Seeds vs. plants.

[cate]

As I am new to all this, I am getting very organisated and having started a diary/calender about what has to be done when.

I am a bit worried that the sewing of seeds is going to take a long long time, together with transplanting and pricking out, etc. and as I work full time am begining to get a bit concerned.

I have had a look at a couple of sites where they sell plugs of vegetable plants for you to grow on before planing out.  Does anyone here buy these.    Is it a vastly more expensive way of doing things and do the plants survive in the post?

If you do use plants, where do you buy them?

[cate]

[delboy]

I don't get precious about planting out plants froma nursery or bought from a catalogue or online, as they do save on time and also help to plug gaps, in various uses of "gap".

Having tried all ways of growing - except hydroponics(even if the lower half of my plot does resemble a swimming pool at the moment) - go for what is easiest for you, particularly if you really are short of time.

On the other hand, what about onions and shallots and garlic?

Then there are the beans..

And when the weather warms and you can plant seeds or plant out after work...

[Robert_Brenchley]

I work full-time as well, and I've never found planting a problem. Digging can be, but somehow or other I'm well ahead this year. So it can be done.

[tim]

Agree with all that. Yes, plants are obviously more expensive, but they let you 'get your hand in' & have something to show for it, before you find time to sow your own.

Nurseries/centres have a good choice - beans, lettuce, brassica etc & you can pick & choose. Mail order is convenient & reliable - we've used it a lot -  but you have to buy, say, 15 of each variety, & that's too much even for us.

[chrispea27]

I have found Marshalls v good gor ready grown plants

[cate]

Thanks, I just looked at the Marshalls site and it does look very good.  I think I will place an order.  Next year I will sort out the seeds.