One of the most fun and rewarding aspects of gardening is growing plants from seeds and you'll also find that it is an inexpensive way of stocking your garden.
To egin with you only need basic materials such as containers, garden soil or a soil-less mixture, light, water and a plastic cover that you will use to place over the top of the containers.
Select a container and fill it with some of the garden soil. Then sow the seeds into the container, add water, and wrap the plastic over the top of the container securely. Once you have finished this step, transfer the container to a spot where it is exposed to good sunlight, noting the following exceptions; Som seeds need darkness to grow and these include nasturtium, schizanthus, phlox and verbena. Check with your garden center or the seed packaging if you are in any doubt.
Now you can wait for the seeds to germinate, bearing in mind that germination is not the same for all types of seeds. Marigolds, for example, germinate in three days but some varieties of seeds can take as long as 40 days. Once you can see the seeds begin to germinate, expose the seedlings by removing the plastic cover from the container and if available use a fan to direct a current of air on to the seedlings. The force of the wind tends to strengthen seedlings that are tender by encouragin strength building.
You will notice that soon enough your seedlings will develop a "true" set of leaves, which are actually the plant's second set of leaves. The appearance of these leaves is the signal for you to transplant the remaining seedlings outdoors or possibly into a larger container.
Once transplanted, remember to water the seedlings regularly and expose them to sunlight and warmth.
If you want to transfer the seedlings outdoors, leave the containers outside for a few days until the seedlings have adjusted to their new surroundings. You will know the seedlings are ready for transplanting when they acquire a more hardened look. The process of hardening usually takes about a week or less and once this time arrives, you are ready to transplant your seeds.
There are seeds that seem to tolerate extremes in weather, either hot or cold, better than others so for best results, transplant those seeds during the warmer months even though they may be seeds that actually flourish in the cool air such as spinach, godetia, phlox or poppies.