Seed Starting 101

Benefits | Direct Sowing | Heat Mats | Lights | When to Plant

Starting vegetable plants from seed can be beneficial for a number of reasons.  It also can require more time and effort than simply purchasing transplants.  The good news is that it’s not an all-or-none, one size fits all option.  You can absolutely design a hybrid plan where you start some crops from seed and purchase transplants of others based on your unique wants, needs, and motivations.  You can also change or expand your plan year after year while you learn as you go. 

In the sections below, I hope to answer some practical questions and provide helpful information to help you begin or continue your seed starting skills!

What are some benefits to starting from seeds?

  • Grow varieties you can’t find in the stores

  • Know exactly what you are growing

  • Cost savings

  • Some varieties have pest or disease resistance built it

  • Some vegetables just don’t like to be transplanted

  • You can plant throughout the year including for fall crops when you often can’t get transplants in the store.