For me , half the fun of starting a vegetable garden come at this time of year , when I sit down with a sight of source catalogs to look at all the raw change and decide which ace I ’ll try . Once I have my choices narrowed down , the next step is to figure out which seeds I ’ll startle indoors under light and which unity I ’ll sow straight into the garden .
Other nurseryman may opt to bypass this semen level on the whole , and simply buy starter plant from the garden heart — where more varieties seem to be offered each year . What ’s the difference ? Well , most notably , cost . An entire packet of seeds will often be less than one starter plant or pack . And not to worry if you do n’t plant all of them in one season — many seed varieties will rest viable for several years . Additionally , there ’s still much more form to be had with seed than with works sell at the garden center , and seeds are extremely portable and can be easily shared with other gardeners .
On the other paw , there ’s more risk involved in planting seeds ; some may notgerminate , or plants you ’ve started indoors might not behardened offenough to endure outdoor weather extremes . An indoor develop environment requiresgrow lightsor at least brilliant sunlight from a windowpane , along with planting cloth and the space to do it , so there ’s time , effort , and expense involved .
Greens do well when started indoors before planting out.
Starter plants are quick to be planted , and you ’re presumptively select the healthiest - look specimens , so there ’s less risk of failure . Although they may not be fully hardened off , they ’re usually display outside or at least in an environment where they ’ve developed some resiliency to the elements . You ’re also purchasing a flora with impulse , and if condition are favorable , one that ’s ready to take off when it ’s planted in the ground — a head set off that may make for an early harvest home . All of these factors make starter flora a very attractive option for many gardeners , particularly those who are press for time .
What you do n’t get from a starter plant is something less palpable : the fun of begin from scraping and view a seedling emerge and grow into a matured industrial plant . That ’s what I look forwards to most , and it ’s why each year I start a strong number of vegetables from seed .
But which seed should you protrude indoors vs. verbatim planting in the garden ? In general , I ’ve find it mold good to begin seeds indoors of the early smorgasbord that can tolerate cold like Green , lettuces , broccoli , and cabbage , which can be transplanted into a inhuman frame or even the garden rather than anything else . Many herbs are another sure bet for indoor starting . Also , ship’s boat plant such as peppers , tomatoes and eggplant that ca n’t go alfresco until all risk of icing has passed do well as seeds started under grow lights . I ’ve also start cucumber , squash , melon , noodle , peas , and beets indoors , but I ’ve institute there ’s often not much benefit in it . Unlike peppers and tomatoes , they do n’t take as well to transplant or to sit for long period under grow lighting , which tend to make them leggy and run down them of momentum . Plus , once the grime in the garden warm up up enough , these veg are quick to spud from seed and are rapid growers . Other vegetable that are more practical to inseminate directly into the garden are carrots , parsnips , turnip , and radishes .
Greens do well when started indoors before planting out.
If you decide to start seeds indoors for the first clock time , you may find yourself being entice to want to try some of everything . I ’ve feel that it ’s serious to set about out slow the first season with a few varieties and see how it goes . Then again , you could start a lot of things , and if some do n’t act out you could always buy them as plants from the garden center !
Learn more inNorthern Gardener®magazine…
Four seasonal issues full of growing tip and featured garden — publish and edit by local northern gardening pro just for you .
