Starting a new and first time flower garden, seeds vs. starter plants?

Ok, so I want to start a flower garden this year. This is my first time.

What is the best way to do that.



Should I start with seeds and one of those starter kits and then once they've started to grow plant them.



Or, should I just buy the flowers and plants that have already been started and put them in the ground.



What's the best way for long lasting healthy flowers?



How will I know when to plant them in the ground with either way I go?



If I decide to go with seeds, when should I start buying and starting them?



Any other good tips and facts would be much appreciated also!!!



I'm very excited about doing this cuz it'll give me something to do with my time, i'm just not sure where to begin! lol



Thanks in advance!
Starting a new and first time flower garden, seeds vs. starter plants?
Some are easily started from seeds, such as zinnia.

Others like geranium take too long. Decide what you might like to grow, then decide how you want to start them.
Reply:Hey Lady,



Seeds are fun to watch germinate, but that is where it stops. They are a big mess and you don't get good results unless you are an experienced gardener (or very lucky). Starting with plants is the best for a beginner because you get results. If you have a good planting bed, good soil, quality plants to begin with, right sun conditions, follow watering instructions and fertilize lightly - you should have great results.



Try some seeds of easy plants if you have the sticktuitiveness. First time out, try something like marigolds - they are easy. And, you will see how the flower becomes the seeds for next year.
Reply:Actually the choice of seeds or plants is determined by what flowers you want to plant. Some flowers are best grown from the plants and others are just as good grown form seeds. I'm not sure what flowers you want to grow, so maybe that will help. For long lasting healthy flowers you want to prepare the ground by loosening the soil. Using a shovel turn the soil, chop it up and remove any weeds, trees, roots and or grasses. Its a good idea to add manure and some garden soil, mix them together really well, this will keep the soil from packing back down and becoming hard. Your flowers want the soil to be soft. I'm in the south east of the US, so now is the time for me to buy seeds and get them started, I'm not sure where you are. DON'T put either in the ground until the threat of freeze or frost is past. For lots of blooms, get some egg shells, wash them out, crush them up finely but not to a powder. Place them on a baking sheet, and bake them until they are a light brown and sprinkle them under you flowers. This is a good source of calcium which the plants use for flowering. Remember to feed them and keep them watered. I hope this will help you.
Reply:You could try both. I think you'll get more satisfaction if you buy plants already started since the seeds take quite a while to grow and some plants should have already been started. If you buy plants you'll see the results instantly! So, I'd say buy most of your plants now and maybe start just a few late blooming seeds. Look at the package directions and it will tell you when and how to plant them. And make sure you buy perinneals if you want them to come up next year. Annuals are only for one year. They make good fillers though for your perinneals until they fill in.