12 Plants to Direct Sow (And Why)

Direct sowing seeds is easy, saves money, and is the best way to start some vegetable garden plants. Gardener Scott shares 12 crops that he always sows from seed directly outside and why. (Video #512)
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[@josephnadrignola1951]

I use ‘pots’ made of newspaper. For example, I wrap a six inch wide piece of newspaper around a tomato paste can. Fold the extra to form a bottom. Once wet and filled with starter soil they stay together. Six weeks later some roots are actually forming outside of the ‘pot’. Once I put them in the ground, they thrive immediately! I notice the difference the very next day!

[@Thi-Nguyen]

One way to start seedlings to transplant without worries of root shock is to use biodegradable starters. Things like egg shells, cardboard egg cartons, seeding bags, etc are fabulous for this. It’s how I start all my seedlings and all I have to do when they’re big enough and outdoor temps are compatible is pick them up and drop them into their “permanent” home for the year. Root veggies and potatoes are the only non-vining plants that I don’t do that with.

[@amyk6028]

Soil blockers are great too 👍🏼

[@steveunderhill5935]

Gardener Scott and I disagree.

[@Thi-Nguyen]

@@steveunderhill5935 I’ve never had troubles even with root sensitive plants. It’s all in how you handle them.

[@josephnadrignola1951]

I use ‘pots’ made of newspaper. For example, I wrap a six inch wide piece of newspaper around a tomato paste can. Fold the extra to form a bottom. Once wet and filled with starter soil they stay together. Six weeks later some roots are actually forming outside of the ‘pot’. Once I put them in the ground, they thrive immediately! I notice the difference the very next day!

[@Thi-Nguyen]

@@josephnadrignola1951 see, and that’s a PERFECT example!

[@heidiclark6612]

Very good explanation on direct sowing. Thank you as always for your great advice!

[@WeKeepItNatural]

After many years of transplanting seedlings and direct sowing, it has become obvious to me that direct sown-plants grow stronger and always catch up with the transplanted seedlings. It is true that seedlings can get a jump start inside and even when trying to minimize the transplant shock by using biodegradable containers, the direct-sown tend to catch up and provide a better yield.

[@aloras405]

I think it depends on which kind of plant. Squash, cucumbers, and beans are most definitely direct zone. Things like peppers and tomatoes. If I don’t start them inside, I’ll never get a harvest.

[@WeKeepItNatural]

@@aloras405 Yes, it can also depend on your zone. If you got a short summer then it is worthwhile to start peppers and tomatoes inside. I’d use biodegradable pots and only water with rain water to avoid unnecessary shocks.

[@1ugh1]

As others have said, this is true, but Tomatoes are an exception. Even in our long growing season here in TN, I have to start the tomatoes in winter if I want ripe tomatoes in June.

[@aloras405]

@@WeKeepItNatural biodegradable pots don’t break down in my area. I have pulled plants out at the end of the season and they have been intact and the plants haven’t done well at all. I use plastic pots and my plants always thrive.

[@JanesGrowingGarden]

Well said! I think over here in the UK we are way too keen to get our seedlings started early - and then there follows a mild panic when they don''t succeed. I'm sowing a lot of things direct this year - mainly due to weather conditions - so, although I know it's a different climate, I take great encouragement from the words' it's what nature does'!

[@eliandkate]

I’ll be joining you with some direct sowing this week. Some more peas and lettuce for me 😊

[@danabella6540]

Most gardener in UK plant in the greenhouse or polytunnel. We have short growing season.

[@waynesell3681]

Great video! Seeds are going in. Super presentation!!

[@brianseybert192]

Awesome video! Sorry I missed todays live stream, garden chores. Tried direct sowing of mammoth sunflowers last year, damn squirrels got every one. Tender plants like luffa and birdhouse gourds I have to start indoors, but in paper pots. I am doing aerated planting cells for my melons, cucumbers and squash this year, see if it works. Stay Well my friend!!!!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I wish I could direct sow more, but with some seedlings I will lose 70% to sow bugs despite using iron phosphate pellets...😮‍💨

[@jackiehorsley9263]

Very informative

[@christianerardt3705]

Thx for your always great advice 👍🏻💚🌱🐞

[@greggdehner3078]

Despite the warnings not to, I usually start some peas indoors to transplant outside early. It makes me feel good to see them outside growing when I transplant, but the direct sewn peas always catch up.

