What does direct seed sowing mean?
Direct seed sowing is the act of sowing your seeds directly into the ground outside where you want them to grow.
What seeds can I direct sow outdoors?
Any! You can sow hardy annuals, half hardy annuals, perennials, biennials and vegetables depending on the time of year.
When can I direct sow my seeds outside?
Hardy annuals such as marigolds and Ammi can be sown anytime in Spring. Half hardy annuals such as Cosmos, from the end of May or whenever the risk of frost has passed. Perennials can be sown in Spring and biennials such as Honesty, Eryngium and Foxgloves from May, being sure to give them a good chance of putting growth on before winter.
The timing for sowing seeds directly outside is dependent on where you are in the country. Warmer regions in the south will be able to sow earlier than the colder regions of the north, so bear this in mind when you come to sow your seeds.
Can I direct sow seeds on any soil type?
Absolutely! Just bear in mind your timings again. Lighter soils like sand and silt will warm up quicker in the Spring than heavy clay soils. If you have clay soil it is probably worth waiting a while longer to sow your seeds direct. It’s also worth checking on the seed packet what kind of soil the plant likes. If you have clay soil and the plant you want to grow likes sandy soil, it may not like the situation you want to grow it in.
What tools will I need?
- Rake
- Border fork
- Trowel
- Watering can or hosepipe
What preparation do I need to do to the soil beforehand?
To prepare the bed for sowing seed you will need to create a fine tilth or texture first. You can do this by using a border fork to fork over the soil where you want to sow and then rake it over to remove any large lumps.
You can then shuffle over the area pushing your heels down into the soil. This helps to break up any large lumps and helps to firm the soil back down. Once you’ve done this, you can rake over the area again creating a fine crumb like texture, known as a fine tilth. If you need to you can repeat the shuffling and raking until you have a tilth you are happy with. Create as even a surface as you can for sowing your seeds on.
Also make sure to remove any weeds before sowing your seeds.
How do I sow my seeds directly outside?
If you’re sowing vegetables you will want to sow them in drills so you know which seedlings are the vegetables and which are weeds.
To sow seeds in a drill you will need to make an indentation in the soil using a stick or the back of a rake or similar. Different seeds will need different depths, so check the seed packet before sowing. If the seeds are small you can thinly scatter them along the drill and then cover them lightly with soil. They will need thinning out as they grow so that the remaining plants have room to grow. Bigger seeds can be placed in the drill using the spacing advised on the seed packet.
For any other seeds you can scatter them thinly on the soil, lightly rake over if needed and then lightly tamp the seed down with the flat side of the rake to ensure good contact with the soil. If the soil is dry then water it before you scatter your seed and again after you’ve sown the seeds. When watering your seeds only use a fine spray of water, so either a watering can with a fine rose on or a hosepipe with a gun on it that has a fine spray setting. If you’re sowing big seeds, place them on the soil and then push them into the soil at the depth stated on the seed packet.
What if I want to sow seeds in outdoor containers?
The process is the same but the preparation is less as you just need to fill your containers with compost. Just be sure to break down any lumps of compost first. If you’re sowing small seeds in containers you can lightly cover them with sieved compost, vermiculite or fine horticultural grit.
Is there any aftercare?
Once your seeds are sown you will need to keep them watered and the area will need to be kept free of weeds so the seedlings don’t get out competed by weed seedlings for light, space and water. Other than that you just need to keep an eye out for pest damage from slugs, snails and aphids and deal with appropriately.
The do’s and don’ts of sowing seeds outdoors
Do remove weeds before sowing your seed
Do prepare your seed bed for sowing seed
Do create a fine tilth before sowing your seed outside
Do create an even surface to sow your seeds on
Do label your sown seeds
Do water your seeds and seedlings often
Do thin out your seedlings if needed
Do sow vegetable seeds in drills
Do weed the seed bed often
Do check the seedlings often for signs of pest and disease damage
Don’t sow seeds in cold or frozen soil
Don’t sow too many seeds in one area
Don’t water your seeds with a watering can or hose without a fine spray
Don’t let your seeds and seedlings dry out
You may also be interested in reading ‘Tips on Sowing Seeds Indoors’