How Deep Should I Plant a Seed
Every year, millions of seeds fail to germinate--or germinate and do poorly--because they are planted at the wrong depth. Planting a seed at the correct depth gives it a much better chance of developing into a healthy, vigorous plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Soil and Water
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Use a sterile seed mix to prevent fungus. A good mix is 50 percent peat and 50 percent vermiculite or perlite. Soil and water are of special consideration when planting seeds. Use clean, sterile soil when planting into flats or containers. The soil must be well drained. When watering, take care not to disturb or wash small seeds out of the soil, as this can kill them. Small seeds are best watered with a mist or fine spray.
Seed Sizes
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Seeds differ widely in size--from dustlike petunias to head-sized coconuts--and each size has particular planting requirements.
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Small Seeds
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Small seeds are best planted by scattering them thinly over the surface of the soil and then patting them down. Some gardeners prefer to sift a small amount of fine-screened soil over the seeds after patting them down.
Medium-Sized Seeds
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Medium-sized seeds might include radishes, peas and nuts. These are easier to see and can be planted their own width deep into clean soil. Pat the soil down to firm it around the seed.
Large Seeds
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Large seeds include those the size of avocado pits and larger. Most of these are planted so that the seed top is just below the soil's surface. Coconuts are laid on their sides and only buried ¼ to 1/3 of the way.
Caution
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Disturb germinating seeds as little as possible and don't let them dry or wilt. Check seed packets for specific instructions. Be patient, as some seeds can take weeks to germinate (e.g., parsley), while others seem to spring up almost overnight.
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