Before you rush into sowing your garden seeds, check out these tips to ensure success.

2023 has been an unusually warm year so far, but don't get lulled into a false sense of security regarding your garden. An untimely cold snap can wreak havoc on even the best-laid plans.

Protect your seedlings.

Gallon plastic jugs make great mini greenhouses with just a few tweaks. Simply poke some draining holes in the base and cut around the jug with a sharp knife or scissors, about 1 inch above the bottom of the handle. This will produce an opening through which you can pour in the soil and place the seeds.

Label each jug with a permanent marker and keep them outside where they can get sun and rain. You'll have a crowd of seedlings before you know it.

Don't direct sow yet.

The Farmers' Almanac has the average date of the last frost in your growing zone, and be patient! Plants that should go straight in the ground need sufficiently warm soil and mild nights to survive the fluctuating temperatures of spring. You can speed things along by covering your garden bed with black plastic, but you shouldn't second-guess the danger of frost. You've been warned!

Let there be light!

While you can start your seeds indoors, you must ensure they get sufficient light once seedlings emerge. If you don't have a greenhouse or a sunroom, you can accomplish this by designing a grow-light space for your baby plants. Stick to a lighting schedule that mimics your growing zone's sunrise and sunset times. It's easy enough to look up each week with a simple Google search.

Photo by Philip Myrtorp (Unsplash)

Know when to give up.

Ultimately, if any of your seedlings don't reach the ground, don't beat yourself up. The robust starter plants at your local garden center are popular. Save a little money by buying them at the farmers' market, and just plan a little better for next year.

Happy gardening!