Direct Sow ALL Your Vegetable Seed into the Garden

In this video, I explain the benefits of direct sowing vegetable seeds into the garden where they are to grow.

Using the links below also helps support my channel:

Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[bethatz]

I live in Minnesota, USA, zone 4. We've had blizzards with high winds & 2 feet of snow as late as the first week of May & frost on June 1st & frost as early as the first week of September. I direct sow cold weather crops like potatoes, onions, radishes, kale, etc., but have to start warm weather crops like tomatoes, melons, squash, peppers, etc. otherwise there wouldn't be enough time for them to mature & produce. I also direct sow fast growing crops like cucumbers, lettuce, peas once the danger of frost has passed. I really enjoy your videos & have learned quite a few things, even though I've been gardening for 50 years.

[MasterMichelleFL]

Lol... I was just asking myself, "Why am I starting seeds in trays, I'm in a tropical climate"
Thanks, Mate!!! 💚💚💚

[janiceevans]

I've just started gardening and tried to learn from others! But, then it hit me! I don't remember my mom and dad starting anything indoors or in trays. So i directly sowed most of what i planted outside in the ground! They are slowly growing but are growing strong!

[crazytinclipsx]

I love you so much it’s four am in America and I’m still watching you ❤️ much love even though I’m dieing of insomnia 😁

[ambersamusements]

It’s so sweet how your voice gets gentle when talking about the seedlings.

[ramongolden]

When I was a kid growing up in New Mexico, United States, I always started my gardens by sewing directly in the soil and always had amazing gardens full of veggies. After I grew up, I moved to the colder climates of Alaska and tried to grow gardens, and have had absolutely no luck at all. I thought I would try to grow in planters to start since the climate is so much different than what I had growing up and I still cannot get anything to grow. After 12 years, I finally just gave up. I am getting ready to retire and move back south to Texas or New Mexico and I WILL have a vegetable garden again!


My new motto is "Go with what you know!"


Y'all stay safe out there and thank you for all that you do. You have taught a lot of people how to do things that they thought were beyond their capabilities and that is always a good thing.

[fallenangelwi]

We had a hard time recently and lost much of our seedlings. I was heartbroken as I put my everything into them after we lost my son at 15 weeks along. Thank you so much for giving me hope!!!!

[garyvee]

I "nearly" always start in planters nowadays..., we get severe frost here (inland southwest Western Australia) from May to September..., I direct grow carrots, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumber, melons (sometimes), radish, beetroot, beans and peas..., but I mostly start in planters/seedling trays as I can get a 6 to 8 week jump start on the season. I even put my potato's in 14cm pots to start germinating this year and just had the best crop ever. I will try that again next year..., just put 1 potato in a pot and leave it outside..., doesn't even need to be watered until the shoots start to come through..., and then only sparingly till it's planted. Also, when you plant your tomato (the one in the pot on the vid was perfect) strip the lower couple of leaves of it and bury it another 100mm or so (min) into the ground.., it WILL out perform the other tomato's because it will develop shoots right down the length of the buried stem.

[normanbabbitt]

Although I have a similar climate here in Florida, I myself just like to first germinate seeds using a very classic soaked paper towel method, and right after germination I sow the germinated seed, no transplantation shock, and I feel more control over the growth location and better spacing. My preferences are my own, and I don't yet have ideal compost.

[shellieh]

WORKED WITH REALLY OLD SEED! :o) I have been slacking on my gardening, and found some 10 & 11 year old seed that I sowed directly into raised bed soil in a half wine barrel, and most of it grew! I had to pull up some as it was too crowded. I wasn't worried about wasting the seed cause it was so old, but I was shocked at how many plants grew, and how well they did. I did have to cover the area with clear (plain, not scented or treated) recycling garbage bags cut open and stapled to some large wooden dowels for support as we got a fluke snow storm forecast right after I already planted them, but I am eating kale, sugar snap peas, and lettuce already, with the carrots slowly coming along. :o) I obviously did this weeks before I watched this video, but wanted to pass on that yes, it does work!!

[ameliamonica]

A week ago I was completely clueless with gardening haha....I've converted and slowly educating myself...I have a task ahead which now I'm excited about...glad I found this channel... :)

[CaponeXX]

6:43 My mom found a similar bag in my highschool years.

[teganslatter]

I've always been afraid to direct sow because I felt like the dainty little seedlings needed a loving caring cosy little seedling tray to start off in. After watching some of your videos, I direct sowed some lettuce, bean and carrot seeds and they're looking super strong, so I might just be a convert :)

[michael]

G’day Mark, I know it’s going to be a great day when I wake up to a SSM notification!

[udaaz]

Mark mark he’s our man if he says you can direct sow then anyone can!!!!

[Roopops]

Here in the UK we have really wanky weather, so starting off in trays and pots is a good way to start off growing while we wait for the warmer weather and the last of the frosts to pass. This is my second year (last year I grew salad tomatoes and flowers) and I love watching your videos for tips and information about gardening 😁 you rock Mark! 👍

[bricksbeersbeards]

CO, USA, I only ever direct sow (except tomatoes), sometime have issues with snow in May, but the plants are resilient! Great video!

[Alteran]

Mark: *throws scarce mix on ground* "I shouldn't have waste that!"

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I like the idea of a video a day, give us 😁

[dianarabyii]

Watching from Florida! I love your channel Mark. You have taught me so much about gardening and I really appreciate your videos. They are very informative, wholesome and make my day. Thank you for everything you do putting this awesome content out there for us to enjoy!

[averageoddity]

Just wanted to say that I absolutely love your videos and all the awesome gardening knowledge you spread to the world. Watching you has given me so many ideas to enhance my garden over the past year and your videos have also been an amazing source of relaxation during these crazy times. Thanks for being great!