Direct seeding
The aim of direct seeding is placing the vegetable seeds directly into the ground where they need to grow, rather than transplanting. Because seeds are formed in various shapes and sizes, this is not an easy task.
Although many gardeners directly seed most of their crops I recommend seeding only vegetables that are not practical or economical for growing transplants. Vegetables that should be directly seeded are root vegetables (carrot, beet), plants with low yield per area (corn, pumpkins), easily sown seeds (beans, peas), and plant that grow rapidly (radish, spinach). One of the main reasons for preferring direct seeding is to simplify the system of growing transplants to fewer varieties.
Now, direct seeding allows us to place a single seed in an exact place. Always take into account the germination percentage, seeds are sold in packets usually have the germination percentage printed on the back, germination is tested under laboratory conditions and should hold a lower germination percentage when seeds germinate in your garden, so for example if you want to grow a plant every 20 cm it would be wise to plant seeds in 10 cm intervals to count for dead seed. Sprouting plants can be dilute to perfection. Additional dilution would be made easy because the seeds are spread evenly in a straight line, not on a tight line or bloc.
Marking rows-
Mark rows using a stretched cord. Keep the first line straight, all other lines will be directed in accordance to the first line.
Direct Seeding Table
Species |
Sowing intervals (cm) |
Row Spacing (cm) |
Transplant |
Bean |
10 |
75 |
* |
Beet |
8 |
45 |
* |
Carrot |
3 |
30 |
|
Cucumber |
30 |
75 |
* |
Corn |
20 |
20 |
* |
Kohlrabi |
15 |
30 |
* |
Pea |
6 |
75 |
* |
Potato |
30 |
75 |
|
Radish |
5 |
10 |
|
Spinach |
8 |
40 |
* |
Squash |
70 |
200 |
* |
Swiss Chard |
20 |
30 |
* |
Zucchini |
60 |
150 |
* |
How To Grow Transplants
Sowing seeds for the vegetable garden and preparing transplants allows us complete control over the required quantities of our crop cycle during the growing season. Growing seeds in one place and then transferring them to another place. Large quantities of young plants can be grown under controlled conditions before they are laid out in the field. Even if seeds sprout indoors under lights or outdoor in a wind tunnel or greenhouse, the place should be always clean and well maintained.
Seed sown in the field are a gamble, but a healthy transplants three to four weeks that were planted in the field, provides for a almost guaranteed crop. Transplant production is the surest way to achieve a uniform crop with an estimated harvest date. It is also the most reliable way because there is better control of the production environment. Germination can be expected to be lower in the field and more safer in a greenhouse. Strong seedlings are planted in the field at an ideal time and in a proper density have a high chances of survival. Once the plant is passed the stage of adaptation to the field, a expect harvest is guaranteed.
Growing transplants was done traditionally by farmers mostly for roots vegetables, celery, lettuce, onions and tomatoes. These vegetables have a strong root system and do not particularly suffer from the planting process, although it is clear that plants grow better when there is less disturbance to the roots. Growing transplants is very much suitable for cucumbers, melons, herbs like parsley plant roots suffer from less interference when planted. In general, when growing cool season crops or warm season crop or culinary herbs, inflicting a minimal disturbance to the plant root system and create an optimal environment for plant acclimatization.
ORGANIC Potting Soil Recipe
- 3 Buckets organic peat
- 2 Buckets perlite or vermiculite
- 2 Buckets Organic compost
- 3 cups organic based fertilizer
Transplant List
Species |
Growing Season |
Age In Weeks For Transplants |
Row Spacing (cm) |
Sowing intervals (cm) |
Beet Root |
Winter |
3-4 |
45 |
8 |
Broccoli |
Winter |
4 |
80 |
70 |
Cabbage |
Winter |
4 |
80 |
60-70 |
Cauliflower |
Summer |
4 |
80 |
60-70 |
Celery |
Winter |
8 |
30 |
30 |
Corn |
Summer |
2-3 |
20 |
20 |
Cucumber |
Summer |
3 |
75 |
30 |
Eggplant |
Summer |
8 |
80 |
70 |
Kale |
Winter |
4 |
40 |
30 |
Kohlrabi |
Winter |
3-4 |
30 |
15 |
Leek |
Winter |
4-8 |
30 |
20 |
Lettuce |
Winter |
3-4 |
30 |
30 |
Melon |
Summer |
3 |
150 |
50 |
Onion |
Summer |
4-8 |
30 |
10 |
Parsley |
Winter & Summer |
6 |
30 |
20 |
Pea |
Winter |
2 |
75 |
6 |
Pepper |
Summer |
8 |
80 |
30 |
Spinach |
Winter |
2-3 |
40 |
8 |
Squash |
Summer |
3 |
200 |
70 |
Swiss Chard |
Winter |
3-4 |
30 |
20 |
Tomato |
Summer |
5 |
150 |
60 |
Zucchini |
Summer |
3 |
150 |
60 |
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
click here to log in