[@dustyflats3832]

I never understood why some start these vegetables inside. The only thing I could see is a veg where you try to intervene the lifecycle of certain bugs that attack the plant, like squash. I just planted out squash, melons and beans yesterday. Today it’s a few flower bulbs and hopefully clear out the rest of the GH starts-wishful thinking. Have quite a few basil varieties and maybe not such a bad thing if they are planted at different times to stagger harvest. The heat is kicking in and hopefully it is the last of those low 40 degrees mornings. It’s been tricky to transplant between all the storms last week and hot sun filled days. 😂 Not enough plastic chairs to create quick shade for flower transplants. Thx again for reminding me of why I don’t have plums-the freezing temperatures during bloom did it 😫 at least I know it wasn’t a tree health issue or animal. Well, back to planting as they don’t jump in the ground on their own. One thing I have noticed is the Mock Orange is blooming too early and hear others’s garlic have scapes early. It’s a bit concerning as the Mock Orange and Catalpa Tree are like a calendar for me and it’s throwing me off. It’s been The Best spring in WI in a long time-minus that freeze on the plums and early flowering.

[@cardstockcollector]

Thank You!

[@BackyardGardenFlo]

Hi Gardener Scott thanks for sharing 👍 ❤

[@petrusvandermerwe-ln7vs]

ALWAYS GREAT

[@lynndifer4163]

I usually direct sow peas and beans but this spring has been so wet that BOTH have rotted in the ground

[@steveunderhill5935]

I soak seeds for a few days before planting. Wet Paper towel in a ziplock bag for most of these direct sow

[@dalekennedy4320]

I have much better results starting beets in a covered container outside my front door and then plant the seedlings into the garden. I think the main reason is that I can insure the seeds stay moist and thus germinate better.

[@popkaboom]

If you do not already, could you make a video about companion planting, i've heard about it but I still do not understand exactly how it works

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks for the suggestion. I mention it in a number of my videos but it may be time for a dedicated video.

[@rickthelian2215]

I’m sure Peas are there😁 Oh yes spinach , lettuce and root crops, dah🧑‍🌾 Ps: Planted those Garlic Bulbils and I have a Hard-neck Garlic Round I’ll seed today🇦🇺

[@debbybrady1246]

I certainly prefer direct sewing seeds. But so many times the first sprout is eaten by bugs. That’s so frustrating.

[@KatWrangler]

Hi Scott!

[@KatWrangler]

Yesterday I saw a Reel where the person was sowing carrots and corn inside. I mentioned to her that was not recommended. She claimed the seed packets said she could. Yikes.

[@burntorangehorn]

I keep all my garden beds covered with mulch all the time, so I haven't had much luck direct sowing. I push the mulch away and sow, but between weather and animals, the mulch always ends up covering the seeds. I can only really get peas and beans to germinate in place, so I do soil blocks for everything else.

[@JaneDoe-ft8sz]

Keeping the seeds moist enough in our moisture stripping winds is a real challenge too.

[@essentialcomforts2166]

What seeds do you recommend for us Colorado gardeners to direct sow in June? I'd love to know your timeline and what you do about grasshoppers. I'm about 25 min east of Falcon w the tumbleweeds haha. I recently heard broccoli can grow better once it warms up if you gave swing temps from cold to hot like we do. I'd love to know your favorite varieties of veggies for our climate.

[@GardenerScott]

I'm direct sowing squash, melon, cucumbers, beans, and pumpkin. I have bird houses around my garden to help with grasshoppers. Broccoli can grow okay in hot weather but can benefit from some shade. I wait to start it a little later so the crowns are forming when temps begin to cool in fall. This video discusses some of the plants I grow: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fF7dpZhjl8aUadk

[@plantenthusiast34]

Quick question: I have a silver maple tree sapling with 4 leaves growing in my yard, but the lawn company just put out nitrogen fertilizer. It gets a good ratio of sun to shade where it is, but would relocation to a pot with better soil than the red clay it has right now be a good option? I could dig it out while it is still small and hopefully give it a good start until I can put it out in the yard when it’s sturdier later on

[@GardenerScott]

If you want it in a different spot you can move it to a pot but it will be stressed and possibly damaged. If your long-term plan is to grow it in the same spot, consider leaving it. It will be growing in your clay soil wherever it goes and smaller trees often do fine when exposed to their permanent growing spot early. The nitrogen shouldn't harm it.

[@rosefamiyeh6038]

Hi sir thank you . What about Okra . Am in Toronto but I find it difficult to grow it any time I transplant from store it doesn’t grow well.

[@GardenerScott]

If you have a long growing season okra does better when direct sown, but in cold regions it can be started indoors about a month before the last frost date.

[@miscreantgardener]

what does it mean for the soil to be warm? My bday is in about 10 days and considering asking for a soil thermometer. What time of day do you measure and what temperature do you expect for it to be called "warm?"

[@GardenerScott]

Warm is a minimum of 60F (15.5C). For peppers, tomatoes, and melons I look for 70F (21C). I measure in the morning.

[@moragchristie2437]

How do you know when the soil is warm enough?

[@GardenerScott]

I insert a thermometer. I use a compost thermometer but have also used a meat thermometer.

[@moragchristie2437]

@@GardenerScott how deep please?

[@GardenerScott]

@@moragchristie2437 At root level for your plants.

[@moragchristie2437]

@@GardenerScott great thanks.