Direct Seeding

Direct seeding is a relatively new approach to seeding. Direct seeding, like no-till, is a cropping system whose purpose it is to improve soil and soil moisture conservation. Unlike no-till, direct seeding is more flexible, allowing the utilization of some tillage to solve weed problems, high moisture, and heavy clay soil conditions. 

In direct seeding, soil is not tilled in the spring before planting. This is to conserve soil moisture in the seedbed. The soil surface must be compact and level to preserve soil moisture. Most of the crop residue remains on the surface with at least half the stubble remaining upright and anchored to trap as much snow as possible.

Typical operations are fall fertilizer banding with knives, and redistributing crop residue and incorporating herbicides with heavy or rotary harrows. The amount of soil disturbance during direct planting varies with the type of opener.