What is Multi Sowing and Why Should You Do It?

If you want to maximise your growing space, boost yields, and make your gardening life a little easier, then multi sowing is a game-changer. This simple yet effective technique is ideal for growing a variety of vegetables—especially heirloom and heritage varieties—whilst reducing waste and effort. So, let’s dive into what multi sowing is and why you should be doing it in your veg patch.

What is Multi Sowing?

Multi sowing seeds is the practice of sowing multiple seeds in a single module or planting station rather than spacing them out individually. This method allows several plants to grow together in small clusters, naturally forming mini clumps rather than needing thinning or excessive transplanting. When it comes to multi sowing vegetables, this technique is particularly well-suited for crops like beetroot, spring onions, radishes, turnips, and even some herbs.

Why Should You Try Multi Sowing?

Saves Space

Whether you have a small garden, a raised bed, or even a container garden, multi sowing allows you to make the most of your available space.

Increases Yield

Growing in clusters means you’ll harvest more per square foot than if you spaced out each seed individually. Plus, heritage and heirloom varieties often thrive when grown in close-knit groups, mimicking their natural growth habits.

Reduces Weeding

With more plants in each space, there’s less room for weeds to take hold, meaning less time spent hoeing and more time enjoying your garden.

Less Wastage

By multi sowing seeds, you avoid the usual thinning process where you remove excess seedlings. Instead, each plant in the cluster is left to grow to a usable size.

Healthier Plants

Some vegetables, like spring onions and turnips, actually thrive when grown in small groups. Their roots help each other develop, leading to healthier, stronger plants.

How to Multi Sow Vegetables

Choose the Right Seeds

Multi sowing works best for small, fast-growing crops such as beetroot, radishes, leeks, onions, and salad leaves.

Use Modules or Trays

Sow 3-5 seeds per module in a seed tray rather than individual pots. If direct sowing, place a small cluster of seeds together in a shallow hole.

Plant Out in Clumps

When transplanting, don’t separate the seedlings. Instead, plant the whole cluster together in your veg bed.

Water and Feed as Usual

No special treatment is needed. Just water as required and give an occasional feed if needed.

Harvest Gradually

Depending on the crop, you can either pull up the entire cluster at once or harvest the largest plant from each group, leaving the others to continue growing.

The Best Vegetables for Multi Sowing

• Beetroot – Grows perfectly in clusters, making harvesting easier and more efficient.
• Radishes – Quick-growing and ideal for clump sowing.
• Leeks – Can be multi sown and planted out in groups for better space efficiency.

Multi sowing seeds is one of the easiest ways to maximise your garden’s productivity while reducing time spent on maintenance. Whether you’re growing heirloom or heritage varieties, this method can help you get the most out of your space without compromising on quality. Give it a try, and you’ll soon wonder why you ever did it any other way!