I don’t know about you, but I’ve been torn for years between starting seeds or purchasing transplants (aka garden ready plants or “starter” plants) from your local garden center or nursery. Many times when I opted to buy garden ready plants, I was met with guilt of “am I a real gardener??!!” It was super common to feel like you’re taking the short cut way out. To be completely real, sometimes other gardeners will guilt you into feeling incompetent. I know I ran to transplant plants after my first failure with starting seeds (I really didn’t know what I was doing so it made sense that I failed). After researching and experiencing over the years, I’ve concluded that there is a time and place for both.

How To Start A Garden For Beginners Amazon List 

Reasons To Start Your Own Seeds

1. Diversity/Variety – Purchasing seeds allows you the freedom of exploring a diverse array of vegetables. Transplants typically have the basics, but seeds companies offer tons of heirlooms and unusual vegetables such as purple kohlrabi, Chinese pink celery, purple tomatillos, and lemon spice peppers.
2. Money Saver – Purchasing seeds is cheaper than purchasing transplant plants. You can find the rarest vegetable seeds for $4.00 with 200 seeds (that’s 200 potential plants) versus $4.00 for one starter plant (if you’re lucky – it will have 6 plants in the pack). Seeds are ideal if your expanding and looking to fill a few raised garden beds.
3. Reward – There is nothing better than watching something you started turn into food. It’s quite indescribable and definitely fulfilling.

Read: How To Start A Garden From Seeds For Beginners

Reasons To Purchase Garden Ready Plants

1. Time – I never recommend anyone not take advantage of the gardening season because they waited “too late” to start. Transplant plants are a great solution to late starters!
2. Easy – Transplants are easy and quick and allows you to start your garden off asap. When I was a first time gardener, I must admit investing in transplants made my experience not only enjoyable, but it was simple and inspired to explore more into gardening for seasons to come.
3. Space – Some times we just don’t have the means or space to start seeds. Starter plants is a great answer if you just don’t have the room or set up to care for seeds and seedlings.

Read: 5 Seed Companies To Try For Your Garden Needs

Transplant Friendly Plants

• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Kohlrabi
• Brussels Sprouts
• Celery
• Leeks
• Scallions
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Onions

Direct Sow Seeds/Plants

• Beans
• Cucumbers
• Okra
• Spinach
• Beets
• Lettuce
• Peas
• Squash
• Zucchini
• Radish
• Turnips
• Melons
• Corn

A quick guide you can pin to your favorite pinterest board or save on your phone!