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26 Dec 24 Jessica (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hello, beginner to gardening here! Why do some of the vegetables not have the "plant in garden" option? E.g. capsicum. Does this mean you can't plant them in the garden?

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28 Dec 24 Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)

There are lots of reasons why some seeds do not have the "plant in garden option -- also know as sow outdoors". It could be that the plant has a really HIGH germination temp -- so by the time the soil and air temperature was reached and sustained, there would not be much time left in the growing season: examples of high germination temps: : Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 80-90 °F (27-32 °C) , Eggplant or Aubergine (Solanum melongena) 75-90 °F (24-32 °C) and watermelon -- which in the low temps requires more days to germinate (temp needs to be sustained longer) than it does at high temps: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 70-95 °F (21-35 °C). It could also be that the plant has a high number of "days to harvest" -- that is the time it takes to grow from seedling to full grown -- so giving the plant a head start by sowing in doors in trays allows you to grow a plant that might not otherwise grow in your area . Maybe Leeks. or sweet potatoes. Also, sowing in trays makes better use of space -- for things like succession planting --- so if you are planning on harvesting a spring crop then using the space for a summer crop - you can start the summer crop indoors, giving it a jump start. So plants are also very susceptible to bug damage, wind damage, trampling, seedlings being eaten by birds etc. Also if the plant has a really low germination rate, sowing in trays is a good idea. So, WHY a particular seed does not have a sow outdoor option for your area will depend on the plant and the particulars of your area.

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26 Dec 24 Liz (Gardenate) (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Hi, Some plants, like capsicum, are rather delicate in the seedling stage. We suggest starting them in seed trays or pots, so that they can be in a sheltered spot until large enough to survive temperature changes. About 8 to 10 cm, or more. Then they can be planted out into the garden.

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