You have some seed packets in your hands, and visions of delicious vegetables in your head. Bringing those visions to reality is fun and easy. Once you decide what vegetables you want to grow, how many of them, and what technique you want to use, you're on your way to enjoying a delicious veggie feast.
When you're growing a container garden or you've prepared a small patch in the yard, you'll use one of three techniques for sowing seeds. Each one has advantages for certain kinds of plants.
Broadcasting is a time-tested method for planting seeds for bigger gardens. It works well with small seeds, such as lettuce, carrots, and radishes. To broadcast, sprinkle your seeds lightly over your area. Next, to help your seeds make good contact with the soil press them lightly with a board, then sprinkle a little sand or compost over them. Be sure to water them regularly and feed with a plant food such as Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Plant Food.
Hills are circular areas about one foot in diameter that might be slightly elevated. Sometimes, but not always, they take the shape of mounds. This technique is used for big, sprawling plants, such as winter squash and cucumbers. Space your hills far apart and plant only three to five seeds per hill. Follow the watering instructions on the seed packet and feed regularly with Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Plant Food.
If you like a well-organized garden, sowing seeds in rows will suit you just fine. You'll grow lots of plants and can tend to them easily. Also, plants such as tomatoes and zucchini thrive in conditions that allow for good air circulation, so drills are a good option. Plants that require trellises or string support, such as peas, do well in rows. Just sprinkle the seeds in rows, press them in and cover them lightly with sand or compost. Water regularly and feed them with Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Plant Food. As the seedlings grow, thin them out till you have a manageable crop.
