A General Guide for Direct Sowing Vegetable, Herb, & Flower Seeds

January 7, 2025|The Rusted Garden|,

Thanks for visiting from the The Rusted Garden seed and garden shop. Here is a list of general seed starting directions. I included additional planting information that I think is important and could never fit on the back of a seed packet. I also wanted to make sure the ‘writing’ was large enough so it can be easily read, as seed packets get harder and harder to read. This seems to happen as I get older.

Each garden is different. Where you have shorter growing seasons, you may have to start more crops indoors. Where you have longer growing season, you may be able to direct sow most crops. The bottom line is to use these charts as guidelines and experiment in your own garden. For instance, plant some things more closely together and see what happens. I tend to plant things more closely together and that works well for me. Take notes, and over time, develop a plan that works best.

Acclimate Your Indoor Seed Starts

There is nothing worse than moving your seed starts outside, only to watch them get burned by the sun and die. Plants grown indoors are not use to the ultra-violet rays of the sun and need to be slowly introduced or acclimated to the sun over, about, a weeks period of time. Make sure you get them use to the great outdoors, before putting them into the ground.

Soil Temperature Matters

You can put a seed in the ground anytime, it just wont germinate until the soil temperature is to the seed’s liking. The longer a seed sits damp and wet without germinating, the greater chance it has to rot or be eaten. A lot of seeds are started indoors because the soil temperature is just to low for germination in early spring. Starting them indoors gets a ‘jump’ on the season for those plants.

When we talk about soil temperature we all talking about the top 2 in/5 cm – 4 in/10 cm of the soil. You don’t have to measure soil temperature, you can generally judge the temperature based on warming days, warm rains, and warmer nights. You look for warming trends.

When Do I Direct Sow and When Do I Start Transplants?

This varies greatly garden to garden. It is all based on soil temperatures and frost. Some crops can take the frost and like cooler temperatures and other crops are damaged by the frost and like warmer soil. I recommend making a Vegetable Garden Soil Chart as shown in one of my previous blog posts. The chart is very useful for planning out when to start crops indoors, get them outside, and when to direct seed.

Need Seeds or Seed Starting Supplies?

If you are interested in purchasing seeds or need seed starting supplies, please visit my seed and garden shop. Tomato and pepper seeds are only $1.75 a pack and all other seeds are only $1.50 a pack. You can find them at The Rusted Garden Seed Shop. Thanks for the support!

50 Common Vegetables

VegetableBenefits
by Starting
Indoors		Optimal Soil Temp (°F)Planting DepthDays to GerminationPlant SpacingTransplant Time
(if indoors)
ArugulaDirect Sow40–75°F1/4 inch5–74–6 inches apartN/A
AsparagusStart Indoors70–85°F1/2 inch10–1412–18 inches apartAfter last frost
BasilDirect Sow
or Indoors		70–85°F1/4 inch5–106–12 inches apartAfter last frost
BeansDirect Sow60–85°F1 inch7–144–6 inches apartN/A
BeetsDirect Sow50–85°F1/2 inch5–103–4 inches apartN/A
BroccoliStart Indoors50–85°F1/4 inch5–1018–24 inches apart2 weeks before last frost
Brussels SproutsStart Indoors50–85°F1/4 inch7–1418–24 inches apart4 weeks before last frost
CabbageStart Indoors50–85°F1/4 inch5–1018–24 inches apart4 weeks before last frost
CarrotDirect Sow45–85°F1/4 inch6–142–3 inches apartN/A
CauliflowerStart Indoors50–85°F1/4 inch5–1018–24 inches apart2–4 weeks before last frost
CeleryStart Indoors60–70°F1/8 inch7–146–8 inches apartAfter last frost
Chard (Swiss)Direct Sow or Indoors50–85°F1/2 inch5–106–12 inches apartAfter last frost
CollardsDirect Sow
or Indoors		50–85°F1/4 inch5–1012–18 inches apart2–4 weeks before last frost
CornDirect Sow60–95°F1 inch7–1012 inches apartN/A
CucumberDirect Sow
or Indoors		60–95°F1 inch4–1012–18 inches apart1–2 weeks after last frost
EggplantStart Indoors70–90°F1/4 inch7–1418–24 inches apartAfter last frost
GarlicDirect Sow50–85°F2 inchesN/A4–6 inches apartN/A
KaleDirect Sow
or Indoors		45–75°F1/4 inch5–1012–18 inches apart3–4 weeks before last frost
LettuceDirect Sow or Indoors40–75°F1/8 inch4–106–12 inches apart2–3 weeks before last frost
MelonDirect Sow70–95°F1 inch4–1424-36 inches apartN/A
OkraDirect Sow70–95°F1 inch7–1412–18 inches apartN/A
OnionDirect Sow
or Indoors		50–85°F1/4 inch7–144–6 inches apart4–6 weeks before last frost
ParsleyStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch14–286–8 inches apartAfter last frost
PeasDirect Sow40–75°F1 inch7–142–4 inches apartN/A
PeppersStart Indoors65–85°F1/4 inch7–1412-18 inches apartAfter last frost
PumpkinDirect Sow65–85°F1 inch5–1024-36 inches apartN/A
RadishDirect Sow45–85°F1/2 inch4–102–4 inches apartN/A
SpinachDirect Sow45–75°F1/2 inch7–144–6 inches apartN/A
TomatoDirect Sow
or Indoors		65–85°F1/4 inch5–1024–36 inches apartAfter last frost
TurnipDirect Sow50–85°F1/2 inch5–104–6 inches apartN/A
WatermelonDirect Sow70–95°F1 inch4–1424-36 inches apartN/A

