Confession:  I’ve never been very successful growing stout little plants from seed indoors.  They germinate well and seem happy but never look like those brick house-looking dynamos from the nursery.

I have a cool bulb and a warm bulb, a fan, etc., etc., but the plants reach a point and just seem to stop growing.  There’s no obvious sign of disease, no damping off issues, usually.  Just wimpy plants.

I’ve sent in my seed order and am getting my supplies ready (invested in a small heat mat this year) but I need some helpful advice.

So, I’m turning to your collective wisdom, readers.  Help me make this year the year I get my seedlings to grow muscles. Is it too cold in my house?  Do I really need a greenhouse to get those chunky starts?

What’s your secret?