It can difficult to know (or remember) which seeds grow best when direct sown outdoors vs. those that do best as transplanted seedlings. This handy chart will help you decide whether to go the seedling root or plant those seeds straight into the outdoor soil.
Which seeds to direct sow or transplant
When it comes to gardening, there are two main methods of planting seeds: direct sowing and transplanting. Direct sowing is the process of planting a seed directly into the soil outdoors. Transplanting involves starting your seeds indoors in trays or pots before transferring them outside when they’re big enough to handle. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so which one you choose will depend on what type of plant you’re growing and how much time you have available for tending your garden.
Chart 1: Crops to direct sow vs. transplant
| Direct seed outdoors | Start indoors and transplant out |
|---|---|
| Arugula | Artichoke |
| Basil | Asparagus |
| Bean | Broccoli |
| Beet | Cabbage |
| Brussels sprouts | Cauliflower |
| Carrot | Celery |
| Chard | Eggplant |
| Corn | Endive |
| Cucumber | Leek |
| Kale | Lettuce |
| Mâche | Okra |
| Melon | Onion |
| Mustard | Pepper |
| Parsley | Radicchio |
| Parsnip | Scallions |
| Pea | Shallot |
| Potatoes | Tomatillo |
| Pumpkin | Tomato |
| Radish | |
| Rutabaga | |
| Spinach | |
| Squash | |
| Sunflower | |
| Turnip | |
| Watermelon | |
| Zucchini |
Direct sowing works best for plants that grow quickly, tolerate cooler temperatures, or have sensitive roots that don’t transplant well. Examples include carrots, radishes, beans, peas, corn, and leafy greens like spinach and lettuce. These plants often prefer being sown directly into the garden soil where they will grow without disturbance.
Transplanting seedlings is better for plants with longer growing seasons or those that need warmer soil to thrive. Plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and broccoli benefit from being started indoors and transplanted outside once the weather and soil are warm enough. Transplanting can also give gardeners a head start on the growing season, especially in areas with short summers.
Gardeners should also consider their climate and frost dates when deciding. Cool-season crops can often be direct sown early, while warm-season crops need frost-free conditions and may need indoor starting to ensure they mature before fall.
Seeds to direct sow
Direct sowing is a great way to plant seeds that need sunlight and warmth to grow. Some examples of plants that are perfect for direct sowing include:
- Pumpkins
- Sunflowers
- Beans
- Squash
- Corn
- Melons
Direct sowing is an ideal method for plants that don’t require a great deal of attention or maintenance after being planted, such as wildflowers, vegetables like beans and peas, herbs including cilantro and parsley, annuals such as cosmos and marigolds, biennials like foxglove and hollyhock, perennials like black-eyed Susan’s and coneflowers. This process requires minimal effort; simply spread the seeds over prepared soil (or even just sprinkle them onto the bare ground) then cover them with a thin layer of compost or mulch if desired. Afterward, make sure to water regularly until they are established.
Seeds to start indoors and then transplant the seedlings outdoors
Seeds that are usually started indoors include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and lisianthus. In cold areas, gardeners also sometimes start their pumpkins and other warm-season crops indoors so the plants have enough time to grow mature fruit. In general, these crops require more care than direct sowing; you’ll need to create a warm environment with adequate light in order to get your seeds to germinate. Transplanting should be done when there is no threat of frost and the seedlings have grown several true leaves.
Transplanting is best for plants that require more protection from extreme temperatures or weather conditions while they get established in their new environment, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. It is also beneficial for those that benefit from an early start indoors before being moved outside later in the season, like broccoli or cauliflower. Starting these types of plants inside gives you better control over their growth rate since you can monitor light levels more closely than if they were planted outdoors right away. When ready to be transplanted outside after several weeks (depending on variety), make sure to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions prior to full transplantation into the garden bed/container where they will live out their lives.
Seeds to direct sow
Direct sowing is a great way to get your garden started. It’s simple, cost-effective, and allows you to enjoy the satisfaction of watching your plants grow from seedlings into full-grown plants. Carrots, peas, spinach, turnip, dill, parsley, pansy, and poppy are all examples of seeds that can be direct sown in the soil. Sweet peas and sunflowers can also be direct sown but they require more attention when it comes to watering and weeding as they tend to spread quickly. Stock, beets broccoli kale lettuce, and potatoes should also be considered for direct sowing as well.
When planting these types of seeds directly into the ground there are a few things you should keep in mind such as making sure the soil is moist enough for germination but not too wet or dry so that it won’t cause any problems with rot or molding. Additionally, make sure that you have adequate spacing between each plant so that they don’t compete for resources like sunlight water or nutrients which could lead to stunted growth or disease issues down the line. Finally if possible try adding some organic matter such as composted manure before planting which will help give your crops an extra boost of nutrition while helping retain moisture levels in the soil over time.
In conclusion, direct sowing is an easy way to get your garden off on the right foot without having to worry about transplanting delicate seedlings later on down the road. With just a little bit of planning ahead, you’ll have no problem getting those delicious vegetables growing strong in no time at all.
Direct sowing seeds is a great way to get your garden started, but for some plants, it’s best to start them indoors and then transplant them outdoors when the time is right. Let’s take a look at which seeds should be transplanted instead of direct sown.
Seeds to start indoors and then transplant
Celery, eggplant, leek, pepper, onion, and lisianthus are all examples of plants that should be started indoors in late winter or early spring before being moved outside. Starting these vegetables from seed can give you a jump start on your garden season.
Lettuce is another vegetable that’s best started indoors and then transplanted outdoors once the soil has warmed up enough for them to thrive. Planting lettuce in small pots will help ensure they don’t become overcrowded as they grow larger. When transplanting them into the ground make sure to space each plant at least 12 inches apart so they have plenty of room to spread out.
Globe artichoke also needs an indoor head start before being planted outside in the garden bed or container. Start sowing artichoke seeds 6-8 weeks prior to planting out into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Make sure you choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil for your artichokes since too much moisture can cause root rot and other issues with this veggie crop.
Parsley is another cool-season crop that does better when started indoors first before moving it outside later on in springtime when temperatures warm up enough for it to survive without any protection from cold snaps or frosts. Parsley prefers rich soil with good drainage but doesn’t require full sun like many other vegetables do – making it perfect for growing in containers if needed.
Cabbage, cauliflower, and basil are also excellent choices for beginning indoors before transplanting outdoors when temperatures remain above freezing both during the day and at night. It is important to ensure that these vegetables do not become too hot as this can significantly reduce their growth rate.
Cucumber, tomato, melon, pumpkin, and squash should all be direct seeded into warm soils after the danger of frost has passed since these crops prefer warmer conditions than those mentioned previously which need cooler temps until ready for outdoor planting (usually mid-spring). Direct seeding cucumbers requires patience since germination takes longer than most other types of veggies; however, waiting until summer heat arrives helps speed things along nicely.
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