Planning a garden begins long before digging in the soil, if you are not growing from seeds, it starts with choosing the best plants. Vigorous, pest-free transplants establish quickly, resist disease, and bring bigger blooms or harvests.
Buy from trusted sources. Reputable garden centres and greenhouse growers are your best bet for quality plants. If you’re unsure where to shop, ask neighbours or search online for reviews.
Look for disease resistance. Plant labels often note disease tolerance using codes like “VF” for Verticillium and Fusarium resistance. Choose varieties that match your past gardening challenges.
Match plant to location. Think “right plant, right place.” Compact varieties suit containers, while short-season crops are ideal for northern climates. For small spaces, seek “compact” or “columnar” labels and consider deer resistance.
Inspect before buying. Healthy plants should have firm stems, vibrant leaves, and no visible pests. Avoid those with wilted, spotted, or chewed leaves. Brush gently to spot whiteflies or aphids.
Check the roots. Pull gently from the pot but roots should be white and fibrous. Skip plants with mushy, dark, or foul-smelling roots, but note that some species have naturally darker roots.
Remove blooms before planting. While it may feel wrong, removing flowers helps transplants focus energy on establishing strong roots, leading to more blossoms and fruit later.
Wait for the right time. Don’t plant too early. Know your region’s frost-free date and consult local soil temperature data to ensure ideal conditions for planting.