How to Grow More Vegetables : And Fruits, Nuts ... - Shroomery

A spacing frame aids in placing seeds
in flats. Place one seed in the center of
each space.
Use a spacing stick for placing seeds in
beds. 3-inch to 36-inch sizes are used
according to the crop planted. Triangulation
is the way we plant most seeds
and transplant seedlings.
Use a triangular spacing template
for placing seeds in beds.
64 SEED PROPAGATION
When transplanting or planting seeds on spacings of 3
inches or more, try using measuring sticks cut to the required
length to determine where each plant should be located. Transplant
or sow a seed at each point of the triangulation process.
You will eventually be able to transplant with reasonable accuracy
without measuring!
Once you get the feel for plant spacing, you may want to
practice broadcasting seeds by hand in flats for some crops,
such as lettuce and flowers. Broadcasting was the method that
Alan Chadwick and his apprentices used with flats. Be sure
the seeds end up 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 2 inch apart in the first flat so the
seeds can take advantage of their complete miniclimate for
early growth stimulation and health. This method does,
however, require more time to do several prick outs. When
these seedlings’ leaves are barely touching, prick them out
(transplant them) into other flats on 1- to 2-inch centers. One
flat of these broadcasted seeds will fill approximately 4 flats
after pricking out.
Cover the seeds in their flats with a layer of the flat soil
mixture described later in this chapter. When broadcasting
seeds onto a growing bed, gently “chop” them in afterward with
a bow rake to a depth equal to their diameter (when they are
lying flat on a surface). Be sure to chop the rake only up and
down; do not pull it toward you. If you pull, seeds, fertilizers,
and compost may concentrate irregularly over the bed rather
than remain evenly spread. Or you may poke large seeds into
the soil to their proper depth with your index finger. Fill the
hole by pushing soil into it with your thumb and index finger.