[Cloverfarm]

I’d like to start bell pepper seeds soon but I don’t have a seed starting mat to keep them warm.

Wondering if there’s a DIY method to make a heat source.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Do you have an older-model refrigerator? Before they went all energy-efficient, the top of a fridge was nice and warm and GREAT for starting flats of seeds.

You can also use a person-heating, heating pad - just make sure you put a layer of plastic between the pad and the flats so no water gets onto the heating pad.

So, heating pad, layer of plastic (trash bag would be fine) then an old towel, then the plant flat.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Our first step is to gather our dirt mix into turkey bags and bake at 350 for a half hour or more. This kills critters that can kill your blossoms.

This saves a lot of anguish when the shoots appear.

Then;
Dont overlook chick grit around the top of the dirt box where the seed starts.
This stuff also saves your mystery deaths...

[Paul R.]

Brooder lamp(s)?