Skip starting seeds indoors and plant directly outdoors with easily grown vegetables. When the soil warms to 50 to 60°F, you can start seeds directly outdoors. Use a soil thermometer, which is a helpful way to ensure proper soil temperature and subsequent germination success. Follow these instructions for best results:
Crop rotation is a must to deter diseases, insect problems and soil-nutrient depletion. Wait three years to replant the same crop in a given space.
Use a corner of a hoe or other tool to make shallow furrows to place seeds and gently cover them with soil. Mark your rows with tags to keep track of what you have planted. If you want straight rows, tie a string from the tag on one end to a stake on the other end.
After planting the seeds, water with a gentle spray for even coverage. Keep soil moist, but not too wet, until the seeds germinate. Then water plants throughout the growing season on a regular schedule. For ease of watering, use a soaker hose or drip watering system. Do not use overhead sprinklers; water on leaves encourages fungal diseases.
When the seedlings are about 2″ high, check the spacing of each plant. If seedlings are not at the recommended spacing, thin out plants growing too closely as needed by cutting them at ground level and leaving the well-spaced plants. Do not yank stems out of the ground, which may disturb the remaining seedlings.
As plants grow and the weather warms up, add mulch a few inches away from the stems along the rows to conserve moisture and stop weeds from taking hold. Two or three inches of straw is also a good mulching material.
Planting seeds directly in your garden or flower beds is often the easiest and most cost-effective way to grow beautiful plants It eliminates the need for grow lights, seed trays, transplanting seedlings, and other extra steps required when starting seeds indoors With direct sowing, you simply plant the seeds right where you want them to grow.
But not all seeds can be directly sown. Some require more controlled conditions provided by growing indoors first. So which seeds can you easily plant right in the ground? Here is a complete guide to the best vegetable, herb and flower seeds for direct sowing.
Vegetables That Can Be Directly Sown
Many popular vegetables are well-suited for direct sowing in the garden. Here are some of the easiest:
Beets
Beets are simple to grow from seed. Sow them 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in cool, loosened soil free of rocks and clumps. Thin seedlings to 1 inch, then 4-6 inches apart. Keep soil moist and harvest beets when the roots fill out, typically 55-75 days after sowing.
Bush Beans
After soil warms in spring, sow bush bean seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in sunny, well-drained locations. Thin to 6 inches apart after sprouting and sow new rows every 1-2 weeks for continual harvests. Pick beans before pods fill out completely.
Carrots
Sow carrot seeds 3/8 inch deep in loose, rock-free soil. Space rows 15 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart and keep soil consistently moist. Carrots take around 2-3 months to mature after sowing.
Cucumbers
Plant cucumber seeds in warm, well-drained soil in full sun. Space plants well or grow vertically on trellises. Harvest fruits at 6-8 inches long for optimal flavor.
Lettuce
Scattering lettuce seeds in amended soil results in ready-to-pick mesclun mixes. For head lettuces, start with transplants spaced 6 inches apart. Harvest outer leaves as needed and entire heads when mature.
Peppers
Once soil reaches at least 70°F, sow pepper seeds 18 inches apart in fertile, sunny spots. Stake and support taller varieties. Takes around 2 months for most peppers to mature and be ready for picking.
Squash
Plant squash seeds in very warm soil (at least 70°F) where vines have ample room to spread. Harvest yellow squash around 2-3 weeks after flowering and zucchini 3-5 days after flowers open.
Swiss Chard
Sow chard seeds directly in cool soil 2-4 weeks before last frost. Space 8 inches apart in sun or part shade. Harvest outer leaves first while inner leaves continue growing.
Herbs for Direct Sowing
Many popular culinary herbs are quite easy to direct sow, including:
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Basil – Plant after danger of frost. Pinch flowers to prolong harvest.
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Chives – Extremely cold tolerant. Cut leaves as needed.
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Cilantro – Grows best in cool weather. Quickly bolts in heat.
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Dill – Prefers cool temps. Often reseeds itself.
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Oregano – Can withstand some frost. Cut leaves or stems as needed.
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Parsley – Soak seeds 24 hours before planting. Takes 3-4 weeks to sprout.
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Thyme – Likes dry soil. Cut sprigs as required for cooking.
