Buying Vegetable Plants: Tips for Spring Success

What to Look for When Buying Veggie Plants This Spring

When you’re excited to start your garden, it’s easy to walk into a nursery, home improvement store, or even the grocery store and load up a cart full of plants. I get it—I've been there too! In the beginning, I thought every plant for sale must be healthy and ready to grow, right?

But not all plants at the store will be successful—and choosing the right ones can make a big difference in how easy and enjoyable your garden is to grow.

I teach my clients how to grow from seed, but we all start somewhere. If you’re buying veggie plants this spring, don’t worry—you can still set yourself (and your garden) up for success with a few simple checks.

First tip? I always recommend buying from a local nursery when you can. Plants there are usually in better shape, with fewer pests and diseases. Plus, you can often talk to someone who knows the plants and can answer questions specific to your needs—something that’s a lot harder to find at a big box store.

1. Make Sure It’s the Right Season for the Plant
Just because a plant is for sale doesn’t mean it’s the right time to grow it. Some cool-season veggies like cabbage, spinach, and broccoli will struggle once the summer heat rolls in.

If it’s warming up, skip the cool-weather plants and focus on heat-lovers like tomatoes, peppers, and squash instead. Choosing the right plants for the season gives you the best chance for a thriving, low-stress garden—one that grows with you instead of becoming another thing on your to-do list.

2. Watch Out for Plants That Are Flowering Too Early
It’s tempting to grab the plant already covered in flowers—it feels like you’re ahead of the game! But in reality, early flowering can be a sign the plant is stressed. Stressed plants often mean smaller harvests and shorter growing seasons.

Look for sturdy, leafy plants that are still building strong roots and stems. These plants are focused on growing now so they can produce for you later—helping you get more harvests with less effort.

3. Check the Leaves Carefully
The leaves tell you so much about a plant’s health. Look for vibrant, green, perky leaves with no yellowing, brown spots, wilting, or holes. Healthy leaves mean a healthy plant—and a much easier start in your garden.

Flip the leaves over too! Pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies often hide underneath. If you spot sticky residue, tiny bugs, webs, or misshapen leaves, it's best to move on. Starting with a healthy plant saves you time, money, and the headache of trying to "rescue" a struggling plant later.

One Last Tip:
Be cautious with end-of-season sales. I know how tempting it is (I've grabbed my fair share of clearance plants too!). While it can sometimes make sense for perennials you’re willing to nurse back to health, vegetable plants that are already stressed often never fully recover.
If you want a simple, low-maintenance garden that rewards you with beautiful harvests, invest in strong, healthy plants from the start.

Starting your garden should feel exciting—not overwhelming. 🌸
When you set yourself up with healthy plants, the growing process becomes easier, more rewarding, and honestly, a lot more fun.

And if you ever want extra support choosing the right plants or planning your space, I’m here to help.

With my Plant with Purpose Partner service, I guide you through everything from creating a planting plan to helping plant your veggies (yes, even plant shopping together if you want!).
✨ [Click here to learn more and book your Plant with Purpose session.]

Upcoming workshops to help you start a small garden:
Plant Your Own Herb Garden and Plant Your Own Lettuce Garden here

There are only a few weeks left to book your spring garden consultation!
Missed the window? Don’t worry — you can still grow a beautiful fall garden.
Join the waitlist now for a fall garden consultation and let’s get you growing!

Let’s grow your dream garden—one step at a time.