You have two choices when you decide to start your vegetable garden.
You can buy plants already growing, or you can start by planting seeds.
Each method has benefits.
For example, there is much satisfaction to be gained if you have planted your seed and cared for the seed as it grew into a fully developed healthy plant.
This method is not without risk as the tiny plants are very fragile.
You never know how a plant my have been treated prior to it going home with you.
This can be a disadvantage of buying an already established plant.
It may have had chemical contact, neglect, or poor watering, which means to ensure you get the healthiest plant you can, you need to learn what to look for when plant shopping.
Inspect each plant you may want to take home carefully.
A good looking plant is a good indicator of health.
A well maintained plant will show no signs of pests or disease, and will look good.
It you see holes in the leaves or if you see a wilted stem and leaves, you may be looking at a plant that has pests and/or has had poor soil or lack of water.
While they may be pretty, any plant that is already flowering may be traumatized by replanting.
It is better to find plants that only have buds.
If flowering plants is your only choice, be prepared for the sake of your plant to cut off the flowers before replanting.
The future health of the plant will be better, and reduces the risk of losing the plant in the process.
Don't neglect to check the roots before buying your plant.
Once you've found a specimen that looks good, look at the roots closely for brownness, rottenness or softness.
You should note that the roots are firm and well formed in their infrastructure and hold the soil together.
If there is a significant amount of roots and little soil, or a lot of soil with minimal roots, pass on that plant.
These are not the root systems you want.
If you find any abnormalities with the plant, whether it be the shape of the roots or any irregular features with the leaves, you should ask the nursery employees.
While usually these things can be the sign of an unhealthy plant, occasionally there will be a logical explanation for it.
Know what you're looking for, know how to choose, and you can be more confident that you will find healthy plants for your garden.
You can buy plants already growing, or you can start by planting seeds.
Each method has benefits.
For example, there is much satisfaction to be gained if you have planted your seed and cared for the seed as it grew into a fully developed healthy plant.
This method is not without risk as the tiny plants are very fragile.
You never know how a plant my have been treated prior to it going home with you.
This can be a disadvantage of buying an already established plant.
It may have had chemical contact, neglect, or poor watering, which means to ensure you get the healthiest plant you can, you need to learn what to look for when plant shopping.
Inspect each plant you may want to take home carefully.
A good looking plant is a good indicator of health.
A well maintained plant will show no signs of pests or disease, and will look good.
It you see holes in the leaves or if you see a wilted stem and leaves, you may be looking at a plant that has pests and/or has had poor soil or lack of water.
While they may be pretty, any plant that is already flowering may be traumatized by replanting.
It is better to find plants that only have buds.
If flowering plants is your only choice, be prepared for the sake of your plant to cut off the flowers before replanting.
The future health of the plant will be better, and reduces the risk of losing the plant in the process.
Don't neglect to check the roots before buying your plant.
Once you've found a specimen that looks good, look at the roots closely for brownness, rottenness or softness.
You should note that the roots are firm and well formed in their infrastructure and hold the soil together.
If there is a significant amount of roots and little soil, or a lot of soil with minimal roots, pass on that plant.
These are not the root systems you want.
If you find any abnormalities with the plant, whether it be the shape of the roots or any irregular features with the leaves, you should ask the nursery employees.
While usually these things can be the sign of an unhealthy plant, occasionally there will be a logical explanation for it.
Know what you're looking for, know how to choose, and you can be more confident that you will find healthy plants for your garden.
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