How to select healthy plants for your container garden
Most people like to start off their container garden with small seedling plants instead of waiting for seeds to sprout. Plants aren’t always cheap so if you are going to purchase seedlings it is important to select healthy plants, 
not plants that will hardly make the trip home from the store.
You can have all the container garden resources at your fingertips, but if you don’t know the proper method for selecting plants, it could be hard for you to produce a good crop of vegetables.
When you walk into a nursery you can tell right away if most of their plants are healthy. If you see too many plants that look like they are dying, you should walk out and try a different nursery.
Foliage
Are the leaves green enough? And are they shiny and lush? If not, that plant may be stressed and may not recover. Good foliage is the first thing you should check before purchasing.
Insects or Leaf Damage
You may not see insects crawling on the leaves, but check thoroughly for spots that could be an indication of bugs. Look on the back of the leaves for black spots, holes, or any kind of stickiness.
Buds and Flowered Plants
Many times you will find plants, especially tomato plants, that already have blooms on them. These are fine to buy, and in fact sometimes plants that have buds on them make it through the transplant better.
Stem Damage
Make sure you don’t see cracks, scars, or weakened stems on the plant.
Root Inspection
Some of the plants can be taken out of the plastic or paper container, so if this is possible do so. You want to make sure the plant is not root bound.
Weeds
A good nursery will keep the pots weeded and if you see weeds mixed in with the plants this means the weeds are taking part of the nutrients that were meant for the plant.
If you are new to gardening be sure and notice where the plants are located at the store. If one of the plants you want is located in a place where the sun will shine on it all day, pay attention. That is a good indication you should make sure your container stays in the sun.
Nursery workers can be a big help to you so don’t be shy about asking them planting and care questions. Just let them know you are planting a container garden.
Before purchasing your plants find out if the store has any kind of warranty on them. Many places guarantee their plants for a certain amount of time. Plants are an investment of money and time, so knowing what is covered could save you some money on replacement plants. Knowing your plants will insure you have a fantastic organic or container garden.
Follow these simple steps on how to select healthy plants for your container garden, and you will be off to a great start.
Thanks for the info on container gardens.
I have found that with some plants, especially broccoli, that putting a net over the plants keeps the moths and other insect away, thus greatly reducing damage to leaves and the plant in general.
Thanks
Ted