As the growing season begins and trays of seedlings start filling garden center benches, it can be tempting to snap up these ready-to-plant starts. But gardening experts say some plants are actually far better sown directly from seed – producing stronger, healthier growth while also saving money. With early spring sowing season underway, knowing which varieties to skip as seedlings can help set your garden up for success.
While young plants offer quick results, some crops simply establish better when sown straight into a prepared patch. Direct sowing avoids the risk of transplant shock and removes the need for pots, trays, and indoor seed-starting setups. In many cases, it’s also the most cost-effective way to grow a generous harvest or a drift of flowers.
Below, professional gardening experts share the plants they recommend starting from seed instead – including vegetables, herbs, and vibrant blooms that perform best when sown directly into the soil. With the soil beginning to warm and sowing season ramping up in March, now is the perfect time to add them to your planting list.
5 Types of Plants to Avoid Buying as Seedlings
'While transplants are great for some plant types, like tomatoes and peppers which have a long growing window, other plants should almost always be started directly from seed in your garden and never transplanted,' says Amy Enfield of Scotts-MiracleGro.
Whether you're growing in raised beds, borders, or a container garden, it's worth sowing the following yourself.
1. Zinnias
If you're growing a cut flower garden, zinnias are probably already on your wish list. These vibrant annuals come in a dazzling range of colors, attract pollinators, and are impressively drought-tolerant once established – making them a staple for productive summer borders and cutting patches.
However, experts say this is one plant you should never bother buying as a seedling. Zinnias grow quickly and easily from seed sown straight into the soil, and direct sowing helps avoid transplant shock, which can stunt growth and weaken stems.
'Zinnias are incredible when started directly from seed,' says Jen McDonald, Co-founder of Garden Girls. 'There are so many varieties and colors available, and I find the stems are much stronger when they’re sown straight into the garden.'
In most regions, zinnia seeds can be sown outdoors once the risk of frost has passed and the soil begins to warm in late spring, making them an easy addition to your direct-sowing list.
You can find a huge range of beautiful zinnia seeds at Amazon.
2. Vining vegetables
Vining vegetables – like cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and beans – are notoriously sensitive to transplanting.
While it might seem convenient to pick up a tray of seedlings, experts say sowing them straight into the garden produces stronger plants, better yields, and less risk of transplant shock.
Early spring, as the soil begins to warm, is the perfect time to plan your direct-sown vining crops for a robust summer harvest.
Amy explains that these veggies tend to come from very large seeds which germinate quickly – 'and the seedlings grow fast. Along with the fast growth rate comes fast root development, meaning they can quickly overwhelm their grower pot in a few short weeks.
'Overgrown plants do not transplant well, vines can be damaged, and the plants can sometimes struggle to become established after planting.'
For beautiful gray-blue squash with orange flesh, try planting 'Harvest Moon' from Burpee.
3. Beans
Jen McDonaldadvises against buying beans as seedlings. 'Whether you choose pole, bush, lima beans, or green, you’ll have better luck starting from seed.'
She explains that beans germinate very quickly and develop stronger roots when started directly in the garden.
'It’s also much less expensive to buy a packet of seeds which will yield many more plants,' she adds.
Amy also suggests beans as an example of fast-growing annuals to avoid buying as seedlings, along with peas and sweet corn.
They 'grow way too quickly to be successfully grown as transplants,' she says, adding how their extensive root systems can be sensitive to disturbance.
We like the look of the three color blend mix from Burpee, which produces yellow, purple, and green bush beans. Or, try 'Scarlet Runner', also from Burpee, an heirloom variety with red flowers.
4. Root vegetables
If you're thinking of adding carrots, beetroot, radishes, or parsnips to your vegetable garden, it's definitely worth sowing them yourself. Root vegetables develop best when their delicate taproots aren’t disturbed, and transplanting seedlings often leads to forked or stunted roots.
Sowing straight into prepared soil ensures strong, healthy crops and gives you a head start on a productive harvest.
Early spring, as the soil warms, is the ideal time to get these seeds in the ground for a continuous harvest through summer and into fall.
'Any vegetable that forms a taproot does best when seeded directly in the garden bed,' says Amy.
'Disturbing the young taproot when it is developing can result in stunted root growth and misshapen roots.' What's more, it is very difficult to transplant root vegetables without causing some damage to the root, she adds.
Jen also says root vegetables are better when started from seed. 'Root crops are sensitive to moisture and soil conditions, so it is important to start them off correctly,' she adds.
For a crop of beetroot with amazing rings of pinkish-red and white once sliced, try 'Chioggia', an heirloom variety available from Burpee.
5. Herbs with taproots
Most people start their herbs from transplants, but some do far better when sown directly into the spot where they’ll grow all season.
Herbs with taproots, such as cilantro, dill, parsley, and fennel, are especially sensitive to transplanting. Moving seedlings can damage their delicate roots, slowing establishment and reducing overall growth.
Amy lists cilantro, dill, parsley, and fennel as examples. 'This group of select herbs all form taproots (and are all, coincidentally, related to carrots) that can be damaged when transplanted.'
This non-GMO, heirloom cilantro variety from Amazon would be ideal to grow from seed, and the packet is beautiful, too.
'When sown directly into the garden, these herbs establish faster and have better growth than when they are transplanted.'
Try planting the 'Mammoth' organic dill seeds from Amazon, which grow up to 3.5ft tall.
FAQs
When is it a good idea to buy seedlings?
Buying seedlings of slow-growing plants, such as perennial herbs or bell peppers, is worth considering if you want faster results. Consider seedlings, too, if you have a short growing season and no space to start seeds off indoors.
Also, if you've fallen a little behind on your seed sowing, shop-bought seedlings can help you catch up and avoid missing out on certain types of crops.
They take out the work of getting seeds to germinate, too, so buying a mix of some seedlings and some seeds can be a good choice for beginner gardeners.
Once the growing season is over, don't forget to collect seeds and store them properly, too, for a budget-friendly crop next year.
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