There are several reasons for raising seedlings indoors before transplanting them later to the field. For seeds that are expensive, such as many of the newer hybrids, seeding indoors to raise transplants conserves seeds. There is a higher germination rate, and more high-quality plants can be produced in a greenhouse under controlled environmental conditions. Starting seeds indoors extends the growing season. This is important for early yields, since plants can be ready to set out immediately after reasonable risk of frost is past.
Earlier harvest is more attainable by using transplants than by direct seeding in the field.
Generally, an earlier harvest is more valuable to the market. Costs associated with raising transplants can easily be recouped. Since any variety of seed can be ordered for transplant production, a grower has a much wider selection of varieties. The choice of varieties of commercially available transplants is limited to the most popular varieties. Quality Transplants Transplants of high quality should exhibit certain characteristics.