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KarenO · February 17, 2017

It's very different direct sowing seed in the garden than indoors.

For me , the only way to do it is slow. I do it by hand. I find I always use too much soil to cover if I use a rake or hoe.
I put a stake at each end and run a string to start the row. Then I make a shallow trench along the string so the row is straight. Then I water that trench well allowing the water to soak in.
Then I sow the seed doing my best not the sow too thick because I hate thinning. Then I cover the seed by hand to the eyeballed correct depth and firm in gently. It's slow but more seed grows if not buried too deep. Not practical for a huge or market garden.
Watering the shallow trenches first helps the seed stick and not blow away. There is no need to water again right away after sowing of the seed so you wont wash your seeds out of that nice straight row. I hate a crooked row

KarenO

February 17, 2017	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,922	It's very different direct sowing seed in the garden than indoors. For me , the only way to do it is slow. I do it by hand. I find I always use too much soil to cover if I use a rake or hoe. I put a stake at each end and run a string to start the row. Then I make a shallow trench along the string so the row is straight. Then I water that trench well allowing the water to soak in. Then I sow the seed doing my best not the sow too thick because I hate thinning. Then I cover the seed by hand to the eyeballed correct depth and firm in gently. It's slow but more seed grows if not buried too deep. Not practical for a huge or market garden. Watering the shallow trenches first helps the seed stick and not blow away. There is no need to water again right away after sowing of the seed so you wont wash your seeds out of that nice straight row. I hate a crooked row KarenO Last edited by KarenO; February 17, 2017 at 12:59 PM.