Soilless seedling peat pellets, also known as seed plugs, are an easy seeding option. These are compressed dry disks of peat, plus a small amount of fertilizer, wrapped in a biodegradable film.

When you use pellets, seed plugs, or soil blocks, allow the seedling to grow in the small casing until the roots hit the edge of the netting or newspaper, then transplant it to a larger container.

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You might be wondering, what exactly are microgreens? Are they the same things as sprouts? Microgreens are the seedling sprouts of many different types of vegetables and herbs, including spinach, kale, chard, beets, arugula, basil, lettuce, broccoli, cilantro, and others.

The difference between microgreens and sprouts is that microgreens are a bit older than sprouts and have developed at least a couple of true leaves and a small root system. You'll harvest and eat microgreens a little later, after they've developed true leaves - whereas sprouts are eaten right after they germinate.

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You can grow many outdoor perennials--such as this 'Burgundy' Oxalis--on counters or shelves under cool-spectrum HO T5 fluorescents or on tables and desktops using full-spectrum LEDs. If you have a bright south-facing windowsill, it might even be happy there.

If you have low light conditions in your home, you can grow many foliage plants indoors without supplemental light; and there are plenty of books and resources available to teach you how to cultivate specific types. However, you'll find that many plants, especially any that typically grow in bright light or full sun outdoors, will need supplemental grow lighting when you grow them indoors.

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

You may have multiple stages of transplanting before your plant reaches its final pot. Once the roots of your seedlings or cuttings have grown to the edges of their seed plug or pot and have sprouted three or more true leaves, it is time to bump them up to larger containers. True leaves look like mature leaves.

Once the roots system has filled in to reach the edges of the pot and is extensive enough to hold together most of the soil in the pot, your transplant is ready to be planted into your outdoor garden (if temperatures are right) or moved into a larger container for continued growth indoors.

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Carnivorous plants are meat-eaters; they need to consume a few insects now and then to remain vigorous. Each type of trap will take about a week to digest a bug.

You likely do not have enough insects flying about your home or inside a terrarium to supplement your plant’s diet. If you provide the insects, make sure you feed them live to your plants. If your plants are getting enough light and good general care, then you shouldn't ever need to feed them more than one insect per week. Feeding them more won't compensate for a lack of light - they need enough light to make the energy to digest the bugs!

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

Did you know? You can harvest peppers at different stages of ripeness, from green to red to dry on the plant. Most peppers change in color from green to purple and then mature to yellow, orange, or red, as they become more ripe.

Peppers are a generally compact and easy-to-grow crop for the outdoor and indoor garden. Hot peppers are some of the easiest edibles to grow, and I highly recommend them as a first crop for new gardeners.

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

Sooty mold can completely cover leaves of infected plants. It is made up of several types of fungal species and is a grey- to black-colored mold that grows on the honeydew residue produced by aphids, scale, and whiteflies.

To correct sooty mold, wipe plant leaves with soapy water, a plant wash product, or neem oil.

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Your space can be darker than you think just a few feet away from a window. Especially if you tend to keep binds or curtains pulled for privacy or to reduce glare in your room. What seemed like a bright space, might not be bright enough for your plants. What's the solution? Grow lights!

Hanging LED spotlights on the wall can keep your plants happy even in darker spaces.

New BOOK! Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers