Perhaps you're considering how to start a vegetable garden.
You can generally go about it one of two ways - either by buying plants that are already halfway grown or by purchasing seeds.
There is immense satisfaction waiting for people who take the effort to grow their vegetables from the ground up - literally.
Seedlings can be fragile and require a lot of work to get going, but once you've got them going, the sense of accomplishment cannot be denied.
With pre-grown plants, you're never quite sure what it has been through or how it has been treated before you bought it.
It's a severe disadvantage and is the singular reason why most people elect to grow their vegetables from seedlings.
It could be unhealthy from neglect or from poor treatment, which means that you'll want to know how to spot a healthy plant.
Luckily, it's fairly easy to identify unhealthy plants.
If you see holes in its leaves, that's a deal breaker.
It should show no signs of disease, such as a wilted steam or wilting leaves.
If it shows those, you should move on as that plant has probably been neglected.
Alternatively, it could be too late to get a plant.
Plants that are already flowering are settled into their soil and could actually suffer greatly from being replanted.
Buds are fine, however.
If you've got your heart set on flowering plants, just makes sure to cut off the flowers before making the transfer.
It'll keep it healthy.
Most people miss out on checking the roots of plants - don't make that mistake.
Make sure that it has strong, healthy roots.
It's a fine indicator of plant health.
Abnormalities can actually be explained in a number of ways, not just in sickness.
Each plant is unique, so make sure to question the seller before leaving it in the dust.
If you know how to pick the right plants, you'll be able to make sure that your garden has the best crop.
Just take care and it'll come to you.