How to Plant Vegetable Seeds

Whether planted in rows in tilled soil or into the side of hills, vegetable seeds yield a product that is more useful than just about any other plant.  In addition to aesthetic value, vegetables, unlike most other plants, are an investment in which the gardener can actually save money.  The value of the food garnered from planting vegetable seeds far outweighs the cost of the actual seeds, so planting vegetable seeds is extremely practical.  Plus, it is fun to consume the product of all your hard work.  The types of vegetables you can grow depend upon a variety of factors, including your climate and the length of your growing season.  Regardless of the region in which you live, however, there are a few general rules to follow when planting vegetable seeds.  Read the tips below to allow your vegetable seeds to transform into full-grown vegetables that are as healthy and delicious as possible.

If you decide to plant your vegetable seeds in rows, you will need to use a garden hoe to create a series of trenches.  The depth of these will be listed on your vegetable seed packet.  In general, though, larger seeds require deeper trenches.  Some seeds, such as bean seeds, will go about two-inches deep, while smaller seeds, such as those that grow carrots, will go just about one-quarter of an inch below the soil.  The seed packet will also include other important planting information, such as the best time to plant in your region, which specific planting method to use, how far apart to plant the seeds, and so on.  

In general, the timing of your vegetable seed planting depends on the vegetables' tolerance to cold weather.  The hardiest vegetables obviously get planted first, usually early in the spring once your soil is usable.  This generally works out to be about four to six weeks before the last frost.  These vegetables include lettuce, peas, spinach and broccoli.  The last group of vegetables you plant are those that would not possibly survive a frost.  They require warm soil, and include vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, melons and squash.

After planting the seeds, use a rake to cover them with soil.  Use the back of the rake to lightly pat down the soil, and then water the area thoroughly.  This watering should be as gentle as possible, so use the lightest setting on your hose.

If you plan to plant your vegetable seeds on a hill, the process will be a bit different.  First, collect enough soil to form a mound that is 18-inches across and four-inches high.  Make a hole in the center of the mound with your finger, the depth of which equals that listed on your seed packet for that particular vegetable.  Place up to three seeds in each hole before covering them up with soil and lightly patting them down.  Make sure you pack the soil just enough so it will not blow away, but not so much that the seeds become too compressed.  Again, water the area thoroughly with the lightest setting on your hose.