I'm in Zone 6a and due to time constraints and a lack of toddler-proofed space, I won't be starting seeds indoors this year. Instead, I'm planning to directly sow everything, likely starting next month. Does anyone in the same zone have experience with this? When do you usually start your direct seeding and do you have any tips? I'm looking to plant a variety of things including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and hopefully some berries too!
3 Answers
I'm also in Zone 6b and I direct sow a bunch of stuff! I usually start my beans, beets, summer squash, cucumbers, and radishes early in May. For warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers, I wait until the soil is warmed up, so I'll transplant those a week or two later. It's all about timing, but once you get it down, it's pretty straightforward!
I live in Zone 6b and most of the time, I directly sow since I don't have much space or time for an indoor setup. I’ve learned to be cautious about the timing for certain plants. Generally, I put in my herbs on the window ledges because my cat is really curious and gets into everything! If you’re planning to direct sow, just keep an eye on your frost dates and plant accordingly so you don't end up with empty patches like I did last year with my sunflowers!
I’m near the Ohio River in Zone 6b, and I'm planning to put in peas, lettuce, radishes, carrots, and beets this weekend! Just a heads up, keep an eye on the weather—it can get wild this time of year, and I might have to delay if the forecast doesn't cooperate!
Thanks for the timing tips! I’ll definitely keep an eye on the soil temperature before starting those warmer crops.