How to Know Which Vegetables to Plant from Seed

Spring is the best time to plant vegetables from seed in most places in the United States. In warmer climates you can add autumn to your seed planting schedule. Some seeds germinate better than others and some plants are best grown from seed rather than bought as plants or cuttings. Here is some advice on what vegetables to plant from seed.

Instructions

1. Root crops usually don't like transplanting so these are best grown from seed. Root crops would be carrots, parsnips, beets, radishes, salsify and root parsley. Since they are best grown where planted, seed them in rows and thin the seedlings by pulling out those growing too close to each other. This way the remaining plants have space to grow without competition.

2. 

   Some vegetables that grow very easily from seed would be celery, squash, corn, beans and basil. Onions germinate well as do their relatives like leeks, scallions and chives, but don't grow them from seed if the onion fly is a problem in your area.

3. Lettuce will grow well from seed, but don't plant seeds once the temperature rises much over the low 70'sF as lettuce seed doesn't germinate well in hot weather.

4. 

   Many seeds in the solanum family - tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillo, etc. need a long season to grow so if you do plant them from seed, they should be started indoors in the warmth by February or March in order to be large enough to plant out when the springtime warms up the soil.

5. Seeds like parsley can be more difficult to germinate and should be soaked in warm water overnight before planting to help them break dormancy.

6. 

   Most unusual vegetables cannot be found in any other form than seed. Unusual varieties of tomato, tomatillo and less common vegetables like celaric, asparagus pea and fava bean can only be bought in seed packets.

7. 

   Protect your seeds from birds and rodents. Don't let soil dry out from the time you plant your seed until the little seedling develops a deeper root system. Growing vegetables from seed is fun, fascinating and the most economical way to grow vegetables in the garden. For more information on spring gardening and how to grow vegetables from seed, please check the Resources below.

Resources

• Gardening and landscaping ideas and information
• eHow Spring Guide
• Parkseed seeds