| During the spring and summer months, many | | | | When you are using gardening containers the |
| people are eager to get outdoors and begin | | | | most important thing to remember is that |
| planning their gardening for the year ahead. Many | | | | regardless of their size or shape, the one thing |
| will head to the nurseries to purchase plants, while | | | | they must have is enough drainage holes. These |
| others choose to start their own garden from | | | | holes help the soil stay at the right level of |
| seeds. | | | | moisture, keeping young plants out of dirt that's |
| Anyone familiar with gardening knows that it's | | | | too wet for them to grow properly. Inexpensive |
| more expensive to buy plants rather than seeds. | | | | flats hold several plants at once and already have |
| While cheaper seeds may seem like a good | | | | the necessary drainage holes, or try using old milk |
| bargain, if they don't grow, they're just as much | | | | cartons or other containers that will serve the |
| of a waste as the plants that don't survive after | | | | same purpose. If you do decide to use some |
| they're brought home from the store. | | | | type of container from home, be sure to |
| The majority of seeds will be able to germinate in | | | | thoroughly clean it before using, making sure |
| temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees | | | | there's no residue of harmful bacteria or |
| Fahrenheit, or about 18 to 23 degrees Celsius. | | | | chemicals. |
| After the seedlings have made their way through | | | | Several gardening manufacturers sell flats that are |
| the soil, be sure to give them plenty of light, as | | | | biodegradable, allowing you to start plants indoors |
| much as 16 hours each day, depending on the | | | | from seeds, and then simply plant the entire |
| type of plant. In addition to sunlight, some | | | | container when ready. Moisture within the soil will |
| fluorescent lights also help with growth, just be | | | | cause the containers to break down and |
| sure to periodically move your plants as they | | | | essentially be absorbed in dirt, which allows the |
| grow taller so they aren't too close to the light | | | | roots to firmly plant themselves into the earth. |
| source. | | | | This method also causes the least amount of |
| Young, fragile plants that haven't firmly rooted | | | | stress on the young plants by not having to take |
| yet need a bit of extra care to be sure they | | | | them out of their container when transplanting. |
| thrive and grow well. The right kind of potting soil | | | | By following these few easy tips, gardening will be |
| with the proper amount of nutrients is essential | | | | the enjoyable adventure it's supposed to be, |
| for gardening with seeds. Be aware that | | | | rather than stressful or disappointing. All it takes |
| inexpensive brands of potting soil may not include | | | | for a rewarding harvest that you can be proud of |
| enough of these nutrients to produce hearty | | | | is a little bit of hard work, and a lot of patience |
| plants, in essence wasting money that would be | | | | and dedication. |
| better spent on a higher-end brand. | | | | |