The practice of planting seeds directly into garden soil where they will grow to maturity, rather than starting them elsewhere and later transplanting them.
With direct sowing, seeds are planted in their final growing location and allowed to complete their entire life cycle there. After planting, the seeds undergo germination, develop into seedlings, and continue growing without being moved.
Many vegetables grow well when direct sown, particularly crops that dislike root disturbance. This method also eliminates the extra steps involved in indoor seed starting and transplanting.
Success depends on proper soil preparation, planting depth, moisture, and timing within the growing season.
Direct sowing is one of the simplest and most economical ways to start a garden. It reduces transplant shock, requires less equipment, and works especially well for crops that establish quickly from seed. For many vegetables, it is the preferred planting method.