Save Money by Starting Plants from Seeds Directly in the Garden

Maximize your plant budget and enjoyment by starting plants from seeds right in the garden.

Select flowers and vegetables suited to the growing conditions. This includes sunlight, soil, temperature and the length of your growing season. Check the back of the seed packet for the best time to plant the seeds directly outdoors. Also look for the number of days from planting until harvest. Make sure the seeds you sow will have time to flower or fruit before the end of your growing season.

Radishes, lettuce, cucumbers, and beans are a few of the vegetables that are relatively quick maturing and easy to start from seed in the garden.

Annuals like ageratum, bachelors button, sweet pea and sweet alyssum can be started in the garden as soon as the soil is workable. Wait until the danger of frost has passed to plant cosmos, French marigolds, nicotiana and sunflowers.

A bit more information: Further maximize your plant budget by swapping plants and seeds with friends. Buy the large economy package of seeds and divide it amongst your gardening friends. As you dig and divide perennials swap divisions, so everyone ends up with something new for their garden. Best of all, the plant will be a great reminder of your friendship.