February is technically midwinter in the Northern Hemisphere, when we reach the midpoint between winter and spring. Most places are still deeply immersed in the cold and snow that comes with the winter season, but that doesn't mean it's a bad time for growing vegetable seeds. February happens to be a perfect time for getting the seed starting station together, and for many farmers, it's a great time to start some of them.
Paper milk and juice cartons are great for starting seeds because they are waterproof and strong enough to hold soil. You can cut the carton in half or make a window on one side, fill it with potting mix, and plant your seeds. Home Baked Bliss recommends cartons for bigger or fast-growing plants. When you're ready to move your seedlings, just cut off the bottom and plant the whole carton in the ground to protect the roots from pests.
Instead of running to the store every time you need a handful of fresh basil (and inevitably letting the rest go to waste in your fridge), having an herb garden of your own allows you to only take what you need. While this in itself is a great sustainable practice, try taking it a step further by starting an herb garden in old plastic fruit containers.
