It’s that time of year again. The time when you’ve thoroughly browsed all the new garden catalogs you received in December and January and now you’re just itching to get started playing in the dirt! The best way to take care of that spring dirt fever (and grow the vegetable varieties you want) is to start plants from seeds.
Whether you do winter sowing, start seeds in pots in a windowsill, or have a full-blown setup in your basement with growing mats and lights, now is the time to start setting things up and get those little seeds germinating. If you haven’t ever grown anything from seed, make this the year you try to grow at least one thing from seed. You’ll be amazed at how something so tiny and lifeless can turn into something so big and productive.
First things first, you need some basic supplies to start seeds like a good soiless, germinating mix, peat pellets and/or some pots and trays, and a grow light if you’re starting your seeds indoors. One of my favorite places online to get these seed starting supplies is Johnny’s Selected Seeds. They have a great selection and absolutely outstanding customer service. Right now through February 28th, they have all of their seed starting supplies 10% off.
Next, you’ll need s
ome good quality seeds. Johnny’s has a good variety of seeds as well, including organic seeds. However, while I do order a few seeds from Johnny’s, I order lots of my seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. They have over 1500 rare and hard-to-find varieties of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds with all of them being certified GMO-free. The story of how they started is priceless, and now they’ve grown into a thriving seed supplier right here in Missouri! Make sure you request a catalog, mine is full of page markers for what I want to order now and in the future, even though I always order online.
And finally, tomato seeds. Hands down, tomatoes are my favorite crop to start from seed. The varieties are endless. I love planting tried and true favorites along with new varieties, 
and older varieties I haven’t had a chance to plant yet. I usually plant over 500 tomato seeds to sell as plants at the Warsaw Farmer’s Market. Of course, I keep a few to grow on myself. Nothing better than a homegrown fresh tomato right off the vine. I’ve gotten all of my tomato seeds from Tomato Growers Supply Company for the past three years and couldn’t be more satisfied. They have a great selection of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants along with terrific customer service. Their seeds also tend to stay viable much longer than others I’ve tried. I usually get 90-100% germination from their tomato and pepper seeds.
Be sure to ask your seed starting questions in the comments section below and I’ll be glad to answer them. Of course, if you have your own favorite seed starting methods or supplies, add to the conversation!
Grow little plants, grow!
Tags: Herb Seeds, Seed Starting Supplies, Seeds, Tomato Seeds
