Not all plants should be started by seed indoors because they are better grown by sowing seeds directly in the garden. Root vegetables, like radishes and beets, and row crops, like beans and corn, simply don’t transplant well. Other crops—like cucumbers and zucchini or flowers like zinnias...
If you don’t start seeds indoors, you will need to buy young plants called “transplants” or “starts” at the garden store or nursery. While some nursery starter plants are grown nicely, others may be of poor quality and don’t thrive once they’re home. When you plant your own se...
Corn doesn’t transplant well, either, so if you garden in a short-season area and want to start corn indoors, use biodegradable pots to avoid disturbing the roots at transplanting time. It’s better to wait until all danger of frost is past and the soil warms up to the 60 degrees ...
Starting corn indoors and transplanting outside isn’t generally recommended, since the seedlings’ roots are delicate and sensitive to transplant shock. Some growers in northern climates with short growing seasons do it though. It just requires a great deal of care when handling the young plants....
Planting vegetables usually involves sowing seeds or planting transplants, though certain crops like corn and okra require frequent replanting after each harvest. To save time and reduce wasteful planting efforts, purchase transplants from a nursery or farmers market instead of sowing seeds yourself. ...
Broccoli seeds can be planted indoors to give plants a head start before being moved out into the elements outside. Germination and the growth of young plants is most successful when the temperature is consistent and kept between 60 and 70 Fahrenheit. Plant seedlings in a large, flat container...
Plant onion sets (small bulblets) 3 to 4 months before the time you want to harvest mature bulbs; plant sets 3 to 4 weeks before you want to harvest green onions. Onion seeds are best started indoors: start seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring and transplant...
New Zealand spinach is a warm-season leafy green that should be planted after the last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (16°C). Start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost or sow them directly in the garden once the soil warms up. Soak seeds in...
Vegetable gardens require sunlight in order to thrive, so ensure that the area you plan on planting your vegetables in is full sunlight. If it gets shaded at certain points during the day, reserve some areas for plants that thrive under such circumstances (like beans and pole corn on trellis...
Bachelor’s buttons are hardy in cool weather, so you don’t need to start the seeds indoors. Bachelor’s buttons don’t take well to transplanting anyway, so just seed directly into the ground when you plant. If you live in one of the warmer zones, where the ground doesn’t freeze,...