Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to start planning your garden. While you might be tempted to head to the nursery to grab plant starts, it’s time to consider the benefits of growing from seed.
First off, using seeds will get you more bang for your buck when compared to pre-grown transplants from the nursery. You’ll likely also benefit from a greater selection of plants if you opt for seeds. Plus, if you decide to start them indoors, you can reap the benefits of earlier blooms or harvest. Here are some of the easiest plants to grow from seed, including healthy vegetables you can integrate into your summer meal prep and flowers that will add a lively splash of color to your outdoor space.
Marigolds
Marigolds are easy flowers to grow from seed that liven up any garden. They come in fiery hues of orange, yellow and red and can reach a foot tall. You can put seeds directly in the ground after your last frost date. Make sure to choose a spot that gets full sun. Marigolds prefer moist, well-drained soil. If you want to get a head start, you can sow the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your intended planting date. Seeds should germinate within five days to a week.
See more:Guide to the New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Cosmos
These daisy-like flowers come in pink, white, yellow, magenta and orange and can tower up to 4 feet. Just spread the seeds over the ground after your last spring frost date and cover them lightly with soil. Opt for a spot that sits in full sun and provides well-draining soil. Like marigolds, you can start cosmos inside about six to eight weeks before your last spring frost date. You should see sprouts within one to three weeks. Cosmos often self-seed as well, so you may not have to plant them at all in the second year!
See more:How to Grow a Butterfly Garden
Sunflowers
Another one of the easiest plants to grow from seed is the bright and cheery sunflower. You can plant sunflower seeds in moist, well-drained soil after the last threat of frost has passed. You’ll want to choose a spot that receives full sun. Plant the seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and space them 6 inches apart for smaller varieties or 12 inches apart for taller ones. If you decide to plant them in rows, make sure they’re spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Sunflowers don’t like to be transplanted, so it’s best to sow seeds directly in the garden.
Zinnias
Coming in stunning colors like pink, white, red and yellow, zinnias are a garden favorite because of how quickly they can grow from seed or as transplants. They’re also a great flower for attracting pollinators. Sow your zinnia seeds directly in the garden at about 1/8-inch deep after the last frost date. Zinnias require full sun and moist, well-draining soil. If you’re feeling impatient, you can start your seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date.
Calendulas
The Calendula is another daisy-like flower that comes in shades of yellow and orange. Plant these directly in your garden right before the last frost date, choosing a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil. You can also start the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date.
See more:How to Start a Vegetable Garden From Seeds
Lettuce
Get your kitchen garden going with this quick-growing, easy veggie. Because lettuce is a cool-season crop, you’ll want to sow your seeds in the garden about two to four weeks before your last frost date or as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant seeds at about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch deep. You can start seeds indoors about a month in advance. In most regions, you can plant lettuce as a fall (or even winter) crop as well.
Green Beans
If you’re looking for easy vegetables to grow from seed, you’ll want to add green beans to the list. They grow best when direct-seeded outdoors. Plant after the last spring frost date and sow your beans 1 inch deep in well-draining soil. Pick a spot with full sun and your green beans are sure to produce throughout the season.
Radishes
Radishes are root vegetables known for their crispy texture and spicy, peppery taste. They are easy vegetables to grow from seed and can be harvested in under a month after planting. You can sow radish seeds as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. Space the seeds 2 inches apart or more and cover them with about a half inch of compost or soil. Pick a spot with full sun and moist soil.
Cucumbers
Now that you’ve got a ton of lettuce, why not add some cucumbers to complete your salads? These crispy green veggies are another one of the easiest plants to grow from seed. Pick a site that gets full sun and prep the spot with about 2 inches of aged manure and/or compost, working it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. You can start your cucumber seeds indoors about three weeks before transplanting them outside. Direct sow or transplant them in your garden no earlier than two weeks after the last frost date, as cucumbers are extremely susceptible to frost and cold damage.
Peas
Peas are next on the list of easy vegetables to grow from seed. Plant them in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked to two weeks before your last frost date. In order to ensure a continuous supply of peas throughout the summer, sow a few varieties with different maturity dates in a location with full sun. After two weeks, do it again. You can continue this pattern until mid-June.
Kale
Kale is a nutritious and hardy green leafy vegetable that can grow in a wide range of temperatures. You can sow kale seeds three to five weeks before your projected last frost date. In warmer regions, you can also plant them in early fall for a late fall/winter harvest. Plant your seeds at about half an inch deep, leaving about 1.5 to 2 feet between plants. Kale grows best in locations that receive full sun, but it can grow in partial sun as well.
See more:Best Online Seed Companies to Order From This Spring
