Few things are as rewarding and satisfying as watching a few humble seeds sprout to produce an array of colorful vegetables. Growing food directly from seeds is relatively easy, especially if you direct sow.
Direct sowing is a simple method of planting the seeds straight into your garden bed instead of starting them indoors. It eliminates the hassle of gradually exposing the seedlings to the outdoors (hardening them off) and then transplanting them.
Discover seven of the easiest vegetables you can direct sow in your garden.
1. Beets
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Beets are highly nutritious vegetables you can grow in various temperatures and climatic conditions. The best time to plant the seeds in the ground is once the soil temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit -- at these temperatures, beets will germinate quickly (in five to eight days).
Choose a spot with loose, fertile soil and exposure to at least six to eight hours of daily sunlight. Sow the seeds at a depth of ½ inches, placing them 1 to 2 inches apart, and keep a distance of around 12 to 18 inches between rows.
2. Carrots
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Carrots are cool-season vegetables, rich in vitamin A. They are great for snacking raw with some hummus and can incorporate color and taste into your dishes. The most important aspect of growing this vibrant vegetable is to plant the seeds in loose, well-draining, sandy soil free of stones and rocks. Till the soil to remove any clumps to allow the carrots room to grow
Plant the seeds approximately two to three weeks before your region's last frost date. To ensure successful germination, maintain a soil temperature between 55 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Select a location with six to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily and place the seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch, spaced 2 to 3 inches apart and rows 1 foot apart.
3. Cucumber
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Crunchy, refreshing cucumbers are a highlight of most summer parties. They are also ideal for direct sowing in well-draining, fertile soil enriched with well-rotted manure. The seeds require a relatively warmer soil temperature to sprout, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait until it has been about two weeks since your area’s last frost date before you start planting.
Choose a plot with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day and sow the seeds 1 inch deep and a few inches apart. Since cucumbers require plenty of room to grow, space your rows 3 to 5 feet apart.
4. Lettuce
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Nothing elevates a salad like fresh, crispy lettuce leaves. However, while salads are perfect for hot summer days, lettuce seeds prefer a cooler soil temperature, between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, to grow. Hence, the best time to sow the seeds is two to four weeks before the last frost date.
Lettuce plants do best in well-draining, moist, loose soil and in an area with five to six hours of daily, full sun. Plant the seeds closer to the surface at a depth of about ⅛ inch and 1-inch intervals.
5. Peas
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Sweet-tasting peas taste even better when grown at home. They are among the season’s first crops that go into the ground as soon as the soil is workable and are ready to harvest before the weather gets warmer. Plant your seeds about four to six weeks before your last frost date, when the soil temperature is 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Opt for a site with well-draining soil and full sun. Sow the seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Space the rows at 7 inches intervals. You can soak the seeds in water overnight to speed up germination.
6. Spinach
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Spinach is a superfood, brimming with vitamins and minerals. It adds flavor to your pasta, body to your salad, and character to your pizzas. It is also a robust plant that can survive cool temperatures of around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, spinach seeds do best when planted in the ground at a soil temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The leafy green prefers loamy, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter and three to four hours of sun daily. Sow the seeds in a sheltered spot after you loosen the soil, about 1/2-inch deep and 12 to 18 inches apart.
7. Zucchini
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Zucchini plants are known for being prolific, producing several squashes for your soups, pasta, and bread. They benefit from soil rich in organic matter and improved aeration and drainage. Start your seeds by direct sowing into the ground once the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no danger of the frost returning.
Pick a spot with full sun and sheltered from the wind. Plant the seeds an inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. You can also sow 3 to 4 seeds in small hills or mounds; mounds keep the soil warmer. Space the rows of hills 3 to 6 feet apart.
Happy Direct Sowing!
As you would have noticed, most vegetables that thrive with direct sowing can withstand frost or cooler soil temperatures, making them ideal for northern gardens. Moreover, ensuring that your soil temperature is at an optimum level speeds up germination and gives your plant the best chance of success.
Have you tried direct sowing? How did your efforts fare? Don’t forget to share below in the comments!