Have you ever wondered how plant nurseries get their plants ready to sell right when you want to plant them? Spring is right around the corner, and with this many gardeners are preparing for the impending season. Believe it or not, now is the perfect time to start planting seeds to germinate for your summer garden.

The first few months of the year are far too cold for any summer crop to survive here in Illinois, so to start your seedlings you need to set up a space in your house for them to grow.

You also may need to gather a few supplies to start. To germinate your seeds, many people like to use small dirt pods that are easy to manage and water. These can be found at any gardening center or online. Another thing that is important to have is an overhead growing light. The early winter months do not provide enough sunlight, so this ensures that they have everything they need.

The next thing to do is research how long it takes for your chosen plants to grow to the size you want to plant in your garden. Some plants are faster than others, so you want to get the timing just right so they are ready in time. Once you plant the seeds into the dirt pods, the next step is to lightly water them so they have a chance to germinate. After that, you would just treat it like a normal plant, watering it accordingly. Make sure to leave the grow light on twelve hours a day or set it to a timer to ensure the plants have enough heat and light.

Once you have noticed that your seedlings have sprouted, you can transfer the dirt pods into plastic cups or small containers to give your plant more room to grow. This helps fervent root rot and root binding that can kill or severely damage your plant.

During the cold winter months, taking care of your seedlings can be a relaxing way to pass the time. Summer will be here before you know it, and if you plant your seeds at the right time you will get to reap the literal fruits of your labor.