In the theme of "Life Finds a Way," it's hard to keep a seed from sprouting once it's exposed to warmth and moisture. What can be challenging, however, is growing that sprout to be a strong and viable plant start, ready to be resilient where disease, pests, and wild weather can be lurking. This can be especially challenging if you are a home gardener without a lot of dedicated greenhouse space or extra financial resources to spend on such a set-up.

What's more, there are so many different options for the kinds of materials that one can use to start seeds. Especially to a beginner, this can overwhelm folks almost to the point of paralysis around the work of starting seeds, and so we find ourselves back at the garden center spending dollars we'd rather invest in other ways.

But starting seeds can be an incredibly rewarding set of skills that, once a few techniques are mastered, can lead to an absolute abundance of very affordable plant starts that can be planted, or in some cases, even sold.

[Above: view of 1st Ave Farm's at-home seed-starting "greenhouse" located in the enclosed porch of their home.]