Seeds
Now that the soil preparation is done it’s time to get sowing the vegetable bed. I have done my fair share of starting seeds indoors over the years but I’ve found the best success is to direct sow if you can. Sowing seeds is easy. Here is the methods I have used with great success.
Laying it out
I love my perfect little rows, but having a row just for one vegetable with space to walk in between is only great if you have the space. I have a 13′ x 13′ area dedicated to my veggie bed. I also grow in pots and have a separate herb bed that I grow strawberries, garlic, rhubarb, and beans in.
I plant double rows as you can see by my seed packets above. For instance, carrots and parsnips in the same row. Red and yellow onions, same row. I’m growing 3 lettuces this spring, they are all planted in a wide row. You get the idea.
Row labels
I’ve seen all the fancy plant labels on Pinterest, my labels are very simple.…a bunch of rocks and a black Sharpie marker. The fertilizer I use is Organique’s Tomato and Vegetable, completely organic, of course. As I sow the row, I sprinkle on the fertilizer. Once I’m done seeding the entire bed gets watered in.
Creating a row
Bamboo stakes
are a staple in my garden shed.
They support plants, mix solutions, clear cob webs, etc. But another use is to use them to create a straight lined impression in your soil like the picture above. Many seeds are quite tiny, like carrot or lettuce. This indentation is plenty deep for them.
Laying a row
With my indentation already made, I tap the seeds out of the packet along the row and slightly cover with soil. It’s been my experience that you
don’t need to sow very deep
with most seeds. Contact with the earth and a light dusting of soil is usually sufficient to get them started. There is however a danger in sowing them too deeply as some seeds actually are triggered to germinate when they sense light from the sun. Err on the side of caution and go a little less deep. (This is a rule of thumb that applies to spring seeding only, bulbs such as tulips and daffodils would prefer to be at their deepest side of the scale to protect from winter freezes).
Rock row markers
Once your rows are seeded, mark them so you won’t forget what’s coming up. Use a fancy marker if you wish, but these simple rocks will last for about as long as I need them to until the vegi’s can identify themselves.
Seeded rows
At the back of the bed is the potatoes, hence the piles of soil to each side. Stay tuned as I will show you
how to go vertical
to save space and get a bigger yield. Seriously, aren’t those rows just the prettiest thing you ever seen?
Potted veggies
The pots above have been planted up with Zucchini’s and Cucumbers against a nice hot wall. I chose varieties that hold themselves tall and compact to help save on space.
Pepper seedlings
Just wanted to quickly visit those seedlings I planted up weeks ago in the peat pellets. Looking good aren’t they! These have since graduated to a peat pot and will eventually be moved into a final pot on my patio.
Egg carton seeder
These were sown a week later and have not had the luxury of the full spectrum light of the seedlings above (all from the same packet). But they are doing okay as well. My thoughts about the egg carton? Not a fan and will not try it again. The carton is very mushy and hard to handle now that it’s starting to break down. In addition, it’s showing signs of molding which isn’t good either. So, for all you would be egg carton seeder’s out there, save yourself the hassle and buy the peat pellets.
The next step in my garden preparations is the annual planting and hanging baskets. Be sure to visit to see how I make these and what color scheme I’m choosing this year.
Happy Planting!
