Direct sowing is the method of planting the seeds directly into outdoor garden soil.
There is no special equipment, and there are no little pots and flats to mess with.
And plants that require very specific germination conditions are best started indoors.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Some seeds can be sown in the fall, depending on the climate and the seed.
Do some research on the species you are planning to grow for learn these preferences.
A recent soil test can be useful in learning the composition of your garden soil.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Others may need to be “scarified” by rubbing them against fine sandpaper.
Some of the seeds where scarification is recommended include lupine, nasturtium, sweet pea, and morning glory.
Some plants, including perennials like milkweed, need a cold/moist period to germinate, called stratification.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
A good book on plant propagation will tell you how to best prepare seeds for direct sowing.
Tip
Commercial seeds will gradually lose their ability to germinate over time.
Nothing hampers germination more than letting the soil dry out.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
You do need to be a bit careful about how you water, though.
Mark Planting Location
check that to mark where you planted the seeds.
Small craft sticks labeled with indelible marker work well for this.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Recognize the Seedlings, Thin as Needed
Know what your seedlings look like.
The first leaves to appear are the cotyledon, or “seed leaves.”
Wait for a set of true leaves to appear to help you identify your plants well.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Knowing what your seedlings look like ensures you won’t pull them by mistake while plucking weeds.
Your newly sprouted seedlings may require thinning to maintain optimal spacing for growing to maturity.
You may need to thin a second time as the plants grow larger and begin to crowd one another.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
For many vegetables, the seedlings plucked during thinning make an excellent addition to salads and other dishes.
Many plants, especially flowering annuals, will readily self-seed by dropping their seeds from ripened flower heads.
This is especially true if your habit was to let the flowers go to seed rather than deadheading them.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Even the most attractive plants soon seem like weeds if they are growing where you don’t want them.
Also, be diligent in weeding around your young seedlings.
Weeds will compete for water, sunlight, and nutrients, so regular weeding is a necessary task.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
