ben_short on Twitter, has asked TopVeg “any advice on avoiding creating a surface pan when watering a newly planted seed bed?”
This is a very interesting question, which requires a longer answer than the 140 characters allowed on Twitter!
water
1. Give small droplets of water – using a very fine rose on a watering can, or a spray. This will not swill the surface like water from a hose pipe
2. Retain small cloddy bits of soil on the surface, to help keep it open. It is good to have fine soil around the seed to give plenty of soil/seed contact. The seed can then take the water from the soil & start to grow. But the surface of the seedbed should contain little lumps of soil, so that it is not a powder which will soak up water & then dry into a hard sheet or cap.
water-seeds-in
3. When raking the seedbed do not collect up all the small bits and clods to leave totally fine soil. Fine, powdery soil will run together when wetted, & then go solid when it dries out.
rake-seed-bed
4. Do not overwork the soil, leaving a very fine soil on the top. The fine soil will go hard after a wet & a dry. The germinating shoot will not be able to push through this hard cap.
5. On clay/loamy soils, sow seed into moist (not wet) conditions. Before watering the seeds in, let the surface of the soil dry out a little so that the small cloddy particles go hard. Then they will repel water and not melt when wetted.
6. Be careful not to over water and make the soil water- logged. Too much water will fill all the air spaces – pushing all the oxygen out of the soil. It is better to water little & often, maintaining a permanently moist (not wet) soil.
Watering a newly planted seed bed requires lots of attention to detail!
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What an adorable little watering helper you have! Quite the grin!
Comment by Laura — April 12, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
So now that I have a surface pan over my newly planted seeds. Is there a way to rectify the problem?
Could I rake it very gently to bread up the hard skin?
Comment by Ben Short — April 13, 2010 @ 8:49 am
Being a novice I then to raked the soil till its fine then use the end of my rake to make the drill.
I then sow the seeds and then cover the seeds using the soil at the edges of the drill.
I then firm the soil when the drill with the rake but only use the weight of the rake.
I then use a watering can and drench the area.
So I have 3 areas where I have done this. About 3 weeks ago I planted some carrot and spinach seeds. And 3 days ago I planted parsnips, more carrots and some green beans. I use the same method as described above.
I can see that a few spinach carrot seedling have pushed their way out through cracks in the soil from the first sewings.
Obviously the seeds sown at the weekend have not sprouted yet.
Is there anything I can do to rectify the problem?
Ben
Comment by Ben Short — April 13, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
Hi Laura
Young ones can show such enthusiasm! I agree – it is wonderful!
Comment by TopVeg — April 13, 2010 @ 8:45 pm
Hi Ben
That is bad luck when you have done everything right.
The best way to tackle the cap is to try to soften it – try to dampen it by sprinkling a very thin mist of water on it – little & often – don’t soak it. It will be difficult to get the cap to take in the water at first, but once it starts to penetrate, you will be able to keep it topped up so that it is moist & soft – then the seedlings will be able to grow through it. Gently watering often will keep the cap moist and let the seedlings grow – you will need to carry on for a few weeks.
What sort of soil have you got? The first stage of your planting “rake the soil till it is fine” may need changing to “rake the soil till it is fine, but leave some of the tiny lumps on top of the soil – don’t remove the lumps – as these help to keep the soil surface open.”
“firm the soil with the rake” – should be OK – but it is all relative – the soil does not want to be squashed down- just patted down to give good soil/seed contact. If you have silty soil, or sandy soil, there is a bigger danger of compacting it by pressing too hard.
“then use a watering can & drench the area” is again relative! The water should be applied as a gentle, fine spray & must soak through immediately- stop watering if the water is sitting on the top.
I would not rake your cap – as the seedlings may snap off.
You are right to be concerned and to try to rectify the situation. You have worked hard to give the seeds a good start & need some return for your efforts! I hope you can keep things growing
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg — April 14, 2010 @ 7:35 am
Thank you very much for your advice. I think its time to invest in a finner rose for the watering can. I will try lightly wetting the cap everyday as suggested.
I’m in Kent and have about 18″ of soil on top of chalk.
Thanks again.
Ben
Comment by Ben Short — April 14, 2010 @ 8:06 am
Hi Ben
Lucky you being in Kent – a perfect place to garden!
As you are watching your garden so closely you will soon work out what is best for your soil and situation. We will be interested to hear how your present seedlings work out.
best wishes
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg — April 14, 2010 @ 7:52 pm