It's time to plan what will be planted. Others will rely on purchased seedlings. For all of us, planning is half the fun. Don't give up. There are ways to encourage healthy plants in the home garden if you follow a few simple guidelines.
Healthy plants begin with healthy seeds and seedlings.
Without good quality seeds, the chances of having a good crop of the favorite vegetable is lowered. Many diseases can be transmitted through seeds, so it is important to start out with disease-free seeds. Make sure you buy seeds and seedlings from a reputable source. To reduce the chance that diseases present in or on the seeds will develop, many commercially-available garden seeds are treated with fungicides and other chemicals. If you save your seeds, most will benefit from storage in a cool and dry place with conditions that are unfavorable to many common diseases and limited seed deterioration.