Over the last several years, innovations in seed production and packing have succeeded in easing the daily tasks of the farmer. One of the modernizations I personally find the most useful is pelleted seed. I utilize pelleted seed every day in the early spring during the high season of sowings; I find it increases my efficiency, and even my enjoyment of the task. There are also times when I prefer to use raw seed, depending on my seeding techniques and desired density. High Mowing offers several types of both pelleted and raw seed, and each one has its purpose. Pelleted Seed
Jimmies being seeded in rows.
At High Mowing, we offer two types of pelleted seed: sprinkles and mixed pearls. The sprinkles are longer and more cylindrical, which are great for sowing into open flats. They lend themselves well to sowing in straight lines by hand, and are also best utilized for dense plantings. This is great for crops you plan to pot up later, and saves you valuable propagation space while the seeds germinate and get their first true leaves. The mixed pearl pellets are best for seeding into cell trays. They’re the perfect size for individual seeds to fall easily into each cell, either by hand or by using a vacuum seeder. But be careful when seeding on a tabletop surface; these little pellets are perfectly cylindrical, which means they scamper away in every direction if you accidentally spill some on your seeding surface. Raw Seed
Because of its minute size, raw seed is best used for dense plantings.
There are some advantages to using raw seed instead of pelleted at times. For one, the cost is more fiscally conservative than paying for pelleting. Additionally, the shape and size of raw seed can be more user-friendly for some commercial seeders whose plates and hoppers are not designed to work pelleted seed through their mechanisms. I like to use raw seed for all of my dense plantings in the greenhouse and the field. I also use raw seed for crops that are known to have low germination rates, so I can pack several seeds into one cell and get a higher probability of successful germination. If your farm model includes growing flats of microgreens for harvesting at an early stage, raw seed is definitely the way to go. You get denser plantings, you can sow the seed free-hand over an open flat, and the cost is well worth it for such a quick crop. Direct Seeding vs. Sowing Trays
Mixed pearls are best for seeding into individual cells.
Depending on your production model and scale, you may plant more in propagation spaces with flats and cell trays, or you may do more direct seeding and less propagation work. For efficiency and success, it is critical to choose when to utilize pelleted versus raw seed based on your farm’s needs. For large cell tray sowings of seed that is naturally small and difficult to handle, it is highly worth it in both time and resources to use pellets. You’ll seed faster, get more accurate sowings, experience higher germination rates, and almost always see a positive return on investment. For more tightly seeded crops that are directly sown, and dense trays of microgreens, raw seed is a better choice.     Pro Tip The best part about our seed – both pelleted and raw – is a secret ingredient: its sweetness. If you’re feeling the need for a snack break while sowing, pop one of these seeds in your mouth and you’ll get the boost you need to finish the task. Or better yet – bring them to your next celebration and sprinkle them on a cake. No matter the occasion, we hope you always enjoy and share our 100% organic seed. Happy April Fools’ from High Mowing Organic Seeds!