Читать книгу Home Gardener's Propagation (UK Only) - David Squire - Страница 71

1 During winter, dig a seed bed in a sheltered part of a garden and remove perennial weeds. In early spring, use a wooden rake (or a large metal type) to level the surface and break it to a fine tilth. If the soil is stony, do not rake off all stones as they help prevent compaction.

2 To firm the surface evenly, shuffle sideways over the entire surface. As well as consolidating the soil, this helps to break down large lumps. Do not use a garden roller, because it makes the surface uneven. Additionally, if the soil is damp its use results in clods of soil on the surface.

3 Use short canes to mark the ends of each row and stretch a garden line between them. Then, use the edge of a draw hoe to form a shallow drill, 6–12 mm (¼–½ in) deep. Remove the garden line before sowing seeds. Take care not to knock soil into the drill.

4 Sow seeds evenly and thinly in the bases of the drills. Congested seedlings are susceptible to diseases, and this also creates unnecessary competition for water, air and nutrients. Stand on a board to avoid compacting unsown soil.

5 Cover the seeds either by straddling the row and shuffling forward to guide friable soil over the seeds (above), or by using the flat top of a metal rake to push and pull soil over the seeds. Firm the surface by using your feet or the flat top of a metal rake.

6 Label the ends of the rows and lightly draw a metal rake over the rows (in the direction of the rows and not across) to remove footprints and level the soil’s surface. This prevents water resting in puddles on the surface.