how to start a garden

Aunt Dottie loved to garden and ended up with a farm outside of Cincinnati where she had a huge garden that she worked just her and her husband.

Every year I start a very small garden inside near the first week of March. I usually get the seeds from Park Seed. I set up my 8 foot table next to a southern facing window.

I start out with a heat mat for each of the trays. I used Hydrofarm MT10006 9-by-19-1/2-Inch Seedling Heat Mat. This helps to keep the seeds nice and toasty during the cold.

And a nice big glow light. I bought Hydrofarm JSV4 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System several years ago for about $75. It works great and I haven't had any issues.

I add a glass full of apple cidar vinegar with some plastic wrap to catch the gnats will be be attracted to the dirt and the moisture. Poke some holes in the top to allow the gnats to go in. This does help to keep them down.

Plants the seeds using organic dirt and put a hood on top to keep the moisture in. Do this until they sprout - then take the lids off.

I add a timer to the grow light to make sure I'm consistent with the amount of light they get. I start them out at 12 hours of daylight.

Planting season is mothers day here in Michigan. Enjoy!