Treading seed beds.

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Steve R, Oct 22, 2016.

  1. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    I've recently been reading a few books whilst on holiday and they say to rake your bed, then tread over it, then rake it again to give you a fine tilth for seed sowing.

    I have issues with that as all my ground at the allotment has been double dug and very well cultivated, it's light and airy and the plants love it.

    We learn via mediums such as this site that walking on your soil destroys soil structure and compresses it. And some shape/size their beds so they never have to or walk on boards placed atop the ground.

    So why on earth (pun most definitely intended) would you want to tread on your soil to sow the seeds and eventually grow your plants in soil structure destroyed and trodden ground?

    Steve...:)
     
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      Steve R, Oct 22, 2016
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    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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      If you have good soil, then no need to do it. you will find farmers do it, plough then go over with a set of cambridge rollers to break down the lumbs or plough then go over with a one pass machine with a cumble roller on the back then seed it
       
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        Jiffy, Oct 22, 2016
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Depends on the soil type and what you are sowing. Some veg like brassicas need to be in firm, and it's also recommended for sowing a new lawn. I don't do it on my light soil once I've worked a good tilth with a rake. As Jiffy says some farmers do it, we did on my Dad's farm which was heavy clay - used rollers after sowing to consolidate and ensure a good contact between seed and soil particles.
         
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          JWK, Oct 22, 2016
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Just another thought on clay soils it's easy to create a cap, i.e. a hard surface that seedlings won't penetrate, so tread carefully (sorry about intentional pun too :))
           
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            JWK, Oct 22, 2016
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          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            That's 2 puns in this topic now.....and not a Zigs in sight !

            Steve...:)
             
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              Steve R, Oct 22, 2016
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            • daitheplant

              daitheplant Total Gardener

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              It`s early days yet Steve.
               
              daitheplant, Oct 25, 2016
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