Curious about starting seeds directly in your garden?
Let’s take a little break from the seed of the week to talk about direct sowing. It’s not too late to pick up seeds from our Seed Library! There are plenty of seeds that can be started now and sown directly in the ground outside.
We put together a list of ten seeds that we have in our seed library that can be started outside. What’s your favorite to grow?
Dill
Dill is easy to grow, and self-seeds easily. Dill is a versatile spice that is found in many dishes.
Pumpkin
A fall favorite, pumpkin seeds actually do better when planted directly in the garden.
Lettuce
Lettuce is cool season crop that does well sown in spring or late fall, directly in the garden.
Cilantro
A popular spice used in many Mexican dishes, cilantro is another cool season crop that can planted directly in the garden in the spring or fall.
Squash/Zucchini
Squash seedlings are sensitive to being transplanted, so direct sow is the best method to growing these veggies.
Spinach
Spinach is another vegetable that prefers the cooler weather. It will bolt as soon as the weather gets warm in summer. The Bloomsdale longstanding variety tends to withstand the heat better than other varieties.
Beans
Beans are an easy seed for beginners to grow. Beans start quick and are best started directly in the garden.
Peas
Peas are frost hardy, so they can be planted early. Sow the seeds directly into your garden 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, once the soil is workable or in the fall in mid-August for a fall harvest.
Carrots
You should always direct sow carrots seeds because any type of root disturbance can lead to deformities. Always plant carrots in light fluffy soil.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are not fans of being transplanted, so it is better to plant seeds directly into your garden. Wait until the soil has fully warmed in the spring and plant in a sunny location.
Want more seeds? Check out our Seed Library!
With your Bensenville Community Public Library card, you may borrow up to five packets consisting of no more than two of each variety of seed. Each packet contains enough seeds to grow at least 3 plants. Please note that seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
