what type of seeds are you going to sow deanna?

For me it all depends on the size of the seed and the amount I have.

For small seeds such as Digitalis or Buddleias, I take a pinch and spread them around. I go heavy sometimes if I have a lot. Some folks here can show you containers with sprouts where the sprouts are so thick you don't see the soil.

Medium to big seeds I just spread them out a bit, more as the seeds is larger.

Dear Deanna,
Don't worry! It'll work. By the time your sprouts start emerging your biggest worry will probably be "What am I going to do with all these plants?!"
:)

ellen
ps I had the same concerns when I first started.
Just keep asking any questions you have.

It depends on the size of the seeds. If they are large, like cucumber or pumpkin, I limit it to four. If they are tiny, I pinch and sprinkle. If they are big enough the handle, the number is something in between. I like to use grids of 3x3, 4x4, etc. going up to 6x6. Occassionally, I'll do 7x7 just to finish off a pack of 50. Let me emphasize using grids is not important, and you shouldn't feel obligated to use it. I do it because a) I like a sense of order and b) it helps me gauge germination percentage with a quick eye because the seeds are evenly distributed.

I'll second what ellen said about your biggest worry.

It also depends on how many plants I want. I have learned to sow fewer as my friends and family will only take so many of my leftovers and though I do plant swaps and sell a few I don't want an abundance of extra seedlings as hate to compost any. Guess I need to toughen up a bit,

For large and medium seeds I sow 6 or 9 and expect that will give me at least 3-5 seedlings for my gardens. Small and tiny seeds a pinch, though If I have only a few small seeds I will use a piece of paper to place each individual seed in just the right spot.

I'm by nature an organized person and also sow in informal grids, 2x2, 3X3, 2x1x2, etc. for the same reason as seedmama.

If I only want 1 or 2 seedlngs, like tomatoes, I sow 2-3 seeds in a 2L bottle.

Another consideration is how viable I think the seeds are. If I am unsure I sow a bit more thickly hoping for enough to germinate to meet my needs.

I do a pinch in 2-liters. In plastic cups, it depends on the seed, but a pinch usually suffices too. I try to make sure to cover the surface evenly. In my lasagna pans, I sow the whole pack. They were supposed to contain 100 seeds, but I know there's more than that in this container.

pinks maiden dianthus from Value Seeds.

{{gwi:354633}}

Not to be a skeptic, but has anyone done this and gotten skunked! I'm thinking of doing an indoor start and a WS outdoor start just to be safe, but don't want to waste time and money. Then maybe it'll be like a controlled experiment? Anyone have any thought on this?

tee, there are some seeds I plan to start indoors. I can never tell with our weather here in NC, so the annuals and the cherished seeds will not be wintersown only. I'll do a few, but will still use my indoor setup for many. Do what you're comfortable with. And remember, sometimes, seeds just don't germinate regardless of what we do. I've even purchased duds before, not just from trades.

My rule is one commercial pack per milk jug.

I don't mean to seem dense, but Seedmama and Mnwsgal could you explain the grid sowing (are those "informal" 2x2 and/or 3x3 or whatever size you decide on using just one grid per jug or container or several of these per container? Lots of us like to have that same sense of order you mentioned but with no experience with this, it helps to have these hints from people who have done this with success. I totally understand that the "grid" idea is in no way necessary (unless you have certain personality traits, like me, who finds this appealing).

I'm with bakemom- although sometimes there seems to be so FEW in there! So I take no pains in adding another one "for good measure."
I pinch & sprinkle everything that can be. The bigger stuff might get put in in some 'orderly' fashion, but never fewer than 20 (that would be nasturtiums) in a jug.

mohicansong, I don't actually draw a grid in the soil, just see it in my head. If I want 9 plants I will sow 3 across the back 1/3 of the conatiner, widely spaced, 3 across the middle third, and 3 in the front third. If you drew a diagram you would have nine squares with the seed in the middle of each square. Visualize the diagram in your mind and sow accordingly.

For 5 plants, two across the back 1/3 of the container, divided into two parts, one in the middle 1/3 of the container, and two in the front 1/3 of the container.

I only sow one variety of seeds in a jug as use 2Ls if I want fewer than 5 seedings. Therefore, I use only the one imagined grid/container.

This sounds more complicated than it is. I suggest that you try whatever seems reasonable to you and after a bit you will decide what is your preferred method.