Question
I live in Chicago, IL.

I do alot of container gardening on my deck but due to a bad financial situation I am going to cut back on my garden this year.  On E-bay there are several offers of kong coleus seeds -  a plant that I have used alot this past year.  If I would plant them indoors in early May, bring outdoors in June, do you think they would reach
a decent size by mid summer?

Also there are some offers of plug trays of sweet potato margarita vines.  I have no experience with plugs but 100 plugs for $30 sound inviting.  I use the margarita sweet potato alot.

I have no great indoor light or heating system for planting plugs or seeds indoors in early spring.

I just may have to pass up my containers till a better year.

I have a huge deck - in the past I have spent $400 on annuals.  This year $100 is my limit.

Answer
Susan, you can certainly start these plants indoors for early growth, but you must provide the plants with the proper conditions in order for them to grow.

For your convenience, I am attaching my step by step process for starting plants indoors.

Good luck......Mike.

Most vegetable and annual flower seeds need to be started 6-8 weeks prior to your last expected frost. The exact timing can be found on the seed packets, but 6 weeks is usually a good rule of thumb.

Never sow seeds deeper than twice their diameter. For small seeds, place them on the surface of the growing medium, and then lightly sprinkle the mix over the seed until it is barely covered. Water from the bottom to avoid disturbing the seed.

Seedlings need to be in simulated sunshine for at least 14 hours per day. They also need 8 hours of dormancy for good growth. You either need to invest in fluorescent bulbs called gro-lights, which are as close to natural light as anything sold on the market, or substitute these with less expensive bulbs. By using one cool and one warm white fluorescent in combination, you will achieve the same effect.  If given the correct conditions, namely adequate moisture, strong light, warm temperatures (70F-75F) and healthy soil, the seeds will germinate and grow to maturity with few or any problems.

I grow my seedlings in seed trays with individual cell packs. After sowing, I cover with a pre-fitted plastic dome. But once the first seedlings sprout, it is important to remove the cover to avoid damping-off disease. This is a fatal fungus disease which only attacks young seedlings, and is caused by inadequate air circulation and non-sterile soil. That is why I advise all those who start seeds indoors to only use sterile, soiless mixes composed of vermiculite, perlite, and sphagnum moss. These mixes can be purchased at any reputable garden center.  

Once the seedlings develop their second set of leaves, you can begin supplementing the plants with a diluted solution of fertilizer. Since you want to keep the nitrogen and salt levels low at this stage of growth, I highly recommend staying away from the chemical mixes. Rather, use a seaweed/fish emulsion formula at ?the recommended level. This will help the plants?development and also help ward off disease. You can purchase these organic formulas at most garden centers or through online websites such as Gardens Alive.  

Finally, be sure to keep your fluorescent lights no higher than 3?above the seedlings at all times. This is critical to prevent the plants from becoming weak and spindly. As I mentioned earlier, they should be left on 14 hours per day. If fluorescent lighting is not possible, put them in a southwest window and turn them every three days to avoid leaning.  I am attaching a few websites that should prove helpful.  I would also advise you to purchase 揟he New Seed-Starters Handbook?by Nancy Bubel. It has many good ideas and techniques that benefit even experienced gardeners.

http://www.gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/starting.htm

http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/hort/g06570.htm

http://echonet.org/shopsite_sc/store/html/SeedStarterHandbook.html