I'm trying to figure out the best approach to getting my garden started: is it better to sow seeds indoors or buy plants from a store? Last year, I germinated tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, and squash indoors using an LED shop light, but my peppers either didn't germinate or didn't thrive. This year, I ended up purchasing 14 pepper plants (4 varieties) from a local nursery for about $22. The tomato plants I grew myself were available for around $8-10, but they weren't as robust as the nursery-bought ones. I'm now questioning whether it's worth the effort to start my seeds indoors or if I should stick to buying them in the future.
3 Answers
Honestly, if you're looking for convenience or only a few plants, buying from the store makes things easier! I just check in on my little plant buddies throughout winter to keep my spirits up, but I'm leaning more towards purchasing common varieties going forward.
I start all my seeds indoors using T5 lights, and it's become routine for me. Sure, at first it was a bit overwhelming with all the care they need, but now I really enjoy it. If you have a significant garden, it's much more cost-effective to start from seeds, especially for types you can't find at the store.
You hit the nail on the head! It's not just about saving money; it's also about growing unique varieties that aren't sold as starts. I love the variety of heirlooms.
Buying veggie starts can be pricier than seeds; here they run about $3 for a 4" pot. Seeds are usually cheaper and offer a wider variety, plus once you master seed starting, it's a great money-saver in the long run. During the pandemic, I was glad I had stocked up on seeds before the prices went up.
That’s a smart move! I switched to seed starting for that very reason—it can get expensive buying starts, especially if the local nursery has limited options.
Totally get that! I’m the same way, but I’ve also found that starting unusual or hard-to-find types fresh from seed can make all the difference.