MIDDLETOWN - Spring will be here before I know it. I have bought my seeds and now I catalog which ones I will start indoors.

       I start the tomatoes and peppers at the end of February. Flowering annuals, such as zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers and petunias, I will start in March and April, as I want to get as much color in my gardens as early as I can. I have also started perennials. It isn’t as hard as it would seem. I have started grasses, daisies, hollyhocks, poppies, and a host of others. It’s a great way to get a lot of plants without the expense.

       There are many types of medium to start seeds. One of the ways that works best is using peat pellets. I like using them because when I plant them in the garden or pot they can be planted without disturbing the roots. I have a few solid plastic flats that the pellets fit in but any solid plastic tray will work. The pellets come flat and need to be watered to expand them. Water them gradually because they shouldn’t be too soggy; it will take them an hour or so before they are fully expanded. Once they are, I will place a seed in each one of the pellets.

       Seed starting medium works well also. It can be bought in most stores that sell seeds or it can be made. Making it is rather simple. Take one part perlite, one part vermiculite, two parts sphagnum peat moss, add ¼ teaspoon of lime to each gallon of mix to neutralize the acidity of the peat. Screened compost can also be added but it is not necessary. The seed starting mix can be placed in any type of clean plastic tray. Make sure whatever you use it has holes in the bottom for drainage then place in a solid tray. The medium needs to be moist before the seeds are sown.

       Whichever medium is used it needs to be kept moist, either by bottom watering or misting the top with a sprayer. Wrapping them in plastic until the seeds germinate is a good option but needs to be removed after germination.

       Place the seeds next to a heat source such as a heat vent or radiator. They need extra heat to help them germinate. Once they germinate, remove them from the heat. They should be set in a sunny window. Fluorescent lights work well as they give a more intense light. Some stores carry plant lights that can be placed in a fluorescent fixture.

       Once the plants get a set of leaves it is a good idea to fertilize them. Use either an organic fertilizer such as fish or seaweed, or a 5-10-5 fertilizer. Both need to be diluted. Too much fertilizer can cause either burned roots or the seedling can grow too fast.

       Once it gets warm enough, I plant them outside in the many gardens or pots. Starting your own plants can be very satisfying and rewarding.