Visit My YouTube Channel: The Rusted Garden Homestead

I have over 2000 videos on all aspects of vegetable gardening. This video helps explain when to start your seeds indoors, direct sow, and get plants into the ground.

20 Common Herbs

HerbStart Benefits
by Starting
Indoors		Optimal Soil Temp (°F)Planting DepthDays to GerminationPlant SpacingTransplant Time
(if indoors)
BasilDirect Sow
or Indoors		70–85°F1/4 inch5–106–12 inches apartAfter last frost
ChivesDirect Sow
or Indoors		60–70°F1/4 inch7–144–6 inches apartAfter last frost
CilantroDirect Sow
or Indoors		55–70°F1/4 inch7–146–8 inches apartAfter last frost
DillDirect Sow
or Indoors		60–70°F1/4 inch7–1412–18 inches apartAfter last frost
FennelDirect Sow
or Indoors		60–70°F1/4 inch7–1412–18 inches apartAfter last frost
LavenderStart Indoors65–70°F1/8 inch14–2812–18 inches apartAfter last frost
Lemon BalmStart Indoors65–70°F1/4 inch10–1412–18 inches apartAfter last frost
MarjoramStart Indoors70–85°F1/4 inch7–148–12 inches apartAfter last frost
MintStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch10–1512–18 inches apartAfter last frost
OreganoStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch7–148–12 inches apartAfter last frost
ParsleyStart Direct Sow
or Indoors		65–75°F1/4 inch14–286–8 inches apartAfter last frost
RosemaryStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch14–2812–18 inches apartAfter last frost
SageDirect Sow
or Indoors		65–70°F1/4 inch7–2112–18 inches apartAfter last frost
SavoryStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch7–148–12 inches apartAfter last frost
SorrelDirect Sow
or Indoors		60–70°F1/4 inch7–1412–18 inches apartAfter last frost
SteviaStart Indoors70–75°F1/4 inch14–2112–18 inches apartAfter last frost
TarragonStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch10–1412–18 inches apartAfter last frost
ThymeStart Indoors65–75°F1/8 inch14–216–12 inches apartAfter last frost
ValerianStart Indoors65–75°F1/4 inch10–2118–24 inches apartAfter last frost
YarrowStart Indoors65–75°F1/8 inch14–2112–18 inches apartAfter last frost

Starting Annual & Perennial Flowers

Generally speaking, perennial flowers come back year after year from roots that don’t die off during the freezing winter. Annual flowers don’t often survive the winter but often leave seeds behind and come back that way. Based on the severity of your winters, some plants may or may not be perennials in your garden.

I start most of my perennials indoors as that gives them a significant jump on the season and they often bloom year one. However, you can plant perennial seeds late spring and early summer and let them establish for the year. Annual flower can be started indoors for early blooms or direct sown when the danger of frost has past. Plant, take notes, and see what planting methods work best in your garden.

Planting Depth for Flower Seeds

Keep in mind that plants drop seeds and they lay on the ground and germinate. Very often 100’s if not 1000’s of seed are dropped. Most flower seeds can be planted a 1/4 in or .6 cm deep. Larger seeds can go a bit deeper and very small seeds can be scratched into the soil surface and lightly covered or pressed in. The key is to keep them moist until they germinate and are established. Some seeds need light to germinate but I found that is for the very very small seeds and light still penetrates into the soil when seeds are lightly scratched into the surface.

