Direct sowing or pre-culture – which is better?
Should the vegetables be sown straight into the bed or raised under protection first? Both ways have their place – the right choice depends on the crop, the climate and your possibilities. Anyone who knows the differences gets more out of the season and spares themselves disappointment.
As a rough guide: warmth-loving, slow-growing crops benefit from pre-culture, while robust and fast-germinating species are best sown directly.
In short
- Pre-culture: earlier start, protected from cold and slugs – ideal for warmth-lovers.
- Direct sowing: less effort, no transplant shock – ideal for robust, fast species.
- Some plants dislike being moved and want to be sown directly.
- Your climate zone and desired harvest time also play a part.
What is direct sowing?
With direct sowing the seed goes straight to its final spot in the bed. This saves work and the plants do not have to get used to being moved. Disadvantages: the seedlings are exposed to cold, slugs and drought unprotected, and the season starts later. Well suited are carrots, radishes, peas, beans, spinach, rocket and dill.
What is pre-culture?
With pre-culture the plants are raised under protection on the windowsill, in the greenhouse or cold frame and planted out into the bed later. Advantages: a head start of several weeks, protection from cold and slugs, and a longer harvest period. The effort is greater and the young plants must be hardened off before planting out. Ideal for tomatoes, peppers, chillies, aubergines, cabbage, celery and pumpkin.
Which crop for which method?
- Clearly pre-culture: tomato, pepper, chilli, aubergine, physalis – they need warmth and a long growing time.
- Clearly direct sowing: carrot, radish, pea, bean, spinach – they germinate fast and do not tolerate being moved well.
- Both possible: lettuce, chard, beetroot, courgette and pumpkin – depending on the desired harvest time.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some plants dislike being moved?
Species with a long taproot such as carrots or parsnips are damaged when pricked out and then grow forked – they are sown directly.
Can I combine both?
Yes – e.g. raise some lettuce and sow some directly, to stagger the harvest.
Tip
Stagger your sowings every two to three weeks (successional sowing) – this way you harvest fresh over a long period instead of everything at once.
Caution
Only plant out warmth-loving pre-cultures such as tomatoes after the Ice Saints (mid-May) – late frosts can otherwise destroy them.
If you want to save yourself the pre-culture, get going straight away with strong young plants. We raise our young plants to be robust and ready to plant.