Garden LOVE

Planting Seeds vs. Starting with Plants

For many new gardeners, whether you’re dreaming of crispy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, or a pumpkin worthy of a Halloween centerpiece, the first big question is: Should you plant seeds or just buy plants? Or maybe a perfect combo of both?

The Case for Seeds: Low-Cost and Big Payoff

Seeds are like the lottery tickets of gardening. They’re cheap, full of potential, and sometimes, you strike it rich with an amazing harvest. But not all veggies are created equal when it comes to growing from seeds. Here’s the short list of seeds you can’t go wrong with:

1. Lettuce and Greens

Lettuce, spinach, arugula—these are the ultimate beginner-friendly seeds. Scatter them in the dirt, water a bit, and boom, salad city. Plus, they grow fast, so you’ll feel like a gardening genius in no time.

2. Beans and Peas

These guys practically grow themselves. Just stick them in the ground after the last frost and watch them climb like Jack’s beanstalk. Bonus: they’re great for kids to help plant.

3. Radishes

If patience isn’t your strong suit, radishes are your new BFF. They sprout in days and are ready to eat in about a month.

4. Zucchini and Summer Squash

These are the overachievers of the garden. Plant a seed, and before you know it, you’ll be handing out zucchini to your neighbors like Oprah hands out cars.

When to Buy Plants: Instant Gratification FTW

Seeds are great, but sometimes you just want to skip the hassle and fast-forward to the fun part. For these veggies, do yourself a favor and buy starter plants:

1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes from seed take FOREVER. Unless you’re really into nurturing seedlings indoors for months, grab a healthy plant from the garden center. You’ll thank yourself when you’re biting into a sun-warmed tomato sandwich this summer.

2. Peppers

Much like tomatoes, peppers are divas that need a long growing season. Save yourself the trouble and buy plants.

3. Eggplants

Eggplants can be tricky to grow from seed and take ages to mature. Buying a plant gets you a head start.

4. Herbs

Sure, you can grow herbs from seeds, but it’s way easier to grab a basil or cilantro plant that’s already thriving.

The Middle Ground: Your Call

Some veggies can go either way, depending on your mood and how much effort you’re willing to invest:

1. Carrots

Carrots prefer to be direct-seeded because they don’t like being transplanted, but they can be slow to germinate. Patience required!

2. Cucumbers

You can start cucumbers from seed or buy plants. If you’re late to the gardening game, plants are a great shortcut… but I’ve found the seeds to be pretty easy and successful.

3. Pumpkins and Melons

Starting from seed is fine, but if you’re in a hurry to see some action, starter plants give you a head start.

Overall Tips for the Laid-Back Gardener

Check your frost dates

Especially when it comes to transplanting young plants, you’ll want to ensure the danger of frost has passed.

Read the labels

Whether it’s a seed packet or a plant tag, these little bits of paper are goldmines of info on timing, spacing, sunlight, and watering.

Start small

If this is your first rodeo, stick to a few easy-to-grow veggies. You can always expand your garden next year.