First step is to find those seeds that you'd like to grow. Check to see if you have a good local seed retailer. Locally-adapted seeds always grow best. Otherwise, try a good organic grower like High Mowing Seed Company. Make sure the seeds you'd like to grow can thrive in your zone (search your zone here by zip code).

Every plant variety has a period of time it takes to grow enough to plant outside, and a period outside where it thrives. For example, some seeds grow better early season like spinach and lettuce. Others love the heat, like peppers and tomatoes. Get out a caldendar you can write in. On the back of each seed packet, note the date you want to plant the variety, mark it, and then count back the number of weeks it says the start will take to grow, and mark that. Now you are ready to go! I keep one paper calendar with my dates I've had for years, and I have lots of notes from how things went each year.

Next, it's time to prep the nursery for your seeds! You will need 1) a plastic planting tray or newspaper pots, 2) soil (preferably seed starting soil), 3) water, 4) your seeds. It can be easier to first wet your soil throughly in the bag before putting it in the trays.

Place your start pods in a sunny window, or under a grow light if you have one. Keep the soil moist especially until the seeds emerge. Once seedlings have emerged, follow instructions on the seed packet for thinning.

This step is one that can seem pointless, but I can't overemphasize how important it is. Your little seedlings have been in a cushy, temperature-controlled, wind-free environment their whole lives- they need time to adjust to the direct sun, wind, and rain. The basic concept of hardening off is to bring your plants outside for increasing periods of time each day over a couple of weeks.

After the hardening off period, you are ready to plant! Pat yourself on the back, you just started your own seeds!