So you want to start a garden but you don't know exactly how deep to plant the seeds or how far apart. Check out this list for tips and guidance. ~Happy Gardening!
Planting Guide
Asparagus: Soak seed overnight. Sow ½ inch deep. 2 inch apart. 60 degree soil. Let grow 1 yr. then transplant to permanent area. Harvest begins 3rd year.
Beans/Peas: Sow 1 inch deep. 24 inches apart. For peas and pole beans provide a trellis. Peas and pole beans can be planted a bit closer at 6-10 inches apart. Full sun/well drained soil. Keep pea pods picked early and often to keep plants producing, same for bush beans- keep bean pods picked often so that plants keep producing blossoms.
Cabbage: Sow 1/8th inch deep as soon as soil can be worked. Full sun. Thin to 24 inch apart. Average 100 days to mature.
Carrot: Sow seed ¼ inch deep. Thin to 6 inches apart. Full sun. About 65 days to harvest.
Cucumber: Plant 4 seeds per mound. ½ inch deep. 1 foot apart. Provide trellis. About 60 days to harvest.
Eggplant: Start indoors. Transplant to garden when 6-8 inch tall. Full sun/well drained soil. About 80 days to mature.
Endive: Sow seed directly in garden as soon as soil is workable. Thin to 12 inch apart. 85 days to mature.
Lettuces/ Chards/Greens: Sow directly in garden. No deeper than ¼ inch. Thin to 12 inch apart. Full sun. Average 40-55 days to mature.
Tomatoes: Sow seed 1/4 inch deep. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Transplant to garden when 6-8 inches tall. Space plants 2-3 ft. apart. Full sun. Provide trellising or tomato cage. Full sun. Matures at about 70-80 days.
Peppers: Sow seed no deeper than ¼ inch. Peppers need soil temp. of 70 degrees to germinate well. You can provide a heat mat underneath your seed tray to assist in germination. Germination takes 7-24 days. Transfer plants to garden when 6-8 inches tall. Full sun. 70-80 days to mature.
Radish: Sow direct in garden ¼ inch deep. Full sun. Thin to 2 inches apart. Matures in 28 days.
Okra: Plant seed ½ inch deep directly in garden. Thin to 18 inch apart when 2 inches tall. Harvest pods when 3 inches long. Keep pods picked to ensure good production. About 55-70 days to mature.
Pumpkins: plant 2 seeds per hill 1 inch deep. 4-6 ft. apart. Full sun. Keep free of weeds. Rich fertile soil. Average 95-110 days to mature.
Melons: Watermelon / plant 2 seeds per hill 3 ft. apart. 1 inch deep. After danger of last frost. Full sun. Keep weed free. 75-80 days to mature.
Cantaloupe/ plant 2 seeds per hill 1 inch deep. 4 ft. apart. Full sun. 10-20 days to germinate. 80-90 days to mature.
Squash: Summer squashes/ Sow 2 seeds per hill. 1 inch deep. 3 ft. apart. Full sun. 60-65 days to mature.
Winter squashes/ Sow 2 seeds per hill. 1 inch deep. 4-6 ft. apart. After danger of last frost. 80-90 days to mature. Full sun.
Turnip: Sow seed directly in garden as soon as soil is workable. ¼ inch deep. Full sun. 50 days to mature.
Herbs: Sow seed direct in garden or pot at a depth of 1/8th inch. Full sun.
Harvest as needed.
(Article copyright/ T. Wilson/ Small Town Living)
