Methods of Sowing

It All Starts with How It Is Planted

The success of a garden depends on three factors. Vegetables must be planted at the right time, at the right depth and at the right distance (see box).

The right time to plant depends on the resistance of each vegetable and the climate of each place. Some vegetables resist frost and others yield more in hot climates.Buy disease-free seeds. Some vegetables grow better when transplanted rather than grown directly from seed in the garden. Transplanted plants are young plants grown from seed indoors or purchased from a nursery.

Soil Preparation

The soil in the garden can be tilled in spring or fall as long as it is not too wet. Squeeze a handful of soil between your hands, if it is not sticky and forms a ball that falls apart easily, you can work the soil with ease.Fertilizer can be applied before tillage which should be done to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. If the fertilizer is added after tilling the soil, it will need to be incorporated with a rake. Add one pound of fertilizer for every 100 square feet of surface area. Just before planting, remove the soil with a rake to prevent weeds from emerging before the vegetables.

How to Plant

Plant in straight rows to help distinguish weeds from vegetables and to make growing and harvesting easier. Place two posts at each end of the garden and run a string between them.

Small seeds should be planted in shallow furrows which can be made by dragging the handle of the hoe along the line marked with the string. To plant the largest seeds and make the deepest trenches use the tip of the hoe blade.

There are two methods of planting seeds. They can be buried or soil can be placed in a mound around them. In the latter case, many seeds are placed in the same place in the same row, always separated at the same distance. Sweet corn, pumpkins, melons, and cucumbers can be planted this way. The most common method of planting seeds is to bury them. The seeds are planted always the same distance apart in each row.After planting the seeds, cover them by pressing down the soil around them. Plants should be thinned before they reach a height of 2 inches. Get rid of the weaker plants.

Start With The Best Plants

If you buy plants to transplant, avoid stunted and tall ones. It is advisable to acquire low but strong plants. To weather-adapt the plants, leave them outside for a few hours each day for a week before repotting.Vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes grow best when transplanted.

How to transplant

Plants should be planted in the garden on cloudy days or when the sun begins to go down. Water the plants one hour before transplanting. Pull the plants out of the pots carefully without touching the roots. Do not remove the soil around the roots. Some plants are grown in peat pots that can be placed directly in the ground.

The plant should be planted a little deeper than it was in the pot.

The roots must be covered with soil. Firm the soil around the plant.

Water the plants after planting with a high phosphorus fertilizer solution (medium number).Plants should be protected from heat, wind or cold when necessary. To protect the plants for short periods of time, glasses, jars, cardboard or baskets can be used. Remember to remove what you have used to protect the plants when the weather improves.

DISTANCE TO PLANT (inches)
Vegetables	planting dates	In rows after thinning	between rows	Intensive** between rows
Lima Beans	From May 20 to June 15	From 3 to 4	From 18 to 24	From 6 to 12
Green beans	From May 20 to July 1	from 2 to 4	From 18 to 24	From 6 to 12
Beetroot	From April 20 to May 15 From June 1 to July 15*	from 2 to 3	From 18 to 24	From 6 to 12
broccoli, plants	From April 1 to May 10 From June 1 to July 15*	From 9 to 12	from 30	From 12 to 18
Brussels sprouts, plants	From April 15 to May 25	From 18 to 24	from 30	from 18
cabbage, plants	From May 1 to May 25 From June 1 to July 15 *	From 18 to 24	From 24 to 30	from 18
carrots	From April 15 to May 25 From June 15 to July 1*	From 1 to 2	From 18 to 24	6 to 12 or spread in 2×8 inch bed and thin to leave 1 to 2 inches between each plant.
cauliflower, plants	From May 1 to May 25 From June 15 to July 5*	From 18 to 24	from 30	From 12 to 18
Sweet corn	From May 1 to June 15	From 9 to 12	From 30 to 36	From 9 to 18
Cucumber	From May 20 to June 15	Of 12	From 48 to 72	36 or trellis 12 inches apart.
eggplant, plant	From May 20 to June 10	From 18 to 24	From 24 to 30	from 18
leafy vegetables	From April 15 to May 15	Cabbage from 6 to 12; mustard grass from 1 to 6; turnip 2 to 6.	From 12 to 18	From 6 to 12
lettuce, leaf	From April 10 to May 15 From July 15 to August 15*	From 1 to 6	From 12 to 18	From 6 to 12
Melon	From May 20 to June 15	From 36 to 48	From 48 to 60	36 or trellis 12 inches apart.
Okra	From May 20 to June 15	from 12 to 15	From 24 to 30	From 9 to 12
Onions, bulbs or plants	From April 1 to April 20	From 1 to 4	From 12 to 18	From 6 to 12
Onions, from seed	From April 1 to April 20*	from 2 to 4	From 12 to 18	From 6 to 12
Chickpeas	From April 10 to April 25 From July 1 to August 1*	from 2 to 3	From 12 to 18	Trellis or spread and thin to leave a 1 to 2 inch separation.
peppers, plants	From May 20 to June 10	From 18 to 24	From 24 to 30	from 18
Radish	From April 15 to May 25 From August 1 to September 1*	From 1 to 2	From 6 to 12	3 to 6 or spread and thin when a week has passed to leave a 2-inch separation.
Spinach	From April 15 to May 10 From July 1 to August 1*	From 3 to 6	From 12 to 18	From 6 to 12
summer squash	From May 20 to July 1	From 36 to 48	From 36 to 48	From 18 to 36
winter squash	From May 20 to June 15	From 48 to 60	From 60 to 72	From 48 to 60 or trellised varieties with small fruits.
tomato plants	From May 20 to June 15	From 12 to 24	From 36 to 48	From 18 to 24
Watermelon	From May 20 to June 15	From 36 to 72 floors.	From 72 to 96	From 36 to 60
sweet potato plants	From May 20 to June 15	From 12 to 18	from 36	From 12 to 24 in raised beds.

In Brief

Some of the most important things to remember when planting a garden are what time to plant vegetables and how deep they should be planted. It’s also worth considering whether you want your plants transplanted or grown from seed in the ground so that you can choose appropriate seeds for transplanting as well as choosing an appropriate site for your new garden. We hope this article has been helpful!

*Planting dates for fall gardens
**Intensive category amounts are for small acreage.