The veggies you should never plant as seedlings if you want a good harvest

It’s the time of year when most Aussies are starting seeds early so they have vegetable seedlings to plant out when the soil temperature is warm enough and frosts have passed. But not every crop needs to be started this way, and for some it can mean they fail to thrive and have stunted growth.

Anna-lize Pretorius, seed production manager at The Diggers Club, told nine.com.au raising seedlings or direct seed sowing depends on the plant. For example, carrots grow best when planted from seed, while tomatoes are more successful raised as or grown from seedlings.

“Some vegetables are much better grown from seed because they dislike root disturbance or need to be sown directly where they will grow. Others benefit from being raised as seedlings because they take longer to establish, need a longer growing season, or are more vulnerable during early growth,” she said.

Veggies best direct sown

Carrots grow best this way because their edible roots develop underground, and they don’t like the interruption of being moved from a seedling pot to a garden or container.

Bean and pea seeds should also be sown directly where you want them to grow as they don’t like their roots being disturbed either. 

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“They are also sensitive to cold, wet soils, so direct sowing once the soil has warmed is usually the best approach. Seeds are inexpensive, quick to germinate and can be succession sown every few weeks for a continuous harvest,” she said.

Gardeners should also direct sow cucumbers, pumpkins, melons and zucchini as they have “large seeds and vigorous root systems”. However, Pretorius said there is the option to start the seeds in biodegradable pots – which you can simply slot into a garden bed or pot – if you need a head-start on the season.

Corn is another veggie best direct sown because of its roots, but it will grow quickly once the weather warms up.

“Planting seeds in blocks rather than single rows also improves pollination and results in better-filled cobs,” she said.

Veggies best raised as seedlings

To grow plants this way you can either sow seeds in seedling trays and raise seedlings until they’re ready to plant out, or you can buy seedlings at a garden centre or nursery.

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Tomatoes really thrive when started this way because they need a long growing season. They’re also sensitive to cold temperatures, so you can create the ideal germinating environment by starting them in a greenhouse set up until the weather gets warmer.

“Starting seeds in late winter or early spring allows gardeners to plant out strong seedlings once the soil has warmed, leading to earlier harvests and a longer picking period,” Pretorius said.

Chillies, capsicums and eggplant seeds take longer to germinate, and once they do sprout they can be slow growers. Like tomatoes, these are also good to start early indoors or a greenhouse to give them extra time to get going.

The brassica plant family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale, can be raised as seedlings to get a jump on the season. 

“Seedlings also give gardeners a head start and help avoid the challenges of protecting tiny seedlings from pests such as snails and slugs,” Pretorius said.

For some plants, it’s less about the conditions and long growing period and more that their seeds are so tiny that it’s challenging to sow them directly. These veggies include celery and celeriac and leafy greens like lettuce and spinach.

“Raising [leafy greens] in punnets makes it easier to establish healthy plants before planting them out,” she said.

“However, they can also be direct sown, particularly in cooler climates. Their flexibility makes them a great choice for both methods, depending on the gardener’s preference and growing conditions.”