Vegetable Seeds Selection For 2024

As the new year approaches, many gardeners start planning for their spring gardens. One crucial aspect of this planning is considering which vegetable seeds you are going to buy. In this blog post, we will explore the difference between fruits and vegetables, discuss the best vegetables to start from seed, offer tips for buying vegetable seeds, and delve into my personal seed selection for 2024.

My seed selection changes year to year, mainly because my favourite seed companies are always putting out new varieties that I have to try. Today you will see some new varieties that I am growing in 2024.

Vegetable Seeds For 2024

In this post, you will learn about the difference between fruits and vegetables, helping you to better understand the botanical classification. This post provides a list of vegetables that are best to start from seed, giving you insight into which plants can easily be grown from scratch.

Additionally, you will gain knowledge about reputable sources for buying vegetable seeds, both online and at local nurseries. Finally, I will share my personal seed selection for 2024, giving you a practical example to consider when planning your own garden.

Fruits vs. Vegetables: Understanding the Difference

Before we dive into choosing vegetable seeds, let’s clarify the distinction between fruits and vegetables. While it may seem straightforward, the classification can be confusing at times. In botanical terms, fruits are the seed-bearing structure of a flowering plant.

Vegetables, on the other hand, encompass all the edible parts of a plant that are not the fruits, such as leaves, stems, and roots. In short, a fruit is anything with seeds in it, a vegetable is a part of a plant that does not have seeds in it. So do vegetables have seeds? Yes, but technically, the seeds of vegetables actually come from the plant’s fruit, as every flowering plant produces a fruit.

For example, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are technically fruits because they develop from the flower and contain seeds. However, due to their culinary application and less sweet taste, they are often considered and consumed as vegetables, meaning they require (or benefit from) some sort of preparation before consumption. For the purposes of this post, I will be referring to them all as vegetables.

Best Vegetables to Start from Seed

Starting vegetables from seed allows you to have a wider variety to choose from, and it’s a rewarding experience to witness the entire growth cycle of a plant, from seed to harvest. Here are some vegetables that are best planted by seed:

1. Tomatoes: A staple in many gardens, tomatoes come in various sizes and colors. Starting them from seed allows you to select from a vast array of heirloom varieties that are not commonly found at nurseries. It also allows you to save seeds from the varieties that did well for you.
2. Lettuce and Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens are fast-growing and perfect for starting from seed. Plus, these vegetables can be started in the early spring, providing an early harvest for your salads and other preparations.
3. Beans: Whether it’s bush beans or pole beans, starting them from seed is straightforward and yields a bountiful crop throughout the summer. Additionally, beans have a very large seed, allowing it to be easily sown for success.
4. Cucumbers: With their vining nature and high productivity, cucumbers thrive when started from seed and provide delicious additions to salads and pickles. It is sooo satisfying when you actually grow something like a cucumber from seed.
5. Radishes and Carrots: Radishes and carrots are root vegetables that grow quickly from seed, making them an excellent choice for beginners. Their vibrant colors can add an eye-catching appeal to your garden.

I also recommend to start your seeds indoors, especially the long-season crops like tomatoes and cucumbers. This will allow you to get a head start on the growing season, providing you with greater yields.

Where to Buy Vegetable Seeds

When it comes to purchasing vegetable seeds, there are several options available. Local garden centers or nurseries often carry a variety of seeds suitable for your specific region. Additionally, many online seed companies provide access to an extensive range of seeds, including heirloom vegetable seeds and organic vegetable seeds.

