How to Physically Direct Sow Seeds

Steps for Direct Sowing Success.

1. Premoisten your garden soil by watering the day before. Water deeply and thoroughly. New gardeners will want to water much more than they anticipate. You cannot have the soil drying out during the germination period!
2. Weed and cultivate on the day you plan on planting. Soil should be left light and fluffy and free of any debris that could reduce the germination of seeds.
3. Make a furrow in the soil so that you have a distinct “home” for your seeds. See the image below for reference.

4. Cover your seeds with the best quality soil you have on hand. This can be finely sifted garden soil, seed starting mix, or potting mix.

5. Cover your seeds with row cover to retain moisture and humidity and ensure quicker germination. This also keeps animals from digging in your seed bed.

6. Ensure the irrigation is often running enough to keep the soil moist the whole time during germination. Excessive heat may mean running it more than once a day. If you do not have irrigation, you must often water by hand.

7. Check your seeds every few days. Once a few seeds have germinated, you can remove the row cover.

8. If evidence of insect damage is present. Apply sluggo plus. If you have had issues with it before, add sluggo plus as a preventive measure. It’s organic and safe for gardens with kids and pets.