Download our How To Grow Our Seeds PDF here! 

How To Grow Our Seeds is a collaboration between those of us here at the Methow Valley Seed Collective and Dana Visalli of The Methow Naturalist. Many thanks goes to Dana for his years of work on natural history, organic gardening, and sustainable culture. 

Below is a web version of the content in the PDF. 

 

Directory 

Arugula ~ Basil ~ Beans-Pole ~ Beans-Bush/Dry ~ Beets ~ Broccoli and Caulifower ~ Cabbage ~ Carrots ~ Cilantro ~ Corn ~ Cucumber ~ Eggplant ~ Kale ~ Lettuce ~ Melon ~ Onions ~ Parsley ~ Peas-snap/shell ~ Peppers ~ Spinach ~ Squash-Summer, ~ Squash-Winter ~ Tomatoes ~

 

 

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)
View available Arugula varieties here. 

Plant is frost hardy; bolts to flower and seed in heat. Can use flowers in salad. Frequent watering reduces pungency.

  • Days to Maturity: 35-50
  • Sow Outdoors: April 15-Sept
  • Seed: ½” deep, 1” apart in rows 18” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 70 : Range: 65-85

 

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
View available Basil varieties here. 

Can be started from seed in the garden on June 10 or planted indoors in April. Extremely frost sensitive.

  • Days to Maturity: 75-85
  • Start Indoors: April 1 : Outdoors: June 5
  • Seed: ¼” deep, 10-12” apart in rows 24” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75-80 : Range: 70-85

 

Beans-Pole (Phaseolus vulgaris)
View available Dry / Bush / Soy Bean varieties. 

Poles or trellis should be 6’ tall. Keep soil moist in hot weather. Keep beans picked clean for greater production. Treat seed with inoculant for greater production.

  • Days to Maturity: 55-70
  • Sow Outdoors: June 1
  • Seed: 1” deep, 6 beans per pole (thin to 3) or 2” apart on a trellis
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 70 : Range: 60-80

 

Beans-Bush/Dry (Phaseolus vulgaris)
View available Dry / Bush / Soy Bean varieties.

Shallow-rooted; be sure soil is moist in hot weather. Keep plants well picked to encourage new blooms and extend season. Treat seed with inoculant for greater production.

  • Days to Maturity: 50-60 bush : 70-100 dry
  • Sow Outdoors: June 1 : plant every 2 weeks up to July 1
  • Seed: 1” deep, sow every 4” in rows 24” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 70 : Range: 60-80

 

Beets (Beta vulgaris)
View available Beets varieties here. 

Scab can be prevented by 1) making sure that pH level is near 7.0 (or slightly acidic, 6.5), 2) keep 2 years rotation between beets (or potatoes) in same spot, 3) no wood ashes or fresh manure in soil 4) check for adequate Boron

  • Days to Maturity: 45-75
  • Sow Outdoors: April 1 for early, June 15 for winter beets
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep and 1” apart, thin to 4” in rows 18-24” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 80 : Range: 60-85

 

Broccoli and Caulifower (Brassica oleracea)
View available Broccoli varieties here. 

All of the Brassicias (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale) can be direct-seeded in the garden, or started indoors.

  • Days to Maturity: 70-90
  • Start Indoors: April 1 : Transplant: May 1 : Outdoors: April 15
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep, space growing plants 24” apart, rows 24”
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75 : Range: 65-85

 

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
View available Cabbage varieties here. 

Space small headed cabbages plant at 12”, larger storage cabbages at 24” apart. Keep soil moist. Plants can form small secondary heads after the original is cut.

  • Days to Maturity: 65-100 depending on variety
  • Start Indoors: April 1 for summer cabbage May 7 for storage : Start Outdoors: 2 true leaves
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep, space growing plants 24” in rows 24” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 85 : Range: 45-95

 

Carrots (Daucus carota)
View available Carrots varieties here. 

No fresh manure, which causes hairy roots. Can take 3 weeks to germinate—keep the soil moist. Keep up on the early weeds in carrots.

  • Days to Maturity: 45-75
  • Sow Outdoors: April 15 to July 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ¼ “ deep, thin to 1” apart; rows can be 6-12” apart.
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 80 : Range: 55-85

 

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
View available Cilantro varieties here. 

Flowers are edible. Bolts to flower and seed quickly—keep planting. Let it go to seed for coriander.

  • Days to Maturity: 50-55 leaf : 90-100 seed
  • Sow Outdoors: April 15-Sept 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½ “ deep in rows 4” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 55 : Range: 45-65

 

Corn (Zea mays)
View available Corn varieties here. 

Plant corn in at least four rows for adequate wind pollination. Corn is a “heavy feeder” and will be more productive if side-dressed with organic fertilizer while growing..

  • Days to Maturity: 75-90
  • Start indoors in small cells: May 15 ~ Sow Outdoors: May 25, try two successions for sweet corn.
  • Seed: Plant seeds 1-2” deep in rows 30” apart, thin to 12” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 95 : Range: 60-95

 

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
View available Cucumber varieties here. 

Plant on trellis to save space. If starting indoors plant in peat pots so roots will not be disturbed. Needs fertile, moist soil. Pick regularly.

