Planting Vegetables: Planning, Soil Prep, Seed vs. Transplant, and Seedling Selection

Sketch a rough plan first—tall crops north so they don't shade short ones.

Soil Preparation

• Remove weeds; spread 3–4″ compost or well-rotted manure.
• Wide beds: broadcast complete fertilizer per label. Rows: apply in furrows alongside after planting.
• Work in amendments/fertilizer by hand or rototiller; rake smooth.
• Poor/drainage-challenged soil? Use raised beds with compost/topsoil mix.

Seeds vs. Transplants

• Long-season crops (peppers, tomatoes): need many warm weeks—best as transplants.
• Flexible (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce): seed or transplant.
• Direct-sow preferred (beans, carrots, corn, peas): grow better from seed in situ.

Choosing Seedlings

Ideal: sturdy, stocky, healthy green, ≥4 true leaves. Peppers/tomatoes wider than tall. Avoid:

1. Roots through drainage holes = rootbound.
2. Premature fruiting = held in small pot too long; low productivity later.
3. Tall, leggy = insufficient light.