What you will need ...

• A sunny window :
  Plants like a southern exposure, or consider using cool-white florescent bulbs, or a ‘Grow Light’
• Containers : Be sure your container is clean and has good drainage. If using a fiber or peat pot, soak it well before adding soil
• Seeds
  Be sure to use fresh seeds, packaged for the upcoming growing season
• Gowing Medium
  Always use a good commercial medium. Be sure the bag says ‘Seed Starter’
  

Sowing Seeds ...

• Plant
  Fill pots or flats to within ¼” of the top with your potting medium and level the surface. Water the soil and allow it to drain thoroughly. Make a hole for each seed with your finger. Drop in the seed and cover with a fine layer of soil.
• Moisture and humidity:
  Germinating medium should be kept evenly moist, but not soaking wet. Use a fine sprayer to water newly planted seeds.
• Light:
  Follow directions on the seed packet. Once germinated, all seedlings need light to develop.
• Seedling Care:
  Keep soil moist, but not dripping. Check pots and flats often. The first two leaves you see on the plant are not true leaves, but food storage cells called cotyledons, once the first true leaves develop, it is time to fertilize. Use a weak solution of a good liquid fertilizer, once a week.
• Hardening Off:
  One week before transplanting your seedlings outdoors, start to harden them off. Move the plants to a shady outdoor area first, bring them indoors at night. Next, move them out into the sun for a few hours, increasing the time spent in the sun each day. Watch for watering needs.
• Transplanting:
  Don’t be in a rush to set your plants into the garden. Be sure all danger of frost has passed. Water the ground outside and the seedling before transplanting. It’s preferable to transplant on a cloudy day. Water immediately, and every day for the first week.
  

Resources:
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
WWW.gardenguides.com