I trade for many of my seeds and sometimes the sowing depth is not included on the packet. What is the correct depth that I should sow my seeds?
I sow my seeds twice as deep as the seed's smallest dimension.
As examples:
Foxglove seeds are the size of dust, so just pat them into the soil surface.
Columbine seeds are the size of fleas, so just pat them into the soil surface.
Grass is small and narrow too, so just pat those seeds into the soil surface.
Marigolds may be a 1/2 inch long but they are narrow and flat, sow them just under the soil surface.
Cornflower seed is a 1/16 of an inch wide, sow them an 1/8th inch under the soil surface.
Next size up would be a Coneflower seed, sow about a 1/4 inch under the soil.
Pea or a Corn seed is getting bigger. They are about a 1/4 inch across, sow them about a 1/2 inch deep.
A Lima Bean seed is bigger, sow about 3/4 of an inch deep.
A Scarlet Runner bean is quite plump, that should be sown a full inch down.
An Acorn? Well, hmm.....how deep is squirrel depth?
As examples:
Foxglove seeds are the size of dust, so just pat them into the soil surface.
Columbine seeds are the size of fleas, so just pat them into the soil surface.
Grass is small and narrow too, so just pat those seeds into the soil surface.
Marigolds may be a 1/2 inch long but they are narrow and flat, sow them just under the soil surface.
Cornflower seed is a 1/16 of an inch wide, sow them an 1/8th inch under the soil surface.
Next size up would be a Coneflower seed, sow about a 1/4 inch under the soil.
Pea or a Corn seed is getting bigger. They are about a 1/4 inch across, sow them about a 1/2 inch deep.
A Lima Bean seed is bigger, sow about 3/4 of an inch deep.
A Scarlet Runner bean is quite plump, that should be sown a full inch down.
An Acorn? Well, hmm.....how deep is squirrel depth?
Tip suggest these links for further study.
What is a Seed?
Johnson's Sowing and Growing Guide
Johnson's Sowing and Growing Guide
Vegetable Seed Images Index
by David Rhodes
Hort 410 - Vegetable Crops
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University
by David Rhodes
Hort 410 - Vegetable Crops
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University
Seed Identification Photos
Plant and Seed Website
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Oklahoma State University
Plant and Seed Website
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Oklahoma State University
Adjusting Planting Soil Depth for Better Germination
by Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Mark Hanna, Michael Tidman
Integrated Crop Management, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University
by Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Mark Hanna, Michael Tidman
Integrated Crop Management, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University
