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Can you plant seeds directly in the garden?
Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results. Unlike indoor seed starting, direct sowing involves unpredictable elements: weather, wildlife and insects. Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.
Can you plant seeds straight into the ground?
You can grow seeds almost anywhere, you don’t need a huge outdoor space to have a go. In this guide, we’ll show how to sow seeds outdoors, straight into the soil in your garden or container (known as direct-sowing).
Do you need to soak seeds before planting?
It is recommended that you only soak most seeds for 12 to 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. After soaking your seeds, they can be planted as directed. The benefit of soaking seeds before planting is that your germination time will be reduced, which means you can have happy, growing plants faster.
Is it better to start a garden from seeds or plants?
There are advantages and disadvantages to planting either seeds, your own seedlings or purchased plants in your garden. Seeds are inexpensive but take time and care to germinate indoors. Beginning with commercially grown plants will get your garden off to a quick start but requires a higher initial investment.
How many vegetable seeds are in a hole?
In general, two to three seeds should be planted per hole. Seeds do not have 100% germination rates, so not every seed planted will sprout. Overseeding holes, cells, or pots will help ensure that the number of plants you desire will grow (or more!).
What are the easiest vegetable to grow from seed?
Top 5 Easiest Vegetables to Grow from Seed #1 Lettuce. There are many varieties of lettuce to choose from, all with their own specific flavor. #2 Peas. Once planted, peas require very little attention other than light watering and fertilizer. #3 Swiss Chard. #4 Spinach. #5 Carrots.
When can I plant seeds outside?
Sowing Perennials and Annuals Outdoors In the North, sow from early spring through summer. Allow at least 4 months from sowing till first killing frost, so plants will have time to grow big enough to endure winter weather. In the South, sow seeds that require cool germination temperatures in spring or fall.
Do you cover seeds with soil?
After planting, cover seeds with sieved potting mix. Very small seeds and those that require light to germinate should lie directly on the surface. Whether covered with planting medium or not, each seed must be in firm contact with the moist surface to begin germinating.
What is the best time to plant?
The best time to plant any plant is during the dormant season – in North America, this is usually late fall through early spring. While it’s okay to plant during the rest of the year, it will require more maintenance from you in the form of watering, fertilizers, etc.
How deep should the seeds be planted?
The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all.
How many seeds should I plant per hole?
Don’t exceed three seeds per hole. If more than one germinates, snip off extras at the soil line also. This prevents disturbance of the seedling roots on the one you’ll continue growing out when thinning. Don’t add more than one large seed to a hole.
What seeds should not be soaked before planting?
Avoid soaking small seeds such as lettuce, radish, and so on. Germination of these species often doesn’t need a lot of help, and wet seeds are much more difficult to handle, leading to over-sowing and waste. Lastly, tropical native plants like chillies need a long growing season to ripen their fruit.
What vegetable seeds should be soaked before planting?
A short list of seeds that like to soak are peas, beans, pumpkins and other winter squash, chard, beets, sunflower, lupine, fava beans, and cucumbers. Most other medium-to-large vegetable and flower seeds with thick coats benefit from soaking.
When should I plant seedlings in my garden?
A gloomy, cloudy day is the best time to plant seedlings in the garden. If it’s lightly drizzling, all the better. But if the forecast is for fair weather, avoid planting seedlings in the hot, mid-day sun. Get an early start in the morning, or wait and set a few plants in the ground at the end of the day.
When should I start planting my vegetable garden?
The Best Time to Plant Your Garden For most of the United States, the best time to start spring crops is, well, now. But to get more exact planting recommendations based on your area, use this handy calendar. (As a general rule, you should plant hardy greens and cole crops a few weeks before your final frost.)Feb 1, 2017.
How often should I water seedlings?
Seedlings aren’t able to store water for very long, so they need soil that is constantly moist. This means watering them a few times a day, depending on how quickly they dry out. Test your seedling’s soil with the end of a finger to about an inch deep. If the soil is dry, your seedling needs water.
What happens if you plant seeds too close together?
Plants that grow too close to each other compete for the same sunlight, water and soil nutrients. The first effect seen is competition for light. Overcrowded plants begin to grow upward to receive light, rather than developing a fuller, bushier silhouette.
How much seed do I need?
3. Find How Much Seed You Need This Much Seed Covers This Much Square Footage 1/2 lb 500 – 1,000 sq. ft. 1 lb 1,000 – 2,000 sq. ft. 5 lbs 5,000 – 10,000 sq. ft. 10 lbs 10,000 – 25,000 sq. ft.
What happens if I plant too many seeds?
You should perform a germination test to what percent of the seeds sprout. If half of the ones you sow sprout. Then you plant multiple seeds into a hole. Generally if you plant multiple seeds into a hole, if both plants grow out you will have to cut, kill or transplant the secondary (usually weaker) plant.
