Treading seed beds.

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

  1. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2008
    Messages:
    3,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carer
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Ratings:
    +3,702
    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...:)
     
    • Like Like x 1
      Steve R, Oct 22, 2016
      #1 Quote in Conversation
    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

      Joined:
      Aug 25, 2011
      Messages:
      11,623
      Occupation:
      Pyro
      Location:
      Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
      Ratings:
      +33,629
      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
       
      • Like Like x 1
        Jiffy, Oct 22, 2016
        #2 Quote in Conversation
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        32,430
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +49,905
        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.
         
        • Like Like x 1
          JWK, Oct 22, 2016
          #3 Quote in Conversation
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          32,430
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +49,905
          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 :))
           
          • Like Like x 1
            JWK, Oct 22, 2016
            #4 Quote in Conversation
          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

            Joined:
            Feb 15, 2008
            Messages:
            3,892
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Carer
            Location:
            Cumbria
            Ratings:
            +3,702
            That's 2 puns in this topic now.....and not a Zigs in sight !

            Steve...:)
             
            • Funny Funny x 2
              Steve R, Oct 22, 2016
              #5 Quote in Conversation
            • daitheplant

              daitheplant Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Dec 19, 2006
              Messages:
              10,282
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              South East Wales
              Ratings:
              +2,881
              It`s early days yet Steve.
               
              daitheplant, Oct 25, 2016
              #6 Quote in Conversation
            Loading...
            Similar Threads - Treading seed beds
            1. Spruce

              Dierama growing from seeds & favourite varieties aka Angels fishing rods

              Spruce, Nov 14, 2024 at 4:06 PM, in forum: Gardening Discussions
              Replies:
              1
              Views:
              64
              noisette47
              Nov 14, 2024 at 5:22 PM
            2. a1154

              Erigeron karvinskianus Mexican fleabane from seed

              a1154, Nov 13, 2024 at 4:11 PM, in forum: Other Plants
              Replies:
              7
              Views:
              217
              JennyJB
              Nov 14, 2024 at 1:00 PM
            3. Meomye

              Collecting seeds

              Meomye, Nov 1, 2024, in forum: Garden Projects and DIY
              Replies:
              17
              Views:
              676
              Meomye
              Nov 4, 2024
            4. Pipcas

              Tilling before seeding

              Pipcas, Oct 25, 2024, in forum: Lawns
              Replies:
              4
              Views:
              249
              Pipcas
              Oct 26, 2024
            5. roders

              Raising Lupins from seed.

              roders, Oct 14, 2024, in forum: Gardening Discussions
              Replies:
              4
              Views:
              299
              Butterfly6
              Oct 14, 2024

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Accept Learn More...
              Dismiss Notice