Hi, folks. I've got an envelope that is supposed to contain 6,000
Rudbeckia seeds. In other words...about a tablespoon.

I want to sow these more or less evenly over a plot that's roughly
8x10 feet. Is there a simple method of spreading them out evenly over
a space that size -- that is, a simper method that making a zillion
one eighth-inch deep holes and dropping seeds in one-by-one?

Mark

"Gulph" wrote in message
Hi, folks. I've got an envelope that is supposed to contain 6,000
Rudbeckia seeds. In other words...about a tablespoon.

I want to sow these more or less evenly over a plot that's roughly
8x10 feet. Is there a simple method of spreading them out evenly over
a space that size -- that is, a simper method that making a zillion
one eighth-inch deep holes and dropping seeds in one-by-one?

Mark


Aye Mark, there is a simpler method. Get yourself a couple pounds of very
fine white sand and mix the seeds WELL with the sand, then broadcast or
sift the sand/seed mix over the area. Don't obsess, naturalized rudbeckia
grows in drifts and clumps anyway.

sue
western Maine

Some folks mix small tiny seeds in sand but I found corn meal works
good as the density of meal is lighter so the seeds mix in more
readily and the mix stays more consistent.
Visit my website: http://www.frugalmachinist.com
Opinions expressed are those of my wifes,
I had no input whatsoever.
Remove "nospam" from email addy.

On 1 May 2004 16:53:35 -0700, (Gulph) wrote:

Hi, folks. I've got an envelope that is supposed to contain 6,000
Rudbeckia seeds. In other words...about a tablespoon.

I want to sow these more or less evenly over a plot that's roughly
8x10 feet. Is there a simple method of spreading them out evenly over
a space that size -- that is, a simper method that making a zillion
one eighth-inch deep holes and dropping seeds in one-by-one?

Neither "more or less evenly" nor making a zillion separate plantings
will result in totally even distribution of plantlets, as they won't
all come up. You don't want 6000 plants in an 8'x10' area anyhow --
sowing so close would have seedlings fighting for their lives from day
one. The seeds are of reasonable size to scatter by hand. Rake the
dirt in your plot to provide some nooks and cranies, scatter the seed
carefully, and cover lightly.

Suggestions about mixing with sand or cornmeal are meant for making
sure tiny, tiny seeds like carrot don't all end up in a clump, as
they're rather difficult to control with fingers.

Afterthought: You'll probably have to thin the seedlings in any case.
Rudbeckias are good-sized plants. 4 per square foot would be a very
thick planting.

Frogleg wrote in
:


Suggestions about mixing with sand or cornmeal are meant for making
sure tiny, tiny seeds like carrot don't all end up in a clump, as
they're rather difficult to control with fingers.

I saw some Martha Stewart brand seeds at K-mart that were embedded in a
roll of tape. Just unroll and plant the tape. Might be old news, but I
thought it was interesting. Quite a healthly markup price-wise as well.

Both great suggestions. Thanks. I think I'll go with the cornmeal,
since there is a sack of it in the pantry that has gone untouched
since we went on Atkins.

Mark

(Roy) wrote in message .. .
Some folks mix small tiny seeds in sand but I found corn meal works
good as the density of meal is lighter so the seeds mix in more
readily and the mix stays more consistent.

From: (Gulph)
Date: Sun, May 2, 2004 12:22 PM
Message-id:

Both great suggestions. Thanks. I think I'll go with the cornmeal,
since there is a sack of it in the pantry that has gone untouched
since we went on Atkins.

Mark

(Roy) wrote in message
.. .
Some folks mix small tiny seeds in sand but I found corn meal works
good as the density of meal is lighter so the seeds mix in more
readily and the mix stays more consistent.

Word of warning: do a test first on a wee patch of ground, using only a small
quantity of seeds in the cornmeal. Squirrels and many birds dote on cornmeal.
Keep a watch for frantic activity at the spot. If there is any, go the sand
route.

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7

"Tyra Trevellyn" wrote in message
From (Gulph)
Both great suggestions. Thanks. I think I'll go with the cornmeal,

(Roy) wrote in message
.. .
Some folks mix small tiny seeds in sand but I found corn meal works
good as the density of meal is lighter so the seeds mix in more
readily and the mix stays more consistent.


Word of warning: do a test first on a wee patch of ground, using only a
small
quantity of seeds in the cornmeal. Squirrels and many birds dote on
cornmeal.
Keep a watch for frantic activity at the spot. If there is any, go the
sand
route.

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7


Aye.

Sue

On Sun, 02 May 2004 15:49:47 GMT, Salty Thumb
wrote:

I saw some Martha Stewart brand seeds at K-mart that were embedded in a
roll of tape. Just unroll and plant the tape. Might be old news, but I
thought it was interesting. Quite a healthly markup price-wise as well.

You can make (or have your kids make) your own seed tape. Here are 3
different recipes.

http://www.boldweb.com/greenweb/g_tape.htm
http://doityourself.com/garden/makingseedtapes.htm
http://www.organicgardening.com/feat...19-643,00.html

Frogleg wrote:

You can make (or have your kids make) your own seed tape. Here are 3
different recipes.

http://www.boldweb.com/greenweb/g_tape.htm
http://doityourself.com/garden/makingseedtapes.htm
http://www.organicgardening.com/feat...19-643,00.html

Here's another:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_bulbs_se...378253,00.html


--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: Spend your Amazon gift certificates he
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/associateshop.html

Another method for sowing small seeds thinly is to mix them into Wall paper
past (The old fashioned type that doesn't have fungicide in it), then put
this mixture into a washing up liquid bottle , then all you have to do is to
squeeze out a run of the mixture, this way the seeds will be spaced, and the
paste breaks down very fast in the soil.
You can also pre germinate the seed this way before planting.

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

(Roy) wrote in message .. .
Some folks mix small tiny seeds in sand but I found corn meal works
good as the density of meal is lighter so the seeds mix in more
readily and the mix stays more consistent.



Just wondering.. i thought cornmeal acted somewhat as a pre-emergent
and also as a fungacide???? or is that just the corn gluten???
appreciate clarification as i have been using it (cornmeal) on my red
tiped photenia area to help with the spots that get on the leaves it
seems to be working.
Thanks..LeeH

"Warren" wrote in
news:Xfflc.12185$Ia6.1634393@attbi_s03:

Frogleg wrote:

You can make (or have your kids make) your own seed tape. Here are 3
different recipes.

http://www.boldweb.com/greenweb/g_tape.htm
http://doityourself.com/garden/makingseedtapes.htm
http://www.organicgardening.com/feat...19-643,00.html

Here's another:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_bulbs_se...TV_3553_137825
3,00.html



Thanks for the ideas (you too eclectic), I'll have to try some of those.

But I will feel funny putting the toilet paper down with the manure.