Eliot Coleman's 6-Step Bed Preparation Method
Produce firm, seeder-friendly beds for better seed-to-soil contact. This will ensure earlier and more consistent emergence, enhanced root development, and more vigorous growth.
1 • Deeply Aerate |
2 • Achieve Perfect Tilth |
3 • Smooth the Surface |
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| Preserve soil structure while minimizing weed seed surfacing with Johnny's Broadforks. | Mix in compost and fertilizer while chopping up roots of a previous crop with the Tilther. | Create perfect seed beds for successful precision planting with a Bed Preparation Rake. |
| Broadforks | Tilther | Bed Prep Rake |
4 • Firm the Bed |
5 • Create Stale, Weed-Free Beds |
6 • Direct-Seed in Optimum Conditions |
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| Prepare a smooth, firm surface for direct seeding. | Wait a few days for weeds to grow, flame-weed them, and then seed. | Precision Seeders save time, labor, and seeds. |
| Seedbed Roller | Flame Weeders | Seeders |
Try our Snap-in Dibbles for the Seedbed Roller! Perfect spacing every time.
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| Just squeeze, and they snap right in. | They work as well through plastic mulch as they do in open soil. | Available in 3 individual sizes, as well as a convenient starter kit. |
| Snap-In Dibbles |
To learn more, refer to our full Guide to Small-Scale Bed Preparation Tools…