Seed Sowing

Vegetable seeds can be planted in rows, or hills, or it can be broadcast. Straight rows make cultivation, insect control, and harvesting easier. Rows can be marked off using a nonstretchable line or string pulled tightly between two stakes. Use the handle of a hoe or rake to make shallow furrows along the line for small seeds. For larger seed, open a deeper furrow with the corner of a hoe blade. When sowing small seed, cut or tear off a corner of the seed packet and scatter the seed down the furrow while gently tapping with your index finger. The tapping causes the seed to roll out of the envelope at a uniform rate. Distribute the seed evenly rather than thinly in the row, using as a guide the amount of seed per foot of row recommended on the seed packet. Some thinning may be needed later when the seedlings are up. Larger seeds, like those of beans and corn, can be planted at the proper spacing more easily. “Hill” planting is often used for sweet corn, squash, melons, and cucumbers. With these, place 4 to 5 seeds per grouping and later thin to 2 or 3 plants. Broadcast planting involves sowing seeds in a 3- to 4-inch band, rather than in a single row. This method is often used for lettuce, carrots, radishes, and beets. The main advantage of this method is the necessity for hand-weeding later on.

Depth to Cover Seed A good rule of thumb is to cover the seed to a depth equal to 4 times the diameter of its largest dimension. After the seed is placed in the furrow, use a hoe or the back of your hand to gently cover seeds with soil. Then tamp the soil down lightly. A soil that crusts over after a rain may prevent seedlings from emerging. Therefore, when seeding in a heavy, tight soil or when sowing very small-seeded vegetables such as carrots,parsley, or parsnip, cover the seeds with fine sand or vermiculite instead of soil.

Moisture Constant moisture is very important for successful germination. To keep the soil moist until the seed germinates, a board or newspapers can be placed over the row. However, remove immediately once the seedlings begin to come through the surface of the soil. When watering, a light and gentle sprinkling down the row will avoid splashing away the soil or other material that covers the seeds. Avoid flooding or constant saturation of the soil.

Temperature In addition to proper soil moisture, temperature can greatly affect seed germination. While some seeds (such as those of lettuce and onion) will germinate in rather cold soil, other kinds (such as beans and corn) will rot under those conditions. Similarly,excessively high soil temperatures during hot weather may be damaging to emerging seedlings and result in poor stands. Following are lists of vegetables and their soil temperature requirements for optimum seed germination.

Need Cool Soil (50 o-65 oF)

Celery Onion Spinach

Lettuce Peas Turnip

Radish

Tolerate Cool Soil (50 o -85 o F)

Beet Carrot Kohlrabi

Broccoli Chard Mustard

Brussels sprouts Collards Parsley

Cabbage Endive Parsnip

Cauliflower Kale Rutabaga

Need Warm Soil (65 o -85 o F)

Beans Muskmelon Squash

Corn Okra Tomato

Cucumber Peanut Watermelon

Pepper

Thinning Plants growing too closely together compete for moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. When seeds are sown too thickly, some thinning out of the seedlings may be necessary to remove the excess. Thin the plants while young, removing the weaker ones and spacing the remaining seedlings at the recommended distance.