For me, it's always aggravating to order a packet of seeds for $2.50, plant them and then have nothing grow. There can be a number of factors involved, but I've come up with my own system which seems to work most of the time. Here it is.

1. Buy a good potting mix.

Don't just go out to the yard and dig up some dirt. Buy a good potting mix which already has fertilizer added. I also add sand. Mix the two together. Two parts mix to one part sand. Keep the mix in a plastic bag or covered container. The potting mix has peat moss which when it dries out is very hard to re-wet.

2. Buy a small seed-starting greenhouse.

You can find these in many mega-stores. Cut the cells into 6-packs with scissors. You can also buy cells which contain 36 plants per greenhouse. This cuts back on the number of plants but gives you a stronger and healthier root systems. You can usually find these at nurseries. If you plant on doing this every year, I'd go to the nursery and buy the heavy duty cells and holder.

3. Buy a shop light - four foot long.
I use the bulbs which come with the light. You can invest in the more expensive "Grow" lights, but the extra expense is probably not worth it.

4. Fill the plastic cells 90% with your mix.
Water it in and make sure the mix is wet.

5. Place the seeds on top of each cell.
If I have very few seeds, (some packets only give you fifteen seeds)
I may only put one seed per cell.
If I have lots of seeds I may put three or more seeds per cell.
Be organized and keep all seeds of each variety in one six-pack of cells.

6. Cover the seeds lightly with your mix again.
The general rule is to cover the seed with three times its diameter.
Follow the directions on the seed packet. Some seeds actually prefer not to be covered.

7. Using a hand sprayer, wet the top portion of the mix and seed.
I use a hand sprayer as this allows more control and doesn't disturb the seed placement.

8. Mark the seeds with a small plastic marker and a pencil or fine permanent marker.
Also, write down the date you planted the seed.
I use numbers to code my plants, but you could write down the names.

9. Cover the greenhouse with the clear plastic top.

10. Place the shop light directly on top of the greenhouse and plug it in.
Don't worry about timers. The seeds need all the moisture and heat they can get to germinate. You now have your miniature greenhouse.

When the seeds have sprouted and shown some leaves take off the plastic lid, but keep the lights as close to the plants as possible. Using small fingernail scissors, thin out your plants to one per cell.

I keep the lights on 18 hours/day. Here's what my new plants look like after a month. (Note - I've invested in heavy duty plastic bases, but this is not necessary.)