Direct sowing outdoors
Direct sowing means putting seed straight into the ground where it will grow, with no trays, lights or transplanting. For part of your garden that is not only simpler but better.
When to direct sow
Most crops you sow direct go in after the last frost. That certainly applies to warm-season vegetables such as beans, corn and squash, which will not tolerate any chill.
Some crops prefer cooler conditions. Carrots and spinach can go in a few weeks before the last frost date. Your local last-frost date is the anchor, and the packet is the authority for the variety in your hand.
Preparing the seed bed
Pick a spot with enough sun and decent drainage. Clear weeds and debris and loosen the soil. It does not need to be a fine powder, but chunky, clumpy soil gives uneven germination. If the soil is poor, work in compost or well-rotted manure.
How deep
Too deep and seeds never emerge. Too shallow and they dry out or get taken by birds. The rule of thumb: sow about twice as deep as the seed is wide. Fine lettuce seed barely needs covering; larger seeds such as beans can go 2 to 3 centimetres down. The packet gives the exact depth.
Spacing
It is tempting to scatter generously, but overcrowding rarely works out. Plants need room for air, nutrients and light.
With carrots and radish you can sow a little more densely and thin later. With larger seeds such as corn and peas, use the recommended spacing from the start — it wastes less seed and less work.
Watering
Water gently after sowing. A heavy jet washes seed away or creates pools that drown young seedlings. Use a can with a fine rose, or the mist setting on a hose. Keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy, until seedlings emerge.
Protecting seed and seedlings
Birds love seed and squirrels love freshly turned ground. Netting or a lightweight row cover over the bed saves a lot of frustration.
If a late frost is forecast after you have sown, covering the rows overnight with old blankets or plastic sheeting can save your seedlings.
Crops that suit direct sowing
Crop | Why |
|---|---|
Radish and carrot | form roots that resent disturbance |
Beans and peas | large seeds that germinate quickly in warm soil |
Corn | grows fast and transplants poorly |
Cucumber and squash | can be started indoors, but direct works at least as well |
Common mistakes
Sowing too early, sowing too deep and sowing too thickly. Thin your seedlings on time, water consistently and protect them from birds and sudden weather, and most sowings do well.
The full version of this guide is on seedschoice.com.
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Updated on: 05/10/2026
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