Seed Planting Depths, Light and Other Needs To Germinate

While most seeds germinate under the soil, provided they have moisture and the right temperature, some seeds have special requirements. Some seeds need light exposure to germinate. Covering them with soil will stop them sprouting. Some seeds have special needs to trigger germination such as scratching of the outer coating of the seed, smoke essence and temperature variations such as exposure to frosts.

The general rule is to plant a seed at a depth equivalent to three times its width of thickness. However, seeds requiring light need to be simply pressed into the surface of the soil, and not covered with soil, so that they are exposed to light.

See: Combining seed tape, baggies and heated bed methods for early seed germination - A new method to enhance germination for difficult plants
Discover how Seed Germination requirements differs for various species of vegetables, herbs and flowering plants
Discover how Seed Germination requirements differs for various species of vegetables, herbs and flowering plants. Source: Pixabay Free Images. Public Domain

Seeds of Flowering Plants Needing Light to Germinate

Seeds that require direct sunlight to germinate can be sprouted on wet paper towels
Seeds that require direct sunlight to germinate can be sprouted on wet paper towels. Source: Pixabay Free Images. Public Domain

Vegetable Seeds Requiring Very Shallow Planting

Once again covering the seeds with a thin layer of fine vermiculite, mixed with course sand keeps the seeds moist and helps keep the seeds in place when you water them.

Discover which seeds do not transplant well when germinated in seed trays
Discover which seeds do not transplant well when germinated in seed trays. Source: Pixabay Free Images. Public Domain

Vegetable Seeds Best Soaked in Water Before Planting

Some seeds germinate quicker and more reliable if they are soaked in water for several minutes before they are sowing. Large seeds, seeds with wrinkled coats, and seeds with hard outer skins germinate better if they are soaked in water prior to planting.
Place these seeds on a damp paper towel, in a shallow bowl or jug of warm water. Alternatively you can set them aside in a sealed plastic bag containing some water, to absorb the moisture. Adding several drops of vinegar to the water boosts the process. The acidity of the vinegar helps breakdown the outer seed covering. Soak smaller seeds for an hour of so, and larger seeds overnight.

Seeds that benefit from soaking before planting include:

Discover how a seed develops after germinating, from sprout to the first leaf and then to the shoot stage
Discover how a seed develops after germinating, from sprout to the first leaf and then to the shoot stage. Source: Pixabay Free Images. Public Domain

Seeds that Need to be Abraded, Scratched of Nicked (Scarified) to Promote Germination

Certain seeds with a very hard outer covering will germinate more reliably and quicker if the seed coat is abraded before sowing. You can use coarse sand paper and file or rasp, or gently scratch or nick the outer skin with a knife, before soaking them in water, or planting them. This process is known as scarification. Do not puncture the outer seed covering, or damage the inside of the seed as this can kill the seed embryo.

Seeds that can benefit from scarification before planting include:

Seed germinating
Seed Germinating. Source: Pixabay Free Images. Public Domain

Seeds that Require Heat, Ash or Smoke from Brush Fires to Germinate

Research in Australia has shown that the trigger for germinating native plant seeds after a brush fire is not so much the heat and ash from a fire, but rather the smoke from the fire. Smoke is now widely used in bushland management, nursery production and mine-site restoration. Home gardeners can purchase smoke and essence powder which can be added to the water seeds and soaked in.

See: Smoke Germination of Australian Plants

Seeds that Germinate Best in Cool Soils

Many cool-season vegetables have genetically adapted to germinate best in cool rather than warm soils. This means that they sprout ready to grow as the temperatures cool down in autumn.

Seeds best planted early in cool soil include

Herbs that require early planting in cool soils include:

Seeds that Need to be Directly Planted in Garden Beds, Poor Response to Transplanting

Some seedlings have long or quick growing roots that get disturbed when trying to transplant after sowing in seed trays.

