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What is Direct Sowing and How Do You Do It?

Royal City Nursery - What is Direct Sowing-planting seeds in the soil

If you’re new to gardening and have been considering planting some seeds, you may have noticed the package instructions on some selections mention “direct sowing,” while others say to start your seeds indoors. So, what exactly does that mean? We’ll break down the basics for you so you can understand how to do it properly, and we’ll explain why some plants grow better this way.

 

What Does Direct Sowing Mean?

Direct sowing is a pretty simple concept—it’s essentially just planting your seeds straight into your garden soil instead of starting them indoors in a cup and moving them outdoors once the seedlings are a few inches tall. Both methods have some advantages and disadvantages, and some are better suited to certain kinds of plants than others.

Royal City Nursery - What is Direct Sowing-seeds growing in soil

Is It Better to Direct Sow?

Direct sowing preference depends on which plants you’ve chosen. Some don’t like starting indoors because they don’t take well to transplanting or having their roots disturbed. Others take a long time to develop, so by starting them inside before the snow melts instead of direct sowing, you can get a head start on growing your seedlings before the snow has even melted. Direct sowing definitely requires less effort than starting your plants indoors, but that shorter window of time might be a dealbreaker for you.

One downside of starting your plants indoors is having to “harden them off”—a process of acclimatizing your seedlings to the intense rays of the sun. You’ll need to bring your seedlings outside each day for a couple of weeks, increasing the time they spend outside for slightly longer with each passing day until they can handle a full day of sunshine. Their leaves can get scorched if you bring them outside immediately without hardening them off. With direct sowing, you can avoid this process altogether, and your plants will be comfortable outdoors. 

If you waited too long to start sprouting your seedlings indoors, you could try direct sowing instead if you’re confident that your plants will have enough time to mature before the next frost of autumn. 

When Can You Start Direct Sowing?

You can start direct sowing as soon as the ground has thawed, and you can work the soil, but there may still be a threat of frost. Spring isn’t always a smooth transition, and it certainly isn’t out of the question to get a freak snowstorm after everything has melted. Seedlings are delicate and vulnerable, so your best bet is to wait for the projected last frost date in your area—in Guelph, our last frost date is May 13th. However, some root vegetable plants like carrots and turnips will actually taste better if exposed to cold temperatures during early development! It affects the carbohydrate levels within the root and results in a sweeter, more flavourful veggie. 

When you start sowing, you want to ensure the soil is loose, well-draining, and rich in nutrients. If you plant a carrot in compacted soil, it will come out stumpy and misshaped. Dig deep into the ground with your trowel and mix in lots of fresh compost; this prevents compaction, fortifies the soil with healthy bacteria, and improves moisture drainage and retention.

 

Which Plants Are Ideal for Direct Sowing?

Unsure of which method to take? Here are some lists of plants that will perform well if you plant their seeds straight into the soil. 

Vegetables for Sowing Directly:

  • Beets
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Squash
  • Cucumber
  • Melons
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce

Flowers for Sowing Directly:

  • Nasturtiums
  • Sweet Peas
  • Columbines
  • Lupines
  • Poppies
  • Echinacea
  • Zinnias
  • Cosmos
  • Larkspur
  • Sunflowers 
  • Morning Glory
  • Rudbeckia
  • Marigolds
  • Amaranth

Vegetables tend to be a bit more temperamental, so if the package says you should be sowing them straight into the soil, then definitely follow those rules. Flowers are different—most are okay with being transplanted, but some are a bit more sensitive than others and will need you to handle them very delicately as you move them into their new home. 

 

Royal City Nursery has a fantastic selection of seeds for direct sowing in Ontario, so if you want to save money and avoid spending lots on starter plants, this is the route to take! Visit us soon to see all the incredible veggies, flowers, and other garden delights ready to be planted this spring. 

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