5 times it is better to buy seedlings than start seeds

There is nothing as worthwhile in gardening as the cultivation of a plant made of seeds. This is an economic way to fill your garden and access unique varieties. However, growing from seeds is not always practical. Both space and time -consuming, often requires special devices and knowledge. It is too easy to choose the wrong seeds or the wrong time. There are times when the purchase of seedlings or “starts” is already bought is their best chance of success.

We spoke to the garden builder Laura Matter, who runs the natural garden care program and the Garden hotline for the Tigth Alliance in Seattle, Washington. Here your competent advice is when it is best to choose seeds about seeds.

1. Limited bandwidth and space

It is easier to buy faster and easier to buy, seedlings began as a whole. “For someone who likes to start seeds and has the room for it, is great,” says Matter. “But for someone with an apartment, for example, it is space and time-consuming.”

In order to found plants from seeds inside or in a greenhouse, you probably need heat mats, special seed start medium, tablets, pots and attachment. It can take three months for the plants to be ready to place outside. Susceptible seedlings require constant care and monitor at least every other day to avoid drying out.

As soon as the seedlings go out their first small cells, they have to eat in larger pots and take more space. After all, they have to be “hardened” by gradually introducing them into the outdoor temperatures when the conditions are over a week or two a day for a few hours a day. And despite the best efforts, it is easy to end weak or long -legged seedlings.

“You can really get extensive with the start of the seed,” says Matter. “You have to guide them through the pot stage, they transplant and take up a lot of space. It is an obligation to grow from seeds. “Some plants germinate slightly outdoors, but still need protection against grandstands and careful attention for irrigation and weed.

If you buy, pay for convenience and quality. Experts have done all the hard work, and responsible kindergartens have given plants for the plants at the perfect time. Even if you have missed the window for the seed start, an adult children's skam can save the season.

2. You want immediate satisfaction

Sometimes you just want your garden to look better now – whether for a special occasion or to refresh your planters. “There is nothing better than buying a six -pack with marigold or tin,” says Matter. “You are already blooming. You start your season with color and can have an immediate garden. ”

3 .. grow in warm seasons harvested

Each plant has its preferred growth conditions, from moisture to temperature and timing. “Warm season” require minimal temperatures to germinate and grow. Some examples are basil, tomatoes, pumpkin, peppers and eggplants. You need a certain amount of “heat units” or growth days per season.

If your region has a short vegetation period or you have a late start, treat yourself and buy these tomato seeds instead of risking poor germination or results.

“Traditionally, no matter where they are in the USA, such plants make themselves better off the transplantation,” she says. Even if your region is warm enough to sow your seeds outside, she realizes that sowing invites you to the free risks from unpredictable weather to wild animals.

4. Growing wooden herbs, perennials and Biennials

Wooden herbs such as lavender and sage are actually small shrubs and grow very slowly. “At home, it will take months and months for the plants to be large enough to plant. Even growing kindergartens will buy plugs that are started by a professional seed manufacturer. ”

Constant like asters, Bee Balm and Yarrow can take several seasons. “With multi -year flowers, they are more lucky when buying happiness because they need longer to get started,” she says.

Biennials like Lauch or Petersley complete their life cycle in two years. “Parsley will grow well from seeds in the garden bed, but it takes a long time to keep it,” says Matter. Gardeners often forget, plants or step on them. It recommends taking an abbreviation by buying or planting seeds, and this in a special pot.

5th growing tiny seeds grow

Very small seeds such as poppy seeds or snapdragons are difficult to use. Some sow with sand or buy or do “seed band” to make it easier, but “tiny seeds are really difficult to use,” says Matter. They are often too close together, which makes it difficult to separate them later. “I don't bother to grow lobelia from seeds. When I buy them, I can see different plants and they are already blooming. ”