Sowing in place

Seeds are sown where the plants will complete their entire development. It is often thought that sowing in place corresponds to all sowing done in the open ground, which is a mistake. Sowing in nurseries can be done in the open ground, the plants will then be intended to be pulled up for transplanting. Sowings made in place, however, are never transplanted. In the vegetable garden, sowing in place is mandatory for most species with tap roots: carrots, salsify... and legumes, peas, beans,.... Time saving! Sowing in place saves the gardener time, the transplanting step is eliminated and watering is reduced. Less stress! It eliminates the stress of transplanting. We generally observe in plants sown in place a much better root system. Better adapted to their environment, they are more resistant to drought and external aggressions (rain, wind, insects...). They also have less risk of going to seed. A little more maintenance. Sowing in place requires regular weeding and thinning. Thinning consists of removing excess plants to ensure proper vegetation development. Requires more space. Sowing in place uses more land. Winter radishes and radishes (parsnips, parsley, tuberous chervil, beetroot, turnip, chard, etc.) will be sown in place. Sowing in place, in a nursery or under cover, can be done in rows or in pockets, more rarely broadcast. Sowing in rows This is the simplest and most frequently used method for vegetable species sown in place. It allows for good aeration thanks to a spacing between plants and rows adapted to each species. Sowing is carried out at a regular depth and maintenance is easier. The lines are drawn using a tool handle or a hoe along a string. The seeds are sown at regular intervals at the bottom of the furrow. The furrow is then closed with the tip of a hoe. The seeds can then be covered with a mixture of potting soil and sand for delicate seeds such as carrots, parsnips, etc. Firm the soil with the back of a rake. Lamb's lettuce, carrots, turnips, lettuce, etc., require precise and regular depth. Broadcast sowing Broadcast sowing involves spreading the seeds over the surface of the soil as evenly as possible. They are then covered with a rake or a layer of potting soil, and the surface is lightly compacted with the flat of the rake. Broadcast sowing is more difficult to achieve; it makes maintenance and harvesting (weeding, hoeing, amendments) difficult. However, you can find a compromise between sowing in rows and broadcast sowing. Sow on well-prepared strips of soil, 8 to 20 cm wide. The land will be better used and yields will be better. Some species, particularly root vegetables, carrots, endives, turnips, radishes, salsify, but also lettuce, lamb's lettuce, onions, etc., can be sown this way. Be careful not to sow too densely or you will have to transplant quickly. Lamb's lettuce, onions, and lettuce will tolerate this very well, but transplanting carrots is strongly discouraged. Instead, thin out the seeds. Broadcast sowing will be very useful for annual and biennial flowerbeds. Sowing in pockets Broadcast sowing involves placing several seeds together at the bottom of holes dug and spaced in a line. The pockets are opened with the tip of the planter, several seeds are placed inside, and closed with garden soil or a mixture of potting soil and sand. Firm down with the palm of your hand. This method facilitates weeding and seed emergence in difficult terrain. The 3 or 4 seeds placed per pocket will together lift any crust of bedding formed on the surface of the soil. It also strengthens wind resistance, the plants will support each other. Finally, it allows for regular emergence, without holes, with good air circulation between the plants. Sowing in pockets is used for large seeds: beans, peas, broad beans, but also cucumbers, gherkins, zucchini, squash and melons, cardoon, corn, sweet peas, New Zealand spinach, sunflower. After emergence, only the most vigorous plants are kept. Pack and water Whichever technique is used, lightly pack with the palm of your hand or the back of a rake to bring the seed into contact with the soil. Water with a light spray with the palm of the watering can. The seed must remain moist until emergence. If conditions become unfavorable (sun rays, drying winds or excessive rain during emergence), protect the seedlings by covering them. Staggered sowing for regular harvests Do not sow the entire packet of seeds at once. By sowing small quantities several times, every two or three weeks for example, production will be spread out and gardeners will harvest vegetables at the best stage of maturity and as needed.