Horticulturalist Duncan Cocking, who runs Kyneton-based Leaf, Root & Fruit, explains why it sometimes helps to take a shortcut.

I’m a staunch believer in growing as much as you can from seed. For one thing, it’s better value. A packet of seed costs around the same as a punnet of seedlings, but you get hundreds of seeds versus six or eight seedlings. You can usually sow several crops from the one seed packet.
This summer, however, rampant slaters mowed down every single one of my basil seedlings. This left me with three options:
- Forget about basil pesto this year (which is not really an option)
- Try to raise some more seedlings (basil is initially slow to take off and our growing season is very short – this option was too risky)
- Head into town and buy some seedlings to transplant (which is what I did).
Sometimes you just need to admit defeat and resort to less-than-ideal methods.
I’d much rather buy seedlings to transplant and have my own home-made basil pesto than leave the basil patch fallow this year and have to resort to store-bought pesto for all of 2025. There’s nothing wrong with buying seedlings to transplant, if that is the difference between growing some of your own food and not growing food. Do whatever suits you.
No need to get bogged down with ideals and details. If the idea of growing from seed is too daunting, then don’t overthink it. Stick with store-bought seedlings until you gain more confidence.
Find out more about this relaxed approach to gardening.
Happy gardening!
Duncan

🌱 For more gardening tips see my latest planting guide and garden update.