Growing Seeds and Seedlings for Beginners

Start small and learn at your own pace. Take on as much as you can handle the first year. Gardening is all about trying new things and learning from your mistakes. Let nature do most of your work for you. Call or send questions to our support team when you run into a problem. Learn more about our Transformational Gardening Basics.

Deciding to plant seeds or seedlings

Ultimately, the decision to plant your crops from seeds or seedlings will depend on your personal preferences, growing conditions, goals, and gardening experience. If you have the time, space, resources and equipment to start seeds early indoors, it can be a rewarding and cost-effective option. If you want a faster harvest and are willing to pay a bit more, seedlings may be the way to go. Both seeds and seedlings each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Learning to grow easy crops from seed is a useful skill if you have the time to learn and monitor the progress. There are several factors each gardener needs to consider when deciding to plant a crop from seeds or from seedlings. In a large garden you can lower costs by growing from seed. Other factors are skill level, available time, garden size, budget, favorite foods and interests.

Some crops should not be transplanted and should be grown from seed directly in an outdoor bed or container. But know where and when to plant certain crops. Spinach is a food example. We get much larger spinach plants and harvests when we plant spinach seeds in the mid or late November in Zone 5 and 6. Learn the spinach details below under “Tips for growing from seed.”

Decide which crops to plant from seed and when to buy as seedlings. As a beginner your goal could be to buy only a few seedlings of the bigger plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and squash that may need months to mature in colder climates like Chicago (Zones 5 & 6) and should be started indoors.

Know WHEN to plant from seeds and WHEN to plant seedlings in your climate zone. Our Planting Calendar for Zone 5b and 6a will tell you which crops must grow from seed, which must grow from seedlings and which can grow either way. The calendar includes many other details about specific crops.

Ways to start crops: There are various methods available for starting crops in your garden.

• buying and planting seedlings (young small plants also called “transplants”)

• in spring plant seeds of cold tolerant plants (radishes, kale, swiss chard, lettuce) directly into your bed outdoors

• grow seedlings from seeds in pots or growing trays outdoors when the temperature are appropriate. Know what temperature is best to germinate seeds of specific crops so a part of the crop seed will germinate.

• growing seedlings from seed indoors using grow lights and other specialized equipment,

• growing seedlings and cold tolerant plants outdoors in early spring under the protection of a ”cold frame.”

Buying seedlings at a garden center or other vendor is the easiest and fastest solution to growing great crops your first year. But it limits the scope of your plant selections. Also, most garden stores don’t sell organic seedlings. ”Conventional” seedlings (not grown from organic seeds) are fine as long as you grow them in organic soil and compost without any conventional (toxic) pesticides. It helps to find a top quality garden center or nursery nearby.

Which seedlings to buy. Buy the healthiest seedlings. The most affordable seedlings are in “six-packs” or “four-packs”. Some garden stores let their seedlings sit on the shelf too long in tiny posts.The seedlings get stressed from lack of root space and nutrients. Buy your seedlings as soon as they arrive at the store so they are healthy and fresh. Make sure that they have been well taken care of, appear healthy, have no flowers or fruits, and that the roots are not “root-bound” – knotted and circling the bottom of the pot. Reject spindly, elongated plants with weak stems with weird discolorations. Look for plants that are young and vigorous, with only green foliage.

Our compost is your new soil

We use 100% compost to fill beds and containers instead of conventional soil. Read our blog post Compost, Microbes and Soil Science to understand why 100% Microbe-Rich Compost grows much healthier larger plants than conventional soil in an organic garden. Conventional soil can be a mixture of many things like top soil, leaf mulch, compost, tree waste, etc. Our compost costs less than expensive commercial potting mixes purchased in bags, and gives better results. Our compost has several other uses in our innovative method. When a bed or container is filled with compost it is convenient to simply call it “THE SOIL.”

If you want to boost the growing power of your existing raised bed filled with conventional soil you can dig out about a 4” layer or more and refill with our compost.

Learn why microbe and nutrient rich “worm castings” (vermicompost) is a superior soil amendment for all our plants. We use it instead of commercial organic fertilizers except for fish emulsion made from fish waste.

Tips for planting seedlings

• Level the soil as best you can. Removing low and high areas makes watering easier. Or try lowering the soil just a little just around the seedling so most water soaks in the root area.

• Protect your seedlings from drying out. Don’t plant on a hot sunny day. Better to plant on a cloudy day or early evening, Water your seedlings before you plant them.

