The Best Way to Plant Seeds

Overview

Planting from seed is the most economical way to grow plants;seeds are cheaper than plants. When planted from seed, plants can grow without experiencing shock from transplanting. Growing plants from seeds also gives you more selection; only limited varieties are available as plants at most gardening stores, but an expansive selection of varieties are available online or through catalogs. Unfortunately seeds won't give you immediate satisfaction; you will have to wait for results and environmental factors will affect results. With proper preparation, you can give your seeds the best start and hope for the best results.

Step 1

Consult your local extension office to determine planting dates.

Step 2

Till soil with rototiller or rake 6 to 8 inches deep.

Step 3

Remove weeds and rocks from soil. Pull weeds by hand or loosen them with your rake before pulling. Sort through the soil to find rocks; remove or loosen the rocks with a rake if the rocks were not dislodged from tilling.

Step 4

Use rototiller or rake to mix soil amendments such as compost, peat moss and manure into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.

Step 5

Rake area level, moving the rake across the soil until soil appears smooth and level.

Step 6

Water soil well--water until the top layer of soil appears completely covered and saturated.

Step 7

Lay pieces of string across garden to outline spacing. Consult seed packets to determine specific spacing requirements.

Step 8

Sprinkle two to four seeds on ground in each outlined spot and cover lightly with soil.

Step 9

Water gently with a hose or watering can on a daily basis until ground appears saturated completely. Skip watering on days it rains.

Step 10

Remove strings when plants have emerged and have been thinned and replanted.