To start seeds indoors start with good seed, properly moist starting mix, and a seedling heat mat to ensure proper temperature.

Start with fresh seeds that have been stored properly.

Keep records and properly tag your seedlings to avoid confusion when it’s time to plant.

Pre-moisten soil – Use a good quality seed starter Mix, soak in water for a few minutes to properly moisten. After soil is wet scoop it out and fill shallow containers with good drainage.

Do not plant seeds too deeply. Extremely fine seed are not covered, but lightly pressed into the soil and watered in with a fine mist.

Large seeds are frequently sown into a small container or cell pack which eliminates the need for early transplanting. 2 or 3 seeds are sown per unit and lightly cover with soil and spray with mister. Thin later, allow the strongest seedling to grow.

Use a seedling heat mat – I would never try to start seed seedling without using a heat mat. Maintaining warm soil temperature

One week before transplanting your seedlings outdoors, start to harden them off. This process acclimates the soft and tender plants, which have been protected from wind, cool temperatures, and strong sun, to their new environment. Move the plants to a shady outdoor area at first, and bring them indoors for the night if night temperatures are cold. Each day, move them out into the sun for a few hours, increasing the time spent in the sun each day. Keep them well watered during this period, and don’t place them directly on the ground if slugs are a problem. Monitor them closely for insect damage since tender young seedlings are a delicacy for insects.

How to grow an organic vegetable garden. Scott Meyer, editor of Organic Gardening magazine shows how to plant and nurture an organic vegetable garden.

Buy Early – Buying your vegetable seeds early in the year ensures you get fresh seeds, and the correct variety and color you want.

A cold snowy day in February is a good time to plan and order your seeds.  In order to get a good selection I suggest ordering online or from a seed catalog. You might find what you want at your local hardware store, but your choices are limited, and you’ll end up wasting a lot of time driving around. Plan ahead and order your seeds early, you’ll have them ready when it’s time to plant.

Order from large seed companies. Their vegetable and flower seed catalogs have great pictures, and a lot of helpful information.  They are also packed when ordered so they are fresher and haven’t been exposed to extreme temperatures.

Stick with proven varieties that are the right size for your garden, and do well in your climate.

Read planting instructions and look for specials. Also check for any product guarantees.

It’s never to early to plan,  it might help chase away the winter blues.

Get organic gardening tips, news and reviews here at The Organic Vegetable Garden Website.  We’ve got information on planting growing and harvesting a wide variety of vegetables fruits and flowers.

Don’t throw out your leaves turn them into organic vegetables. Leaves and grass clippings are free source of fertilizer and mulch. Collect your neighbors leaves and you’ll have an ample supply of free mulch and trash bags.

The best leaves are the ones that are shredded or chopped up with a lawnmower. I’ll work these chopped and shredded leaves into the soil in the fall.

Prepare planting areas in the fall and then pile leaves around them. By preparing the soil in the fall you’re able to plant as soon as the weather warms up in the spring.

These leaves will totally breakdown in 10 – 12 months. The whole garden is a compost pile. When I need some compost or soil amendments I just pullback some leaves and remove top two or 3 inches of compost easily using a garden hoe.

organic garden