View source for Seedbed

{{Short description|Local soil where seeds are planted}}
{{unreferenced|date=June 2018}}
{{for|the performance art piece|Seedbed (performance piece)}}
[[File:Seedbed of the rice,Katori-city,Japan.JPG|thumb|right|A seedbed of rice plants]]
A '''seedbed''' or '''seedling bed''' is the local soil environment in which seeds are planted. Often, it comprises not only the soil but also a specially prepared [[cold frame]], [[hotbed (gardening)|hotbed]] or raised bed used to grow the [[seedling]]s in a controlled [[natural environment|environment]] into larger young plants before [[Transplant (botanical)|transplanting]] them into a [[garden]] or [[field (agriculture)|field]]. A seedling bed increases the number of seeds that [[germinate]].
==Soil type==
The soil of a seedbed needs to be loose and smoothed, without large lumps. These traits are needed so that seeds can be planted easily, and at a specific depth for best germination. Large lumps and uneven surface would tend to make the planting depth random. Many types of seedlings also need loose soil with minimal rocky content for best conditions to grow their roots. (For example, carrots grown in rocky soil will tend not to grow straight.)
==Seedbed preparation==
Seedbed preparation in farm fields often involves secondary [[tillage]] via [[harrow (tool)|harrows]] and [[cultivator]]s. This may follow primary tillage (if any) by [[moldboard plow]]s or [[chisel plow]]s. [[No-till farming]] methods avoid tillage for seedbed preparation as well as later [[weed|weed control]].
Seedbed preparation in gardens often involves secondary tillage via hand tools such as [[rake (tool)|rakes]] and [[hoe (tool)|hoes]]. This may follow primary tillage (if any) by [[shovel]]s, [[pickaxe|picks]], or [[mattock]]s. [[Rotary tiller]]s provide a powered alternative that takes care of both primary and secondary tillage.
The preparation of a seedbed may include:
# The removal of [[debris]]. [[Insect egg]]s and disease [[spore]]s are often found in plant debris and so this is removed from the plot. Stones and larger debris will also physically prevent the seedlings from growing.
# [[land levelling|Levelling]]. The site will have been levelled for even [[drainage]].
# [[wikt:break up|Breaking up]] the [[soil]]. [[soil compaction|Compacted soil]] will be broken up by [[digging]]. This allows air and water to enter, and helps the seedling penetrate the soil. Smaller seeds require a finer [[soil structure]]. The surface the soil can be  broken down into a fine [[Soil structure#Granular|granular structure]] using a tool such as a [[rake (tool)|rake]].
# [[Soil]] improvement. The [[soil structure]] may be improved by the introduction of [[organic matter]] such as [[compost]] or [[peat]].
# [[Fertilizing]]. The [[nitrate]] and [[phosphate]] levels of the soil can be adjusted with [[fertilizer]]. If the soil is deficient in any micro nutrients, these too can be added.
The seedlings may be left to grow to adult plant.
== See also ==
* [[:Category:Horticulture]]
*[[Open field system|Open field]]
*[[Seed drill]]
* [[Stale seed bed|False seedbed]]
* [[Sowing]]
* [[Stale seed bed]]
* [[Stratification (botany)]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
== External links ==
{{Commonscat|Seedbeds|position=left}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Horticulture]]
[[Category:Agriculture]]