Early each spring, gardeners are clamoring around the seeds and garden supplies as soon as the stores have freshly stocked this year's offerings. Too much money is wasted on those little seed starting four-pack or six-pack containers. By the time the garden is ready for planting, the seedlings have more than outgrown their tiny little quarters resulting in very stressed plants.

Understand that large nurseries know exactly what date to start planting their seeds for delivery to their many outlets. The greenhouses are climate controlled to provide the ideal temperature and humidity to optimize the needs of the seedlings. As soon as these tiny plants are large enough, they are shipped out. There is a couple of weeks leeway until the plants are ready to bloom in the retail setting. Ideally they will be sold and planted into gardens and containers before they become root bound.

Home grown seedlings don't get this kind of treatment. The home gardener will do better to start seeds in larger containers. Not deep pots, but containers that afford developing roots room to spread out. Growing multiple seeds in a large container will not have as much chance of the soil drying out between waterings. Window boxes can fill this need. Most gardeners already have them. Why not get double duty out of them before planting them later in the season.

Window boxes in general will fit on window sills indoors. If yours don't, cut a piece of board the length of the width of the window. Open the window and slide the board in. Close the window on top of it to hold in place. If you do not have a tray that fits under your window box, make one out of aluminum foil to catch any excess water.

Always start with sterilized containers and stones to help prevent against fungal infections. Use a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution and soak for at least 15 minutes. Use sterile seed starting mix and potting soil. To sterilize, dampen soil, cover with aluminum foil and place in a 200 degree oven. Use a thermometer probe to check when soil temperature reaches 180 degrees. Let cool.

Fill the bottom of the window box with at least 1" layer of 3/4" stones or packing peanuts for drainage. Cover with several sheets of newspaper to prevent soil washing through. Fill window box with good potting soil that contains time release fertilizer to 2" from top. Water thoroughly and let drain so soil settles.

Add a 3/4" to 1" layer of seed starter mix. Dampen by spraying with water. Sow seeds according to package directions in rows. Mark rows with popsicle stick labels. Use bamboo skewers around edge and drape plastic wrap over the top of the window box.

When seeds begin to germinate, remove plastic wrap and place in sunny window. Spray water to keep plants moist but not wet. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon to help prevent damping off fungal infection. Cinnamon will not harm the seedlings. The first set of leaves to appear are not true leaves. The second set are. Thin out smaller weaker seedlings or transplant into 2"-3" pots of potting soil. Begin fertilizing with a half solution of liquid house plant fertilizer applied every other week. Turn the window box daily so plants do not lean toward the sun.

As outdoor temperatures hit 60 degrees, it is time to harden off seedlings. Bring window box outside to shady wind protected area for a couple of hours. Increase time outside daily. Gradually expose to sunlight. When ground temperature reaches 60 degrees and night temperature remains above 45 degrees, it is safe to transplant seedlings into the soil. Use a spoon to dig up root balls without damaging them. Prepare planting holes twice the size of the root balls of the seedling. Water in with fertilizer solution above. Cover with plastic bottles or newspaper tents if temperatures dip.

Top off your window box with more potting soil and it is ready for spring planting and its rightful place outdoors under a window.