• If there are many seedlings in one pot, divide them carefully with a knife. This step is not necessary if you have separate compartments for each seedling.

• Mix a batch of half and half compost and worm castings. The more worm castings you add, the healthier and better your plants will grow. Use as much compost and worm castings mix as you like. Mix together in each hole or in a large bucket. Add 1 cup of planting mix for a medium-size plant like kale. Add 2 cups of planting mix for a large-size plant like tomatoes and squash.

• Digging a seedling hole. If your raised bed or container is filled with our Microbe Rich Compost, make your seedling holes 2-3 times bigger than the seedling root.

• If your raised bed or container is filled with conventional soil, make your seedling holes 4-6 times larger than the root to allow room for more of the planting mix.

• Add the mixture to each hole and make space for the root ball.

• Place the seedling into the hole, slightly lower than it was growing in the container. Gently firm the soil around the roots, but be careful not to compact it.

• Water slowly and deeply. Read our post Deep Watering is Best. Water your seedlings daily for 2 weeks — mornings are best. On very hot days you may want to water twice. Don’t water lightly. Deep watering is best since it makes the roots grow deeper.

• Test for moisture before you water since over watering stresses plants.

• Watering early in the day is best.

• Water the soil, not the plant. Never water tomatoes and other plants that get fungal diseases late in the day. Fungus likes a humid environment.

• We highly recommend you install drip-irrigation. Ask our support team about details (support[at]deep-roots-project.org).

• Fish Emulsion is the one organic soil amendment we use. It’s made from fish waste. Its primary purpose is feeding the soil microbe, but it also replenishes the nitrogen. Follow the directions on the bottle and spray every one or two weeks.

Tips for planting seeds

Mixed baby veggies Densely plant seeds so you can harvest lots of baby veggies while you wait for some of the sprouts to grow bigger. Use this with carrots, beets, loose-leaf lettuce, and amaranth. Plant a mixture of seeds an inch apart between the transplanted seedlings all over a section of the bed or in a container. If you plant the seeds further than an inch apart you will do less “thinning” of baby plants. If you plant mixed baby greens seeds in 20 days you will get 2 to 4” tall baby plants to pick. Plant basil seeds 4“ apart anywhere around the bigger plants. If it gets less sun it won’t get as big. Keep the basil low by harvesting the top leaves.

Root crops (beets, onions, garlic, radish, carrots, parsnips, turnips) must be planted ONLY from seed because their roots can’t survive being disturbed. Plant garlic in later October with the pointy end of the clove facing upward.

Plant peas, beans, and spinach from seed. Some plants are healthier and bigger if they are planted from seeds but it’s not usually worth the extra time and trouble. But the extra effort to plant peas, beans and spinach from seed is well worth any extra effort because you get a healthy bigger plant and larger harvests.

Spinach is easier to grow from seed in fall than in spring in cold climate zones like Chicago with a shorter growing season. Plant spinach seeds 4” apart in mid-November. Many areas have enough rain in early spring so you don’t have to water the seeds. They over winter in the soil and germinate in the early spring. In March the spinach seedlings grow quickly into healthy large plants. You can also plant spinach seeds in spring as soon as the ground thaws. Spinach seeds planted in spring become smaller mature plants and produce a smaller harvest.

Garlic is best planted in mid-October in Zones 5 and 6. Garlic cloves are used instead of seeds. Harvest in July.

Crops with tiny seeds like lettuce and carrots need special tricks, time and skill because their seeds are hard to plant and water. Try covering tiny carrot seeds with a board (not treated wood) or a tile to save watering time and to protect them from heavy rains. Lift the board and check every day. Remove the board when the first seed germinates. Try planting a new row or cluster of leaf lettuce spaced 1” apart every week or two. During the warmer summer days plant lettuce seeds where they are shaded by a large plant or shrub. Or plant them in a pot you can move to a partial sun location on really hot days.

Plant seeds in ”furrows” or “clusters” It is your choice to plant your seeds in 6” to 8“ long narrow indentations (called “furrows”) or in 6” to 8“ round clusters. Place the furrows and clusters in spots that will get enough sun or less sun depending on the heat tolerance of the crop and the heat of the season. Fill your furrow or cluster with the same compost and worm casting mixture described above for planting seedlings. Check our Planting Calendar for Climate zone 5b and 6a for how deep to plant the seeds. Some seeds are planted on the surface with the compost/worm castings mixture sprinkled on top. Press down gently to firm up the soil after planting. Cover with straw to protect from heavy rains.