  • Days to Maturity: 50-55 pickling : 60-70 slicing
  • Start Indoors: May 15 : Transplant: June 15 direct sow after June 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep, 4-6 seeds per hill spaced 3’ apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 95 : Range: 60-95

 

Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
View available Eggplant varieties here. 

Originated in India. Fruits will be larger if some late-blooming flowers and terminal growth is pinched off. Harvest before fruits lose their glossy shine.

  • Days to Maturity: 60-90
  • Start Indoors: March 15 : Transplant: June 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ¼” deep in planting tray, then 18” apart in rows 2.5’ apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 85 : Range: 75-90

 

Kale (Brassica oleracea)
View available Kale varieties here. 

Kale has the best flavor after a light frost. Kale that has matured in late summer and fall will stay edible through heavy frost.

  • Days to Maturity: 60
  • Sow Outside: April 15 : For fall crop: July 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep, space growing plants 18” apart, rows 18-24”
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75 : Range: 65-85

 

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
View available Lettuce varieties here. 

Lettuce requires plenty of moisture. Will germinate as low as 40d, often will not germinate over 75d. Can be planted close together and cut off 2” above ground when 4-8” tall—it will grow back several times.

  • Days to Maturity: 25-30 baby : 45-60 heads
  • Start Indoors: Feb 15, set out in coldframe March 1 : Outside: April 15
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep and 1” apart in 12” wide rows, or 12” apart for head lettuce
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75 : Range: 40-80

 

Melon (Cucumbis melo)
View available Melon varieties here. 

Best to start indoors, but don’t let seedlings become root-bound. Plant in warmest part of garden, or up against south side of shed or house.

  • Days to Maturity: 75-95
  • Start Indoors: May 15 : Transplant: June 15
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep in hills 2/hill 48” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 90 : Range: 75-95

 

Onions (Allium cepa)
View available Onions varieties here. 

Best production when planted as starts. Can be started indoors in crowded flats and transplanted.

  • Days to Maturity: 95-125 seed : 80-105 starts
  • Start indoors March 1-15 : Transplant April 15-May 15.
  • Seed: Plant ½” deep, 2-4 seeds per inch, rows 15” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75 : Range: 50-95

 

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
View available Parsley varieties here. 

Germinates best in cool soil, can take up to 30 days to sprout. Soak seed 4-8 hours before planting.

  • Days to Maturity: 70-80
  • Sow Outdoors: April 15
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep and 1” apart, rows 18”
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75 : Range: 50-85

 

Peas-snap/shell (Pisum sativum)
View available Peas-snap/shell varieties here. 

Treat seed with bacterial inoculant for greater production. Mulch plants and water frequently to keep roots cool. Can be planted on either side of a support fence. Keep picked.

  • Days to Maturity: 55-60
  • Sow Outdoors: April 5
  • Seed: Plant seeds 1” deep and 1” apart, in rows 24” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 75 : Range: 50-75 : Minimum: 40

 

Peppers (Capsicum annuum)
View available Peppers varieties here. 

Plant seeds indoors 8-10 wks before last frost. Germinates in 14 days at 70 degrees (may need an electric heating pad or wire), grow at 70 d with night temps not falling below 62 d. Fertilize several times when young.

  • Days to Maturity: 65-85
  • Start Indoors: March 15 : Transplant: June 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep indoors, set out 1½-2’ apart in rows 24” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 85 : Range: 65-95

 

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
View available Spinach varieties here. 

Replant every two weeks for continuing production. Nitrogen supplied during growth greatly increases size of plants.

  • Days to Maturity: 35-45
  • Start Outdoors: April 20. For a fall crop plant August 15.
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep and 1” apart, thin to 3”, with rows at least 12” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 70 : Range: 45-75

 

Squash-Summer, (Zucchini)
View available Squash-Summer, varieties here. 

Start indoors 3 weeks before last frost, or in garden on June 1. All squash are monoecious (bearing separate male and female flowers on the same plant).

  • Days to Maturity: 45-60
  • Start Indoors: May 15 in peat pot : Transplant: June 15
  • Seed: Plant seeds or transplants in hills, 1” deep, 3/hill, 48” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 90 : Range: 70-90

 

Squash-Winter (Cucurbita species)
View available Squash-Winter varieties here. 

Don’t harvest till stems are brown and “corky”, cure for two weeks at 80° F.

  • Days to Maturity: 85-100
  • Start Indoors: May 15 in peat pot : Transplant: June 15
  • Seed: Plant seeds or transplants in hills, 1” deep, 3/hill, 48” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 90 : Range: 70-90

 

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
View available Tomatoes varieties here. 

Indeterminate varieties need to be staked, determinate types do not. Sow indoors 6-8 wks before planting (March 15). Growing seedlings in full light and cooler temps, 60-70° to prevents legginess. Plant starts up to first leaves; the stems will root.

  • Days to Maturity: 60-90
  • Start Indoors: March 15-April 1 : Transplant: June 1
  • Seed: Plant seeds ½” deep; plant transplants 24” apart, and rows 30” apart
  • Ideal germination temperature: Optimum: 85 : Range: 60-85