Profundidade de Plantio (semente)

Seed planting depth

The rule of thumb most gardeners use is to bury a seed at roughly 2-3× its own diameter. Tiny seeds like lettuce are the exception. They sit on the surface because they need light to germinate. Corn goes down 3-5 cm, tomato around 0.5-1 cm, and squash and pumpkin land at 2-3 cm. So a 5 mm bean ends up 10-15 mm under the soil. Plant too deep and the seedling burns through its reserves before it ever sees light; plant too shallow and it either dries out or a bird gets to it first. When you are unsure, check the depth printed on the seed packet, which always lists it.

Applications

This comes in handy for home vegetable gardens, family farming, and school gardens, and when you are planning a community seed bank or working from EMBRAPA recommendations crop by crop. Nurseries raising seedlings lean on it too, as does anyone doing direct sowing in conservation tillage systems.

FAQ

Do all seeds need to be covered? No. Lettuce, basil and chamomile want light, so you leave them on the surface or just press them in gently. The packet will say "light required for germination".

What if I plant deeper than recommended? Germination falls off fast. The embryo runs out of energy before it can push to the surface, and then it rots.

Does soil type matter? It does. Sandy soil compacts less, so you can sow a little deeper there. In clay soil, keep things shallower so the seed does not suffocate.