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 Ornamental Gourd vs. Chili Pepper vs. Alfalfa
The comparison
| Fact | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Annual | Not yet verified | Perennial |
| Sowing depth | 1.5–2.5 cm½–1 in | 6 mm¼ in | 6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in |
| Days to maturity | Not yet verified | 70–85 days from transplanting | Not yet verified |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun | Full sun, partial shade |
| Containers | Not yet verified | Yes | Not yet verified |
| Frost tolerance | Tender (no frost) | Tender (no frost) | Hardy |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
Fruits & otherCucurbita pepo var. ovifera
Ornamental gourds are tender annual vines grown from seed for decorative fruit. They need full sun and sowing after the last spring frost, and their hard seed coats benefit from soaking.
How to grow ornamental gourdFruits & otherCapsicum spp.
Hot peppers for sunny spots and pots. Start seeds early indoors in warmth, plant out once nights stay warm, and pick the pods green or ripe depending on the heat you want.
How to grow chili pepperFruits & otherMedicago sativa
Alfalfa, also called lucerne, is a perennial legume grown from seed in full sun or partial shade. Sow it shallowly, inoculate the seed before planting, and expect it to fix much of its own nitrogen.
How to grow alfalfaKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Ornamental Gourd vs. American PersimmonOrnamental Gourd against another seedChili Pepper vs. American PersimmonChili Pepper against another seedAlfalfa vs. American PersimmonAlfalfa against another seed
Ornamental Gourd vs. Apple TreeOrnamental Gourd against another seedChili Pepper vs. Apple TreeChili Pepper against another seedAlfalfa vs. Apple TreeAlfalfa against another seedThe 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.
