Growing Veggies From Seed

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Robert Dolezal

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You save money and have many more options when you plant your vegetables from seed.

Growing vegetables from seed is great way to plant a large garden. Not only is it more economical than buying transplants from your local garden center, you can choose from an incredible variety that simply isn’t available as seedlings. You can find all kinds of seed out there – from heirloom to rare or unusual varieties to pest- or disease-resistant strains – as well as those varieties that are well-adapted to your local growing conditions.

Start by choosing quality seed dated for planting with a packing date indicating the current year. Make your decisions of the plant varieties that you wish to grow while choices are plentiful, then store your seed in sealable, moisture-proof plastic bags, and place them in the vegetable keeper of your household refrigerator. (The fridge’s low temperature will keep the seed dormant until the weather warms and soil is ready for planting – or for up to a year or more, depending on the vegetable variety.)

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Large seeds like pumpkin typically sprout in 8-10 days from the time of planting, producing two round “seed leaves.” The next leaves they sprout will be miniatures with the shape and feature characteristics typical of their species.

It’s important to plant seed correctly, referring to the packet directions or grower recommendations to determine the proper depth and spacing you’ll require. Because germination is uncertain, avoid gaps in your plantings by sowing two or three seeds in each location, and then thin the seedlings as needed. For vegetables with tiny seed such as carrot, lettuce and radish, the depth of planting may be a quarter-inch or less. Cover such seed with fine sandy loam or loose compost by sifting it over the seed, then gently firm the area surrounding the planting to assure that the soil is in close contact with the seed. (But do not compact the soil!) Large, starchy-seeded vegetables such as pea, pumpkin or sunflower can be planted more deeply, either in a furrow or in holes made with a dibber, a hoe handle or just your finger. Again, gently firm the soil over the seed after planting.

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Thinning your plants is necessary to avoid crowding.

Complete your planting by gently misting the surface of the soil over the seed with a fine spray, either with an adjustable nozzle on a garden hose or by using a watering can fitted with a diffusing rose on its spout. Be careful to avoid washing away the newly planted seed from the soil, and keep the area evenly moist until the seed germinates and sends up sprouts.

Most vegetables are planted as seed in raised hills or as rows. When the hazard of frost has passed (or in mild-winter climates, when the heat of summer has ended) and the soil has warmed sufficiently for planting, follow the easy instructions shown in the following pictures and described in their captions. Then with proper care as your seedlings grow, it won’t be long before you’re enjoying a bounty of homegrown goodness!

Tips

Shallow-rooted plants such as carrots and radishes can be thinned by hand. For larger plants such as corn and squash, consider a pair of scissors or small bypass pruning shears to cut the stems off at the soil line. Whichever method you choose, consult the seed package to determine the optimum spacing for the species you’ve planted.
To plant for successive harvests, plant and thin your seeds to twice the specified distance for the species. Then make your second planting 3-4 weeks after the first. The result will be an extended harvest.

Faqs

Q: Why should I thin my veggies out? Won’t I get more food if I leave them alone?
A: Thinning actually keeps your garden healthy and productive. It ensures that your plants won’t get crowded, and it prevents them from having to compete for moisture and nutrients. It also enables them to form complete, deep root systems that makes your plants tolerant of brief periods of drought. For tall species such as corn or sunflowers, thinning prevents shading of nearby plants and allows air to circulate between them, hastening the drying of dew and avoiding infections by fungal diseases common in moist conditions.
Q: When should I start to thin my plants?
A: When seeds sprout, they usually have two so-called seed leaves that can resemble weeds or other plants. Wait to thin until the plants have developed two or more true leaves – you can recognize them by referring to the diagrams commonly found on their seed packages.

Resources

Want to watch planting seeds in action? Learn2Grow has a short video on starting seeds, including a few extra tips to help you get growing in the right direction.

Come to The Garden Party and share your food garden accomplishments with the rest of the Learn2Grow community! Join the 4 Step Food Garden Group and/or the Growing, Grilling and Eating Group and post some pictures of your productive garden, create a blog, share a recipe, or ask our experts or other home gardeners for any help you may need along your growing way!

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