I have often read that it is better to buy small compact plants at the nursery than tall leggy ones. However, despite this advice I often find myself searching for at least the most compact of the larger plants- always assuming that the larger the plant in the beginning the more fruitful it will become. This year I have been proven terribly wrong.
I planted two sets of tomatoes this year. One set I started a week earlier and grew in cups. They grew much larger and were a good foot before I placed them in the ground.
As compared to this:
The other set I grew in small seeding containers and never transplanted they were about three inches when I planted them. Sabina and I laughed placing them in the ground as we were both doubtful that they were even survive. But. . .
Here they are a month and a half later.
As compared to this:
The other set I grew in small seeding containers and never transplanted they were about three inches when I planted them. Sabina and I laughed placing them in the ground as we were both doubtful that they were even survive. But. . .
Here they are a month and a half later.
Compared to-
the tomatoes that started off twice their size.
You can imagine the snickers when I planted these basil seedlings:
And yet look at them today:
Or how about from this:
to this:
I guess I’m sold. I don’t need to worry about producing large seedlings, or finding the largest plant at the nursery. With care and good soil, in my case leaf hummus, even the smallest starter plant can produce great results!
