Hello from Southern Ohio!

This is my first post so please forgive any errors. I have my cedar 4x4 boxes and am wondering if most people begin their gardens with seeds rather than purchasing plants. I have found a website that sells a mini mega seed bank...would this be a good start? I have no experience with gardening, so any suggestions for a beginner would be helpful! Thanks.

Christine

Hi CCH and welcome to the Forum.

People here do both seeds and transplants. Of course seeds is more cost effective.

Not sure about the Seed Banks - I'm sure you can get the same information in the books online and you don't necessarily know what cultivars are included and whether or not they are best for YOUR area. As far as storing seeds, most of us put the packets in a zipper bag with a desiccant inside and put it in the crisper bin in the fridge.

I don't see where they even say what the "35 popular varieties", so you have no idea what you'll even get. Will your family even like what they give you?

I'm sure you'll have a good time here on the Forum.

There are a few websites that sell sample sized seed packets. Example is Dirtcheapseeds.com and Sampleseeds.com. I would recommend though, since you are just starting, just to go to Walmart or other big store that sells seeds. They are usually really cheap, and are normal varieties of things that most people would want to grow. If you are going to start your own seeds, look up on here some tips on growing with a shop light or grow light. But most people on here say that your first year, you should just buy transplants and direct seed what you can and not worry about starting indoors as it can get a bit daunting. My first two years, I failed miserably at every seed I started except squash.

Christine, and to the forum!
On pg 112 of his "ANSFG book, Mel Bartholomew recommends "that you plant only what you want to eat". So make a list of those right away.
(OBTW, All New Square Foot Gardening (ANSFG) is a must read and a valuable reference.)
When I started my first garden I purchased plants. There's lots of folk who do so every season, but if you wait too long all the best will be gone.
This year we're starting almost everything from seeds, however.
Don't forget to allow time to get your Mel's Mix (MM) ready.
Lee

ChristineCorderHickey wrote: This is my first post so please forgive any errors. I have my cedar 4x4 boxes and am wondering if most people begin their gardens with seeds rather than purchasing plants. I have found a website that sells a mini mega seed bank...would this be a good start? I have no experience with gardening, so any suggestions for a beginner would be helpful! Thanks.

Christine

Honestly it depended how late I was getting my planting done and what seeds I had on hand. I did a mix. As time goes on I would like to put more effort into tomato varieties that are only available by seed, but I will need to put roots down myself first. I seem to be moving too much lately!

Howdy and Welcome to the forum.

When I first started gardening, I bought transplants unless it had to be started from seeds like carrots.

What are you wanting to grow this year?

WOW! I haven't been to Seaman in about 8 yrs. Nice beautiful country out there.

Thanks for responding to me. Not many people are familiar with Seaman, Oh! I see you are north of Cincinnati...I'm originally from Brookville, Ohio, in Montgomery County. Most my family live there. Are you familiar?

I don't know yet beyond tomatoes what I will plant. I just started reading the SFG book, so I have much to learn. But I'm excited about doing this. I bought my cedar squares from the Amish down here. We are also looking at a pellet stove from them, because our electric cost has gotten so high. My husband recently retired, so we are looking for ways to save.

How long have you been gardening? My husband grew up gardening, but this is all new to me. What have you had the best results growing?

Christine

Christine

Remember that you are starting "small" with 2 4X4 boxes, so you will have 32 squares. (did you say two boxes or did I make that up???)

Some items, you will grow 4, 9 or 16 per square, others just 1 per square and there are some space hogs out there that take 2 or even 9 squares for one plant.

If you are not yet sure what you want to grow, look on page 259 of ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING where Mel lists some very common garden crops and when to plant them, based on your last frost date. See if any of these appeal to you and your family. There is no problem with experimenting and it is a lot of fun, but it usually is better, at least for the first year, to plant thiings you know your family will eat. I would only buy seeds for the crops my family will eat. Some of those mega mixes might include types of veggies that are not your favorites.

This link will help you determine your AVERAGE LAST FROST DATE <

from central Ohio, glad to see another Ohioan!