Sowing Seeds Directly in the Garden

Many annuals, wildflowers, and vegetables can be seeded directly—broadcast for a natural look or in traditional rows. Others are best started in containers: slow-growing perennials, expensive/fine seeds, warm-season crops when garden soil is too cold/wet.

Flowers and Vegetables to Direct-Sow

Plants with delicate roots or taproots that transplant poorly:

• Sunflower (Helianthus)
• Sweet pea (Lathyrus)
• Love-in-a-mist (Nigella)
• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
• Beans
• Carrots
• Corn
• Peas
• Radishes

Soil Preparation

Remove weeds, loosen soil, work in amendments with fork, shovel, or rototiller. Add complete fertilizer per label. Rake smooth. If no rain, moisten bed thoroughly a few days before planting. At sowing, soil should be moist but not soggy.

Planting in Rows

Prepare soil (don't dig in fertilizer yet). Make furrows per packet instructions for depth and spacing. Lay out rows north-south for equal sun. Use hoe, rake, or stick; for straight rows, use board or taut string as guide. Dig two fertilizer furrows alongside each seed furrow—2″ away, 1″ deeper. Apply fertilizer in these furrows per label. Sow seeds evenly, spacing per packet. Water with fine spray; keep surface moist until germination. Thin overcrowded seedlings while small.

Buying, Storing, Broadcasting Seeds

Buy fresh seeds dated for current year. Forms: loose (packets), pelletized (coated for handling), tapes (biodegradable paper with spaced seeds). Store extra in airtight jar in cool, dry place—many viable 1 year, some several years.

Broadcasting in Prepared Bed

1. For patterned planting, outline areas for each seed with gypsum, flour, or stakes/string; label each.
2. For even distribution, shake each seed (or wildflower mix) in covered can with several times its bulk of white sand.
3. Scatter seed-sand mixture evenly over bed/areas; rake lightly, barely covering seeds. Don't bury deeply.
4. Spread thin layer of mulch (sifted compost) to retain moisture, prevent crusting, hide seeds from birds.
5. Water with fine spray. Keep surface barely damp until germination; then gradually decrease frequency.
6. When seedlings have two true leaf sets, thin crowded ones. Transplant thinned seedlings to fill gaps.