To roll or not, that is the question.

[roc3491]

To roll or not, that is the question. When planting seeds, what is the proper protocol on whether you roll the ground to compress the soil around the seeds or do we let the rain and natural compression take place.

Yep, that's the question. I have heard two sides of the story, just curious on what other people do and what works for them.
Sean.

[dragonfly]

I don't compress the soil around seeds that I plant. In fact, I make a depression with my finger the depth I want, drop the seed in, then water over the entire area so that the seed gets really soaked, and it seems to speed up germination a little. The dirt will naturally fill in the hole as I water, but not before the seeds get soaked.

[roc3491]

Yeah.
A friend of mine has recently got into gardening, and I am her only source other than books and some of the information, says to compress the soil to prevent air pockets. I just told her to make an indent in the soil sprinkle the seed and put some fine dirt on the indent.

Most times just put them in the channel made with the end of the spade. A commerical farmer (non organic) told me years ago that they never rolled over seeds, he said "We let gravity take place", in my mind I can still see him saying that. He was very ecentric (extremely).
He also said the ground gets compact enough with adding to it.

Anyway thatS why I asked, just curious I hate to lead some astray, but it works for me.
Thanks,
Sean.