Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Artichoke vs. Brandywine Tomato
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Challenging | Moderate |
| Germination time | 8–12 days | 6–12 days |
| Germination temperature | 21–26 °C70–79 °F | 24–29 °C75–84 °F |
| Sowing depth | 6 mm¼ in | 3 mm⅛ in |
| Spacing between plants | 46 cm18 in | 61 cm2 ft |
| Days to maturity | Not yet verified | 65–90 days from transplanting |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun |
| Water | Not yet verified | Moderate |
| Containers | Not yet verified | Yes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or larger |
| Soil pH | pH 6.5–8.0 | pH 6.2–6.8 |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
VegetablesCynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Globe artichokes are large, thistle-like plants grown for their edible flower buds. They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Seed results are variable, so many growers start with plants or divisions.
How to grow artichokeVegetablesSolanum lycopersicum
Brandywine is an heirloom slicing tomato with soft, juicy fruit. It is usually started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and needs full sun and warm weather.
How to grow brandywine tomatoKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Artichoke vs. Brandywine Tomato vs. Acorn SquashAdd acorn squash as a third
Artichoke vs. Brandywine Tomato vs. Armenian CucumberAdd armenian cucumber as a third
Artichoke vs. Brandywine Tomato vs. AsparagusAdd asparagus as a thirdArtichoke vs. Acorn SquashArtichoke against another vegetableBrandywine Tomato vs. Acorn SquashBrandywine Tomato against another vegetableArtichoke vs. Armenian CucumberArtichoke against another vegetableThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
