Guide to Broadcast Seed Sowing

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Broadcast sowing is a traditional way of planting many types of crops. Its simpler, faster, and easier
than traditional row sowing and works best for plants that do not require singular spacing or that are
more easily thinned later. Most grains, grasses, and shallow-rooted annuals are broadcast spread.

Benefits of Broadcast Sowing

Besides being an easier way to sow seeds, broadcast sowing also enables the gardener to spread very
fine or small seeds over a relatively large area. Individually planting large numbers of tiny-seeded
plantscarrots and lettuce, for exampleis tedious at best, even with specialized tools.
Another great advantage is its ease of use for planting cover crops, grains, grasses and similar plants
that dont require row gardening or are meant to cover an area.

What Plants Work Best for Broadcast Sowing

Nearly all plants can do well when broadcast. The outcome of this method will depend upon the crop in
question and the type of gardening being done. Here is a quick list of common plants and the garden
types they are best broadcast within:
Beets in square foot, container or raised bed gardening where sprouts can be easily thinned.
Carrots in square foot, container, or raised bed gardening where the sprouts can be easily thinned.
Grains in all situations, as grains thrive when grown as a grass, covering an area.
Herbs most types of herbs, such as chives, parsley, and cilantro are good choices for broadcast
sowing no matter the garden type.
Lettuce in square foot, container, or raised bed gardening as well as in traditional row gardening
where rows are easily broadcast towards (or created via broadcast, see below). Headed (non-loose
leaf) will require thinning.
Cover Crops All types of cover crops (i.e. grasses, clovers) for protecting soil are best when
broadcast sown.

Drawbacks of Broadcast Sowing

The drawbacks apply mainly to gardeners who wish to carefully cultivate and manage a garden area.
Unless you create rows after the broadcast, this method of sowing means you do not have the
traditional areas for tools and working the garden that you would in rows. For some gardening
situations, this is not tenable.

Steps for Broadcast Seed Sowing

Begin by preparing the seed bed. The bed should be turned and raked to a fine tilth, just as in most
seed gardening. Usually, all but the final raking should be done in the fall before planting so that winter
and spring thaws and melts will loosen the soil naturally. Rake in even lines to create miniature furrows
from the rakes splines.
Scatter seeds thinly and evenly over the area, aiming them into the furrows created by the rake. Very
fine seeds, such as lettuce, may be mixed with a like amount of sand to keep them from sticking
together and make for a more even spread.
Rake the seeds into the furrows by raking at right angles to the original furrow lines created.
Traditionally, the furrows are created in a north-south direction and the rake-in is done east-west,
following the sun. When done, you should be left with a checkerboard pattern on the soil. Some seeds
will not have been covered. These are sacrificial and part of the broadcast sowing process, so dont
attempt to individually press them in.
Finally, using a fine rose on a watering can or mist sprayer, water lightly so the ground is wet, but not
soaked. Water lightly and regularly (every other day usually) until sprouts appear.
To create furrows or rows after broadcasting, wait until strong sprouts have appeared, and thinning (if
any) has been done thinning should be done to create natural rows if rows are your goal. Use a plow
or hoe to create furrows. This will potentially displace or kill some plants, but will create the traditional
rows most associated with gardening.
Learn about broadcast seed sowing at:
NC State University
NSW Department of Primary Industries

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