Sowing seeds in drills generates seedlings at regular intervals in straight rows, which means that they are easily distinguished from any randomly distributed weed seedlings. Although the seedlings may look initially regimented, once thinned, they will form a dense and informal planting.

Method

Run a string guide along the length of the seedbed. Use the corner of a hoe or a trowel tip to mark out shallow furrow or 'drill' along the guide approximately 5-10 mm deep, depending on the variety of seed.

Holding the seeds in one hand, pick up several at a time and scatter them thinly and evenly along the drill. If the seeds are pelleted, place them individually in the base of the drill. Small seeds should be sown approximately 5 mm apart, whilst larger seeds should have a gap of around 10 mm between each one.

Without dislodging the seeds, carefully draw back the displaced soil over the drill with a rake or hoe, and tamp it level with the back of the rake. After labelling the row, water the soil using a fine rose.

Further drills can be marked out and sown; leave 8-22 cm (3-9 in) between each row, depending on the ultimate size of the plants and whether you intend to transplant them when they are young or allow them to grow on in rows.