Seed Starting Time

You don't need to buy expensive containers or special "grow lights" to start seeds at home. All you need are some yogurt cups, plastic cups, or other containers, and some cheap fluorescent lights from the hardware store. I buy lights that cost about $10 and duct-tape them to the underside of a set of old shelves. Then I pile up books to a height that is close to the lights but leaves enough room for the containers, put a foil pan on top of the books, and fill it with seedlings in cups. These are heirloom tomatoes called "Omar's Lebanese Tomato."

You want the seedlings to be within a couple of inches of the lights. As they grow and get taller, just take out some of the books under them and lower them away from the lights. When they get too big for the containers they're in, transplant them to bigger containers, or to the garden if it's warm enough.

Another great, free seed-starting container is the clear kind with a lid. Tomatoes, berries, lettuce, and other produce come in these. Just wash, fill with seed starting mix, and plant your seeds.

The containers usually have holes that provide just enough ventilation while still keeping the seeds in a moist, humid atmosphere when the lid is closed:

Happy gardening!