Module 4: Get The Vegetable Seeds And Seedlings

Once you’re made a list of vegetables you want to grow, it’s time to get the seeds and seedlings.

Where To Buy Seeds And Seedlings?

You can buy seeds and seedlings from online stores, local garden centers, and nurseries depending on your convenience and availability. I would suggest going for heirloom and hybrid varieties that are non-GMO.

Here are examples of some US seed companies you can buy from online.

• Botanical Interests
• Burpee
• Johnny’s Seeds
• Hudson Valley Seed Company
• Rare Seeds

Reading The Seed Packet

The seed packet is a good source of information to get you started growing your vegetable plant. Different seed packets will have different placement and level of information. But here’s an example below.

Photo Credit: Known-You Seed

Let’s look at all the information that we see on this packet. I’ve marked it in red numbers so it’s easy to see.

1. Vegetable information

This gives basic information about the type of vegetable, the harvest and fruit that it will produce.

2. Plant data

This section gives information such as Latin name, fruit size, growing season, plant height at maturity, plant support requirements, and optimal temperature to grow the plant.

3. Sunlight requirements

Information whether the vegetable or herb needs full sun or partial shade.

4. Spacing needs

Useful spacing information if you’re going to grow more than one plant in the same container or location. This helps give the plants growing space so they don’t compete for nutrients. It also prevents humid conditions that can lead to fungal diseases.

5. Days to harvest

We grow vegetables to harvest them. This gives information how long it will take for the fruit or vegetable to be ready. Sometimes this will be after seed germination. Other times, it will be after transplanting the seedling.

Action Steps

• Buy the seed packets or seedlings for the vegetables and herbs you want to grow.
• Read and understand the crucial information about the plant on the seed packet.
• If the information is not there, research the information on the Internet.