To get your plants off to a good start, prepare seed beds with care.
On a dry day break up all large lumps on the plot with a fork, and remove any stones and weeds.
Add a top dressing of a mix of 4 parts (by weight) superphosphate, 2 parts sulphate of potash and 1 part sulphate of ammonia, and apply at the rate of 90gm(3oz) per sq metre.
Alternatively; use a low nitrogen specialist fertiliser,
e.g. one with an NPK of around 12.5 :25 :25 spread at the same rate.
Rake the bed over thoroughly in each direction, but don't do this if the surface is sticky.
Form drill to receive seeds ( see here )
It can be advantageous to use a duck board or batten to work on the beds, particularly if the soil is quite wet.
The seed can be sown thinly along the drill or in pinches ('station sowing')
The latter method is useful for plants that require thinning out to given centres at a later stage, e.g. Carrots, Parsnips, Beetroot, Turnip, and Lettuce.
Once sown; lightly cover with soil.
Alternatively use compost if the soil is a bit stony or lumpy.
Once germinated all that one is required to do is to remove the excess seedlings and leave the strongest seedling/s to mature.
Click here for sowing indoors/under glass.