|
Post by daylilydude on Feb 7, 2018 5:29:36 GMT -5
Why start seeds indoors instead of buying seedlings or planting outdoors?
|
|
|
Post by ahntjudy on Feb 7, 2018 7:43:12 GMT -5
It's certainly less expensive to start from seed...There's a much more huge selection from which to chose...And there's less of a chance of bringing something 'foreign' from their potting soils to my organic garden... Plus it's fun!
|
|
|
Post by tomike on Feb 7, 2018 7:45:51 GMT -5
When it comes to tomatoes or peppers, it is not possible to sow direct outdoors because of our short growing season. The main reason for growing my own is the varieties that I can grow that otherwise I could not. It is not a question of cost, because when you factor in the cost for heat mats and lighting; the resulting seedlings are not cheap......
And it's FUN......
EDIT.... You must also consider the cost for electrical power during several weeks to generate heat and light......
BUT..... That's not going to stop me from doing it again and again and again.........
|
|
|
Post by pepperhead212 on Feb 7, 2018 8:21:47 GMT -5
Less expensive, and very few of the things that I plant are available locally. Some things I plant outdoors, but even things like squash and cukes, which are usually direct seeded, I start indoors, and put them out when I see true leaves. This way, I don't have to worry about watering them outside, and I don't have to thin as much. And with greens, I only start them indoors so that I can get them to maybe the second pair of true leaves - maybe 3" tall - then plant, and cover with agribon. No watering or thinning outside, with those seeds (easier standing up inside! lol), and, #1 reason, RABBITS!
|
|
|
Post by paulf on Feb 7, 2018 8:32:59 GMT -5
Right now I have over 200 varieties of tomatoes and peppers to choose from with more than 1000 varieties available from my favorite seed sellers as opposed to maybe ten varieties I would even try to grow from plants from the local sources. To direct sow seeds here would never work because of the short season. Tomike has it right...it's fun.
|
|
|
Post by spike on Feb 7, 2018 9:10:45 GMT -5
Well basically family tradition. I am a bit late to the party as my Old Uncles would always start the seeds and inform me what I was growing lol. But there is something completely satisfying about saving/starting a seed and watching it grow. Plus as I come to the end of winter but not quite time to be out playing in the dirt and am jonesing for growing things, the grow lights come out and all is well with the world
|
|
|
Post by hairymooseknuckles on Feb 7, 2018 9:27:44 GMT -5
For me, it's because I grow different varieties than what they have for sale.
True, you can find a few heirlooms, but try finding 1884 or Cowlick Brandywine or something like that.
Besides some jackwagon always comes along and messes with the name tags.
the reason I start indoors is to get a jumpstart
|
|
|
Post by brownrexx on Feb 7, 2018 9:48:40 GMT -5
The season is too short for me to direct seed tomatoes, peppers or eggplant and it is not less expensive for me to grow them since I only grow about 20 plants.
There are local greenhouses that sell 4 packs of plants for $1.09 each BUT they do not sell the varieties that I want to grow and it is not nearly as much FUN as growing my own.
I did notice that the greenhouse is selling more unusual varieties than they did in the past so it's always fun to walk around and see what they are selling.
I would think that some people like to grow their own since they save their own seeds but I don't usually save seeds.
|
|
|
Post by hairymooseknuckles on Feb 7, 2018 10:02:36 GMT -5
I don't usually save seeds. We're going to turn you into a surenuff bonifida seedsaver!
|
|
|
Post by september on Feb 7, 2018 10:24:12 GMT -5
I think everyone has already covered the best reasons - hundreds, if not thousands of interesting seed varieties to choose from, and having earlier harvests by starting early in the house. I've especially enjoyed the earlier mini-cuke hybrids that I have grown in pots the last few years. Otherwise I could not plant cuke seed out until June.
|
|
|
Post by Laura_in_FL on Feb 7, 2018 10:28:01 GMT -5
I'd answer this question, but everyone else has already said what I would have.
|
|
|
Post by meandtk on Feb 7, 2018 12:28:42 GMT -5
Why start seeds indoors instead of buying seedlings or planting outdoors? Because I'm a tightwad and despise the prices that they put on seedlings in the stores.
|
|
|
Post by ahntjudy on Feb 7, 2018 15:08:16 GMT -5
Because I'm a tightwad and despise the prices that they put on seedlings in the stores. That's my favorite answer!!...Me too!!...
|
|