Which is Better: Seeds or Starter Plants?
If you’re planting a garden for the first time, there are lots of options to consider—like whether you should plant in raised beds or directly in soil, and whether you should grow seedlings or buy starter plants. There are challenges and benefits that come with any method that you choose, and many people find that a combination of a few methods makes the most sense for them and their space. Read on to make an informed decision about which is right for you.
Starter Plants: Here’s What You Need to Know
Thankfully, we live in a world where gardening from starter plants has never been easier! Most hardware stores and garden centers carry starter plants as early as March, carrying a variety of fruit and vegetables for gardening.
Starter plants are plants are that’ve been cultivated in a greenhouse by professional growers. They typically range from two to eight weeks old and have healthy root systems developed. These run for just a few dollars, and are an attractive option for first-time gardeners because they are easy to plant and maintain.
If it’s already late in the season, we suggest investing in starter plants, as you don’t have to wait for these to mature before planting them. (Here’s more information on how to plant starter plants.) If it’s your first time planting a garden, we also suggest starting with starter plants. They’re healthy and it’s a simple process that frees you up to focus on other things–like companion planting and learning about your gardening zone.
Planting Seedlings: Here’s What You Need to Know
Seedlings are plants you’ve grown from seed, indoors, for a period of time before your last frost date. You’ll use seedling starter pots and keep them in a sunny spot inside. Seedlings can be tricky to maintain, but are a much more affordable way to plant a garden. (Here’s a guide on how to germinate seeds.)
If non-GMO, organic, and heirloom plants are a value to you, you’ll want to find quality seeds that fit that description. Another great benefit to planting seedlings, is that you have complete control over which vegetables and varieties you plant. You have endless options to choose from—we love Botanical Interests, check out their selection for ideas. Read our full guide on everything you need to know about buying seeds.
Remember: if you choose to go with seedlings, there are a number of seeds that are easy to plant outdoors directly into soil. For me, this has always been a fun and realistic option. Plus, Little Furrow gets its name from a quote about the magic of planting peas.
“I became a sort of garden fanatic, and I am not over it yet. You can take a few seed peas, dry and dead, and sow them in a little furrow, and they will sprout into a row of pea vines and bear more peas – it may not be a miracle, but that is a matter of opinion.”
— Wendell Berry
A few seeds that are easy to grow directly in ground are:
- radishes
- carrots
- peas
- bok choy
- sunflowers
- beets
- chard
Start by preparing your soil for gardening, then simply follow the seed packets instructions to get these plants started.
Planting Sets & Bulbs
When planting things like onion, garlic, horseradish, and potatoes, it is usually a good idea to invest in starter sets or already chit (sprouted) potatoes. Although you can plant crops like these from seeds, and doing so will give you a variety of options to choose from, it can be a long process with varying results.
You can pick up sets and bulbs from most garden centers at a pretty low price. You can also buy your favorite organic potatoes and chit them yourself, which is a process of sprouting them to prepare for when it comes time to plant them out. If you decide to plant bulbs in your garden, make sure to plant them the recommended distance apart, so that they have room to grow big and healthy.
Planting Bushes
When it comes to your garden, it can be helpful to think about the decision between seedlings and starter plants as a decision about timing. Most berry bushes take a few years to bear fruit. If you are interested in growing blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries, investing in a plant that is already a few years old is going to be your best bet.
I recently bought a blueberry bush for about $15, and it’s already bearing fruit this season! So, that cost was a worthwhile investment for my garden. Consider how long you are willing to wait for a harvest, and plan accordingly.
Making the Right Decision for You
The consensus? Try a combination of seedlings and starter plants—and figure out which works better for you. This year, I started seedlings indoors back in March, but still opted to add some healthy starter plants to fill out the rest of my garden.
The investment in strong starter plants can be worth it if you’re new to gardening and want to build confidence in the basics like watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. Year two or three on your journey can be a really great time to explore starting your own seeds. Gardening knowledge builds on top of itself, and the more you learn, the more confident and successful you’ll be.
Building a Personalized Garden Plan
When building your garden plan, you’ll want to start a timeline of any seeds you’re growing and when they should be planted indoors and outdoors. You’ll account for your gardening zone and what plants you want to grow, then build a plan that involves companion planting–planting things alongside one another that benefit one another.
If you haven’t noticed, planting a garden is incredibly complicated. Stick to a plan with our handy dandy garden planner. It’ll show you which dates to plant for your area, and keep you organized along the way. Remember: it’s easy to get lost–but don’t take yourself too seriously! Gardening is a process. Make sure that having fun and getting outside are at the top of your priority list, and you won’t be sorry.
