A little investment is needed to start seeds at home, but the cost doesn't have to be great and you can use some of these supplies for many years. You'll need:
Pots or flats to hold soil and seeds, plus a tray to hold them. You can buy peat pots or commercial flats divided into growing cells, but used pots are fine as long as they have a drainage hole. The plastic six-packs used to sell annuals are ideal. Wash them in a solution of 10 percent bleach and water and you're good to go.
Sterile potting soil or seed-starting mix. Don't buy top soil! To prevent disease problems, you need sterile soil. (While it is possible to sterilize your own garden soil by baking it, I don't suggest it. I've done it. Your house will reek for days.)
A warm place to germinate seeds. You can buy heating mats to put under flats until seeds sprout. But I've had success putting flats on radiators, on top of a refrigerator or in a sunny spot on the floor next to a heat register. Just make sure your pets or toddlers don't stumble into all that dirt.
Bright light. While some people successfully grow seedlings next to a south-facing window, the best way to ensure that plants get the light they need is to buy a simple shop light. Regular light bulbs are just fine for seedlings. I've used a special grow light along with a cool bulb in a 4-foot shop light, but it doesn't make much difference in how well seedlings do.
Mary Jane Smetanka