20 Common Perennial Flowers

Flower NameSeed Starting Time (Indoors)Optimal Soil
Temperature		Days to GerminationPlant Spacing
Outdoors		Light Requirements
Aster8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F10-20 days12-18 inchesFull Sun to Partial Shade
Black-Eyed Susan6-8 weeks before last frost70°F7-30 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Blanket Flower6-8 weeks before last frost70°F10-20 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Butterfly Weed8-10 weeks before last frost65-75°F14-21 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Coneflower8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F10-20 days18-24 inchesFull Sun
Coreopsis6-8 weeks before last frost70-75°F7-21 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Delphinium10-12 weeks before last frost55-60°F14-21 days18-24 inchesFull Sun
Foxglove10-12 weeks before last frost60-65°F14-21 days12-18 inchesPartial Shade
Gaura8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F14-30 days18-24 inchesFull Sun
Hollyhock8-10 weeks before last frost65-75°F10-14 days18-24 inchesFull Sun
Lavender10-12 weeks before last frost65-70°F14-21 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Lupine8-10 weeks before last frost65-75°F14-30 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Penstemon8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F14-21 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Phlox8-10 weeks before last frost60-65°F10-21 days12-18 inchesFull Sun to Partial Shade
Russian Sage8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F14-21 days24-36 inchesFull Sun
Salvia6-8 weeks before last frost70-75°F14-21 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Shasta Daisy8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F10-20 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Verbena8-10 weeks before last frost70-75°F20-30 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Yarrow6-8 weeks before last frost65-75°F7-14 days18-24 inchesFull Sun
ZinniaDirect sow after frost70-75°F7-14 days12-18 inchesFull Sun

25 Common Annual Flowers

Flower NameSeed Starting Time (Indoors)Optimal Soil
Temperature		Days to GerminationPlant SpacingLight Requirements
Ageratum6-8 weeks before last frost70-75°F7-14 days6-8 inchesFull Sun to Partial Shade
Alyssum6-8 weeks before last frost65-70°F7-14 days6-8 inchesFull Sun to Partial Shade
Amaranth6-8 weeks before last frost70-75°F7-14 days10-12 inchesFull Sun
Bachelor’s ButtonDirect sow after frost60-65°F7-14 days8-12 inchesFull Sun
Calendula6-8 weeks before last frost60-70°F5-10 days8-12 inchesFull Sun to Partial Shade
Celosia6-8 weeks before last frost70-75°F10-15 days10-12 inchesFull Sun
CosmosDirect sow after frost70-75°F7-10 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Dahlia8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F7-10 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Impatiens8-10 weeks before last frost70-75°F14-21 days8-10 inchesPartial Shade
LarkspurDirect sow in cool soil55-60°F14-21 days8-12 inchesFull Sun
Lobelia8-10 weeks before last frost65-75°F14-21 days6-8 inchesPartial Shade
Marigold6-8 weeks before last frost70-75°F5-7 days8-12 inchesFull Sun
Morning GloryDirect sow after frost70-75°F5-10 days6-12 inchesFull Sun
NasturtiumDirect sow after frost65-70°F7-10 days10-12 inchesFull Sun
Pansy10-12 weeks before last frost65-70°F7-14 days6-8 inchesPartial Shade
Petunia10-12 weeks before last frost70-75°F7-14 days10-12 inchesFull Sun
Snapdragon8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F10-14 days6-12 inchesFull Sun to Partial Shade
Statice8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F7-14 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Stock8-10 weeks before last frost65-70°F10-14 days10-12 inchesFull Sun
SunflowerDirect sow after frost70-75°F7-14 days12-24 inchesFull Sun
Sweet PeaDirect sow early spring55-65°F10-14 days6-8 inchesFull Sun
Verbena8-10 weeks before last frost70-75°F20-30 days12-18 inchesFull Sun
Vinca10-12 weeks before last frost70-75°F14-21 days8-10 inchesFull Sun
ZinniaDirect sow after frost70-75°F7-14 days12-18 inchesFull Sun

More posts to come! While you are here, please visit my YouTube Channel: The Rusted Garden Homestead. I have over 2000 garden videos to help you in your garden. And remember, a garden wants to give and grow. All we have to do is help it along!

Cheers,

Gary (The Rusted Garden)