Starting seeds indoors not only gives you a jump on spring, but also allows you to grow a world of unusual or heirloom flowers and vegetables not readily available at your local garden center. The elements of successful seed starting are simple: containers, moisture, drainage, and warmth. You can start seedlings in peat pots or almost any clean container with good drainage. I've found that watering is best done from the bottom; it's too easy to wash the tiny seeds away when you water from above. Forthe best water distribution, I recommend using an accelerated propagation system (APS), which has a reservoir in the bottom and a special capillary mat that keeps the seedlings continuously watered. (For retail information, contact Gardener's Supply at 888-833-1412 or visit www.garden-ers.com.) Alternatively, most garden centers offer seed-starting trays with separate cells for each seedling. If you leave a few cells open, you can add water to the empty cells, which will slowly wick up from the bottom.
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