Master gardener Esther Filson shares her passion for starting new plants from seed. You can grow your own plants from seed for much less than you pay for them in jumbo cell packs or 4" containers. Esther starts her own seeds for economical reasons, but doing so also gives her a much greater variety of available plants. Planting from seed helps her get a jump on the growing season, and she loves to watch things grow. Many gardeners are concerned about the initial investment needed to start their own seed factory. You don't need a greenhouse, though--just a family room or a kitchen counter. Seed-starting kits are available at garden centers and nursery-supply stores. They usually contain a watering tray without drainage holes, cell packs for growing individual seeds and a clear plastic dome to hold in the humidity and warmth. The cost is typically $5 or less, and kits last for many years. When choosing seeds at a nursery, always check the back of the seed packet for the date. You want fresh seed, grown the previous year for planting in the current year. A well-designed seed packet offers growing tips and instructions for sowing, planting and care. Don't use garden soil for starting seeds. Purchase a sterile soilless potting mix especially designed for use with seedlings. Its fine texture and excellent drainage are ideal for starting seeds. If you're working indoors, cover the potting area with newspaper or plastic sheeting for easy cleanup. Fill the cell packs with potting mixture all the way to the top. Once you water the cells before planting, the soil will settle. If the seeds are large, plant them twice as deep as the width of the seeds. Place two seeds in each cell. Water after planting to settle the soil, and if you've planted small seeds, water with a mist sprayer to avoid dislodging the them. Create a label for the seeds with the variety name and the date planted. Cover the seed tray with a plastic dome or a large plastic bag to provide humidity and warmth.
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