Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson, poet, novelist
Springtime. It brings back the birds, warm weather, and longer days. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, pansies, and irises pop up vibrant. Tulip magnolias, dogwoods, redbuds and wild cherry trees suddenly have blossoms adorning their once bare branches.
For gardeners, it is the next phase to move forward in our gardening plans. While we planted bulbs in the fall to give us color in the spring, we know the hard work comes around the last frost of the spring season, when we plant our seeds and seedlings. Even though they start small and seemingly insignificant, we know in a few weeks, they will have suddenly morphed with a growth spurt, and taken over the garden.
Which begs the question: are seeds better than seedlings?
Are seeds better than seedlings?
In short, no. Seedlings are the product of the seeds, started a few weeks in advance, so we have something a bit more tangible to plant in the ground. In a way, seedlings give us a sense of fulfillment that we have planted something which, we hope, will turn into something bigger.
Seeds can be both planted in the ground, or started in a mini greenhouse to produce seedlings to eventually plant in the ground or in containers. Growing one’s own seedlings is a bit more work. And whether you plant seeds in the ground or start them in your greenhouse, the chance of the seed actually growing is a fifty percent chance.
It is really up to you, as the gardener, your preference.
Frankly, even planting seedlings you either grew or bought does not assure you a bountiful result. Seedlings, unfortunately, die easily too.
However, regardless of your choice (in my case, I do both!), there is satisfaction in seeing the results of your hard work. When I see my own seedlings sprout, either in the mini greenhouse or from the ground, I’m thrilled that at least some of the seeds were fruitful. And when the seedlings I have purchased from the garden center also begin to grow, I know there is still hope that my summer garden is going to be colorful.
For the busy gardener
For those with limited time and budgets, seeds are usually cheaper than buying seedlings. You do not necessarily have to use all the seeds in the packet, as long as you store the seeds for next year in a moderately consistent temperature controlled room. In other words, don’t store them in the garage where it can get super hot in the summer and bitterly cold in the winter. The temperature changes alters your seeds. I keep mine in a cabinet in the kitchen.
As well, planting seeds directly in the ground versus growing your own seedlings, will save you some time. Decide whether you want seeds for your containers or garden. Know your sunlight situation versus shade. When planting in containers, if you plant a variety of flowers and plants, make sure the watering needs are the same.
Gardening is hard work, but it should also be fun and satisfying.
Check the planting instructions for your seeds as some recommend growing seedlings instead of directly planting in the ground. Read the growth rate, sun requirements, and spread measurements. And, some of those tiny seeds require a few inches of spacing among them, so watch that.
You also don’t have to plant all your seeds at once. Depending on your busy schedule, you could simply spend 30 minutes or less in the garden each day for a few days, planting your seeds. Just make sure you mark the areas where you planted seeds so you do not forget and accidentally dig them up! The advantage of seedlings, in this case, is that you can see where you planted them, while seeds are a bit harder.
Spreading your time in the garden will also be conducive to you physically if you have back problems or other health issues where you have to pace yourself.
Gardening is hard work, but it should also be fun and satisfying. Figure out what works best for you to find joy in your gardening, and then dig out your gloves and spade.
Look beyond the work and try to envision what will be, all from a tiny seed.
