As the growing season begins, trays of seedlings start appearing on garden center benches. These perky green shoots, so full of promise, are tempting to many. After all, they can offer quick results for a relatively low investment, in terms of both time and money.
However, some garden goodies are better off started as seeds, sown directly into a prepared patch. Not only is this easy, but it eliminates the risk of transplant shock, which can lead to stronger and healthier crops. It also cuts out the need for pots, trays, and other kit needed for sowing indoors. And it tends to be cheaper, too.
Below, professional gardening experts share their tips on the types of plants worth starting as seeds – from tasty veggies to vibrant blooms. With the weather slowly beginning to warm, now's a great time to plan which ones to add to your planting list.
5 types of plants to avoid buying as seedlings
'While transplants are great for some plant types, like tomatoes and peppers which have a long growing window, other plants should almost always be started directly from seed in your garden and never transplanted,' says Amy Enfield of Scotts-MiracleGro.
Whether you're growing in raised beds, borders, or a container garden, it's worth sowing the following yourself.
1. Beans
Jen McDonald, the co-founder of Garden Girls, advises against buying beans as seedlings. 'Whether you choose pole, bush, lima, or green, you’ll have better luck starting from seed.'
She explains that beans germinate very quickly and develop stronger roots when started directly in the garden. 'It’s also much less expensive to buy a packet of seeds which will yield many more plants,' she adds.
Amy also suggests beans as an example of fast-growing annuals to avoid buying as seedlings, along with peas and sweet corn. They 'grow way too quickly to be successfully grown as transplants,' she says, adding how their extensive root systems can be sensitive to disturbance.
We like the look of the three color blend mix from Burpee, which produces yellow, purple, and green bush beans. Or, try 'Scarlet Runner', an heirloom variety with red flowers.
2. Root vegetables
If you're thinking of adding carrots, beetroot, radishes, or parsnips to your vegetable garden, it's definitely worth sowing them yourself.
'Any vegetable that forms a taproot does best when seeded directly in the garden bed,' says Amy. 'Disturbing the young taproot when it is developing can result in stunted root growth and misshapen roots.' What's more, it is very difficult to transplant root vegetables without causing some damage to the root, she adds.
Jen also says root vegetables are better when started from seed. 'Root crops are sensitive to moisture and soil conditions, so it is important to start them off correctly,' she adds.
For a crop of beetroot with amazing rings of pinkish-red and white once sliced, try 'Chioggia', an heirloom variety available from Burpee.
3. Zinnias
If you're growing a cut flower garden, zinnias are probably on your wish list. These annuals offer a beautiful range of sizzling hues, are good plants for pollinators, and are drought-tolerant once established, too. However, don't be tempted to buy them as seedlings; they are easy to grow from seed planted straight into the garden, and this will avoid any risk of transplant shock.
'Zinnia are incredible when started directly from seed,' says Jen, adding how there are so many varieties and colors available. 'I also find that the stems are much stronger when sown directly.'
Plant these seeds somewhere sunny for a riot of color in your yard.
4. Vining vegetables
Vining vegetables, such as cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and squash, are also worth sowing at home.
Amy explains that these veggies tend to come from very large seeds which germinate quickly – 'and the seedlings grow fast. Along with the fast growth rate comes fast root development, meaning they can quickly overwhelm their grower pot in a few short weeks. Overgrown plants do not transplant well, vines can be damaged, and the plants can sometimes struggle to become established after planting.'
For beautiful gray-blue squash with orange flesh, try planting 'Harvest Moon' from Burpee.
5. Herbs with taproots
'Most people start their herbs from transplants, but some herbs do best when started from seed in the spot they will stay all season long,' says Amy.
She lists cilantro, dill, parsley, and fennel as examples. 'This group of select herbs all form taproots (and are all, coincidentally, related to carrots) that can be damaged when transplanted. When sown directly into the garden, these herbs establish faster and have better growth than when they are transplanted.'
Try planting the 'Mammoth' organic dill seeds from Ferry-Morse, which grow up to 3.5ft tall.
FAQs
When is it a good idea to buy seedlings?
Buying seedlings of slow-growing plants, such as perennial herbs or bell peppers, is worth considering if you want faster results. Consider seedlings, too, if you have a short growing season and no space to start seeds off indoors.
Also, if you've fallen a little behind on your seed sowing, shop-bought seedlings can help you catch up and avoid missing out on certain types of crops. They take out the work of getting seeds to germinate, too, so buying a mix of some seedlings and some seeds can be a good choice for beginner gardeners.
How can you avoid transplant shock with seedlings?
Sowing seeds directly into your garden cuts out the risk of transplant shock altogether. If, however, you are sowing seeds indoors for a head start, or buying seedlings from a garden center, there are things you can do to reduce the risks of problems.
If you're sowing indoors, consider using biodegradable pots instead of plastic ones, which can be planted directly into the soil once it's warmed up. It's also important to harden off seedlings before transplanting them in their final positions, to allow them to acclimate to outdoor conditions. Once planted, be sure to keep them properly hydrated.
Once the growing season is over, don't forget to collect seeds and store them properly, too, for a budget-friendly crop next year.
