeared (larger leaves that closely resemble the adult plant), transplant your seedlings to individual pots or a tray with individual cells using Schultz All Purpose Plus Potting Soil. Continue to mist daily if necessary, but allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

As warm weather draws near in your region, start thinking about getting your seedlings used to the outdoors, also known as "hardening them off". Set the pots or trays outdoors in a protected area, out of the direct sunlight and wind, for an hour or two to begin with, giving them progressively more time outdoors thereafter. Do not let the seedlings remains outdoors overnight because a frost might kill them all.

Also, don't let a sudden warm spell fool you into planting your seedlings in the ground too soon. Here in St. Louis, a warm, spring-like weather in March ‘97 came to a sudden halt with a heavy snow and freezing temperatures in early April.

When the last average date for frost has passed (click onto the Regional section for average last frost dates in your region), plant your now-large plants in garden beds or in patio container gardens using Schultz Bloom Plus Potting & Planting Mix.