Watering seeds: Never let them dry out. Seeds must be kept moist at all times until germination. A light watering will moisten the soil sufficiently when it’s done frequently. Frequency depends on how hot, if the sun is shining, if it has rained recently, and so forth.

Set up a hose with a sprinkler nozzle to water on a timer. This saves time and makes sure the watering is done properly. Ask our support team (support[at]deep-roots-project.org) which timer to buy and for help setting it up. Support the hose nozzle about 2 feet from the ground and set to a gentle spray. It should spray an area 3 x 3 feet. Adjust the hose to best cover the area you need watered. Cover the seeds with straw to protect them from heavy spring rains. Once the seeds germinate keep moisture in the soil by covering it with straw.

A drip-irrigation system makes planting seeds at random spots in your bed much easier. There are narrow hoses that attach to the 1/2” hoses that allow you to direct water to any spot. Plus the narrow hose can have a tiny sprinkler attached that sprinkles your seeds. Ask our support team for details (support[at]deep-roots-project.org).

To intermediate or advanced gardeners

The universe of gardening information is virtually limitless. It is constantly expanding. Fortunately, the array of gardening techniques is accessible now on the web. Our purpose is to feature our compost based method of soil optimization with beneficial microbe populations and worm castings. We encourage you to use the web resources to explore an accessory technique that captures your imagination.

Don’t rely on single sources – University Ag Extensions, local botanic gardens, YouTube, articles and books. For example, if you want to build a trellis look at several techniques and pick the one that works for you, or even better integrate a combination of the techniques you discover.

As you learn a new technique, improve it. Deep Roots is learning all the time. We can also learn from the discoveries by our community of gardeners. If people decide to garden in ways that will not pollute, improve the environment, give us healthy food, optimize nature’s ability to provide plant nutrition, we all benefit.

Our Innovative Food Gardening Method

Learn more in our two recently revised blog posts.

Our online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.

Stay in touch

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Seeds & Seedlings: Next Level

Use our post “Seeds and Seedlings: Beginner” to become inspired to discover more advanced gardening techniques like growing your own seedlings indoors. Continue to learn how to reap the many rewards of learning to grow from BOTH seeds and seedlings. Remember that some crops must be grown from seed since the young plants can’t survive transplanting.

Expand your gardening skills

The universe of gardening information is virtually limitless. It is constantly expanding. Fortunately, the array of gardening techniques is accessible now on the web. Our purpose is to feature our compost based method of soil optimization with beneficial microbe populations and worm castings. We encourage you to use the web resources to explore an accessory technique that captures your imagination.

Don’t rely on single sources. Explore University Agricultural Extension websites, local botanic gardens, YouTube videos, articles and books. For example, if you want to build a trellis look at several techniques and pick the one that works for you, or even better integrate a combination of the techniques you discover.

Let’s explore together ways to garden that will not pollute, improves the environment, gives us healthy food, optimizes nature’s ability to provide plant nutrition – we all benefit.

Deep Roots is learning all the time. As you learn a new technique, improve upon it, and share it with us. Growing food in our 100% microbe-rich compost is a discovery we will continue to improve upon. We hope that gardeners beyond our local Chicago area will start using a similar compost. We knows how to find other farms that make it.

Explore ways to grow seedlings indoors

Explore the many ways to grow seedlings (also called “transplants”) from seed indoors. But most important is to use as your growing medium a mixture of half Deep Roots compost (or a similar compost) and half top quality worm castings made from composted manure. Remember to give the seedlings full sun for 8 hours or more. This usually requires a grow light placed correctly near the top of the growing plant. Usually the sunlight from a window is not adequate.

Remember that some crops must be planted only from seeds like amaranth, spinach and root crops (radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, garlic, onions). Root crops usually won’t survive if their roots are disturbed. See more details is our blog post “Seeds and Seedlings: Beginners.”

Advantages of growing from seed

Buying seeds is far more affordable than buying seedlings. But gardeners with minimal time and a small garden will likely prefer to grow from seedlings,

More plant varieties available as seeds. Planting seeds directly into the garden or growing your own seedlings indoors gives you access to an abundance of “cultivars” (special plant varieties) A “cultivar” is a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. Some cultivars are resistant to certain diseases. There are more organic “cultivars” (special plant varieties) available as seeds from seed catalogs and websites than there are seedlings sold in garden centers. Although we recommend that you choose organic seeds, non-organically grown seeds are quite satisfactory when growing them with organic methods.

