How do you sow those really tiny seeds? Any tips appreciated

[84pagirl]

Like lettuce and carrots seeds ...they are so small! How do you all sow them so as not to waste them. they are so small.

[BrianSkilton]

Yeah, its a little difficult with carrots. One thing I have heard others doing is growing carrots inside and transplanting them out in the garden when they are bigger. This does make a lot of sense but its a little tricky to do. I may try this next year. However since carrot seeds are not to expensive (except the mixed of purple rain, the yellow etc etc) I would just sprinkle lightly and thin when needed.

[cynthia_h]

I actually used tweezers when I planted carrots. I can't pinch my fingers that tightly together (it triggers carpal tunnel problems if I do), so I used tweezers as a natural "finger extension." I placed two seeds in each planting location.

If you'd rather use your own hands, maybe mix the seeds with a small amount of fine sand and then take a pinch of the mixture?

I use Square Foot Gardening and other intensive methods in raised beds, so my planting locations were only approx. 6 or so inches apart. I got some very tasty carrots, too: Dragon and Scarlet Nantes.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[tedln]

These work well.

http://www.amazon.com/Hirts-Mini-Seedma ... B001I49MJ2

as do these.

http://www.burpee.com/product/seed+star ... als&page=1

Both designs allow you to load bulk seed into a chamber and then slowly shake individual seeds into a prepared hole. I typically use a small stick and push it into the ground about 1/4" in rows. When the rows are ready, I shake the seed into the holes and then cover the whole thing with some light weight soil or sand and press down lightly. It is a little tedious, but easier than trying to pick up and plant individual seeds.

Another method I use is to simply mix some seed with sand or potting soil in a bucket and then spread the mix over the garden bed about 1/4" to 1/2" thick. I get good seed dispersal this way also. Don't overseed or be prepared to thin the sprouts.

Ted

[GardenJester]

soak the seeds in water overnight. When you are planting, dip your fingertip into the water, you should come away with a drop of water and some seeds on your fingertip, stick finger into soil, seed and water should get transfered, cover it up and repeat.

[84pagirl]

The 1st picture from tedln reminds me of my turkey baster or the syringe i use to inject my ham hmmm improvise, improvise...thanks.

[DoubleDogFarm]

I've also heard of people using a salt or pepper shaker.

[Joyfirst]

I bought seedmaster thingy, so I can try it out. Maybe with my lettuce seeds.

[tedln]

I saw the Seedmaster thing on the rack at Tractor Supply last week. I think it cost $2.95. I already have the other one and it works well. It is hard for me to be patient enough to shake the seeds into the tray, but that is my fault; not the seeders fault.

Ted

[applestar]

I use the mix with fine sand trick. One caution if you're seeding outdoors -- DON'T TOSS your sand/seed-mix .... ... they separate remarkably well mid-air . Drop a pinch every couple of inches (carrots) or 3~4" (lettuce) where you want the seeds to go. Since both lettuce and carrots should only be lightly covered, if at all, I "dust" the fine sand mixed with compost over the entire area afterwards.

I admit I started carrots seeds ahead last year for a long maturing type called Healthmaster (110 days). It worked well albeit a bit tedious to handle carefully. But this year, I've been way too overwhelmed with other seed starting projects, so I just direct seeded. I HAVE re-located a few seedlings outside when they were growing in the "wrong" place. They seem to be OK being moved around as long as you water them in well.

[Gary350]

Sprinkle them on the soil surface then cover then with sand.

[SP8]

Yep mix with a handful of sand.

[rainbowgardener]

Agree.... for all the direct seeded in the ground ones, I just mix the seed with some potting soil and then sprinkle it in the row. I still need to thin them, but all the greens I just wait to thin until they are baby lettuce size and then eat the thinnings, so nothing is really wasted.

I've always heard carrots don't like to be transplanted, but I haven't tried it, so I can't say from personal experience.

[Marlingardener]

You may want to try a home-made seed tape. For tiny seeds I take a length of toilet paper (unused) and sprinkle the seeds down the bottom third of the length, then fold it over, covering the seeds. I mist it lightly with water and put in a prepared trench. I find this easier than trying to manage the seeds in our Texas "breezes" which can blow a cow off her feet!

[scot29]

Unused! lol.
I use a hand seeder similar to Ted's 2nd link. It really works well, but I wish I could find a metal one. Mine is made from a cheap plastic and it feels like it could easily break.