Use Good, New Seed Success in planting vegetables from seed depends on such factors as the vigor of the seed, soil moisture, planting technique and soil fertility, says Wayne McLaurin, a horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service. Always use new, viable seed, he says, to make sure you get a good plant population. Seeds need to absorb moisture before they can begin growing. During dry weather, water the area to be planted several days before sowing the seed. When planting, don't cover the seed with too much soil, McLaurin says.
Plant seeds thickly with the intention of thinning to an ideal stand later.
Vegetable transplants provide a reliable plant population and usually produce earlier than crops planted from seed. The main drawback is the cost per plant, says Wayne McLaurin, a horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service. Because of cost, he says, transplant only certain vegetable crops. Consider the cost of seed, the plant population needed, earliness of desired crop maturity, and convenience. Vegetables you should always transplant in spring, McLaurin says, include eggplant, bulb onions, pepper, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.