Ignore what the seed packages say--seeds can't read. Sow them on the surface of your moistened growing mix but don't cover them with more of it. The alternating freeze/thaw cycles during winter will let them make the necessary contact with the growing medium.

That said, I lightly sprinkle bird grit over the seeds to help them make contact with the mix without blocking the light. My WS results are nothing short of phenomenal so I figure if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Patting, lightly, is good.

PV

This is something I have to remind myself. I am heavy handed. I just patted them in.

As the others have said, I don't cover any small seeds, just sprinkle and pat lightly.

With big seeds like summersweet, holly hock and morning glory, I put them into the soil about 3X their length with a bamboo skewer and pat to ensure the soil firms behind them

KimKa

I don't even pat. I just toss them in. Haven't had a complaint yet.

I don't pat them in either. That just makes the stick to my hand. I sprinkle in, then spray with a spray bottle.

Karen

I sprinkle fine sifted vermiculite from a grated cheese container...just enough to cover the seeds and all the medium. Then I mist it all until the vermiculite is wet. It not only helps the seeds stay in place and in contact with the soil, but it hinders algae and moss growth on the top of the soil.

I moisten the soil, scatter the seeds over the top, then rub them in--some are a bit more covered than others. Ma Nature does her thing the seeds sprout just fine.

T