TOPIC: best time to start planting?

I have four pounds of seed I want to get into the ground....it's looks like here in Nth. Indiana it's about to get cooler and start staying fall like...should I wait for it to be rainy before I plant or just before it rains?....should I rake back the leaves and just the scratch the soil or should I rake into the ground and inch or two and burry the seed? How long should it take to plant 4 pounds of seed?
-Thanks

You have plenty of time left to plant. If you can wait until a day or two before a rain that is coming that is a great way to help the survival rate in my book. As far as planting methods I know this for a fact.

I have planted rake and scatter method for years. Rake back the leaves, scratch the soil up and sow the seed then recover with the leaf litter. Sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't do worth a darn.

Key is to walk down the beds after planting so the seed makes good contact with the soil.

I you review TNhunters video on here about the modified rake and scatter method, it will show you a technique that will improve your germination tremendously. There are different ways to get your seed 1/2 to 1 inch under the surface of the soil. If you can get them under the soil by this much you will have much better results.

As far as time that depends. Some are faster than others. It also depends on what method you use. I like to plant 1 pound per 1600 square foot. So if you make (3) three side by side 5 foot wide planting beds about 107 foot long with a 2 to 3 foot space between beds you are good to go.

For planting 1 lb it would take me about this long
It would take me 1/2 hour to rake and make the beds if the leaves are dry.
Another 1/2 hour max to scatter the seed.
Then another hour to rake or scratch in the seed.
Another 1/2 to walk down the beds making sure the seeds make good seed to soil contact.
Then another 1/2 hour to rake the leaves back on top.
So about 2.5 to 3 hours per pound max IMHO.

If you spend more time getting the seed deeper below the soil surface it will increase your time.
Good luck.
Latt

I'm beginning to favor earlier planting rather than later. Like Latt said, if you can time your planting before an approaching rain, that is good. I try to get most of my seed in in August still, and try to get them about an inch or so deep. Like everyone, I have hit or miss germination at some times because of weather conditions during the spring of emergence, but over all, I do really well planting earlier.

That said, I have no problem planting well into October either. Just get the seed in the ground when you can any time after the middle of August.

Ok, So it rained two nights ago...and over the last two days I have been hoe-ing and raking, and my wife and I have have planted about 16,000 seeds....about another 12,000 to go...it's supose to rain monday night...so that will be be good.

Rain came as predeicted...about an inch, and we are suppose to get some more by the weekend...that should be good the l'ill dudes. I'm sure I'll lose alot to critters, and disease over the years growing wild simulated...just want to make sure they given a good start.