Seeding Flowers/Vegetables Outdoors

  1. When/Where to seed:
    • Cool-season vegetables (such as kale, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, beets, carrots) can be planted prior to the last frost in the spring or in the summer. Warm-season vegetables (such as snap beans, squash, corn, cucumbers, melons) prefer to be planted after the last frost as they cannot tolerate cold weather. Be sure to plant warm-season vegetables after the late spring frost and before the first autumn frost.
    • Be sure to not seed in soggy soil.
    • Pay attention to the required sun exposure. Over-exposure can cause just as damage as under-exposure.
    • Some vegetables and flowers can grow slowly from seed and can be given a head start indoors.
  2. Seeding:
    • Preparation: Rake out debris and enrich the soil if needed with compost before seeding. Be sure to level any uneven areas prior to seeding if desired. Remove weeds.
    • Method: Refer to the seed packet for information on planting depth.
    • Maintenance: Water the seed gently after seeding to not move them and keep soil moist until the seed germinates.
  3. Tips:
    • Plant vegetables in defined rows with popsicle sticks that indicate what is planted where.
    • Pests can eat the seedlings. Look into netting and row covers to protect them.
    • Provide trellises and supports if needed.
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