How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (2024)

Explore this Article

parts

1Choosing a Location

2Creating a Fine Soil

3Planting Seedbeds

Other Sections

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Author Info

Last Updated: September 6, 2019Approved

A seedbed is a plot of garden set aside to grow vegetables seeds, which can later be transplanted. It is the alternative to starting seeds in pots, and it is best used when you can control the temperature, soil quality and water in the bed. You can make a seedbed outside or in a greenhouse several months before you want to plant your garden and flowerbeds.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Location

  1. 1

    Get to know your climate. If you have a short vegetable growing season, you should make your seedbed inside a greenhouse. You may need to bring in soil and compost from outside into your greenhouse.

  2. 2

    Choose a location with plenty of light. Seeds require plenty of light, so the seedbed should be placed in an area with the most consistent light and the fewest shadows.

    Advertisement

  3. 3

    Pick an area that you can protect from wind, foraging animals and flooding. If these are big risks in your yard, consider purchasing or making a small plastic hoop house in which the seeds can be protected.

  4. 4

    Don't choose a plot where you grew tubers or had a heavy weed problem. The tuber roots and the weeds can crowd out the seedlings.

    Advertisement

  1. 1

    Prepare the base soil for your seedbed. Break up the soil with a rake. Allow sticky, soaked soil to dry out before.

  2. 2

    Amend your soil. Add compost, if it is sandy or it has low nutrient value. Add store-bought sandy soil if there is so much organic matter in your soil that it sticks together.

    • Aim for a consistency of breadcrumbs in your final soil mix.[1]
  3. 3

    Clean up the soil before you place it in your seedbed. Pick out weeds and debris. Pace the soil mix in a garden sieve with one-quarter inch (0.6cm) holes through which you can shake the soil.

  4. 4

    Transport enough soil to fill 8 to 12 inches of soil to your seedbed location. Spread it onto the area until it is level. Use the back of a garden rake to level and pat it down lightly.

  5. 5

    Water the soil to make it firm. Try sprinkling it first to break the surface tension. Then, water more deeply.

  6. 6

    Cover the soil with a plastic sheet and leave it for 10 days. Flies are attracted to fresh soil and they will disappear during this time. Weed the area if weeds germinate during this process.

    • The plastic sheet will serve to warm up the soil for better germination.
  7. 7

    Prepare a slug trap by burying a small yogurt container so that the lip is flush with the soil level. Fill with beer. Slugs will be attracted to the yeast and will drown in the beer.[2]

    • Check it regularly if you have problems with slugs.

    Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Planting Seedbeds

  1. 1

    Create “drills” in the soil with a hoe. These are small “v” shaped lines in your seedbed, which you can use to separate seedlings.

    • Using drills allows you to recognize the plants amidst weeds and other plants.
  2. 2

    Water along the length of the seedbed. Seeds need moist soil to germinate.

  3. 3

    Sprinkle seedlings just barely into the soil along the drill/row. Plant them according to the seed package directions for starting seeds.

  4. 4

    Rake a thin layer of soil over the “v” lines so that the level of the soil is the same as the rest of the garden. Pat it down with the other side of your rake.

  5. 5

    Label the row.[3]

  6. 6

    Thin the seedlings after they germinate and start to grow. This will keep your seedbed from overcrowding before you transplant. Compost the unwanted seedlings.

    Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    How large should my seedbed be?

    How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (16)

    Community Answer

    You might research the plant to see how much space it should receive. Giving each plant a square foot is a general rule to apply to smaller plants.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 9

  • Question

    Do I need to have a soil test done?

    How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (17)

    Community Answer

    This depends on why you're testing it. If it's to amend the soil's properties, then a jar test is a good place to start. You'll see the mix levels and can amend appropriately.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 4

  • Question

    Does it need to be black plastic when I make a seedbed?

    How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (18)

    Community Answer

    No. The black is a certain way to reflect heat, but some plants might not even want heat.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 2Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit


      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Greenhouse
      • Hoop house
      • Plastic sheet
      • Garden soil
      • Compost
      • Garden sieve
      • Sandy soil
      • Rake
      • Hoe
      • Water
      • Yogurt container
      • Beer
      • Seeds
      • Labels

      You Might Also Like

      How toBecome Taller NaturallyHow toMake Tomato Soup
      How toTranslate Hebrew Into EnglishHow toMake Strong CoffeeHow toCope With TripletsHow toTake Care of Pets During a HurricaneHow toMake CoffeeHow toBecome a Drone PilotHow toDecorate Your Home in Eclectic StyleThe Best Couples Halloween Costumes for 2021How toMake a Caramel CakeHow toGet Rid of Stink BugsHow toSlim Your FaceHow toIron

      Advertisement

      About this article

      wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 54,821 times.

      96 votes - 91%

      Co-authors: 4

      Updated: September 6, 2019

      Views:54,821

      • Print

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,821 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (31)

        Anonymous

        Jun 30, 2023

        "This article gave a lot of fine details on what is needed to prepare a seedbed. Im going to show it to my husband,..." more

      More reader storiesHide reader stories

      Did this article help you?

      How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (32)

      Advertisement

      How to Make a Seedbed (with Pictures) (2024)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Recommended Articles
      Article information

      Author: Madonna Wisozk

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5801

      Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

      Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Madonna Wisozk

      Birthday: 2001-02-23

      Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

      Phone: +6742282696652

      Job: Customer Banking Liaison

      Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

      Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.