Is it “cheating” to give new plants such an advantage?

Bio-tone Starter Plus from Espoma

Recommended by Yvonne Russell, Concord

Still new to most gardeners, Bio-tone Starter Plus is an all-natural plant food enhanced with biostimulants, bacteria and mycorrhizae.What are they? They’re beneficial microbes that work in the soil to grow larger, deeper roots–helping new plants establish faster and reduce transplanting stress. It also improves soil structure for the long term health of your plant. Use on trees, shrubs, flower beds, bulbs, container plants and more. Safe for people, pets and the environment.