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Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
(SARE) Farm Internship Curriculum and Handbook
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Published 2010 ATTRA Publication n/a |
 A printable PDF version of this entire document is available at:http://attra.ncat.org/intern_handbook/pdf/direct_seeding.pdf 4 pages — 68K Download Acrobat Reader |
Direct Seeding
Learning Objectives
The learner will:
- Gain a solid understanding of direct sowing, and in doing so create the best environment for seeds to thrive
What Crops Should Be Direct Sown and Why?
- Root nature of direct sown crops: often tap rooted
- Intended density of crop: Direct-sown crops require sowing at high density and eventual thinning
- Scale of production: Many crops are direct sown on a large scale to avoid additional production costs
- Exceptions: Many, if not all crops, including tap-rooted crops, may be transplanted if sown and transplanted in clusters
Review Optimal Environmental Considerations for Seed Germination
- Soil Moisture
- Degree of Secondary Cultivation
- Soil temperature
Preparation of Bed
- Incorporation of green manure crop (discuss)
- Subsoiling (discuss)
- Forming bed, addition and incorporation of amendments - activity/demonstration. Use tractor and rototiller. Discuss that seed size dictates fineness of soil needed to direct seed. Base amendments on needs of crop
Seeding
- Methods
- Seeder - choose correct plate for seed, troubleshooting, gauging success
- Hand - slower but more accurate, inappropriate for larger scale
- Determining depth of seed - rule of thumb
- Covering seed - with soil or sand - discuss pros and cons
Subsequent
- Irrigation - frequent and sufficient enough to ensure good germination - critical at seedling stage in hot weather
- Thinning - when plants reach appropriate size, thin to desired spacing - based on desired size at harvest. Demonstrate/practice thinning
This page was last updated on: August 9, 2010
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