The Advantages of Various Planting Methods

Numerous planting methods have been developed and used over the years, and some of these methods are easier and simpler than others. However, the convenience of using a specific planting method would often rely on how much the farmers have already gotten used to the method, as well as how easy the steps are to follow.

For farmers that own multiple farms or agricultural businesses, the planting methods they use and different kinds of farming equipment would also depend on how quickly they can plant and grow crops and how much time, effort, and money would be needed to follow a certain method.

Because of how many planting methods there are, it can be difficult for some farmers to know which ones are the most suitable for them. In this article, we will make distinguishing the differences between each planting method and their advantages easier. Here is a list of the advantages of various planting methods.

Broadcast Seeding

Broadcast seeding is a planting method where farmers would scatter seeds by hand or using a large machine. The spacing and depth of the seeds don’t matter in broadcast seeding, so farming can simply use a broadcast seeder machine to scatter the seeds in the fertile soil. Below is the list of advantages of using broadcast seeding:

• Faster and easier dispersion of seeds on the soil. After the broadcast seeding is done, the seeds are then lightly buried using vertical tillage tools like rakes.

• Broadcast seeding doesn’t require farmers to measure the space and depth for each seed, so the seeds are planted faster without calculations.

Dibbling

Dibbling is a simple method of planting wherein a tool called a dibbler is used to create holes in the soil. The seeds would then be placed inside the holes, and then the holes would be filled with soil to protect the seeds. Here are the benefits of dibbling for planting seeds:

• The dibbler is a tool that is very easy to use, although using it to create holes and plant seeds can be labor-intensive compared to other planting methods.

• The dibble doesn’t require batteries and electricity to use, unlike most planting methods that would often need machines or devices.

Seed Drilling

Seed drilling is a planting method that is done using a device called a seed drill, which drills holes into the soil and buries the seeds in those holes. Instead of using a dibbler or sowing the seeds by hand, the seed drill allows a farmer to simply use the wagon-like seed drill and push it forward so that it can drill holes and plant multiple seeds at a quick pace. Take a look at the benefits of seed drilling below:

• The seed drill enables farmers to plant more seeds evenly in terms of depth.

• Seed drilling allows farmers to plant more seeds in a shorter period of time compared to dibbling.

• Much like the dibbler, the traditional seed drill doesn’t need batteries or electricity to work, although farmers may need to put a lot of effort into pushing the seed drill forward.

Transplanting

Transplanting involves transferring a plant or seedling from one location to another. In order to transplant plants to another location without getting damaged, a device called a transplanter is used to scoop up the plants and move them out of the soil. Check below for the reasons why transplanting is done in some farms:

• Transplanting allows farmers to extend the growing season of plants by moving them indoors after a certain amount of time growing outdoors.

• Once the plants are indoors, the farmers can control the environment so that they will continue to grow even if it is their off-season outdoors.

• By transplanting the plants indoors, farmers can help protect young plants against pests and diseases.

Hill Dropping

Hill dropping is a planting method wherein seeds are planted with fixed spacing instead of being planted at a continuous stream, which is done through broadcast seeding and drill seeding. Here are a few advantages of hill dropping compared to other planting methods:

• Planting the seeds with fixed spacing will have better growth since their roots are not near each other.

• Because the plants are a few centimeters away from each other, their roots won’t steal nutrients from other plants' soil, which can then affect their growth.

Check Row Planting

Check row planting is a method where farmers plant seeds at a set distance for each plant and each row. The rows that are set up on the fertile soil are usually in two perpendicular directions, and in order, for those directions to be more apparent on the field, there is usually a gap between each row of plants. Some farmers would often separate these rows using check wires. Here are the advantages of using check row planting for farms:

• A relatively easy planting method to follow, although measuring the distance between each plant and row can be time-consuming.

• Can help plants grow better since they are separate from each other.

• Can help farmers inspect or monitor each row of plants easily since they can easily distinguish one row from another.

Precision Seeding

Precision seeding is an innovative method of planting where seeds are buried on fertile soil at a precise spacing and depth. This planting method is very different from broadcast seeding since it focuses on providing seeds with extra space and depth instead of just scattering them on the ground and lightly burying them. Take a look below for the advantages that precision seeding offers for farmers:

• Gives more space and depth for seeds to grow healthily without affecting the growth of other seeds or plants.

• Can help plants grow efficiently with little to no bad crops.

• Creates a much more cohesive and straightforward planting process with precise steps and rules that need to be followed in order to produce better crops.

Hydroseeding

Hydroseeding, also known as hydraulic mulch seeding or hydro-mulching, is a planting process where seeds and mulch (a layer of material that is mixed with the surface of the soil to improve the soil’s fertility and health) are mixed with slurry, which is a mixture that is composed of denser solids that are suspended in liquid. Hydroseeding is a method that enables faster seeding compared to most traditional planting methods. Here is a list of advantages that hydroseeding has compared to others:

• Hydroseeding enables fast and easy seeding or planting for farmers since the seeds are just sprayed onto the fertile soil.

• With mulch added to the mixture, it is guaranteed that the soil will be much healthier as it helps the seeds grow into plants.

• Hydroseeding is also used to plant new trees in areas that have been devastated by wildfires.

Conclusion

Different planting methods have various advantages, and their suitability for your farm would depend on the equipment you have, as well as the knowledge, experience, and skills that your farmers or employees possess. Choose the method that is the most advantageous for you and your business so that you can grow better crops quicker and easier.