How to Sow Vegetable Seeds Directly into the Garden

Prepare the soil in your garden or container. Pull all weeds and enrich with organic matter if needed. Pulling weeds will help your seeds get off to a better start because they will not be competing with weeds for water, nutrients and sunlight.

Refer to the seed packet to determine the correct planting depth. Smaller seeds are usually planted more shallow. Follow seed packet directions. If using seeds that were propigated by yourself or a fellow gardener, plant with a light covering of soil about 1/4" deep. This is generally a good depth for germination of most vegetable seeds.

Growing vegetable plants in straight rows makes the garden attractive. It also makes harvesting your grown vegetables much easier. Remember to keep rows free of weeds.

When placing seeds in the soil, be certain to give them enough space. Overcrowding is not healthy for the plants and they will not perform as well.

Cover the seeds with soil and keep moist. Germination depends on soil temperature, moisture, and sometimes just pure luck. Try to be patient. Upon germination, thin seedlings if necessary.