Direct-Sowing Crops

Direct sowing is when you plant seeds directly into the garden soil versus starting them in containers and then transplanting them into the ground.
Some people like to direct-sow as many crops as possible, while some gardeners prefer to use starts completely, and others use a mix of the two.
The Benefits of Direct Sowing
Choosing to direct-sow seeds over buying plant starts has many advantages.
  • Seeds are cheaper to buy than plants, and you have more varieties to choose from. The great selection is helpful if you’re looking for lesser-known or heirloom vegetable varieties.
  • Growing your own plants from seed guarantees you know how they were raised and gives you control over all of the inputs used to raise plants to harvest.
  • Buying seed packets is more environmentally friendly than purchasing plants. They use less energy in their transportation to the store and have less packaging.
When Should You Plant Your Vegetable Seeds?
Depending on their cold tolerance, there are two different timing schedules for direct sowing vegetable seeds:
Seeds that you can plant early in the season
Plants known as cool-season crops can be sown in the garden much earlier in the season. These plants prefer cooler air and soil temperatures and might survive a light frost. Therefore, you can plant them before the spring frost-free date. Cool-season crops include leafy greens, peas, carrots, beets, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnips, and turnips.
Seeds that need to be planted after the last spring frost
Warm-season crops are less tolerant of cold and can’t withstand frost, so they can’t be planted until there is no threat of frost. These vegetables include peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and sweet corn.
Prepping the Garden Bed Before Planting
Before sowing seeds, you must prepare the garden soil. Start by digging down about ten inches to a foot, working it to break up any large clumps of dirt. Remove any large rocks, trash, or other debris. Add three to four inches of finished compost to the top of the soil and work everything well again to incorporate the organic matter.
Proper Seed Spacing
Each vegetable seed packet has a recommended spacing on the back. This spacing is different between vegetable species. While it’s tempting to plant them closer together, it’s essential to follow this guideline.
  • Plants grown too close grow poorly because they compete for water and nutrients.
  • Plants spaced too far apart produce less than if you space them more closely and maximize the space you’re planting.
When plants are adequately spaced, they also create a canopy over the soil that shades out weeds and helps keep the soil moist.
Do the Seeds Need to Be Covered?
It’s also important to read the seed packet regarding planting depth. Some seeds can be scattered on top of the soil and left to germinate. They need sunlight to germinate, so they can’t be covered. Other seeds don’t need sunlight and should be buried under the soil, so they don’t get dislodged or eaten.