Starting seeds indoors is like inviting spring right into your home. There’s nothing like seeing those first bright-green shoots popping out of the soil. Growing your own plants is fun, economical and rewarding. And of course, there’s the pleasure of anticipating the food and flowers you’ll be harvesting a few months from now.

So if you are intimidated by the idea of starting seeds, don’t be! Once you understand what seeds need and why, it’s really not that hard.

Let’s review the basics of what you need to know to start your own vegetable and flower seeds. Then, take the plunge and get growing!

Many seeds need to be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. Seed packets have that information, plus growing instructions particular to each plant, including any pre-treatment the seeds need (such as soaking in water), and how deep and far apart to plant them. While plant species differ as to their sowing and growing requirements, they all share a need for light, water, air and a medium to in which to grow.

Look for bags labeled “seed starting mix.” Don’t use potting soil, container plant soil or soil from your garden. Seed starting mix is sterile, fluffy, and it drains well. It usually is made from peat moss or coir (coconut fiber), with vermiculite or perlite added for drainage. Once you become a pro at seed starting, you can save money by making up your own mix, but if you’re just starting out, save yourself the hassle and buy it.

Although some seeds don’t need light to germinate, all seedlings need it to grow. If you have a room with strong natural light, you might be able to get away without grow lights by putting the seed trays by a bright window. Seedlings will grow toward the light, so you’ll need to keep rotating the trays so that they grow straight and don’t become leggy.

If there’s not enough natural light, grow lights are a necessity. There are a bewildering number of sizes and shapes of grow lights nowadays, but the best type for seed starting are fixtures that can be raised and lowered and have full-spectrum LED bulbs.

Water one of two ways: either by pouring a little bit of water into the bottom of the seed tray where it can be wicked up, or you can use a mister to lightly mist the top of the soil. Don’t water from above, you’ll compact the mix and get it too wet. Wet mix can develop fungus, which can kill your seedlings.

Heat mats provide low, gentle warmth to the bottom of the seed trays or pots. A mat is not absolutely necessary, though some seeds, such as tomatoes and peppers, germinate quicker when one is used.

Keeping the air moving helps prevent mold and a fungal disease called damping off. Once seedlings appear, set the fan on low speed about a foot away. Keep it running at least 12 to 15 hours a day. The light breeze provides a bit of resistance, which helps make the seedlings stronger.

The Home Garden Seed Association (HGSA)  has lots more information on seed starting.

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Therese Ciesinski is an award-winning garden writer and editor.