The process of seed selection is an exercise in inspiration. For example, tomatoes and apples have a vast number of cultivars. There are man-made cultivars like seedless grapes and watermelons, Romanesco cauliflower, black tomatoes, Tromboncino summer squash, watermelon radishes, cylindrical purple onions.

Remember to properly store your leftover seeds for planting the following year or share them with friends. We store our seeds in the refrigerator in air-tight bags with moisture reducing packets. We buy our seeds. Some gardeners have the time and skill to save seeds from their plants. There are online courses on how to save seed.

Planting calendar for your climate zone

Ask your state university agricultural extension for the best planting calendar for your climate zone. Our Planting Calendar for Climate Zones 5b and 6a in the Chicago area is a convenient way to look up which popular crops, herbs and flowers should be grown from seed, grown from seedlings and which can be grown either way. The calendar also has biodiversity groups, planting dates, planting tips, seed depth and days to maturity.

Watering seeds and seedlings

Seeds must be kept moist at all times. Also keep the young plants constantly moist for 2 weeks. A light watering will moisten the soil sufficiently when it’s done frequently. Frequency of watering depends on the weather – the temperature, if the sun is shining, if it rained recently and so forth. Gently water your seeds with a sprayer nozzle on your hose or watering can. Keep your seeds and seedlings constantly moist. Drip irrigation makes growing from seeds much easier. Get a tiny sprayer emitter for your drip system.

Plant tiny seeds like carrots and lettuce about an inch apart. Try the “board trick” with tiny carrot seeds to save watering time and to stop evaporation. Place a small board (not treated wood) over a cluster of carrot seeds. Wait a few days and check them daily for germination. Remove the board when the first seed germinates. Pick some baby carrots to make room for some of the carrots to grow bigger.

How to grow transplants indoors

Growing your own transplants from seed is easier than you may think.You can start indoor summer crop transplants (like tomatoes and peppers) from seed in early spring for planting outside in May.

Many experienced gardeners grow their own transplants for summer crops indoors under grow lights in early spring if they have the skill, time, grow lights, growing trays and other equipment. Trying to grow transplants indoors using sunlight from a south-facing window doesn’t work. Explore gadgets that make the process a little easier if you need only a small number of seedlings.

Select a planting “flat” with multiple cells. Plastic flats have become the standard for home gardeners but they have at least two disadvantages: (1) Even the most durable plastic flats break and must be discarded after a few seasons. Do we really need to buy more plastic that is destined for the trash heap? (2) Transplants grown in plastic trays must be removed for transplanting, exposing the root systems to disturbance.

We recommend using “peat transplant pots” to grow your seedlings. These are made from various organic materials (peat, coir, paper, wood, etc.). They are all biodegradable and dissolve readily when buried in soil. A unique advantage is that the transplants do not need to be removed from the peat pots.

Potting mixture for starting seedlings indoors is half and half microbe-rich compost and worm castings. Plant about ¼” deep and firm up the soil after planting by gently pressing down on the surface. Keep the soil moist constantly until the emerging seeds reach a height of 2” or more. Then, transplant them into the garden.

What Are Cold Frames?

Growing transplants in a “cold frame” outdoors in early spring is another option for experienced gardeners. Cold frames let experienced gardeners extend the growing season in colder climate zones. At their simplest, cold frames are bottomless boxes that are set over plants in the garden to protect them from cold weather. They are usually built low to the ground and have a transparent roof to let in light.

Search for DIY cold frame ideas online. Some gardeners make a simple “mini-cold frame” using an upside down very large clear plastic container. Controlling the temperature in the cold frame is often a problem.

Our Innovative Food Gardening Method

Learn more in our two recently revised blog posts.

Our online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact us at (708) 655-5299 or support[at]deep-roots-project.org.

Stay in touch

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Create a Native Plant Garden

Converting a lawn to a native plant garden using cardboard to cover and kill the grass is an environmentally friendly and low-maintenance method. This process is called sheet mulching or lasagna gardening, and it involves layering materials to suppress grass and weeds, improve soil quality, and support the growth of native plants.

Why replace your lawn with native plants

Multiple benefits: As the cardboard and organic materials decompose, they will enrich the soil, making it more fertile and supporting the growth of your native plants. Over time, your native plant garden will become a low-maintenance, biodiverse, and sustainable landscape.

