Cost of started plants?

[cwhit590]

You can buy 4-packs of peppers and tomatoes for $2 to $3 at a farmers market I frequent. It may not make sense to buy seeds if

* you only have room for a very few plants, and if
* you can find the varieties that you like.

Sometimes, what is available is fine. But, growing plants is fun at any time of the year.

Steve

Good advice Steve.

When it comes to veggies, I will buy started plants and grow some from seed too. I usually only do a few tomato plants each year, so I buy those as started plants. I also buy peppers, herbs, and some beans as plants. Other things I just direct sow, like peas, carrots, corn, curcurbits, etc.

Since I have limited indoor seed starting area and limited outdoor gardening space (and a smaller family that doesn't eat as much), it is usually easier for me to just buy a few plants.

Another thing....I don't know about everyone else, but in my area the greenhouse business is pretty big....so between all the greenhouses, stores, and farmers markets, we have a very good selection of plants and varieties available. With the growing popularity of heirlooms and novelty veggies, a lot of places are marketing them and making these varieties available.
I was actually kinda surprised this last season by the selection of veggies and herbs available from our local WallyWorld...the plants actually looked decent too (maybe they had just arrived? )