Depending on the diversity of seed, most annuals and perennials which can be grown by this technique can be planted in seedbeds out-of-doors. The moment for planting varies. Not many can be sown in autumn, but the majority, yet, should be sown in spring, and, to be safe, not before the last frost has passed. The big difficulty of open-air sowing is that one sacrifices control over the circumstances under which the seeds will germinate.

In an inside hotbed, or cold frame, the situation with moisture, heat, etc., can be regulated. Not so in the in the open air, where dryness or changing weather can demolish the weaker seeds rapidly. If an outside seedbed is planned, decide a spot with good soil. Then work in a fraction of your compost pile, pulverizing the soil to the depth of 3 inches. Adding up a few sand and peat moss increases the efficiency of the bed.

The greater part seed may be planted on the surface, and the deepest one should plant is 1/2 inch. The bed should be well-watered after the seed has been transmitting over the entire area. The bed can then be evenly tamped.

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