Environmental benefits: Native plants have evolved to thrive in the local climate and soil conditions, which means they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native plants. This can reduce water usage and pollution, as well as support local wildlife by providing food and habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Cost savings: Maintaining a traditional lawn can be expensive, as it requires regular mowing, fertilizing, and watering. Native plant gardens, on the other hand, require less maintenance and can help reduce water bills and other landscaping costs.

Aesthetics: Native plant gardens can be just as beautiful as traditional lawns, but they offer more variety in color, texture, and form. Additionally, native plants can be arranged in creative and artistic ways to create a unique and personalized landscape design.

Educational opportunities: Converting a lawn to a native plant garden can be a learning experience for children and adults alike, as it offers the opportunity to learn about local ecology, biodiversity, and conservation.

Community building: Creating a native plant garden can be a way to connect with neighbors and build a sense of community, as it can be a collaborative effort that involves sharing plants, knowledge, and resources.

Steps to transform lawn to natives garden

Plan your garden: Decide on the size and shape of your garden, the native plants you want to grow, and their locations. Research native plants suitable for your climate and soil conditions.

Mow and water the lawn: Mow the grass as short as possible without damaging the soil. Water the area thoroughly to promote decomposition and support microbial life.

Gather materials: Collect cardboard (preferably large, flattened pieces without any plastic, tape, or glossy print), compost, topsoil, leaf mulch or mold, and native plants or seeds.

Lay down the cardboard: Remove any plastic, tape, or glossy sections from the cardboard. Overlap the pieces to ensure there are no gaps, completely covering the lawn area. This will smother the grass and weeds beneath, eventually decomposing and adding nutrients to the soil.

Moisten the cardboard: Lightly water the cardboard to help it conform to the ground and speed up decomposition.

Soil and amendments: A blend of several ingredients is best for soil on top of the cardboard. Mix equal parts of topsoil, compost, and leaf mulch or mold. This blend will provide a balanced combination of nutrients, organic matter, and beneficial microorganisms to support native plant growth.

Add the soil mix: Spread a layer of the soil mix on top of the cardboard, making it at least 4-6 inches thick. A thicker layer (8-12 inches) is recommended if you want to plant larger plants or have particularly poor soil beneath the cardboard.

Plant your native plants: Dig holes through the soil mix and cardboard for each plant, ensuring that the holes are large enough for the root balls. Place the plants in the holes and fill in with the soil mix, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets. For seeds, follow the sowing instructions on the seed packet.

Mulch: Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, straw, or wood chips, around the plants to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Water and maintain: Water your new native plant garden thoroughly after planting, and keep it well-watered during the first growing season. After that, native plants typically require less water and maintenance than a traditional lawn. Monitor the garden for weeds and pests, and remove them as needed.

Native plants in Illinois (Zones 5 & 6)

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many more native plants that can grow in Illinois. It's always a good idea to check with your local nursery or garden center to see what native plants are available in your area.

Natives for attracting Butterflies and Pollinators:

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

• Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Sun Loving Natives:

• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

• Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

• Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

• Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

• New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Shade Loving Natives:

• Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

• Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum)

• Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

• Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

• Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

Sign up for our newsletter

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Fast Growing Crops from Seed

One way to ensure a quick and bountiful harvest is planting fast-growing crops from seed directly in your outdoor beds. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, planting fast-growing crops can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do these crops provide a quick return on your investment, but they also offer a variety of benefits, such as not waiting long for results. reducing the risk of pest and disease, making space to replant more diverse crops and increasing your harvest when space is limited. Fast-growing crops typically germinate quickly and will be ready for harvesting in just a few weeks.

Fast growing veggie benefits and tips

Learn more details about our Transformational Gardening method of planting seeds from our two blog posts Seeds and Seedlings - Beginners AND Seeds & Seedlings - Next Level. Keep in mind that our method of Biodiversity Planting helps reduce pests.

When planting your seeds it is important to follow the instructions on the seed packet closely. This will help to ensure that your seeds are planted at the correct depth and spaced appropriately. We recommend filling your seed furrows with our microbe-rich compost and worm castings.

Keep soil evenly moist: To help your seeds germinate and to help your seedlings grow strong and healthy, water them regularly and keep the soil evenly moist. Water everyday when it doesn’t rain until the seedlings are 2 weeks old. Don’t over water. Learn more about watering in our blog post moisture and mulch.

Organic or conventional seeds: It’s best to buy organic seeds. But conventional seeds are usually okay too if they are grown under organic conditions.

