seeds or plants?

[Ridgerunner]

I do both. Most things I direct seed in the ground where they will grow. I get some varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant already started from the local university Horticultutal Club plant sale and some from a Botanical Gardens plant sale. I start a few tomatoes inside early so I can get a couple of certain varieties I want and may not be available at these plant sales. This year, I also got some dill and basil at the plant sale as I forgot to get it started inside early enough. I got onion sets, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower plants from the local garden store, not one of the big box stores. I also get a lot of my seeds there but some I also order online from Burpee for things I cannot get there. I started some of my sweet potatoes in the house but ordered some starts so I could try a new variety.

For me, it is a matter of convenience. I have not set up a big area to start plants inside so I limit myself on what I start myself. That means I have to buy things that are not direct seeded. And I direct seed about anything I can instead of buying started plants.

 

[seedcorn]

tomatos, peppers, eggplant, I buy plants. Then direct sow peppers & tomatos in the garden to replace any that might die or just add to the number. Buy few early cabbage, then start seeds for late cabbage. Will start broccoli in garden so it will come on in fall. Not much good luck w/early broccoli as it gets too warm too quick.

 

[jamespm_98]

I am interested in hierloom varieties so I do a lot of seeds, but I generally purchase about 1/2 of my tomato plants from a local greenhouse. I tried lots of different tomatoes from seeds this year and found the quality of the soil you start them in makes a big difference. Also I tried starting them peat pots and found out they dry out quickly, actually had better luck with the little plastic six pack trays I had saved from years past.

 

[trion]

I am a total newbie but we started with all seeds. I have a thing about organic and heirloom veggies. Plus the only way to get a cheese pumpkin was to buy seeds. I did cave in and pick up an heirloom tomato plant today because it looks like mine will not make it. But everything else I started from seed either in the house or in the ground.

 

[4grandbabies]

I usually use seeds. I like starting tomatoes, peppers ,cabbage and broccoli inside early, then transplant in the correct time.
Will be married 47 years on Tuesday. I used Stone and Rutger tomatoes as a young bride, then we moved to a place where I could not garden for about 8 years, when I got back into gardening, I found that the Stone tomatoes were no where to be found. Also can no longer find Ruby lettuce. I really enjoyed these varieties. I can say Gloiath indeterminate tomatoes are my all time favorite! I used prize head lettuce(which is really a nice leaf lettuce,) but its getting harder to find also.

 

[sparkles2307]

I do both depending on what I am growing. Peppers seem to do better if I get started plants, tomatoes are 50/50ish...but started ones are slightly better. Most everything else besides flowers I do from seed.

 

[ddawn]

I imagine most people do both. Lots of factors. What is aggravating about buying plants is they are sometimes not at the best stage for transplanting when for sale.

The only gardenia bush I could find was about 6" tall and already had tiny flowers on it. It was only about $4 so I bought it anyway, and pinched all the flowers off, hoping it would put some effort into making stems and leaves. So much for that idea.

Never had much luck with tomato plants that already had flowers on them, either. Small is better.

For tomatoes, the nice thing about buying plants (or starting them in pots yourself) is you can plant much of the stem, and it becomes root and strengthens the root system.

Never had much luck with peat pots, either. Plastic trays from last year's bought plants and some potting soil seem to work a lot better.

 

[jamespm_98]

I usually use seeds. I like starting tomatoes, peppers ,cabbage and broccoli inside early, then transplant in the correct time.
Will be married 47 years on Tuesday. I used Stone and Rutger tomatoes as a young bride, then we moved to a place where I could not garden for about 8 years, when I got back into gardening, I found that the Stone tomatoes were no where to be found. Also can no longer find Ruby lettuce. I really enjoyed these varieties. I can say Gloiath indeterminate tomatoes are my all time favorite! I used prize head lettuce(which is really a nice leaf lettuce,) but its getting harder to find also.

Congradulations on 47 years, you can find Stone Tomato seed at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. http://www.southernexposure.com
I bought some seed from them this year and had great luck.