Too Little, or Too Much Seed

[digitS']

When it comes time to plant our gardens, it can be real frustrating to open a packet of seed and realize that we have, maybe, enough to plant 25% of the ground that we had planned for that vegetable.

On the other hand, we can end up with enough turnip seed to plant the entire garden, the neighbor's garden and our front lawn!!? I know, we can share . . .

Here's a link to Clemson University information on planning and planting a vegetable garden. If you scroll down to Table 2, Vegetables Planting Chart - you can get some idea about how much seed is required to plant a 100-foot row. Not planting a 100-foot row? Well, do some simple math.

It's better to have some idea now than to find out that the "Mammoth," 10-gram packet of corn seed only has 25 seeds in it. And, the "Sample," 1/2 ounce packet of turnip seed has 5,000 seeds!

For a 100-foot row (probably the easiest ones to get too little seed, are some with larger, heavier seed):

Beans pound
Corn 4 ounce
Peas 1 pound

For a 100-foot row (probably the easiest ones to get too much seed, are some with tiny, light seed):

Carrots ounce
Lettuce ounce
Turnips ounce

Better think of these as "minimums" so that you are sure to have enough (and can share ). And BTW, a 100-foot row of potatoes takes 12 pounds of seed potatoes.

Steve

 

[vfem]

Thank you for doing my math! LOL

I am so bad at this, I usually just over order so I can give some away or trade. OR it ends up in my bottomless box of SEED!

 

[journey11]

Good to know! Thanks Steve!

I usually purposely buy too much, especially when seeds go on sale in the fall. I get most of mine from the Southern States Co-op feed store and they have great germination rates. If I save it for the next year (or next few years), I just do a germination test on it before I plant, just to make sure. Kept cold, they hold well.

I'd rather have too much than too little, at any rate! If I have to run back out and buy more, I guarantee I'll spend more $$ with impulse buys! LOL

Sometimes I'll give the extras to my mom or sister who are both lackadasical gardeners...

 

[digitS']

I didn't grow potatoes for years and years. About 4 seasons ago, I'd sat long enuf on the sidelines and watched others grow all these wonderful varieties available.

Last year, was the 1st time that I had the right amount of seed potatoes .

I still don't plant 100 feet of them but with about 50 feet - 6 pounds of spuds seems like pretty darn big bag. And, ordering 1 pound for $11 from some outfit that charges me shipping . . . well, that don't feed the bulldog :/.

Steve

 

[seedcorn]

Usually buy enough for 2-3 years when I buy as one packet not enough, price breaks at larger quantities. So I store it in a place that doesn't vary in temp a lot, so I'm good. That's all seed companies do. You don't think they buy new seed every year. They buy it, use it till it sells out, then restock w/seed.

You would be surprised if you knew how old the seed was. packets say "packed for 2010" not seed grown in 2010.

 

[jamespm_98]

When it comes time to plant our gardens, it can be real frustrating to open a packet of seed and realize that we have, maybe, enough to plant 25% of the ground that we had planned for that vegetable.

On the other hand, we can end up with enough turnip seed to plant the entire garden, the neighbor's garden and our front lawn!!? I know, we can share . . .

Here's a link to Clemson University information on planning and planting a vegetable garden. If you scroll down to Table 2, Vegetables Planting Chart - you can get some idea about how much seed is required to plant a 100-foot row. Not planting a 100-foot row? Well, do some simple math.

It's better to have some idea now than to find out that the "Mammoth," 10-gram packet of corn seed only has 25 seeds in it. And, the "Sample," 1/2 ounce packet of turnip seed has 5,000 seeds!

For a 100-foot row (probably the easiest ones to get too little seed, are some with larger, heavier seed):

Beans pound
Corn 4 ounce
Peas 1 pound

For a 100-foot row (probably the easiest ones to get too much seed, are some with tiny, light seed):

Carrots ounce
Lettuce ounce
Turnips ounce

Better think of these as "minimums" so that you are sure to have enough (and can share ). And BTW, a 100-foot row of potatoes takes 12 pounds of seed potatoes.

Steve

I live about 30 minutes from Clemson University and they have a great Extension program. This is our states agricultural college. They have a seed savers program, organic farm as well as traditional farming information. I use the search on the extension website often for information.

www.clemson.edu/extension/