How to Plant Rice Seed

Overview

The idea of planting rice most likely brings to mind carefully flooded rice paddies. However, one of the primary reasons rice is such an important grain in so many cultures is that it can grow anywhere, in any climate. Many varieties exist, you only need to find one suited to your climate to begin growing rice yourself. Keep in mind that harvesting is labor-intensive, and you need to plant a large amount in order to eat meals from your rice crop. Planting, however, is fairly easy.

Step 1

Choose a rice seed that suits your climate. Rice seeds are the grains of rice that you might otherwise cook, only with their bran and germ intact. Most rice commercially sold for eating has all or part of this outer layer removed, and is not suitable to plant.

Step 2

Dig up the area in your garden that you will plant with rice. Turn over all the dirt, breaking up any large clumps that may form. Dig to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.

Step 3

Poke small holes about 6 inches apart from each other to plant the rice seeds. These should go down about an inch or so into the ground.

Step 4

Plant five to six rice seeds in each hole. Some will grow, and some will not. Any excess plants can be thinned or transplanted after plants begin to grow.

Step 5

Cover the holes with dirt and water thoroughly. Rice is one plant where it is okay to over water, as it tolerates flooding well. In fact, that is why it is commonly planted in flooded paddies. Paddies are an efficient way of farming rice, because fewer weeds grow in water than on dry land. Additionally, there is no danger of a rice plant in a paddy not getting enough water. Unfortunately, standing water in warm weather also attracts mosquitoes, so you may want to flood the paddies during the day, drain them at night, and flood them anew the next day. High water usage is a drawback to this method.