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One of the greatest dilemmas facing any gardener, whether novice or experienced is the decision as to whether they should start their plants from seed or purchase seedlings. To some, this may not seem like a real issue, but the fact is, there is much involved in starting plants from seeds, and anyone wishing to do so must be prepared to provide everything that is necessary to make the seeds germinate successfully and continue to grow. In the end, however, it doesn't matter whether or not the plants in question are flowers or food crops; the enjoyment that one will get from growing their own flowers and food can't be quantified.

The best way to determine which method is better for you is to weigh the pros and cons of each different method. Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of each different way.

FOR VEGETABLES -

*The pros of using seeds for vegetables*

1. The choice of what you can grow -

You will get a wider choice of different varieties of vegetables from which to choose. If you want to grow heirloom tomatoes, for example, with seeds, you can do that. You just have to purchase the seeds.

If you want to grow something that isn't commonly found in garden centers and nurseries, the only way to grow that crop is to be able to start it from seed. Some people like to grow gourmet vegetables that they couldn't otherwise afford. Most of these things wouldn't be found in places where people regularly purchase their garden plants.

2. The ability to grow things organically -

When you purchase seedlings, you do not ever know whether or not the plants that you are purchasing are organic, and you must trust what the grower tells you. If you purchase seeds from a reputable and well known organic seed company, you will always be assured that the seeds you are planting are actually organic.

3. Hybridization -

Science has made it possible for seed companies to cross pollinate plants or modify the genetic composition of various plants. They do this by taking genetic material from one plant and transplanting that into another one. The result may be a more disease resistant variety of something that is designed to produce a larger crop, a longer harvest and whatever else the geneticist decides to alter.

There are people who are really opposed to this sort of thing. They believe that this is altering the natural make up of the plant, and they question whether or not this process is safe, or if some of the nutritional benefits of the crop are sacrificed. The only way to

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