[mike0001]

i sowed about 2 weeks ago swede, carrots, beetroot and turnip

went back today to find a carpet of weeds,, so there must be a better way of doing this

I sowed in straight lines quite thinly and cannot make out what is what seed or weed

any tips ?

[mumofstig]

did you label and mark your rows?
If you did, then anything between the marked rows can be hoed off 

Weeding between seedlings in the row can be left until it's easy to see which are which.

[mike0001]

I did label but its a complete blanket of weeds, I will give it a few more weeks then and see if they change

the whole plot changed over last 2 days to total blanket of weeds

[mumofstig]

can't you, at least, run the how between your rows then?

[aelf]

best way to tell seedlings from weeds is to get down on your hands and knees and have a careful look at the shapes of the leaves. Start with the beetroot - fairly easy to spot as the stalks will be reddish and the leaves may have a red tint on the edges. Carrots have fine, feathery leaves which helps in spotting them as well. I used to tie a length of string along the row to help spot where they are.

Just thought, if you only sowed them a couple of weeks ago, they may not yet be showing or may only have the seed leaves out - you may have to wait for the true leaves to show first.

[mike0001]

Ii have left a space for a hoe, probably moaning at nothing here but looking at I thought, woah whats happened here

I will leave it till they seeds/weeds get bigger and weed out the weeds slowly .

[Salmo]

Mark where the rows should be either with a string or laying a cane along. Hoe between the rows leaving just a 3 inch strip. That will make the job of finding seedlings a whole lot easier. Once you can see seedlings you can hoe right up to them and finish the job by hand.

[crh75]

This shows the importance of creating a stale seed bed

[Salmo]

This shows the importance of creating a stale seed bed

I am sure Mike0001 would like to know more about how it is done.

[mike0001]

or indeed what a stale seed bed is , 

[Beetroot queen]

or indeed what a stale seed bed is , 

I'd like to know to.  :happy:

[Annen]

me too

[Dave Mack]

Me Three 

[jason g]

a stale seedbed from my understanding is just a seedbed that is left for 10days or more,hence the name.

if im wrong im sure i will be corrected

[ilan]

me to I just should have followed my own advice . I normaly make a fine seed bed and water it well leave it for a week or so then hoe it off Then make a little v line to so my seed in But before sowing pour a kettle or two of boiling water down the row and wait for a few mins then sow into the warm wet bed and hope the hot water has killed off all the remaining weed seeds .