Top Flowers for Direct Sowing Outdoors
You can sow seeds of these beautiful flowers right into your garden beds or containers:
Cosmos
Heat and drought tolerant. Blooms summer through fall in around 8-10 weeks from planting. Self-sows readily.
Marigolds
Deter pests in vegetable gardens. Plant after last spring frost. Deadhead spent blooms for more flowers.
Nasturtiums
Edible flowers and leaves. Plant in average, well-drained soil in full sun after frost passes.
Poppies
Scatter seeds on soil surface in early spring. Blooms following summer. Often self-seeds.
Sunflowers
Plant 1 inch deep after danger of frost. Most varieties take 9-12 weeks to bloom. Need staking if tall.
Zinnias
Easy to grow in any soil. Sow after frost in full sun. Deadhead to encourage more blooms all season long.
When to Direct Sow
Timing is important when sowing seeds directly outdoors. Pay attention to these factors:
Soil Temperature
Seeds need proper soil warmth to germinate. Check seed packets for recommended temperatures, which are usually 50°F at minimum. Use a soil thermometer to confirm.
Frost Dates
Don’t sow tender vegetables or flowers too early when frost can damage sprouts. Know your average last spring and first fall frost dates.
Plant Maturity Times
Factor in “days to maturity” info on seed packets so you sow at the right time for a desired harvest window. Sow fall crops accordingly.
Successive Planting
You can prolong harvests of beans, corn, lettuce, etc. by sowing small rows every week or two vs. all at once.
Winter Hardy Varieties
Some vegetables like spinach and swiss chard survive light frosts. These can be direct sown 4+ weeks before your last expected frost.
How to Direct Sow Seeds Outdoors
Follow this straightforward process when planting seeds directly in your garden:
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Prepare soil by mixing in 2-3 inches of compost or other organic material. Level and rake smooth.
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Refer to seed packets for proper planting depth and spacing. Make shallow rows.
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Sow seeds and cover lightly with soil. Label rows and gently water.
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Keep soil moist until seeds germinate, which can take anywhere from 5 days to several weeks depending on type.
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Gradually thin emerging seedlings and plants to recommended spacing.
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Add mulch once plants establish to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
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Water and fertilize throughout the growing season as needed.
With the right seeds and timing, direct sowing is an easy way to grow a thriving garden! It saves time and money compared to starting indoors. The vegetables, herbs and flowers listed above are great options that can be successfully direct sown. Just be sure to provide plants with sun, space, nutrients and adequate moisture once seeded directly in the ground.
Easy Vegetables to Direct Sow in Your Garden
Delicious, nutritious beets are simple to grow yourself. Directly sow seeds 1/2″ deep and 1″ apart into cool soil that has been well loosened and is free of rocks or clumps of compacted soil. Space rows of seeds 12 to 18″ apart. After the seedlings have germinated, thin them to 1″ apart and make sure to wash and eat the delicious thinnings! As the seedlings grow, thin them to 4 to 6″ apart and again enjoy what you have thinned. Make sure to water deeply once a week. Check the seed packet for the approximate number of days after sowing that the beets will be ready for harvesting. Some tried-and-true varieties are Detroit Dark Red, Early Wonder and Burpees Golden.
Bush beans are simple to grow. After the soil has warmed in the spring, usually after Memorial Day, direct sow beans in well-drained soil in a sunny location 1″ deep and 2″ apart. Thin to 6″ apart after germination. To help prevent the spread of fungus on the plants, dont work around or harvest beans when the plants are wet. Try planting short rows every week or two, to prolong the harvest throughout the summer and into the fall. Harvest beans before you can feel the bean in the pod for best flavor. A couple of outstanding varieties to try are Derby, Bush Lake 274 or the purple-podded Purple Queen.
It is fun to watch cabbage form those beautiful heads and they are easy to grow. Simply plant cabbage starts 12 to 18″ apart in a sunny spot in soil that has been amended with compost. Try to keep soil evenly moist. When heads are firm to the touch, they are ready to harvest by cutting the head off of its stalk. Some great varieties to try are Early Jersey Wakefield, Late Flat Dutch and purple Mammoth Red Rock.
