Well that's the question we all face when we start gardening. It seems easier to start by buying seedlings to transplant. Allot of mistakes happen when transplanting seedlings. The main one is how the small plants are handled. You must be very careful and try not to handle the seedling by the stem. You see the stem or trunk of all plants is vital to it's survival. Just inside the skin (epidermis) or bark there are tiny tubes vascular tissues that take nutrients to the roots and leaves. If these are damaged the plant can die. So you must handle them by the root ball but you still need to use caution. The other mistake people make is that they don't fill the area with enough water, the water must go to the bottom of the root ball and force all the air out. Trapped air will cause the roots to rot and kill the plant. So if your going to plant seedlings don't handle the plant by the stem and make sure when you water them in all the air comes out, you'll know because the bubbles will stop.
Now if you want to start your garden by seed you need to make sure you buy good seeds. Don't be tempted to buy cheap seeds because they may be old and many won't grow. You can find many seed companies online and there are many places locally to find what your looking for. Depending on where you live the time to plant will vary. Planting should be done after the last frost in your area. The ground temperature should be 65 degrees or higher. Follow the directions on the seed package and you should not have any problems. You can use the time now to research everything you need to know before you decide how you'll put your garden in. And also keep working on your compost pile.
Some plants are better started by seedling like berries, and berries like a acidic soil. Pine needles are good for bringing up the acid content in the soil for berries. You can also find soil additives online. Well I hope this helps you plan your garden better. Have fun planning your garden and remember keep it organic.
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