Sow snapdragon seeds indoors 12 weeks before last frost using a seed starting kit.
Sow seeds thinly and barely press into seed starting formula do not cover with soil.
Keep the soil moist at 65 degrees, as snapdragons prefer cooler soil so do not use bottom heat.
Seedlings emerge in 8-14 days.
As soon as the seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves.
To encourage better branching, pinch the tops off when the seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall.
Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden after the last heavy frost. Snapdragons can tolerate light frost.
Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
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