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Is it cheaper to grow plants from seeds?

My boyfriend and I want to redo the gardens around our new home. I'd like to add some flowering plants, right now they are all just bushes. Would it be cheaper to go and buy the seeds of the plants I want and grow them or wait till spring and buy them grown already?

Public Comments

1. It's very much cheaper. But if you are growing shrubs from seed - there are a few factors to consider. 1) seeds for shrubs are not easily found. 2) growing from seed means you won't have a shrub of any size for YEARS. 3) some shrubs are grafted, and are not reproduced from seed - so that option would not be available. But there are lots and lots of perennial flowers and plants you could grow from seed - you'd just have to understand you won't have a garden that looks "full" for at least a couple of years. Also - it takes more skill and know-how to grow from seed. If you two are novice gardeners - I highly recommend getting plant starts instead. Smaller starts are cheaper, and you can still find discount shrubs for a few dollars if you're willing to start very small.
2. Seeds work well if you have all of the necessary stuff ie starting peat pot trays, a warm spot with light, then when a little big for the start trays little transplant peat pots with soil or you may start them 4-5weeks prior to planting and just stick em in prepared area. This works for annuals and perennials esp. if you wish odd varieties that are not available in stores. You can think of them as your kids. It is a lot of fun with a little work, but they don't always behave as you would hope. Damping off, wilt and rot to name a few. You are better off purchasing foundation plants at the store though due to the length of time to get to size. What is really cool is sign up for the Arbor Day Foundation.$10. They send out free trees-they are usu. tiny but some of mine are in pots after 4 yrs. Or just scatter out the seeds into the beds in the spring and cover them slightly.This is great for most varieties. Then it is a surprise. Give it a try. Also look up Jerry Baker and ED Hume on line. Hope that helps Happy Halloween
3. Seeds are much less expensive than buying plants, but it is more labor-intense. You trade saving money for using time that could be used for other things. Personally, I start with seeds if possible because I like working with the plants at all stages of development. Other than my bananas, pineapples, grapes and figs I start everything from seeds. My oranges, kumquats, pomegranates, passion fruit and all of my veggies are started from seeds. I get a lot of satisfaction from taking a seed and bringing it to a mature plant that produces food for my family. Good luck and enjoy!
4. If this is your first time starting plants from seeds, I would not recommend this large of an endeavor. If you have a longer time period to accomplish your landscaping, I would start out with just one variety of seed. This will let you know if you want to tackle the rest. Most gardeners buy plants instead of the seed when adding to their landscape. Garden Harvest Supply is a good online source for potted plants.
5. cuttings can be free if you know how to root them. I have gotten cutting from other peoples yards ( by permission of course ) its like shopping in your neighborhood.
6. Yes as long as you dont have to buy a bunch of things for a large garden. Start small and buy cheap seeds. Try getting seeds from a cheap online garden store. I like http://www.ufseeds.com/index.php Good luck