Proper Seedbed Preparation is Key to a Successful Planting

by Terry M. Conway, Plant Materials Specialist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Salina, Kansas

Many times we are in such a hurry to get the seed into the ground that we often ignore one of the more important steps of proper planting. That step is ensuring proper seedbed preparation. Some assume that since we are seeding native plants, those species should be able to readily establish even under unfavorable conditions. This, of course, is a false assumption. Seeding into a loose, rough seedbed will many times lead to failure while a properly prepared seedbed will provide optimum conditions for seed germination, plant establishment, and growth.

A key aspect of seedbed preparation involves the correct soil firmness. Seedbed firmness affects proper seed unit depth placement. If the seedbed is too loose, the seed unit will be planted too deep and the seedling will be unable to emerge. If the seedbed is too compacted, the seed unit will be planted too shallow and the surrounding soil and seed unit will quickly dry out. Depth bands on drill openers do not compensate for a poorly prepared seedbed.

With proper seedbed firmness, the optimum planting depth may be achieved that will place the seed unit in soil that will remain moist and is near enough to the surface to allow seedling emergence. A good rule of thumb to remember is that proper firmness is achieved when a grown man walking across a properly prepared field will leave a footprint no deeper than 1/8 of an inch.

Seedbed firmness also affects soil moisture relationships. Soil firmness affects capillary pore spaces which directly affects the amount and movement of moisture in the soil. In loose soils, while there is a large amount of pore space, the pores will be too large to serve as capillaries for soil water. Loose soils have few interconnecting pore spaces and will ultimately retain very little water. On the other hand, if the soil is excessively compacted, the total amount of pore space will be significantly reduced resulting in poor moisture availability, as well as moisture movement into and through the soil.

In a properly prepared seedbed, the soil will be firm enough so that there is adequate capillary pore space for maximum moisture storage, as well as moisture movement between wet and dry areas. Soils that dry during the day will be partially rewet during the night and water taken up by seeds and roots will be replaced by capillary water movement. This will result in favorable seed germination, plant establishment, and growth.

So the next time you are in a hurry to get the field seeded, don’t forget about proper seedbed preparation. It could mean the difference between a successful seeding or a failure.

For more information about planting, please contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or conservation district office located at your local county USDA Service Center. For more information about plant materials, visit the http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov Web site.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

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Last Modified: 09/04/2008