Growing Seedlings Carefully

Seedlings can be a great way to start your garden planting early, indoors, so that you are ready for the growing season. The right time to plant your seeds is approximately six to eight weeks before the last frost is expected in your area. That way, when the seedlings have sprouted and are ready to go outside, it should be warm enough to sustain them.

You will have healthier plants if you can provide them with more light. You don't need to buy special grow lights to do this. Regular fluorescent bulbs tubes work just fine. Use one tube that is warm/white and one tube that is cool/white.

A two-bulb shop light fixture with a reflective hood over the bulbs works well for this. Just remember that the height must be adjustable to keep the lights two inches or less above the plants.

The process of growing plants from seed to seedlings adds a satisfaction to the growing process that can be fulfilling. Watching a seed grow from a little kernel to a full-grown plant is very rewarding. The effort you put into your indoor seed starting will be returned to you with vegetables and/or flowers you will enjoy all summer long.

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