get a hose nozzle with a mist setting. It will moisten but not drown seeds

Do you use the mist setting to wet the potting soil? How do you moisten the soil?...........spread the soil out in an even layer?

you could spread soil to better assess degree of moisture, then put them in your seed cells and then sow your seeds.

Do you spread your potting soil out and then use the shower setting? In order to gently but thoroughly moisten every part of it it seems like spreading it out is a good idea. I could spread it out in my wheel barrel but it wouldn't be sanitized as my cell packs are. I'm using Johnny's Selected Seeds which are not cheap and I'm told are very good quality seeds. Planting winter vegetables :)

I am confused. Are you talking about wheel barrow not being sanitized? correct. But what Im not understanding is why not stick wiih soiless mix. How does soil enter the picture? If perchance you are talking about seed sowing soilless mix, you could just water the cells SLOWLY and they will get thoroughly moist. If what you did made your cells too wet, I think you just have to wait a day or two to be sure soiless mix is not oversaturated.

Add just little water to the dry potting mix and mix it together. If it looks dry, add a little more water and repeat. The idea is to add a little water at a time. You can always add more water but if you add to much then you've either got to add more dry potting mix or wait for the mix to dry out on its own. Once the mix has the right moisture level then you can go ahead and fill the cell packs and sow the seeds.

Rodney

You shouldn't be afraid of water if using a good potting mix. I dampen my medium before filling containers, but use a rain shower nozzle or misting nozzle to water it in. I also use water again to firm seeds or plants in for growing.

A "good potting mix" is a very coarse textured, fast draining material....it will rapidly drain of all excess water, leaving large pore spaces filled with air.

Squeezing the damp potting medium is a no-no....that compacts the potting mix, which is not a good thing for real in-the-ground soil OR soilless potting medium.