New here! Veg. gardening with seeds vs. already grown plants

SleeperHeads

Hi! I'm new to gardening...last summer was my first time and I was surprised at how well my vegetables grew! I had tomatoes, peppers, zuch, cucumbers, and melon. However, I didn't use seeds for any of them, I just bought small plants at a nursery.

My question is this: I want to expand what I'm planting to root vegetables as well, such as beets and carrots. But I've heard nurseries don't have those in plant form...only seeds. Is this correct? Do I need to start planting seeds NOW indoors and them transfer them into my garden this summer? Any information anyone has would be helpful. Thanks! 

Malvagia

I tried to grow carrots from seed and transplant them to the garden.  It didn't work.  This year I plan to grow them in containers with half soil half peat moss since carrots need really loose soil.  I've never seen carrots sold as plants but I've only been gardening for three years.  When you buy a seed packet all the information you need to know is on the package.  Planting times and transplantability depends on the specfic type of carrot you're growing.

WendyGR

carrots and beets do best planted directly into the garden as they don't transplant well . . . which might be why it's hard to find them as seedlings.

SleeperHeads

Good to know. So maybe I should go ahead and plant them now in my garden? Even though it's March in Ohio and still technically winter, we've had some pretty decent weather.

Simpsongal1

The seed packets should indicate when to sew and whether it's best to sew directly into the garden or start them inside.

Good luck!

AmeliaPond

SleeperHeads:

Good to know. So maybe I should go ahead and plant them now in my garden? Even though it's March in Ohio and still technically winter, we've had some pretty decent weather.

You need to find out when the last frost date is for your area and follow the directions on the seed packets.  You can probably plant a week or two earlier if the warm weather continues--I'll probably plant my peas 6 weeks out this year instead of 4 from last frost. Most root veggies should be done 2-4 weeks before last frost.

SleeperHeads

Thank you for all the information! I'll just buy some packets and see how it goes!

IndianChica

What zone are you - that makes a difference for timing a LOT. For example, I'm in North FL (zone 8b). I can grow carrots easily in the winter but not at all in the summer, even though the seed packets say I should be able to do both. It just gets too hot here. General rule - things that grow the food in the root - turnips, carrots, beets, etc can't be transplanted well bc when you transplant, you disturb the roots.