Question: I have some seeds left over from my green peppers, beans and marigolds from last year's garden. I want to plant them early, so they will be ready as plants and not wait to plant them in the garden. What do I need to do to have them ready on time?

Answer: One of the reasons that it is good to buy garden seeds is the seed packet often has a lot of useful planting information on it. Another reason is that the seeds you collected may have been from a hybrid plant and the new plants may not produce the same high quality produce.

The timing of this project is very important. There are some garden plants that can survive a frost, others that can tolerate cool weather and some that are warm weather only. In general, they all would get planted as a seed indoors about eight weeks before the date you would plant them outdoors, but the seed packet may say certain types need even longer.

You will need to know the date when your area gets its average last spring frost and plan to set out the warm-weather plants that you mentioned in your question a few weeks after that date. Cool-season plants like broccoli, lettuce and peas can get planted outside several weeks before the last frost date. Therefore, cool-season plant seeds may need to be planted indoors a month or more before your warm-season seeds.

Once you have decided on when to plant the seeds, you need to decide what to plant them in. Trays of sterile soil are convenient when the plants are small as many will fit into a small place. Plant the seeds at no more than three times the diameter of the seed. Some seeds are so small it is easier to place them on the soil and then just sprinkle a little peat moss on top. Gently press the seeds into the soil. Set the tray into a saucer of water allowing the water to fill no more than half way up the tray. After an hour, remove the water and thereafter just add enough water to the tray to keep the soil damp.

Keep the soil warm. In the mid 70s is best for most garden plants. Once the seedlings have a couple of real leaves, the heat can be reduced. There are heating mats that the watering tray can sit on to keep the soil warm without having to heat the whole room.

As they get bigger, only the more robust plants will get transplanted up into larger pots. Always loosen the soil around the roots gently with a spoon or pencil. Pick up tiny plants by a leaf, never the stem. A damaged leaf may be okay, but a damaged stem can kill the plant.

I prefer to use peat moss pots for seedlings. They allow the plant to be put in the garden without any transplant shock to the roots. The peat moss pot or pots made from paper will become organic matter in the garden soil.

A very important and sometimes difficult to achieve task, is giving the seedlings enough light. A seemingly bright window may not really give them enough light, especially during a string of cloudy days. If the seedlings all lean over or grow really long stems between each set of leaves, they are telling you they are starved for light.

A grow light of any kind is best. Second best is a mix of fluorescent lights. They will need to be placed only 3 to 6 inches above the seedlings and moved up as they grow taller. The lights should be on for at least 12 to 14 hours a day. A timer is the best way to be sure they get enough light.

Once the plants have more than two sets of true leaves, the heat can be turned off and the pots left to dry out a day or two before watering. However, don't let the plants wilt from too much sunlight.

A week or so before they are going to be planted outdoors, the plants should begin the process of hardening off. Take them outside into a shady location during the day and bring them back in at night.

As you decide how many garden plants to put into your garden this year, remember that many food pantries accept fresh produce. Plant extra vegetables and take the bountiful harvest to your local pantry.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at [email protected]. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.