Setting your EarthWay Planter - Growing a Vegetable Garden

[bbob765]

And to think that I spent days getting my planter set using the system and all I had to do was watch this... thanks for posting. Have you found a system for carrots for the earthway so you don't have to come back and thin them??

[webcajun]

@bbob765 ... Carrots, like most small seeds, I hand plant and still have to thin em. I don't know of any planter for the home garden that does well with real small seeds.......Donald

[bbob765]

@webcajun I have a professional push style planter that cost me over $2500 that does real well for carrots and normally everything else, but I tell you, I still dig out my old Earthway every spring for sweet corn, beans, and peas. It just works so nice and easier to push than a 40 pound rig, and I figure I get better results using the system that you show here.

[webcajun]

@bbob765 ... The earthway does a pretty good job with the larger seeds......Donald

[mdcrab68]

( 360 degrees divided by the number of holes ) x .10 equals the spacing in inches.

360 / 4 = 90 x.1 = 9.0 inches

[mdcrab68]

have you tried using pelletized seeds in the planter

[webcajun]

@mdcrab68 ...No I haven't but it would only be a matter of using a different plate.......Donald

[231MasseyFerguson]

Excellent video... Do you have to come back with the garden rake and cover the seeds after you use this machine? Do you think this planter is worth the money?? I really don't know how it works. I've never seen one before...

[webcajun]

@231MasseyFerguson ...If you don't have a planter for the tractor and want to spend under $100 the Earthway is a pretty good buy. The rear wheel packs and covers the seed. For a small garden it's not worth the money but if you have lots to plant then yes. It's really good on the larger seeds (okra size and bigger)....Donald

[231MasseyFerguson]

@webcajun Thanks for the reply... I have 18 rows of different stuff to plant. 2 of the rows are potatoes. The rest are okra, beans, peas, and sweet corn, with the corn being my main crop... I might just eventually go ahead and buy this thing.

[thewatcher5771]

You can go to EarthWay Planter .com and order blank plates and make your own.Also they will make custom plates. Johnnys seed co had one made for pelleted lettuce and sells it.

[webcajun]

@thewatcher5771 ... thanks for the tips.....Donald

[sp00ktube]

I just got done planting about 2 acres of rape greens, it's like kale. I planted the intire area with about 3/4 of a pound of seed using the plate for green seed. Spacing was about 12" between rows and it droped about 4 seed per hole every 2" and they are tiny. I made my earthways into a multi planter where I can use up to 5 at a time if I'm planting real close. Unless I'm planting a winter cover crop of wheat where I use all 5 I'll generaly use about 3 for every thing else.

[webcajun]

@sp00ktube ... with some modifications (like in the video) you can get the Earthway to plant pretty close to any spacing desired. Smaller seeds are harder to regulate but I guess it can be done........Donald

[DoctorsWife56]

Thanks Donald! I got one of these for my birthday and I wondered about these kind of issues. (I'm late getting seeds in the ground this year).

[webcajun]

@DoctorsWife56 ... turning the wheel and counting the seeds that fall is a big help in getting it as close to the spacing as possible. I do that with my bigger planter as well...... Donald

[SauerkrautHead]

Thanks for your insight. I am planning a small dry bean project for my local farmer's market and I was worried about seeding rates with the Earthway seeder - this video has given me a lot of good ideas.

[webcajun]

@SauerkrautHead ... glad it helped........ Donald

[obrionusa]

I just love listening to old folks. They have so much knowledge to teach us young folks so much information.

[webcajun]

I like listening to the old folks too. LOL ........... Donald

[theweirdthings]

hey donald wouldnt the seeds get stuck on the open tape?

[webcajun]

Some do but it's really not a big problem. You could always put a piece of tape on the inside too....... Donald

[jeremy0318]

I am thinking about buying one of those seeders.

Should I buy the optional Fertilizer Applicator?

It drops the fertilizer right in with the seed.

Adds about $25 to the price.

Or is it a waste of money?

[webcajun]

I bought the fertilizer Applicator and IMHO it's a waste of money........ Donald

[esopp1956]

Excellent & educational

[webcajun]

Thanks ....... Donald

[le011283]

How can i get one of this here in Brazil?! No one in e-bay ships to here and earthway outlet too. Does anybody can help me?

[copefarms]

you may have to go with a different brand name seeder

Covington, john Deere, There are also several european models available as well. The Covington is expensive but its not plastic like the earthway its metal and well built should last a lifetime. They make them in a push seeder as well as a tow behind tractor model as well.

Check johnnys Select Seeds for other models and do a search online I wish you luck.

[goldenacres08]

Thank you so much for this. I planted half an acre of sweet corn this year using my seeder and was frustrated by how seed I was going through. This is going to help so much next year.

[webcajun]

I hate having to thin all that out when they are planted too close. Remember to do the test (counting the seeds that drop) before starting to plant. Different varieties vary in size......... Donald

[k8ai]

What about the sweet corn plate? Mine came with a plate for sweet corn and it has 5 holes.

[webcajun]

Try both and which ever one does the best use it. Seed size varies....... Donald

[DoctorsWife56]

That gadget is on my wishlist. Thanks for the great idea.

[webcajun]

You're welcome......  Donald

[crewlla]

Your video was awsome what a smart idea.

[webcajun]

Works every time...... Donald

[crewlla]

oh donald. I love ya but please cut your nails. lolololololol

[webcajun]

Just for you...... Donald

[1DRock37167]

Some day I will need one of those things... thanks for the info Donald!

[webcajun]

They are nice to have once you figure them out...... Donald

[Dustinv420]

***** you should be paid for this, very smart.

[webcajun]

I do accept donations. LOL ...... Donald

[ohhyeahzulu]

good ole tape cheap and saves you money in seeds ect.

[webcajun]

Saves a lot of work thinning out the plants as well....... Donald

[EbolaV1rus]

Very smart! I would have never thought of that!

[webcajun]

Glad to help......  Donald

[500passwords]

nice thinking outside the box on your seed wheel there donald.

how do you know when to plant corn in my area , indiana. can you look in farmers almanac i guess ,

[webcajun]

Search online for a "Vegetable Planting Guide" for your area........ Donald

[HLCpromow]

Thanks Donald. Great info. Thanks!

[webcajun]

You're welcome...... Donald

[young2880]

great vid

[webcajun]

Thanks......  Donald