YARD AND GARDEN: Get You Summer Garden Ready Now With Proper Seed Starting

It may seem soon, but now is the time to start thinking about your summer garden.

Whether delicate ornamental plants, colorful native flowers, or a vigorous vegetable garden are your goals, a little planning now can go a long way in making your garden a success.

One of the best ways to prepare and enjoy your harvest is to start your own indoor seed garden right away.

Additional preparation is only the beginning of the benefits of growing seeds indoors. Growing plants from seeds gives you a positive edge over other plants. It is often cheaper to buy seeds than plants from a nursery, and seeds are often more diverse, usually allowing more plants to be sampled from local vendors.

Plus, seeds can be stored long after purchase, unlike live plants, so growing from seeds can reduce buyer's remorse if you have less time or garden than you think. Most seeds can be stored in the refrigerator for one to three years, although the sooner you use them, the faster they will germinate once planted.

Aside from the practical benefits, you can't underestimate the fun of a new gardening experience. If you're up for the challenge, there are a few things to consider first.

First, know your generation. Some seeds thrive indoors, but others can be awkward to transplant and are best planted outdoors when the weather is right. Most resource packs contain the information you need, but there are many additional resources online, including the Illinois Extension website.

The most important factor is timing the seeds to be ready at the right moment for sowing outdoors.

So, think carefully about where your home seed business will be located in your home. Despite popular belief, window sills aren't the best place to plant seeds.

Seeds need constant heat and humidity to germinate and grow strong and healthy. Altering these factors in just one day at the window can lead to seedling problems such as bent stems and branches, disease, and even death. A more ideal place in your home has plenty of light, isn't too hot or cold, and has consistent humidity.

However, in addition to the needs of the plants, you should also consider the comfort of the space you intend to use. Is it a part of your home that you can use to get a little dirty? Is this a high traffic area where children or pets might disturb the fragile seedlings? Will there be room for your seeds if you decide to move them to larger pots? These are all questions you need to answer before you start planting seeds to avoid headaches later.

Once you have the right seeds and the right location, there are a few things you need to do to get started. Seed starting pots can be anything from clean and with drainage holes. Reusable egg cartons and plant pots can be great options, or many stores sell special seed starter kits. Either way, you'll need to fill the containers with your chosen growing medium.

Any loose, well-drained soil is good for starting seeds. Finally, plant the seeds in the soil following the directions on the seed bag and water gently. Keep the growing medium moist, but not wet, for the next few weeks to allow the seeds to germinate. You can cover the entire container with clear plastic wrap to keep it moist, but make sure it doesn't block the sun's rays.

Growing seeds indoors is a challenging yet interesting and rewarding challenge that all gardeners must try. With the above considerations and a little hard work this winter, you can give your garden a head start next summer. Even if the task seems daunting, start small with one type of seed and go for it. You may find that indoor seeds are the gardening inspiration you've been looking for.

Illinois Extension leads community outreach efforts at the University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that empower Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to change and to opportunities.