Planting drills refer to the practice of sowing seeds in straight, shallow trenches or the mechanical equipment used to do so.
In Gardening (as opposed to Agriculture), a “drill” is a shallow, V-shaped trench or groove made in the soil for sowing seeds.
Gardeners typically use a hoe, a dibber, or a simple stick to draw a line in prepared soil.
- The Process:
- Seeds are sprinkled thinly along the bottom of the drill or spaced at specific intervals (stations).
- The drill is then filled back in with soil and lightly firmed down to ensure good contact between the seed and the earth.
- Purpose: This method ensures seeds are planted at a uniform depth and in straight lines, which makes it much easier to distinguish emerging seedlings from weeds later on.
General Rule: Most seeds should be sown at a depth roughly three times their own size.
Common Sowing Depths
| Seed Type | Typical Drill Depth |
|---|---|
| Small (e.g., Lettuce) | ~1.5 cm |
| Medium (e.g., Spinach) | ~0.6 cm |
| Large (e.g., Broad Beans) | ~5 cm |