How to sow seeds
Planting seeds straight into the garden, or indoors in small pots to move outside later.
Words to know
- Sow:
- Plant seeds.
- Start indoors:
- Sow seeds in small pots or trays inside, then move the young plants outside when the weather is right.
How to do it
- Check the seed packet for depth and spacing. Rule of thumb: plant a seed two to three times as deep as it is wide. Tiny seeds like lettuce only need a light covering.
- Make a shallow groove, or a hole with your finger, drop the seeds in and cover them with fine soil.
- Press the soil down gently so the seeds touch it.
- Water with a gentle spray so the seeds don't wash away.
- Keep the soil damp, not soggy, until the seedlings come up — check it every day.
Good to know
- Sow a few extra seeds. You'll pull out the weakest seedlings later.
- Indoors: use a sunny window or a grow light kept close to the seedlings, or they grow tall and floppy reaching for light.
Based on standard guidance from U.S. university extension services, including Cornell, the University of Minnesota and Oregon State.