KitchenGardenGuide.com
 
The Kitchen Garden Guide

How and Why to Firm Your Vegetable Garden's Soil

Learn the advantages of firm garden soil for starting seeds. This advice is by Peter Henderson, from his 1887 book, Gardening for Pleasure.

 

Farmer Sowing Seeds

 

In sowing all kinds of seeds, more particularly those of small size, be careful, if the soil is dry, to "firm" or press down the surface of the bed or row, after sowing, with the feet, or a light roller, or the back of a spade, more especially if the weather is beginning to get warm. Crops are often lost through the failure of the seeds to germinate, for the simple reason that the soil is left loose about the tiny seeds, and the dry atmosphere penetrates to them, shriveling them up until all vitality is destroyed. We sow nearly all vegetable crops in rows, and in every case, as soon as the seed is sown, it is pressed down in the drill with the foot, then covered up level by the back of a rake drawn lengthways with the drills, and again firmed by the roller or back of a spade. For want of this simple precaution, perhaps one-fourth of all seeds sown fail to germinate, and the seedsman is blamed, while the fault is owing entirely to the ignorance or carelessness of the planter. Again, for the same reason, when setting out plants of any kind, be certain that the soil is pressed close to the root. In our large plantings in market gardening, particularly in summer, we make it a rule in dry weather to turn back on the row after planting it with the dibber or trowel, and press the earth firmly to each plant with the foot. We have seen whole acres of Celery, Cabbage, and Strawberry plants lost solely through neglect of this precaution.


By Peter Henderson, from his 1887 book, GARDENING FOR PLEASURE

 

 

Garden Roller

 


 

This is part of an article from the book The Kitchen Garden Guide

Read more sample articles

Browse the book's Contents and get more information

Download a free copy of the book

 

   Free Newsletter:

The Back Home Newsletter  Our biweekly newsletter reviews free backyard project plans from a variety of sources. It also covers inexpensive blueprints, do-it-yourself kits and easy-to-use design/build software. It focuses on backyard building projects that are simple and inexpensive to build and to maintain. Sign up now for a free subscription. You'll enjoy the fresh designs and design ideas.

 

Extreme How-To Magazine

     Bookmark The Kitchen Garden Guide   

   Contact Us  Your Privacy   About this Website  Copyright Information   Link to this Website

   

Also by Don Berg:

American Country Building Design Rediscovered plans for 19th-Century farmhouses, cottages, landscapes, barns, carriage houses and outbuildings with a look at the ideas behind the buildings.

 

Free Plans for Country Buildings:

Barns and Outbuildings  These free building manuals and blueprints can help teach you how to construct your own small barn, tractor shed, barn-style garage, pole barn, horse barn or equipment shelter.

Country Homes, Cottages and Cabins These free blueprints and building lessons can help you build an economical, small, energy efficient home for your future. Select from over sixty small home designs to plan your retirement cottage, getaway cabin, guest house or rental unit.

Garages and Workshops  These free online guidebooks, downloadable construction blueprints and project plans can help you create a great new garage, workshop or carport.

Solar, Green and Energy Efficient Home Plans
Create an efficient home that saves energy and takes advantage of free energy from the sun, the wind and the earth with these free building plans, project plans and guidebooks.

Backyard and Garden Projects Get great gazebo, arbor, pergola, deck, shed, greenhouse, playground, playhouse, dog house, birdhouse and outdoor furniture designs and building guides that you can use for free.