Garden beets; photo courtesy of Flickr cc/Oregon State University
Nothing tastes quite like a freshly pulled carrot! Directly sow carrot seeds 3/8″ deep into cool soil that has been loosened deeply and is free of rocks or clumps of compacted soil. Space rows of seeds 15″ apart. After the seedlings have germinated, thin them to 3″ apart and mulch. Carrots quickly develop a long tap root that becomes the carrot. If the tap root cant grow easily through the soil, the carrot will be misshapen. Water thoroughly once a week. Check the seed packet for approximate number of days after sowing that the carrots will be ready for harvesting. If your soil is shallow, try growing a shorter variety like Parmex or Little Finger. Excellent full-size varieties include Scarlet Nantes and Royal Chantenay.
Cucumbers are easy to grow and a childrens favorite because once they get started they seem to grow overnight! Plant cucumbers in a sunny location where the soil doesnt puddle and where there is lots of room to grow. If you have a smaller garden, grow cucumbers on a trellis. Water thoroughly once a week and mulch the garden in late June. Cucumbers lose their sweetness if they get too large, so it is best to harvest most varieties at around 8″ long. Some sure winners are Marketmore, Straight Eight and any “Burpless” hybrid.
Eggplant is a beautiful vegetable to grow, with many lovely forms to choose from. Eggplants strongly prefer to be grown in very warm soil, so dont plant until the middle of June at the earliest. Plant in full sun about 18″ apart. Water plants thoroughly once a week. Stake your plants as they grow, so that they can support the weight of the eggplants. Classic and Black Beauty are two excellent traditional cultivars and Ghostbuster is a terrific white variety.
Fresh herbs are so delicious and easy to grow. Choose a selection of your favorite herbs. Plant them in well-drained soil in a very sunny location. Some herbs like chives, English thyme and oregano are quite hardy and come back year after year. Others herbs like basil, dill are not and should be replaced annually. Harvest your herbs as required by snipping off what you need with sharp scissors.
There are so many beautiful lettuces to choose from, and growing them couldnt be easier. For a mesclun mix, simply scatter seed in a sunny spot over soil that has been amended with compost. Cover with 1/8″ of soil. For romaine and other head lettuces, it is easier to begin with lettuce starts. Plant the starts about 6″ apart and remember that you will have to thin (and eat!) as the lettuces get larger. Remember to water well if you are having a dry spell. To harvest leaf lettuce, simply remove the outer leaves of the plant and leave the rest to grow for another day. To harvest head lettuce, remove the outer leaves, dig up the entire plant and cut off the head. For leaf lettuce varieties, the mesclun mixes from many major companies are terrific or try Slobolt, which wont bolt in the summer heat. For head lettuce try the spotted Forellenschluss, red Four Seasons or crispy smooth Buttercrunch.
There are so many wonderful peppers out there and luckily, they are all easy to grow. Once the soil has warmed up (soil temperature should be 70 to 85 degrees F.) plant peppers in a sunny spot, in rich soil, about 18″ apart. Varieties with large peppers or those that grow more than 24″ tall should be staked. Water plants moderately until fruit set; less as fruit matures. Rotation considerations: Do not follow with tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes. Some great peppers to try are the sweet Giant Marconi, classic Bell Boy and spicy Cayenne or Jalapeno.
Just a short row of pole beans can keep your family eating fresh beans throughout the summer. Pole beans require strong support and can grow on a trellis, ladder, teepee or even tall sunflowers. After you have your support in place in a sunny location and soil is warm (usually after Memorial Day), direct sow seeds 2″ deep and 2″ apart at the base. Thin them to 6″ apart after germination. Guide the seedlings onto the support, taking care not to work bean plants when they are wet. This will prevent fungal infection in the plants. Harvest beans before you can feel the bean in the pod for best flavor. Try Kentucky Wonder for a fail-safe harvest, Scarlet Runner Bean for non-stop flowers and delicious beans, and purple Dow Purple Podded for color.
Summer squash is another super-easy vegetable that seems to grow a foot overnight once the dog days of summer arrive. Plant summer squash in a very sunny location and give them room to roam. The soil temperature should be 70 to 95 degrees F; the optimum is 95 degrees F. Squash can be trained on a trellis if space is an issue. Water thoroughly and even. If you prefer yellow summer squash, try the classics Early Prolific Straightneck or Early Yellow Summer Crookneck. If its green zucchini that you enjoy most, try Black Beauty or Aristocrat.
