🌾 1 Inch Deep
Cool-season crops and larger seeds that benefit from slightly deeper planting.
Spinach
- Direct sow up to 6 weeks before last frost
- Germinates in 7–12 days
- Tolerates cool soil
Beet
- Each “seed” contains 3–4 actual seeds
- Thin seedlings after sprouting
Swiss Chard
- Same clustered seed structure as beets
- Expect multiple sprouts per spot
- Thin to strongest plant
🌼 1 1/2 to 2 Inches Deep
Larger seeds with strong emergence power.
Bush Bean
- Direct sow after last frost
- Dramatic emergence in 5–8 days
Pea
- Sow in early spring
- Seeds swell in cool soil
- Sprout in 8–12 days
Fava Bean
- One of the largest garden seeds
- Sow late winter or early spring
- Strong emergence in about 10 days
🌻 3 to 4 Inches Deep
Very large seeds and tubers that require deep planting.
Seed Potato
- Plant sprouted pieces cut-side down
- Emerges in 15–20 days
- Hill soil up around stems as they grow
Winter Squash
- Plant flat seed on edge to prevent rot
- Germinates in 6–10 days
- Soil temperature must be at least 60°F (16°C)
Zucchini
- Start indoors in April or direct sow after frost
- Explosive germination in 5–7 days in warm soil
Why Depth Matters
Plant too shallow:
- Seeds dry out
- Roots form poorly
- Seedlings topple easily
Plant too deep:
- Seeds exhaust stored energy before reaching light
- Germination becomes weak or fails entirely
Correct depth ensures:
- Proper moisture retention
- Stable root anchoring
- Efficient energy use during sprouting
Final Thought
Strong gardens start underground.
A simple adjustment — just a few millimeters deeper or shallower — can dramatically improve success.
Remember the rule:
2 to 3 times the thickness of the seed.
Respect the depth.
Keep the soil moist.
Provide the right temperature.
And your garden will answer back in green. 🌿🪴