Once you get the feel for plant spacing, you may want
to practice broadcasting seeds by hand in ats for some
crops, such as lettuce and owers. Broadcasting was the
method that Alan Chadwick and his apprentices used
with ats. Be sure the seeds end up ¼ to ½ inch apart in
the 9rst at so the seeds can take advantage of their
complete mini-climate for early growth stimulation and
health. This method does, however, require more time to
do 1 or more prick-outs. When these seedlings’ leaves
are barely touching, prick them out (transplant them)
into other flats on 1-, 1½-, or 2-inch centers.
Use a spacing stick for placing seeds in beds; 3-inch to 36-inch sizes are used
according to the crop planted. Triangulation is the way we plant most seeds
and transplant seedlings.Cover the seeds in their ats with a layer of the at
soil mixture described later in this chapter. When
broadcasting seeds onto a growing bed, gently “chop”
them in afterward with a bow rake to a depth equal to
their thickness (when they are lying at on a surface). Be
sure to chop the rake only up and down; do not pull it
toward you. If you pull, seeds, fertilizers, and compost