Soil: Ideally, we recommend you use our microbe-rich compost as your soil and microbe-rich worm castings as your fertilizer. We highly recommend using raised beds or containers, which can help to improve soil quality and provide better growing conditions for your crops. Use the “No till, No dig, No pull” method to build healthy soil microbes. Learn more about healthy soil in our blog post Transformational Gardening Basics.

Multiple harvests from a single planting: Plant a crop of radishes and harvest some small, leaving the remaining plants to mature for a later harvest.Plant multiple crops of lettuce, and other greens throughout the growing season to ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce. Crops like spinach and lettuce thrive in cool temperatures and don’t like the heat of summer. Plant new lettuce seeds in a shaded area during the summer.

Protect your crops from pests and diseases to maximize your harvest. It is important to practice good gardening techniques by following Environmental Pest Management. This includes using appropriate pest control measures, such as Biodiversity Planting, floating row cover fabric, or organic biological controls. Safe sprays include OMRI approved organic fungicides, BT (Bacillus thuringensis), neem oil and pyrethrum.

Choosing the right seeds is the first step. There are many different varieties of fast-growing crops available, each with their own unique set of characteristics. When choosing seeds, it is important to consider factors such as the growing conditions in your area, the time of year, and the amount of light and water that your plants will receive. Below is our list of popular fast-growing crops including radishes, lettuce, spinach, arugula, and beans.

Save time watering your seeds

Direct seeding outdoors is far less work during the rainy and cooler weather of spring in Zones 5 and 6.

Drip-Irrigation with sprinkler emitters that spray low over about a foot diameter area make it possible for busy people to apply proper regular moisture. to seeds

A hose with a sprinkler head propped up on a stake and controlled by a timer can moisten seeds all day.

Use mulch or organic matter to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. We prefer a layer of compost covered with a layer of cut-up straw. To grow your own straw plant one Miscanthus prairie grass with lots of room to expand. Don’t use hay which has weed seeds. Don’t use wood chips,

Spinach seed tips: Reduce watering by planting spinach seeds in mid to late November. They will germinate in early spring. Spinach seeds and plants are very cold tolerant. The plants and the harvest are much bigger than from seeds planted in spring.

Carrot seed tips: Place a board or tile over carrot seeds to prevent evaporation and to prevent the  rain from washing them away in a heavy rain. Check under the board daily. As soon as the first seed sprouts remove the board and regularly water gently.

Our favorite “short days to maturity” varieties

We recommend 13 fast growing veggies to direct seed outdoors: arugula, beets, broccolini, carrots, swiss chard, green onion, lettuce, greens, pea, pea shoots, radish, spinach. Blog posts are coming soon on growing tips for specific crops.

We provided links to Johnny’s Seeds company. Other seed companies we like are Bakers Creek and High Mowing. Search online for other seed companies and garden centers that sell varieties with shorter days to maturity.

Arugula: Arugula matures in about 40 days and is a great option for a fast and tasty green.

Beet: Babybeat (40 days to maturity) Fast maturing, scaled-down, but fully formed and full-flavored beet. Regular seed, not pelleted.

Beet Greens: Beet greens have a days to maturity of around 50 days and can be harvested just for their delicious and nutritious greens or allowed to mature for their root.

Broccolini: BC1611  (33 days to maturity) Fast maturing spring harvest mini-broccoli called “broccolini.

Carrot: Mokum  (34 days to maturity) Baby carrots during an early harvest can be left in the soil for another month for full-size harvest. Loosen the soil about 8 inches down with a narrow stick directly under where you place the seeds.

Swiss chard: Bright Lights  (55 days to maturity) Rainbow chard selection, develops all-season, just keep picking.

Green Onion: Guardsman  (50 days to maturity) A short season scallion.

Lettuce: Milagro (54 days to maturity) Butterhead lettuce type. Pick the largest leaves as the plant grows.

Pea: Sugar Ann (51 days to maturity) A fast maturing sweet spring pea. Sugar Ann is a string-less pea that was an All-American Selections winner in 1984. The pods are 3 inches long (7.5 cm.) and bright green. It is a vine type, but the vines are short and compact and rarely need staking. Snap peas are plumper and thicker than snow peas, with a pleasant bite.

Pea Shoots: Any type of pea will suffice, but sugar pod peas are the easiest types to grow for shoots and tendrils since they tend to shoot up faster and stay light and crisp. Oregon Sugar Pod seed is readily available and great for shoots and tendrils

Radish: Rover (21 days to maturity) Fastest of all crops. This one is a brilliant red.

