THE A.B.C. OF SEED SOWING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 962, 3 May 1930, Page 32

THE A.B.C. OF SEED SOWING

PREPARING GROUND One of the first and most important things a gardener must study is the correct sowing of seeds. Quite 80 per cent, of the complaints about bad seed arise from incompetent sowing or unsuitable weather conditions, and so a few hints on this subject will not come amiss. The first essential in sowing is to see that the surface soil is worked fine as possible, and raked level. One cannot sow seeds successfully on a lumpy surface, as they would all be set at an uneven depth, and many would be left uncovered. There are several methods of seedsowing. The amateurish way is to tear off a corner of the packet, press the sides of the packet to open the torn corner, and then sprinkle along the drill, dibbling the seeds from the packet. The professional method is to empty a small quantity of seed into the palm of the right hand, picking out a few seeds with the thumb and first finger of the left hand, and rolling it between these two fingers, dropping a seed where it is wanted. The advantage of this method is that seed can be deposited at a time and at anyrequired distance. When the seed is tipped straight out of the packet, it is almost impossible to prevent three or four seeds tumbling out together and falling on the same spot, with the result that extra work in thinning out must be done. You will usually, find that the expert gardener sows his small seeds three inches apart, his big ones six to eight inches. When sowing small sticky seeds such as carrots, a little sand mixed with the seed ensures better distribution. The seed sown, the next thing is to cover it. This can be done with the back of the rake, the soil heing drawn from one side of the drill. As each row of seeds is sown, it should be labelled.