As the spring flowers start to appear and the days get longer, my inspiration for gardening returns. You don’t have to wait for warmer weather to get your hands dirty. Starting plants from seed is a great way to extend your relationship with your garden, have more control over the source of your seeds, and save money . Follow these tips to get your garden off to the right start. Pick plants that are easy to germinate Unless you are an advanced gardener, it is best to stick to plants with high indoor germination and success rates. I’ve had good luck growing the following plants from seed: basil, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, lettuce, melon, onion, pepper, and tomatoes. Conversely, I’ve had good luck direct sowing beans, beets, carrots, corn, peas, spinach squash, and zucchini. Reuse containers Save last year’s nursery flats or scour the recycling bin for 2- to 3-inch containers. Single-serve containers often work well, such as apple sauce, pudding, or yogurt. Thoroughl...