Spinach: Bloomsdale (30 days to maturity) Reliable early crop, full-leaved spinach. Get a larger crop with much less work if you plant the seeds in November for germination in the spring. Harvest before the warm weather starts.

Blog posts are coming soon on growing tips for specific crops.

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

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Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.

Easiest Veggies From Seed

Starting a vegetable garden from scratch may seem daunting, but some vegetables are easier to grow from seed than others. Growing your own vegetables from seed can be a rewarding and satisfying experience. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also allows you to control the quality of the produce because more seed varieties are available than transplants from a nursery. Blog posts are coming soon on growing tips for specific crops.

Soil preparation

Transformational gardening method: In your raised bed use our microbe-rich compost as your soil. Aged composted manure has been already added. Plant seeds and seedlings with microbe-rich worm castings. It’s gentle and powerful, so adding extra is fine.  Remember to use our “No till, No dig, No pull” rule when planting seeds and seedlings. No need to fertilize during the growing season. See more details in our Transformational Gardening Basics blog post and our 2 posts on planting seeds – Planting Seeds & Seedlings: Beginners and Planting Seeds & Seedlings: Next Level.

If you plant into conventional soil you will need some of our microbe-rich compost and worm castings. Make the holes and seed furrows extra large and fill with a mixture of half microbe-rich worm castings and half microbe-rich compost.

Biodiversity planting helps prevent pests

Healthy happy plants are more resistant to disease and insect pressures and produce larger harvests. Harness the forces of nature to protect your garden from pests and diseases by using biodiversity planting and succession planting. Create a healthy ecosystem above and below ground.

Consider creating an edible landscape that includes crops, native plants, flowers and shrubs. Avoid monocultures (filling a space with only one crop). Instead, create several small areas for tiny plants like carrots in a bed instead of one large area with all your carrots.

We use succession planting to grow more food in limited space. We fill any empty spaces with new seedlings or seeds. But make sure the space allows sun for the seedlings and space for the adult plant.

Planting a mix of crops can help improve soil health, prevent disease, and attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Consider planting a mix of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to create a diverse and beautiful garden. View our blog post about Biodiversity Planting.

Careful utilization of space: Be mindful of how much space and sun each plant needs to grow properly. Some crops, like tomatoes and squash, can take up a lot of room in your only raised bed and are best planted in large cloth containers. Small plants like lettuce, radishes, beets and carrots can be planted in smaller spaces between medium-size plants like kale, collards, basil and swiss chard.

Trellises, vertical gardening, and other space-saving techniques to maximize your growing area.

Easiest veggies to grow from seed

There are many vegetables that are relatively easy to grow from seed, and the specific ease of growing may depend on your climate, soil, and other factors. However, here are ten common vegetables that are generally considered to be relatively easy to grow from seed:

Radishes are an excellent choice for beginners, as they are one of the quickest-growing vegetables. They can be grown in spring or fall and mature in just 25-30 days. Radishes prefer loose, well-drained soil and require full sun or partial shade. To plant radish seeds, simply sow them directly into the soil about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart. Keep the soil moist and thin out the seedlings when they are about 2 inches tall. Radishes are typically eaten raw, sliced or diced in salads, and are also great for snacking. Plant with 1/3 cup of worm castings.

Lettuce is another easy vegetable to grow from seed. There are many varieties of lettuce to choose from, all with their own specific flavor. Consider planting several different types for a salad full of color and texture. It can be grown in the ground or in containers and prefers well-drained soil and partial shade. Lettuce seeds should be planted about ¼ inch deep and 6-8 inches apart. Keep the soil moist, and the seeds should germinate within 7-10 days. Harvesting lettuce can be done by either cutting the entire head or just picking off the outer leaves as needed. Lettuce is a versatile vegetable that can be used in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Plant with 1/2 cup of worm castings.

Green beans are a great choice for novice gardeners, as they grow quickly and are relatively low-maintenance. Try both bush beans and pole beans (vines need a trellis). They prefer well-drained soil and full sun. To plant green bean seeds, sow them directly into the soil about 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart. Keep the soil moist, and the seeds should germinate within 7-10 days. Once the plants start producing, you can harvest the beans every 2-3 days. Green beans can be eaten raw or cooked, and they are a great source of fiber and protein. Plant with 1/2 cup of worm castings.

