On 2014-04-20 17:45:28 +0000, Spider said:

On 20/04/2014 17:23, Roger Tonkin wrote:
I've been growing veggies from seed for well over 40 years, so
never really bother to read the instructions on the seed
packets (except perhaps for a guide to the depth of planting).
However idly looking through some this week, I noticed that I
am supposed to "pre-water" the soil - Why???

I've always preferred to plant in dryish soil, when you can
hand close and firm the row and even move some of the seed that
has fallen out of line in necessay. Giving the soil a good
watering after palnting and firming if rain is not immenent.

Is there any science in this wet soil method?




I'm not sure if you'd call it science, rather a practical approach.
Watering the seed tray after placing your seed can have the effect of
washing all the seed into crowded patches of seed, rather than in the
neat rows you had laid them. It is then very difficult to separate
them, so many seeds germinate in one area, often failing due to
overcrowding.

I often sow onto wet compost. I may lightly cover the seeds with a
little dry compost if required. So far I haven't had a problem.

I have tried sowing onto dry compost, then plunging the trays in water
to soak right through so the seeds are wetted, but even this can cause
some seeds to 'swim' away from their allotted place.

If you're having success with your existing dry soil method, then there
is no need to change.

For the reasons you give, Ray always puts seeds onto wet compost. When
he's using those little individual plugs, he puts them in a shallow
tray of water and leaves them to soak it up. Trays of compost are
watered before sowing. As you say, if you water after sowing, even if
with a fine rose, the seeds can get pushed about into little clumps.
When you're dealing with some seeds which are virtually dust particle
size, it's much easier to get them in the right place if the compost is
damp.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk