Vegetable Seed Selection and Soil Preparation!

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All vegetables can be grown from seed, purchasing seed from a reputable Seedsman is of course important and there are a few well know companies who are very reliable for the quality of the seeds they offer for sale. Some of the larger companies have excellent web sites and all have catalogues that help to make the choice easier for the gardener.

Vegetables are also grown from tubers or bulbs; these include potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, onion, and shallots sets, and garlic. Globe artichokes and asparagus can be grown from seed, but needs three years before it can be cropped; therefore young plants or roots are usually purchased to get a good head start. These can be purchased also from seedsmen as young plants but will naturally be more expensive than seeds.

Soil Preparation

When preparing the soil for sowing, the depth of the furrow or drill will depend on the size of seeds- the smaller the seed the shallower the drill, and the heavier the soil the shallower the drill. In average soils, drills ½in. (12mm) in. deep suits the seeds of parsley, lettuce and carrots; 1-in. (25mm) deep drills suit beetroot, spinach and turnips; peas and beans require 3in. (76mm) drills. Most seed packets however do give precise instructions as to the best sowing methods for those particular seeds.

Sprinkle the seeds thinly and evenly along the drill; extra care should be taken when sowing tiny seeds to try and avoid putting the seeds too thickly. However, it is unrealistic to expect all the seeds to germinate and sowing a few extra will allow for this, the seedlings can be thinned out later to allow each plant to develop properly.

As soon as the seeds are sown fill in the drill with soil the back of a rake making sure that the surface is level. Mark out where each row has been planted by inserting some form of marker, preferably one that can be written on with the type and variety of each vegetable; a flat piece of wood or plastic stick is ideal, making sure that the ink is water-proof of course or the seed packet can be tapped to the stick.

VEGETABLE SEED INFORMATION

Vegetable
Average number of seeds per ounce
Average days to germinate
Average days to mature from seed

ASPARAGUS
1,000
25
3 Yrs.

BEETROOT
1,600
13
60-80

BROCCOLI
9,000
8
270-450

BRUSSELS SPROUTS
7,000
8
100-120

EARLY CABBAGE
6,000
8
70-90

LATE CABBAGE
6,000
8
90-130

CARROTS
14,000
16
75-100

CAULIFLOWERS
10,000
8
65-120

CELERIAC
50,000
18
120-150

CELERY
50,000
16
120-150

CHICORY
15,000
9
120-150

CUCUMBERS
1,000
9
70-90

KALE
7,500
8
200

LEEKS
8,000
9
100-200

LETTUCE
16,000
7
60-90

ONIONS
8,000
9
130-150

PARSNIPS
6,000
17
125-150

PEAS
90-150
13
60-80

RADISHES
4,000
6
20-40

ROUND SPINACH
2,500
11
40-50

SWEDES
7,000
8
150

TOMATOES
12,000
10
100-130

TURNIPS
9,000
8
50-80

Terry Blackburn. Internet Marketing Consultant, living in South Shields in the North-East of England. Author and Producer of blog http://www.lawnsurgeon.blogspot.com Author of "Your Perfect Lawn," a 90 Page eBook devoted to Lawn Preparation, Lawn Care and Maintenance. Find it at http://www.lawnsurgeon.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Blackburn

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