Hey everyone, I'm diving into gardening for the first time and I've just set up a 4x10 raised bed garden box in my community garden. I'm keen on starting with some starter plants from the local nursery, but I'm also curious about direct seeding. Specifically, for a square foot that's meant for four seeds, can I mix two starter plants with two seeds? I'm particularly interested in growing lettuce since we use it a lot. Should I combine them in one square or keep my starters and seeds in separate areas?
3 Answers
Honestly, lettuces grow super fast from seed, so I'd skip the store-bought starts for that. Your idea of succession planting is right on! Just a heads-up though: lettuce is a cool-season crop, and it can bolt as temperatures rise. If you're in a warmer place, you might be at the end of the season. Here in Colorado, I grow mine indoors to avoid that heat damage. You might want to consider quick-growing crops like radishes too; they're great for succession sowing!
I'm no expert, but mixing both sounds like a solid plan! Gardening is all about experimenting and figuring out what works for you. Keep in mind that lettuce usually prefers to be directly sown, as it's not a fan of being transplanted. So maybe lean towards seeds for that.
Absolutely, you can do this! It's known as succession planting, and it works great for crops like lettuce, basil, and leafy greens. Just make sure to give everything enough space, and you'll be fine combining starters and seeds in the same square. Also, if you're using an existing bed, don't forget to amend the soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer before planting!
Thank you! Yes, we have added fresh soil and compost.
Thanks! I'm in Vancouver, BC (zone 8b), so we rarely hit above 80°F in summer, maybe just a day or two. Right now, it’s around 62-70°F and sunny! Planning to check out the local seed store this weekend!