How to Know Which Seeds to Direct Sow in the Garden
Over the years of gardening, I have started seeds indoors and directly sowed them into the garden. I have transplanted seedlings into the garden a couple of times, and the seedlings took a shock and unfortunately died. This resulted in waiting until the season’s last frost to direct sow the seeds in the ground instead of transplanting them as seedlings.
There are a few advantages of direct sowing. If you transplant seedlings purchased from the store, this can be more costly than direct-sown seeds. Also, there are many more seed options to choose from than transplant seedlings when purchased from a store. Lastly, sown seeds do much better if planted in suitable soil.
What Seeds Can You Plant in the Ground?
I have had great success over the years planting vegetable seeds such as green beans, peas, corn, squash, cucumbers, and kidney beans directly into the soil. As far as florals go, I have had success with Sunflowers, Zinnias, Wildflower Mixes, Marigolds, Bachelor Buttons, Poppies, and Cosmos.
One year I wanted to test transplanting pea seedlings, which was a failure. They took a shock even after hardening off. Beans, carrots, and peas should always be directly sown for successful results.
As far as tomatoes, I have a process I always follow before transplanting them into the garden, which you can read about here.
How Do You Know When to Plant Seeds Outdoors?Â
There are three essential steps to follow to know when to plant your seeds outdoors.
- Frost Date
- Soil Temp
- Soil Moisture
Frost Date
Check your local weather forecasts and/or almanac to keep a close watch on frost dates and frost alerts in your area. You want to ensure you wait until the last frost date, even if that means waiting longer to plant your garden. Do not become impatient. This is so important to make sure the last frost has happened. Otherwise, you can lose all of your seedlings in just one night due to a frost. Some plants, such as lettuce, carrots, dill, onions, and peas, can tolerate frost, but most plants will not. I have lost tomato seedlings and basil to this in the past.
(Frost damage ended up losing half the flat)
Soil TemperatureÂ
The temperature may reach above 50 degrees during the day, but the temperature may drop at night, and soil temperature will not be warm enough to germinate seeds. Soil temperature must be above 60 degrees, even 70, for some plants to germinate the seeds. Otherwise, they will not do anything at all. Peas, lettuce, and carrots can germinate in lower temperatures and do successfully rather than in the hot heat months of Summer.
Soil Moisture
My grandparents always told my sister and me not to plant anything when the ground was soaking wet in the garden. Soggy soil, especially cold, will rot the seeds. The seeds will suffocate and die. Also, once the soil dries after planting in the soggy soil, the soil will turn hard, and plants will not grow with no room for roots to expand.
How can you tell when the soil is too wet?
My father once showed me a trick to help tell when the soil is too wet. Grab a handful of soil in your hand and squeeze it into a ball, and if the ball keeps its shape after poking with your finger, it is too wet. If the soil breaks apart, then the soil is ready. Then vice versa, when the ground is too dry before the seed germinates, the seed will also die. So it is nice to keep the ground moist but not too saturated.
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