The following Guest Post was written by Kristi at Veggie Converter:
Hello Weed ’em and Reap Fans, I’m Kristi from VeggieConverter.com and I’m a former newspaper reporter and editor who is now a gluten-free vegetarian mom married to Mr. Meaty, a “normal” omnivore. We are parenting two kids, a pescatarian with a hot dog exception and a lactose-intolerant nightshade-sensitive meat-lover. I love writing and cooking recipes for easy, family-friendly organic meals, learning about nutrition and living writing about the simple, green life.
How to Start Seedlings Indoors for spring planting:
Just because your garden is covered in snow doesn’t mean you can’t start your spring seedlings. Use our six steps to start seedlings indoors for your spring garden.
- Compile Your Gear: You don’t need expensive grow lights. Simple shop lights will do since your seedlings won’t be grown indoors long-term. An inexpensive seedling tray and a bag of potting soil also will be needed.
- Plant Your Spring Seedlings: Fill your tray will soil and pack lightly. Moisten the soil and plant at least two seeds per space. Plant a variety of garden seeds in your tray and mark your seedlings with fruit and vegetable names. Moisten the soil again and cover with clear plastic. Keep the plants out of direct sunlight. Check your seedlings daily. Once you see sprouts in each space, you can remove the plastic and add your lighting.
- Give Them Light: Your plants will need about 12 hours of light each day. Hang shop lights just above (no more than three inches) your seedling trays. Provide light daily for six weeks. Water daily.
- Let Your Seedlings Grow: The plants will grow strong and straight since the light source is directly above. After about six weeks, your seedlings will be strong enough to plant outside.
- Acclimate Your Seedlings: Take the entire seedling tray to your garden and let them acclimate to the weather outside. Take the tray out for longer periods each day as the weather warms. Once frosts end in your area, you can leave them outside all day and get ready for transplanting.
- Transplant: When the seedlings are acclimated and spring has well and truly sprung, replant your hardy seedlings outdoors. Follow spacing guidelines for each plant and voila! Your spring garden is off to a great start.
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Kristi Arnold is a former newspaper reporter and editor who is now a gluten-free vegetarian mom married to Mr. Meaty, a “normal” omnivore. The culinary odd couple is parenting two kids, a pescatarian with a hot dog exception and a lactose-intolerant nightshade-sensitive meat-lover. Kristi loves writing and cooking recipes for easy, family-friendly organic meals, learning about nutrition and living the simple, green life. Get in touch with Kristi on her Website, on Facebook, Twitter @VeggieConverter, and Pinterest.
Kristi Arnold is a former newspaper reporter and editor who is now a gluten-free vegetarian mom married to Mr. Meaty, a “normal” omnivore. The culinary odd couple is parenting two kids, a pescatarian with a hot dog exception and a lactose-intolerant nightshade-sensitive meat-lover. Kristi loves writing and cooking recipes for easy, family-friendly organic meals, learning about nutrition and living the simple, green life. Get in touch with Kristi on her 
I started my seeds in an indoor greenhouse and the cukes, melons, and squashs are 6inches tall already and its going to be another month before I can plant them in the garden.
Keep up the good planting info. always bought my plants but this year I am doing my own starting plants from seedlings. thank you . City farmer.
Strangely enough, not all of us have a hot house and your directions fail to mention where to grow these seedlings.
Do I leave them in my unheated garage, barn, chicken coop or corn crib or do I place them in my basement and install enough lights to cover the several trays I would need to use?
So good to know! I am realizing that I need to get my butt in gear and get my seeds going before it’s too late 😉 Can’t wait to get started-thanks for the tips!
Kristi, thank you for this information ‘How to start seedlings indoors for spring planting. Just the inspiration I needed today. I am part of a new resident led edible gardening group in St. Paul’s, Bristol. We built a small garden in our local park last summer and are in the process of planning our calendar for the year which includes fundraising. But I think we can get started on planting some seeds! Thank you again
Thank you to DaNelle for your blog Weed ’em & Reap. A lovely find on my foray in Facebook this morning. Wonderfully inspirational.