Easy Seeds to Direct-Sow Now

Think you missed the seed-starting boat? Think again! There are lots of plants you can start from seed right in your garden.

We know how it is. Spring goes by so quickly! Before you know it, the trees are flush with fresh leaves, the lawn is greening up, the daffodils are making way for the tulips, and you somehow never got around to starting some seeds indoors. Lucky for us, there are scads of seeds that like nothing more than to be pushed into the soil in your garden--no grow lights required. In fact, many plants prefer this method, which often produces stronger, healthier plants.

These direct-sow wonders are easy and fun to grow. Before long, your veggie and flower seedlings will be sprouting from the soil. Step back, because they'll be off and running, wowing you with their enthusiasm and vigor. Whether you're yearning for flowers or veggies, we've got you covered.



Direct-Sowing in 5 Easy Steps

1. Get the timing right. The most important thing to consider when direct-sowing seeds is timing. For most crops, wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area (find your frost-free date HERE.)
2. Prepare the soil. Choose the spot where you'll be sowing your seeds, considering sun exposure, soil, and the ultimate size of the plant. Turn the soil over with a spade or fork, breaking up large clumps and removing any stones. Smooth the soil and tamp it gently.
3. Sow the seeds. Read the seed packet carefully, noting spacing and planting depth. Follow the instructions carefully. Cover the seeds with soil and tamp the area firmly.
4. Water regularly. Keep the seeded area uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge. Water gently to avoid dislodging the seeds and young seedlings from the soil.
5. Thin the seedlings. Once the seedlings have emerged and have at least a couple of sets of leaves, pluck out any extras until the strongest remaining seedlings are at their recommended spacing.




Seeds to Direct-Sow Easily Outside

These are the vegetables and herbs that magically come to life after you gently nudge them into the warming spring soil for abundant reward:
Arugula
Asian Greens
Beans
Beets
Belgian Endive
Borage
Broccoli Raab
Brown Mustard Seed
Carrots
Chamomile
Swiss Chard
Chervil
Chicories
Chinese Broccoli
Chinese Cabbage
Claytonia
Collard Greens
Coriander
Sweet Corn
Cress
Cucumbers
Daikon Radishes
Dandelion Greens
Dill
Edamame
Endive
Escarole
Fava Beans
Fennel
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lemon Balm
Lettuce
Lima Beans
Mache
Melons
Minutina
Mizuna
Mustard Greens
Orach
Pak choi
Parsnips
Peas
Pea Pods
Pumpkins
Radicchio
Radishes
Rutabagas
Salad Greens
Salsify
Shelling Beans
Shiso
Snap Peas
Sorrel
Spearmint
Spinach
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Turnip Greens
Turnips


It is similarly easy to direct-sow a multitude of flowers into the garden. Here is the complete line-up:
Alyssum
Bachelor's Buttons
Bee Balm
Bells of Ireland
Blazing Stars
Blue Flax
Calendula
Cardinal Climber
Cathedral Bells
Chinese Lanterns
Columbine
Corn Cockle
Cosmos
Creeping Zinna
Delphinium
Forget-Me-Nots
Four O'Clocks
Globe Thistle
Honeywort
Hyacinth Bean Vine
Hyssop
Larkspur
Love-in-a-Puff
Love Lies Bleeding
Lupine
Marigolds
Mexican Sunflowers
Moonflowers
Morning Glories
Moss Rose
Nasturtiums
Ornamental Gourds
Poppies
Runner Beans
Shasta Daisies
Signet Marigolds
Sunflowers
Sweet Peas
Tickseed
Tree Mallow
Zinnias

Each of our direct-sow Habitat Gardens creates floral playgrounds with nectar-rich meals for :
Butterflies
Bumblebees
Hummingbirds
Songbirds

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