What was the rationale given for that idea? You could just direct sow without the ice palaver.

I think it was to prevent birds from getting the seeds? I'm not really sure

But the ice cubes woud melt immediately they were scattered in the garden.. No deterrent to birds. Or is this idea for sowing in places where it is frozen in winter? If so the seeds woud not germinate until the spring anyway.

I've seen videos on this as well. I guess the reason for doing this is that you can place the ice cubes exactly where you want the seedlings to grow as opposed to scattering around.

@bellarosa yes! Do you see a benefit? Would the freezing damage seeds?

No, I don't believe that freezing would damage the seeds unless it's a frost tender annual, i.e. zinnias. Many perennials, biennals and cold tolerant annuals, for example, poppies, larkspur, snapdragons, need the cold to germinate.

I don't think you'd save any effort. Yes, you could place the cubes exactly where you want them. But you can do the same with a pinch of seed or individual large seeds.. Think of the timei t would take to fill the ice trays and place a pinch of seed in each. Plus how many ice trays and how much fridge space you'd need would you need. I honestly think it's a pointless notion.

Yes, I believe it's like a lot of garden 'misdirection', it's simply giving the human something to do.

I agree - kinda pointless and that's why I just toss the seeds, i.e. usually poppie seeds and let them germinate on their own