When you’re growing your own food, you’ll typically start by investing in seeds. However, you could also invest in small plants that have already grown a little to save time. Whichever type you opt for, there are some important things to consider before you buy.
Here, we’ll discuss what to look for when buying seeds and plants to grow your own food.
Make Sure You Check the Label
The first thing you’ll want to do when buying seeds is check the label. What growing conditions do the seeds need? What time of year do they need planting? The labels should tell you everything you need to know about growing the specific plants you’re considering.
You need to make sure that your have the requirements to grow the seeds before you buy them. Make sure you have the right type of soil and level of sunlight needed. This allows you to find the best seeds to match your needs.
Buy More Than You Actually Need
While you don’t want to go overboard and buy a surplus of seeds, you do need some additional ones. This is because not every seed you sow is going to turn into a plant. There will be some level of waste, so it’s worth planting a few more seeds than you think you need.
However, beware of planting too many. The seeds are going to need a certain level of space to grow. If they don’t have it, your seeds will fail, and you’ll have simply wasted your money.
Choose Local Seeds Where Possible
A great tip is to buy locally-grown seeds where possible. That way, you’ll know you have the right conditions to grow them in. If you purchase seeds which have been shipped in from abroad, you’ll find them a lot trickier to grow as you might not have the best conditions to grow them in. They can also get damaged during shipping.
Similarly, you’ll also want to consider buying organically grown seeds. This ensures the seeds you plant are healthy, and won’t require anything overly specific to help them grow.
Look Out for F1 Varieties
You’ll find there are a number of different types of seeds you can invest in. The best ones to look out for are the F1 varieties. These have been created from two seed lines, so they tend to be the most reliable. The plants themselves can turn out much stronger too.
The only downside is these seeds are a little more expensive. However, the added cost makes up for the quality of the food you’ll be able to grow. It also ensures you don’t waste money on unreliable seeds.
These are some of the main factors to consider when buying seeds and plants. You really need to check the label to see what growing conditions are required. This will help you to choose the right seeds for your garden to match your requirements.
