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Seed Starting - How to Successfully Start Plants from Seed

By Marie Iannotti, About.com

7 of 10

Seed Starting: Creating the Right Atmosphere for Your Seeds

Cover the planter with plastic or insert
Greenhouse Effect: Your seeds are now ready to be covered loosely with some type of plastic. This will help hold in both heat and moisture. You can place the whole container into a plastic bag or simply lay a sheet of plastic over the container. If you have special seed starting trays with plastic covers, use those.

Heat: Move your container to a warm, draft free spot and check it daily. Most seeds germinate best when the temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees F. The top of a refrigerator is an idea spot or you could consider purchasing heating mats specially made for germinating seed.

Heating mats go under the potting containers and heat the soil from below. You will usually need to water more frequently when using heating mats. Caution: Only use heating mats certified for seed starting use.

Light and Air: In general, seeds will not need light until they emerge. They will need air circulation under the plastic or you will be encouraging mold.

Signs of Life: Remove the plastic as soon as you see a seedling emerging and move the plant into indirect light. Be sure the potting mix stays moist, but not wet.

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