View source for Seedbed

{{Mergefrom|Seedling bed|date=March 2007}}

:''For the performance art piece, see [[Seedbed (performance piece)]]''

A '''seedbed''' is a specially prepared area of the garden that has been made suitable for the sowing and [[germination]] of plant [[seed]]s. 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.
#[[wikt: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 [[dig]]ging. 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 plants in the seedbed, perhaps after thinning to remove the weaker ones, or they may be moved to a border as young plants.

== See also == 
* [[:Category:Gardening]]
* [[Open field]]
* [[Seed drill]]
* [[Sowing]]
* [[Stale seed bed]]
* [[Stratification (botany)]]

[[Category:Gardening]]