Perhaps the most forgiving of vegetables, Swiss chard is also incredibly nutritious. Swiss chard couldnt be easier to grow. Plant out starts about 8″ apart. They will be happy with cool or warm soil (above 50 degrees F; optimum is 60 to 65 degrees F) and in sun or even part shade. Water moderately and evenly. If the plants are growing faster than you can eat, remove outer leaves and the inner ones will soon take their place. Swiss chard is tolerant of light frosts; in fact, cooler temperatures bring out a nice sweetness in the leaves. Try Bright Lights with its rainbow of colorful stems to brighten the garden and your plate.
Tomatoes are a wonderful beginners vegetable. Plant them deep into warm soil of 70 degrees F, all the way to the bottom leaves – they can make roots all along their stem. Plant tomatoes at least 2 feet apart in full sun and water them very deeply once a week (the soil should be moist at least 6 inches down). Less water is needed during harvest. They will appreciate it if you can amend your soil with compost before you plant. Towards the end of June, mulch around them to help retain moisture and keep the soil warm. Most tomatoes are indeterminate, which means that they will keep growing, getting taller and lankier, so they require some support. Wire tomato cages are an easy fix. Some true performers include Big Boy, Celebrity and the delicious heirloom Brandywine. If cherry tomatoes are your pleasure, try delicious Sweet 100 or orange Sungold.
LuEsther T. Mertz Library Plant & Research Guides
Skip starting seeds indoors and plant directly outdoors with easily grown vegetables. When the soil warms to 50 to 60°F, you can start seeds directly outdoors. Use a soil thermometer, which is a helpful way to ensure proper soil temperature and subsequent germination success. Follow these instructions for best results:
- Start with a weed-free bed. Amend with 2 to 3″ of compost worked into the loamy soil.
- Follow spacing and depth directions on seed packets.
- Give vegetables 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day.
- Fertilize with natural granular fertilizer.
- If you have poor drainage, build raised beds.
Crop rotation is a must to deter diseases, insect problems and soil-nutrient depletion. Wait three years to replant the same crop in a given space.
Use a corner of a hoe or other tool to make shallow furrows to place seeds and gently cover them with soil. Mark your rows with tags to keep track of what you have planted. If you want straight rows, tie a string from the tag on one end to a stake on the other end.
After planting the seeds, water with a gentle spray for even coverage. Keep soil moist, but not too wet, until the seeds germinate. Then water plants throughout the growing season on a regular schedule. For ease of watering, use a soaker hose or drip watering system. Do not use overhead sprinklers; water on leaves encourages fungal diseases.
When the seedlings are about 2″ high, check the spacing of each plant. If seedlings are not at the recommended spacing, thin out plants growing too closely as needed by cutting them at ground level and leaving the well-spaced plants. Do not yank stems out of the ground, which may disturb the remaining seedlings.
As plants grow and the weather warms up, add mulch a few inches away from the stems along the rows to conserve moisture and stop weeds from taking hold. Two or three inches of straw is also a good mulching material.
Direct Sow ALL Your Vegetable Seed into the Garden
FAQ
Is it OK to plant seeds directly in the ground?
Yes of course you can. Some plants take a long time to germinate and mature so if your growing season is short, you can start the seeds indoors to give the plants a head start (ie tomatoes). Some plants don’t like to be transplanted and they do best when planted directly into the ground (ie carrots).
Which seeds are sown directly into the soil?
- Beets. Delicious, nutritious beets are simple to grow yourself. …
- Bush Beans. Bush beans are simple to grow. …
- Cabbage. It is fun to watch cabbage form those beautiful heads and they are easy to grow. …
- Carrots. …
- Cucumbers. …
- Eggplant. …
- Herbs. …
- Lettuce.
Can I just throw seeds on the ground?
- Prepare the soil: Clear away any existing plants, debris, and weeds.
- Loosen the soil: Rake or lightly till the soil to create a seedbed.
- Consider covering the seeds: Depending on the seed type, you might want to cover them lightly with soil or add a thin layer of mulch.
- Water gently: After planting, water the area lightly to keep the soil moist.
- Be patient: It may take some time for seeds to germinate and grow, so be patient and monitor the area regularly.
What are the disadvantages of direct seeding?
Disadvantages of direct seeding include: Less reliable establishment than for seedlings on some sites and across seasons. Not as suited as seedlings to deep, non-wetting sands or heavy textured soils. There is a requirement of some species for a special seed treatment before sowing.