A bit of a guessing game what you are up to., : ) Misc seeds of this and that. The needs of different seed are written on the packet...but just suppose you get free seeds from a friend...look up on the interweb what they need...no time for that?...do not mulch the seeds. If a big seed, stick it in twice its size, if a itty biity seed, just sprinkle on top and add a dusting of very light dry soil. Tap down with your hand and lightly water. Very wet and quite warm in NY right now. Don't mulch until your seedlings are up and strong. You will learn eventually what it takes to make a successful garden. Pay attention without frustration. You might be doing some dumb things...sometimes it is the only way to learn.... -sometimes, 'no light needed for germination', means no light in a dark damp corner at 65 in a basement covered for three days, then tender light for three months before planting in june when the soil is warm... You will soon discover that in NY, some things grow without effort, and others seem a waisted seed packet and expense...never to grow a thread of green. It is fun though if you want it to be.

Thanks so much calistoga, your input is valuable. I can see your point and why you are saying what you are. I appreciate very much the thought you put into your answer. Perhaps that would be best. However...I'd like to try with the burlap. I may be being foolish but do value the burlap (2 used coffee bags which is essentially 4 layers of burlap as recommended by the Interbay mulch system) not only for weed minimization but as the mulch to allow gentle watering of beds (even hard rains drip through slowly controlling washing) and keeps moisture levels even. So....I'd still like to try to germinate the seeds and use the burlap as mulch and not pull the burlap away. I may just be like the kid that has to learn the hard way but that acknowledged...it I still need advice on the seeds...my plan for the transplant is cut thru and plant.. BUT for the SEEDS....Would it be best to 1. plant the seeds under the burlap and cut a hole or slot or cross to allow the newly germinated seeds to continue with the burlap as their mulch 2. cut a cross or slot in the burlap, plant, and allow that to be the hole the seeds push through that 3. Cut a little hole where the plant goes and plant there like that The advantage of the first it seems to me would be protecting from washing away of the seed and I know some light gets through the burlap...I've also had one person suggest cutting a cross and pinning the flaps however which seems also to have advantages but a lot of work. Which method or variation do the experts here recommend....given I'd like to try this to retain what I consider to be the benefits of the burlap as mulch over straw and other options. HELP! It's almost time to plant. THANKS....

Thanks. I am wondering however alsi if I can cut some small holes to do this. Can anyone enlighten me furthee....I'd very much like to retain yhe burlap all season otherwise aa weed control. And I have seen some advice elsewhere that initial sprouting can benefit from the protection until germination. What have others done? I am still a little confused as to how to go. I read the Seattle Ppatch info on it but didnt find it gelpful on this particular ussue.

I saw burlap at JoAnn's the other day. There was also a coupon for 1/2 off for a few days, starting today I think?? I just filled a new raised bed with a mix involving quite a bit of horse manure. To try to make it less offensive to my neighbors (that load was a little too fresh for neighborhood living), I covered it with straw, then stapled a piece of landscape fabric over the top (I had some left from a project a few years ago). Then I ran chicken wire (had a bunch of that laying around too) over the top of that to keep it from blowing away. Of course, in a couple days, the pile had shrunk down so my fabric & wire were loose, but it still looked "neater" that way, and my straw didn't blow away. Of course, the landscape fabric won't decompose like the burlap, but in my case, it keeps it cleaner looking, and I already had it. I'm still new to the neighborhood, and so far my next door neighbors have been supportive of my gardening projects. I try to keep things looking neat. Now, when I do this to my front yard/lawn, I guess we'll find out about some of the other neighbors...