A Guide to Direct Seeding

Growing from seed can be a rewarding experience, but it can be tricky to understand the best method to achieve the best results.

Some gardeners therefore prefer what’s known as direct seeding, which avoids disturbing a plant’s delicate root systems during transplanting. Other plants don’t mind being moved and will get a head start growing in a container before planting out in the garden, so it’s about understanding direct seeding and how it can benefit your garden.

This article will help explain what direct seeding is, how to direct sow seeds, and more, so you can maximise results in your garden space and give your crops the best chance of success.

What Is Direct Seeding?

Direct seeding is the act of sowing your seeds directly into the ground where the crop will be harvested. There are multiple benefits to direct sowing your seeds including:

Some seeds prefer direct sowing

Many seed varieties perform much better when direct sown as opposed to being started in containers or seed flats. Root vegetable seeds like beetroot seeds, radish seeds, swede seeds, carrot seeds, coriander seeds, parsley seeds, and poppy seeds begin to develop their taproots early in life and if damaged in the early stages of forming, can result in some oddly shaped or deformed crops.

Seeds that grow tap roots are at risk of being twisted, broken, or damaged during transplanting and can even become diseased or die off.

No transplant shock

Transplant shock occurs when a plant is disturbed by moving it from one container to another, or from a container to a garden bed. This can shock the plant due to the temperature change and can disturb or damage the roots.

Changes in soil pH or salinity and changes in moisture may also lead to transplant shock. This can cause plants to struggle to re-establish themselves in their new surroundings and wilt. They can even become malnourished or diseased.

Not all plants experience this shock, and some don’t seem to mind it, but direct sowing your seeds where they will remain undisturbed until harvest time avoids transplant shock altogether.

No need to harden off

Hardening off plants is necessary when moving them from a warm, protected environment, to the unpredictable and ever-fluctuating outside world. Plants grown in growing houses or indoors require an in-between environment such as a patio or protected outdoor area to get used to the change in environment gradually.

This transition gives the plants time to “harden” to the elements and grow stronger stems, leaves, and roots before being left outside. Direct sowing out in the garden allows your plants to get used to their environment immediately so they grow much stronger than those started indoors.

Avoid unnecessary work

Let’s be honest, nobody wants to do extra work for little gain, and for some plants, direct sowing will give a result that is equal to or even better than transplanting.

Crops with large seeds have enough energy and vigour in them to do just as well direct sown which will save you much-needed time and effort. Crops such as pea seeds, bean seeds, sunflower seeds, cucumber seeds, squash seeds, pumpkin seeds, and melon seeds are all just as good direct sown as they are in pots.

You can also avoid a whole lot of work by scattering seeds such as lettuce seeds, spinach seeds, cottage garden mixes, and annual flower blends.

When to Start Direct Seeding

For information on when to sow your seeds, refer to the back of your seed packet, which will guide you regarding sowing times for that variety in your climate. Seeds won’t germinate unless the soil temperature is adequate, so you may need to alter your sowing time based on the temperatures you’re experiencing.

When planting spring vegetables and spring flowers, wait until the last frost has passed before sowing seeds outside. This prevents young plants from burning.

How to Direct Sow Seeds

When direct sowing seeds, prepare the soil so they have the optimal environment to germinate and set root. You can do this by removing rocks, sticks, and weeds before breaking up any clumps and adding organic matter if the soil quality is poor.

Avoid turning the soil too much as this can ruin its structure and encourage weed seeds to germinate. Finish off by raking the bed smooth and lightly watering before sowing. Next, follow the directions on your seed packet to ensure you are sowing your seeds at the correct depth. For very fine seeds, they may germinate better when lightly pressed into the soil rather than being buried.

What Seed Varieties prefer Direct Sowing?

Annual flower mixes	Larkspur	Portulaca
Aquilegia	Lettuce	Pumpkin
Beans	Lupins	Radish
Beetroot	Marigold	Rudbeckia
Calendula	Melons	Spinach
Carrots	Nasturtium	Squash
Coriander	Nigella	Sunflower
Corn	Okra	Sweet Pea
Cucumber	Onion	Turnip
Dill	Pansy/Viola	Verbena
Echinacea	Peas	Zinnia
Green manure	Poppy	Zucchini

Buy Seeds Online at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds

Ready to get sowing? We’re leading seed specialists in Australia and have varieties to suit every season and garden. Find out more about our vast range of seeds available to buy online including vegetable seeds and flower seeds. You can also check out our garden advice blog for more information about growing your own crops at home.