While some vegetables and fruits, including eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, should be started indoors, many others can be easily grown from seeds planted straight in the ground. To grow these vegetables, simply drop a seed.
Vegetables that should be planted directly in the ground
Turnip:
You can use the roots and the greens of the turnip you grow. It does best in chilly conditions. In order to ensure a steady yield, plant seeds every 2 weeks throughout the cooler months.
Plant seeds as soon as possible after they are available. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and space them 1 to 2 inches apart for most types. When the seedlings reach a height of four inches, thin the smaller turnip varieties to a spacing of 2 to 4 inches and the larger ones to a spacing of 4 to 6 inches. Greens don’t require thinning.
Corn:
Since wind pollinates corn, planting it in blocks or at least four short rows side by side is best. This will allow the plants to form a block. Two weeks after the last expected frost, when the soil is a comfortable 60 degrees Fahrenheit, put seeds directly outside. Plant most species at a depth of 1 inch and a distance of 4 to 6 inches apart. Reduce the spacing between plants to twelve inches.
Radish:
Growing radishes is a satisfying hobby. It grows fast and thrives in chilly temperatures. In order to ensure a steady yield, plant seeds every 2 weeks throughout the cooler months.
Plant seeds as soon as possible after they are available. Plant seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch and 2 to 3 inches apart for most species. The need for thinning is uncommon.
Beans:
Pole beans and bush beans are the two most common varieties. Pole beans require a trellis or pole to hold long vines while growing. Pole beans yield for a very long time, even after the frost.
You can expect a harvest of bush beans sooner and around the same time as other types of beans. Planting bush beans every two weeks ensures a steady crop throughout the summer. A fast soak in water for four to six hours prior to planting will help seeds germinate more quickly in warm soil.
Plant seeds in the late spring, after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. The standard planting depth for most plants is 1 inch, and the recommended spacing is 3 to 4 inches. The need for thinning is uncommon.
Squash:
Summer squash and winter squash are the most common kinds. The time of year when they harvest is different. While the skin is still tender, you can pick fresh summer squash.
Winter squash matures slowly; you should pick it only when it is fully ripe. To ensure success, plant seeds directly into the ground a week after the last expected frost. Most types of squash benefit from being grown in mounds.
The recommended planting depth is 1 inch, and the recommended planting spacing is 6 to 8 inches. Depending on the size of the fruit, you should space your hills between 4 and 6 feet apart. Reduce each hill to only 3 plants by thinning.
Carrots:
Tiny carrot seeds are notoriously tricky to disperse evenly. You can easily plant carrot seedlings using homemade Seed Mats. Once established, carrots can withstand frost because they are a cool-season crop.
Plant seeds outside about 3 weeks before the last frost is likely to occur. Plant seeds a third of an inch deep and halfway apart. Water the soil consistently. Thin seedlings to one plant per inch after they reach two inches in height; for larger carrots, thin to one plant every three inches.
Cucumbers:
Cucumbers require a lot of space, so grow them in mounds and give the vines lots of freedom to sprawl or climb. To ensure success, plant seeds directly into the ground 14 days after the last expected frost.
One inch of soil and a 6- to 8-inch gap between plants are ideal for most types. Plant 3 seeds per hill and leave 18 to 36 inches between each hill if you’re growing cucumbers in mounds.
Spinach:
Spinach thrives in chilly climates, and even seedlings may withstand a light frost. In order to ensure a steady yield, plant seeds every 14 days throughout the cooler months.
Repeat planting in the middle to late summer for a fall crop. If the soil is too warm, the seeds won’t germinate. You can improve the germination rate of seeds by pre-sprouting them.
Plant seeds as soon as possible after they are available. Typically, most types require planting the seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch and one inch apart. Space out to between two and six inches.
Conclusion
Whether they’ve been tending plots for years or this is their first year planting seeds, every gardener may benefit from doing a little planning each year. The secret to a good vegetable garden is good planning.
