’Tis the season to be gardening. “Already?” you may ask. “In March?” For the avid herb and vegetable gardener the answer is, “Absolutely.”

While the air is still chilly and the ground still frozen, some herb and vegetable seeds need to be germinated from four to ten weeks before the last frost in order to be at their best for planting season.

Germinating seeds is certainly not for everyone. Some people prefer to buy their plants a little later in the spring or summer. But if you are interested in putting a little extra effort into your garden, you can be rewarded with more unique varieties of plants, which cannot be found at your local garden center. It’s time to start germinating!

Five things to consider before you start germinating:

1. Seeds that are relatively new (no more than a year old). Be sure they are not hollow.
2. Starting mix should ideally be a seed mix or vermiculite. Make sure that it is sterile.
3. Sterile containers should be used. If you are planning on transplanting the seedlings later in the season, it is best to use individualized seed pots. If not, you can use either large papier-mache or peat pots.
4. Water as needed, making sure the starter mix stays moist, but avoid soaking the starting mix.
5. Warmth is essential for your little seeds to grow. While some gardeners may want to go the extra mile and buy a heating mat or a seed incubator, it also works to just place the seeds by a fire, a bright, sunny window, or over a warm oven.

Now the fun begins! Fill up the containers with starting mix and give them a good watering (again, careful not to soak!). Plant the seeds a little closer to the surface than the package instructions suggest, as new gardeners sometimes plant the seeds a bit too deep — myself included!

Now the germination process can begin. Depending on the seed, you should be able to see the seedling emerge in anywhere from a couple days to a couple of weeks.