Start from seeds or transplants?

This is a good question! New gardeners tend to start more stuff from transplants, not realizing it's not always best. Logically one would think: "well, if it's already 20" tall and 12 weeks old, how can that not be better?" Here's a few of the reasons:

• the taller the plant, the more damage it can & will get from the wind


• the bigger the plant, the more of an adjustment period it needs, so might just sit there for a couple weeks
• overgrown transplants that have had the roots confined too long may never re-start, this condition is called 'checking.'


• transplants were grown in 'happier' conditions and the stem & leaf tissue grew accordingly. Not thick or tough enough for outdoor conditions and they can rapidly decline.


• transplants should have one week of 'toning' - 'acclimating' - 'hardening off' (whatever you want to call it) before being planted in the garden.

Which veggies should you plant as transplants? Tomato, peppers, eggplant, sweet potatoes, globe onions (sets). These all need a long growing season, although you may harvest some if you plant these from seeds, it won't be much before the season is over.

Which can I do as transplants or seeds? lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs

Which are best from direct seeding into the garden? Any vine like melons, cukes, squashes, pumpkins, sweet corn, most greens, bean, peas, any root crops like carrot, radish, turnips, rutabaga, & beets.

Is this ALL you need to know?Absolutely not. I would like to encourage you to sign-up for my gardening classes. Click on the link at the right to find all the details.