2 Min. Tip: Save Time & Money by Directly Sowing Seeds

In today’s 2 minute tip, I’ll talk about how we save time and money by directly sowing seeds in our vegetable garden.

Crops we've directly sown so far this spring: lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, sugar snap peas, bok choy, turnips, beets, rutabagas, carrots, parsnips, strawberry spinach, zucchini, cushaw squash, and cucumbers

OYR is all about growing a lot of food on a little land using sustainable organic methods, while keeping costs and labor at a minimum. Emphasis is placed on improving soil quality with compost and mulch. No store-bought fertilizers, soil amendments, pesticides, compost activators, etc. are used.

[Selfsufficientme]

This is a very good gardening video tip about direct sowing where possible - several great points there Patrick!

[klausy]

I'm glad you posted this! I have always done a lot of direct seeding but have noticed that most of the YouTube gardeners seem to sow everything indoors! I was starting to feel I was doing something wrong. Timely show, thank you.

Klaus

[PotatoStrong]

Gonna direct sow soon here in Canada. Our last frost is May 24. I already did seed trays for tomatoes and peppers like you said. I set up a square foot gardening grid using bamboo, can't wait to plant!

[RobBackyardGardenerr]

I need to start direct sowing more too!

[StreetMachine]

I agree with direct sowing. Also i sow my carrots in a block pattern versus rows. That way i get 100% usage of the soil, thinning is also not a crucial.

[artistben]

Here in zone 6 South Central Pennsylvania I have been planting vegetable seeds in our raised garden beds. The last 2 weeks have produced good weather to plant our seeds. We as well sow directly in our Raised beds and 5 gallon buckets. Thanks so much for sharing your video. :)

[lindadavis]

When I plant I broadcast the seeds mixed with sand, and some soil so they get better scattered. Works very well, especially with tiny seeds.

[jimkinson]

I direct seed as much as I can. Thanks for the video and the laugh at the end. Blessings.

[cultivatingorganicbyjomig]

I agree with direct sowing.  I direct sow as much and whenever I can.

[rubenmartins]

What a blessing your dedication and work.

[seedaholicgardens]

Happy Earth Day to all gardeners, preservationists and seed stewards, Thank you for another great informative video Patrick!

[chowceo]

Agree totally with everything you said.  I like to do the same.  I did some winter sowing and they are coming along nicely.  I winter sowed lettuce so they are a couple weeks ahead of my direct sowed lettuce seeds.

[fireside]

For small seeds, it's nice to start in a tray without dividers and then transplant when they come up a little bit. That way you can get exact spacing without losing plants. I use seed germination mix which doesn't seem to hurt the small plants when I move them because it's so loose. It would be nice to live in zone 5 I suppose, but it's fun for me to start seeds when it's cold out and there's nothing to do. It's like a little bit of spring. I can get a huge jump also, like with tomatoes, some of mine are 2 feet tall and in a 2 gallon pot.

[NobleHomestead]

I cannot *wait* to put seeds in the ground!! 32 degrees here this coming Tuesday night, after that, I'm planting!

[BobMelsimpleliving.]

I'm with you Patrick. Less is better. Best wishes Bob.

[TheBeardedGardener]

Totally agree! Direct sow is always better! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[terrysharing]

I'm in zone 5 also. I tried directly sowing seeds this year for the first time. I may have started too early because nothing much has happened. And the weather went from freezing to hot to freezing. I love the idea because I have started flats of seeds indoors for a lot of years. I don't mind the work...I LOVE planting seeds. I also have lots of natural light in my house so that works. But, now that I'm retired I like the idea of making things easier and cheaper. So I sowed outside. Only now, with some breaks in the alternating weather, am I seeing any results. My indoor started plants are way ahead. But, you gave me an idea with your "Hoop House" and cold frame videos. I have a lot of ash saplings that are like weeds. They grow everywhere and are abundant. They also bend easily. So I'm taking some of them to make "mini hoop houses" for each of my raised beds. Sort of "bentwood hoop houses". Then I can cover them to keep them warm, or cover them to keep bugs away or cover them to keep them cool or keep the deer, rabbits, groundhogs, etc. away. No cost for the "frames" except for some nails and wire...or maybe some zip ties. I'm debating on that. I've been gardening for almost 35 years. Patrick, you inspire me to learn more! Thanks!

[AlbertaUrbanGarden]

Excellent episode my friend ! I have been busy working and planting my garden. Although tour unseasonal weather has left me with a pretty nasty aphid issue. I'll just play a few more seeds and let the now awake lady bugs do their work !

[RafsKitchenGardenChannel]

That gave me idea to try and sow bush beans directly this year. I still prefer to raise young seedlings just to be on the safe site as I learn and avoid them being eaten by the slugs although early in the season we haven't got that many so might try it next year.

[LindaPenney]

Awesome update thank you for sharing have a blessed day