Can I put seeds straight into soil?
Another option is just to push your seeds into the soil at the correct depth and spacing. You could use a stick or dibber for this. This can be simple to do, but it will be harder to know where you’ve planted and tell your plants apart from weeds later. Another type of direct seed sowing technique is broadcast sowing. Almost all seeds can be pre-soaked, but it is large seeds, seeds with thick coats and wrinkled seeds that will benefit most. Small seeds benefit less and are difficult to handle when wet. Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans.Scatter the seeds over the soil surface, and then rake again gently to distribute them. It would be beneficial to add a thin layer of planting mix or compost to help keep the seeds moist. Be sure to keep the seeds moist and thin out the seedlings as they develop.Only larger seeds with tough exterior coatings should be soaked. Tiny seeds with thin outer shells do not require soaking. Soaking tiny seeds can cause them to clump together, making them almost impossible to sow.
Can I put seeds directly in the ground?
Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results. Ideally, a top layer of topsoil, when lightly applied, can offer a moist and well-aerated environment for seeds to sprout without impacting their access to sunlight.In a bowl, cover your seeds with warm water and leave to soak for 6-24 hours. Smaller seeds and those with thinner coats need the shorter time, and larger seeds with thicker coats need the longer period. Some seeds will naturally float, and some will stay below the surface.All seeds need water, oxygen and optimal temperature to germinate. When a seed is exposed to the proper conditions, water and oxygen are taken in through the seed coat. The embryo’s cells start to enlarge.
Do I need to soak seeds before planting?
Don’t soak your seeds unless the package specifically directs you to. Most seeds don’t need to be soaked and it can actually be detrimental, causing them to rot or mold. Seeds with hard casing like peas do benefit from soaking, but the package directions should tell you if a specific seed type needs it. You just soak seeds for 6-24 hours or even overnight,to softens the seed coat and allows for better water absorption. Larger seeds or those with hard shells are typically the ones that are most difficult to geminate and are best soaked before planting.