Your Outdoor Garden Needs a Muffin Pan
Finally, winter is almost over and it’s time to plant spring – in fact, there are some vegetables you should start planting right now . When you return to the soil this season to (hopefully) be dazzled with your own homemade tomatoes and basil this summer, consider using an unorthodox but effective trick to spread the seeds properly. It doesn’t even require a trip to Lowe. Look no further than your kitchen cabinet for the only tool you’ll need to pull off this DIY gardening trick flawlessly: your humble cupcake pan.
How to use a muffin pan to arrange seeds
Gardening is labor intensive and requires planning. Perhaps you are a seasoned veteran who has spent years perfecting his timing and technique. Maybe you are new to gardening and looking for tips and tricks. Regardless of your experience level, if you love the idea of a neatly organized, well-spaced garden bed, a standard cupcake pan is your new best friend.
To do this, simply press the bottom of the pot directly into the soil, hard enough to leave indentations. (A good rule of thumb is to plant seeds twice their width or diameter; therefore, a seed half an inch wide should be planted about one inch deep.) Perfectly spaced seed holes – and let that part of your soul that craves neatness rejoice , order and simple solutions.
What kind of seeds is it suitable for?
Caution: This distance is not suitable for all seeds. Using a regular size cupcake pan will give about 3-4 inches of space between the middle of each seed hole. This is generally a good distance for foods such as beets, garlic, leeks, parsnips, onions, lima and green beans, lettuce, and turnips.
For products requiring 1-3 inches between seeds, use a mini cupcake pan to create a similar effect, but with less space between the indentations. The mini muffin tin will create the perfect spacing for seeds such as bush beans, green beans, green onions, peas, carrots, broccoli rabe, watercress, greens, radishes and black peas. (Always refer to the back of the seed bag for exact spacing requirements.)