If you're itching to begin gardening, start by gathering seeds and other equipment to start plants indoors. Seeds are available at garden centers and nurseries. Seeds from last year are worth trying, too, if they've been stored in a cool, dry place. Read the seed packet, which should tell if any special treatment -- such as bottom heat or an overnight soaking -- is required for germination. Heat mats are available to purchase or, if you have just a few containers, set the pots on top of a refrigerator or other warm spot while the seeds germinate. Use clean containers with drainage holes: Fill them with a moistened potting mixture or a light, quick-draining mix, especially for starting seeds. After planting, use a spray bottle filled with room-temperature water to keep the soil slightly damp. Check whether more water is needed by lifting the container; if it feels light, the soil has dried out. Many gardeners grow seedlings indoors under lights, either one cool white and one warm white fluorescent tube, or grow lights. Either way, set the lights on timers to run 14 to 16 hours a day. Otherwise, put the seeds near a south-facing window. Turning the windowsill plants regularly and running a fan nearby will encourage stronger stems. Once the first set of true leaves (the second pair) appear, apply a water-soluble fertilizer weekly at one quarter the recommended rate. The seed packet should say how many weeks ahead to start the seeds before they are to be set outdoors. Here's a timetable for seed starting in southern Michigan from Gary Heilig of the Michigan State University Extension: Tomatoes, peppers: Start seeds 8-10 weeks before planting outdoors in late May. Squash: Start seeds 4 weeks before planting outside in late May. Lettuce: Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before planting outside in April or May. Zinnias: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside in late May.