Cucumbers are a popular vegetable to grow in the summer months, as they thrive in warm weather. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun, and they require a trellis or other support to climb. To plant cucumber seeds, sow them directly into the soil about 1 inch deep and 2-3 feet apart. Keep the soil moist, and the seeds should germinate within 7-10 days. Once the plants start producing, you can harvest the cucumbers every few days. Cucumbers are typically eaten raw in salads or as a snack, and they are also great for pickling. Plant with one cup of worm castings.

Zucchini is another vegetable that is easy to grow from seed, and it produces a lot of fruit. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and it requires a lot of space to spread out. It doesn’t grow vertically like other squash. To plant zucchini seeds, sow them directly into the soil about 1 inch deep and 2-3 feet apart. Keep the soil moist, and the seeds should germinate within 7-10 days. Once the plants start producing, you can harvest the zucchini when they are about 6-8 inches long. Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta, stir-fries, and grilled skewers. Plant with one cup of worm castings.

Carrots are easy to grow from seed if you learn to plant the very tiny seeds. They prefer loose, well-drained soil and full sun. Carrot seeds are small, so it's important to space them out properly. Use a hoe to create shallow furrows in the soil, about 1/4 inch deep. Or make holes with your finger in the seeding area. Create several 10 inch diameter carrot areas around the bed and don’t plant all the carrots in one place. Sow the seeds thinly, about 1 inch apart, and cover them with a light layer of soil. Water gently and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which can take up to two weeks. Save some work and time watering the seeds by covering them with a board or tile until they germinate to stop evaporation and to prevent heavy rain from washing them away. Check daily for germination. Remove the board as soon as the first seed germinates. Plant with half and half mixture of compost and worm castings.

Beets are simple to grow and a satisfying way to add fresh and nutritious produce to your diet. Beets are a great source of vitamins and minerals and can be grown in almost any soil type. They thrive in cool weather and can be sown in the spring or fall. Select a spot that receives full sun or partial shade, with well-drained soil. Sow the seeds directly into the garden bed 2 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep, 1 inch apart, and in small areas about 10 inches in diameter. Don’t plant all your beet seeds in one place. Water them regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin the seedlings to a spacing of 3 to 4 inches when they are 2 inches tall. Plant with 1/3 cup of worm castings.

Swiss Chard is delicious leafy green, more tender than kale. Soak the seeds overnight prior to planting to hasten germination.  Sow seed ⅓ to ½ inch deep. Sow seeds 1 inch apart; later thin seedlings to 6 inches apart; use the thinnings in salads. Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart in a staggered pattern. Allow a food diameter space to grow to full size. Chard grows best in full sun but can tolerate light shade.

Spinach is rich in vitamins, spinach is grown very similarly to lettuce. Fast growing in a month. Pick leaves when they reach the length you prefer. They are cold tolerant and like cold temperatures. Sow about 5 inches apart. Get a larger crop with much less work if you plant the seeds in November for germination in the spring. Harvest before the warm weather starts to avoid leaves “bolting” and turning bitter.=

Peas once planted require very little attention other than light watering. Harvest regularly to encourage production and you will be pleased with the results! Peas are best direct-seeded right in the ground and do not like their roots disturbed. But transplanting is possible, if you start seeds in biodegradable pots; you’ll transplant the pot and all into the garden and the pot will disintegrate. To speed germination, soak seeds in water overnight before planting. Sow seeds 1 inch deep (slightly deeper if soil is dry) and about 2 inches apart. Do not thin. Pea roots, like those of other legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for other plants. Bush peas can reach 18 to 30 inches tall.  Pole types can grow at least 4 to 6 feet tall. Both types benefit from support (especially bush peas above 2 feet and all pole peas).

“Grow Your Own Food” blog posts

See the full list of our Grow Your Own Food blog posts. Each post is assigned ”tags” which are under the post title. If you need a quick answer to a gardening question give us a call or send a text to our customer support team – support[at]deep-roots-project.org AND 708-655-5299.

Deep Roots online store

See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, planter boxes, microbe-rich compost, worm castings, leaf mulch and more. We don’t sell traditional soil, since we use 100% compost as our growing medium. Our online store has 2 sections – (1) raised beds and planter boxes and (2) compost, worm castings, fertilizer.

Please contact our customer support team if you have any questions. You can pay by credit card in the store or by check.

(708) 655-5299 and support[at]deep-roots-project.org

Sign up for our newsletter

Please leave your cell phone number when you sign up for our eNewsletter, if you want text message announcements now and then.

Donations help us provide organic kitchen gardening education to individuals, organizations, and entire communities. Thank you in advance for contributing to our community and for sharing our website and blog with friends and family.