Here are a few reputable online seed companies that I like to purchase seeds from:

1. SeedsNow: This seed company sells only non-GMO, open-pollinated, non-treated, and pure garden seeds. They are very reputable and offer great products and customer support. And a bonus, we earn a small commission from qualified purchases with SeedsNow, with no additional cost to you. So you will be supporting The Real Gardener with every seed packet you buy!
2. OSC Seeds: A well-known seed company with a vast selection of vegetable seeds, including hybrid, heirloom, international, and organic seeds. Although not all of their seeds are grown here in Ontario, they ensure the utmost quality and standard for their seeds. Additionally, the Ontario Seed Company is the largest Canadian seed company.
3. Northern Wildflowers: This organization focuses on preserving native plant varieties and offers an impressive selection of vegetable seeds of all kinds. Northern Wildflowers grows vegetable varieties that are meant to thrive in northern gardens. So for a northern gardener like myself, they definitely meet my needs.
4. Urban Leaf: The mission of Urban Leaf is very similar to that of The Real Gardener; the environmental impact of our food system is one of the biggest problems of this generation. That being said, Urban Leaf carries not just garden seeds, but also many indoor gardening supplies. And as a bonus, we earn a small commission from qualified purchases with Urban Leaf, with no additional cost to you. So you will be supporting The Real Gardener with every gardening product you buy!

Take your time to explore these options and find a reliable seed source that aligns with your gardening goals and preferences. I have personally had good experiences with these sources, but find one that you like buying from.

My Personal Seed Selection for 2024

In planning my garden for 2024, I have decided to focus on a variety of vegetables that thrive in my region. Here are some of the new varieties of vegetable garden seeds that I have selected. If you want to purchase any of the following varieties, simply click on its name!

Yellow Pear Tomato: We don’t say this about a lot of tomatoes, but the Yellow Pear Tomato really should be grown in every garden. We also don’t say this about a lot of tomatoes: It’s prolific. Ripens loads of lemon-yellow, pear-shaped 1″-2″ fruits that are delicious straight off the vine. Keep a few empty bags on-hand to fill up and share these sweet, mild flavor bombs with friends and neighbors. Days to maturity: 75-80 days.

Chocolate Habanero Pepper: The Chocolate Habanero Pepper is a prolific plant that produces lots of 2″ waxy nuggets that ripen from dark green to reddish brown. Twice as hot as other Habanero peppers, with a distinct flavor. First, a smoky earthiness drives up, then a fruity sweetness hops in the car, and soon you’re off at 600,000 SHUs, entering the on ramp to Ghost Pepper territory. Use it to spice up everything from margaritas to mango salsa to marinated brisket, and yes, even chocolate. Days to maturity: 85-105 days.

Provider Bush Beans: The Provider Bush Bean is great for all you impatient gardeners. It germinates in cool soil, so you can direct sow it earlier than other beans, and matures in only 50 days. This high-yielding compact plant provides delicious 5-6″ stringless pods with purple beans inside.

Queensland Blue Winter Squash: The Queensland Blue Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima) is an Australian Blue pumpkin with beautiful blue-green skin, gray foliage, and bright orange flesh that’s fragrant, meaty, and sweet. Deeply ribbed, slightly flattened, and can weigh 8-20 lbs. Dependable producer with a vining growth habit. Keeps for up to 6 months under proper storage conditions. Great for baking, canning, and roasting. Days to maturity: 100-120 days.

German Chamomile: German Chamomile has been cultivated as a medicinal herb for thousands of years and was used by ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and Vikings. An easy care annual in the daisy family, it has small white flowers with large yellow hollow cone centers that proliferate on a bushy shrub of feathery foliage. Only the sweet apple-scented flowers are used fresh or dried, usually steeped into a soothing herbal tea.

Remember, your personal seed selection should reflect both your preferences and the specific growing conditions in your area. Take into account factors such as sunlight, soil type, and climate when making your choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Products:

• Garden trowel
• Pruners
• Micro-tip pruners

If you want to purchase seeds for your garden, check out the following link:

Buy seeds from SeedsNow!

Conclusion

Selecting the right vegetable seeds for your 2024 garden can set the stage for a successful and satisfying gardening season. Understanding the difference between fruits and vegetables, knowing which vegetables are best to start from seed, and finding reputable seed providers are essential steps in this process.

Lastly, trust your instincts and tailor your seed selection to suit your taste preferences and growing conditions. Happy gardening and may your 2024 garden flourish with the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor!

If you want to learn more about gardening, foraging, nature, and sustainability, check out The Real Gardener on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. 

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