Vegetables and herbs less suitable for transplanting include:

Seed Planting Depths for Vegetables, Herbs and Flowering Plants

The tables below provide a guide for the depth to plant seeds of Vegetables, Herbs and Flowering Plants

Seed Planting Depths for Vegetables (mm and inches)

VEGETABLE Depth (mm) Depth (inches)
Amaranth 5 1/5
Artichoke 6 1/5
Asparagus 10 1/3
Bean, Broad 40-50 1 1/2 to 2
Bean, Bush 20-30 1
Bean Climbing 20-30 1
Beetroot 20-30 1
Broccoli 6 1/5
Brussels Sprouts 6 1/5
Burdock 15 1/2
Cabbage 6 1/5
Cabbage, Chinese 6 1/5
Cape Gooseberry 4 1/6
Capsicum 4 1/6
Carrot 4 1/6
Cauliflower 6 1/5
Celeriac 4 1/6
Celery 4 1/6
Chilli 4 1/6
Corn, Sweet 15-25 1/2 to 1
Cress 4 1/6
Cucumber 10 1/3
Eggplant 4 1/6
Endive 5 1/5
Kale 10 1/3
Kohl Rabi 6 1/5
Leek 4 1/6
Lettuce 5 1/5
Mizuna 6 1/5
Mustard 6 1/5
Okra 10 1/3
Onion 5 1/5
Parsnip 5 1/5
Pea 20-30 1
Pumpkin 15-20 1/2 to 1
Radish 15 1/2
Rhubarb 10 1/3
Rockmelon 15 1/2
Rocket 4 1/6
Rosella 10-15 ¼ to 1/2
Silverbeet 10 1/3
Spinach 8 1/3
Squash 15-25 1/2 to 1
Swede 10 1/3
Tomato 5 1/5
Turnip 10 1/3
Watermelon 15-20 1/2 to 1
Zucchini 15-20 1/2 to 1

Seed Planting Depths for Herbs (mm and inches)

HERBS Depth (mm) Row Spacing (cm)
Anise 6 1/5
Basil 3 1/10
Bergamot 3 1/10
Borage 10 1/3
Burnet 8 1/3
Calendula 10-15 ¼ to ½
Caraway 10 1/3
Catnip 5 1/5
Chamomile 1 1/10
Chervil 6-10 1/5-1/3
Chives 5 1/5
Coriander 6 1/5
Cress 4 1/5
Cumin 5 1/5
Dill 2-4 1/10
Echinacea 6 1/5
Evening Primrose 1 1/10
Fenugreek 10 1/3
Hyssop 6 1/5
Lemon Balm 3 1/10
Lovage 6 1/5
Marjoram 5 1/5
Mint 2 1/10
Nasturtuim 10-15 ¼ to ½
Oregano 5 1/5
Parsley 4 1/6
Rosemary 3 1/10
Rue 5 1/5
Sage 5 1/5
Savory 3 1/10
Sorrel 5 1/5
Tarragon 1 1/10
Thyme 3 1/10
Yarrow 1 1/10

Seed Planting Depths for Flowering Plants (mm and inches)

FLOWERING PLANT Depth (mm) Depth (inches)
Alyssum 3 1/10
Amaranth 5 1/5
Aquilegia 3 1/10
Aster 5 1/5
Brachycome 3 1/10
Calendula 10-15 ¼ to ½
Californian Poppy 3 1/10
Candytuft 5 1/5
Canterbury Bells 3 1/10
Carnation 6 1/5
Cosmos 10-15 ¼ to ½
Dahlia 10-15 ¼ to ½
Dianthus 3 1/10
Forget Me Not 3 1/10
Four 'O' Clocks 10-15 ¼ to ½
Foxglove 3 1/10
Godetia 5 1/5
Gypsophila 5 1/5
Hollyhock 8 1/3
Honesty 6 1/5
Impatiens 5 1/5
Larkspur 3 1/10
Lavender 3 1/10
Linaria 3 1/10
Livingstone Daisy 3 1/10
Lobelia 1 1/10
Marigold African 8-12 1/5 to ¼
Nasturtium 10-15 ¼ to ½
Nigella 3 1/10
Pansy 6 1/5
Petunia 3 1/10
Phlox 3 1/10
Poppy 3 1/10
Snapdragon 3 1/10
Statice 3 1/10
Stock 3 1/10
Stock, Virginian 6 1/5
Sunflower 8-12 1/5 to ¼
Sweetpea 10-20 ¼ to ¾
Verbena 6 1/5
Viola 6 1/5
Wallflower 6 1/5
Zinnia 6 1/5

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