Seed planting method and apparatus

An apparatus and a method are provided for planting seeds with a marked dibble, a marked seed spacer and a marker row spacer. Corresponding markings on a dibble, a seed spacer and a row spacer define the ideal planting depth, seed spacing and row spacing for seed types. Seed spacing is achieved by extending the seed spacer between juxtaposed corresponding markings on the row spacer and creating a hole in the garden soil at a point determined by additional corresponding markings on the seed spacer. Hole depth is determined by further corresponding markings on the dibble.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to seed spacing devices and seed 
planting methods. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Success in cultivation of a home gardens can be greatly increased by 
planting different seeds at their optimum seed spacing and seed depth. An 
apparatus which can accurately and easily mark seed spacing, planting 
depth and, optionally, row spacing is therefore desired. 
Most home gardens include several types of seeds which are planted within a 
small area. Accordingly, a compact apparatus is desired which is capable 
of marking the optimum spacing and seed depth for a variety of seed types. 
A home garden may be planted by adults or young children. An apparatus and 
method for teaching young children to plant a garden should incorporate 
simple tools appropriate for young children, as well as a planting system 
which is easily understood and executed. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,627 issued to Adams, et al. discloses a seed planting 
device constucted of a flat strip pointed at one end with a seed mounted 
on the underside of a tonque bent outwardly from the plane of the strip. 
This device provides an apparatus to plant one seed at a desired depth. 
However, the Jenkins device provides no guidance for accurately 
determining the spacing between seed rows or seed spacing within a row. 
Further, the device cannot plant more than one type of seed. Nor can the 
depth of the seed hole be varied for different type of seeds. 
Other devices, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,208, issued to 
Nockleby, includes a more complex apparatus which furrows, plants and 
covers a seed bed, while simultaneously providing visual markings which 
identify the seeded portions of the bed. To change the planting depth, the 
user must adjust a plow blade to the desired planting depth for one type 
of seed. Then the apparatus must be adjusted to feed the seeds into the 
seed chute at a predetermined rate which controls seed spacing within a 
row. Thus, these complex apparatuses lack flexibility and cannot be used 
to plant more than one type of seed at a time. Additionally, the size of 
the apparatuses diminishes their adaptability for planting a home garden 
with a variety of types of seeds within an area as small as several square 
feet. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention includes a flexible apparatus capable of spacing and 
planting several types of seeds. The apparatus provides for accurate 
determination of seed row spacing, seed spacing within each row and 
planting depth for different types of seeds within a small area. Geometric 
or colored markings are used consistently throughout the elements of the 
apparatus to indicate the precise spacing and depth for planting different 
types of seeds. Thus, carrot, lettuce, corn and cherry tomato seeds may be 
quickly and accurately planted in a single garden. 
The present invention is particularly suited for teaching small children 
how to plant and cultivate a home garden. Simple tools are incorporated 
which may be safely used by children. The simplicity of the invention 
allows children to easily regulate seed row spacing, seed spacing within 
each row and planting depth. 
Several types of seeds may be planted with one dibble and row spacing is 
quickly altered by shifting a seed spacer between markings on a row 
spacer. Corresponding markings on the dibble, an optional row spacer, and 
seed spacer for a single seed type, such as cherry tomato seeds, allow 
children to easily match markings on the seed spacer with corresponding 
markings on the row spacer and dibble for information on cherry tomato 
seed row spacing, seed spacing within each row and planting depth. The 
addition of seed packaging with markings corresponding to the dibble, seed 
spacer and row spacer markings provides a complete unit for creating a 
home garden. 
Specifically, the present invention comprises a dibble having markings for 
identifying particular types of seeds. The markings are located a spaced 
distance from the first end of the dibble corresponding to the preferred 
depth at which each type of seed is to be planted. Also included is a seed 
spacing means having markings matching the markings on the dibble and 
thereby indicating the locations within a row at which each particular 
type of seed is to be planted. The markings on the seed spacing means thus 
have characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the markings 
on the dibble. 
In an alternative embodiment, a row spacing means having markings is 
incorporated. The row spacing means markings are used in conjunction with 
the seed spacing means for determining the spacing between rows as well as 
to define the type of seed to be planted within each row. Additionally, 
the characteristics of the markings on the row spacing means correspond to 
the seed type identifying characteristics of the markings on the dibble. 
The method of the present invention is also suitable for home gardens with 
a variety of seed types and as a teaching tool for children. The 
consistent use of matching markings on seed packaging and on each tool for 
each type of seed simplifies the instructions a child must follow to plant 
a home garden. The determination of row spacing is reduced to a simple act 
of placing the ends of the seed spacer next to matching juxtaposed 
markings on the row spacer. The determination of seed spacing is 
accomplished by placing the dibble next to corresponding markings on the 
seed spacer. 
Specifically, the method of the present invention comprises a method of 
planting seeds in soil with a marked dibble, a marked seed spacing means 
and a marked row spacing means, the seed spacing means having two ends, 
and matching dibble markings, seed spacing means markings and row spacing 
means markings corresponding to a particular type of seed. The method 
includes the steps of first determining seed row spacing by placing one 
end of the seed spacing means adjacent to a first marking on one side of 
the row spacing means and the other end of the seed spacing means adjacent 
to a matching second marking juxtaposed opposite the first marking on the 
other side of the row spacing means. Seed spacing is then determined by 
placing a seed on the soil adjacent to a matching marking on the seed 
spacing means. Finally, the dibble is pushed into the soil to a depth 
determined by a matching marking on the dibble. A seed is then placed in 
the resulting hole and covered. 
For example, in one embodiment, a row spacer is placed on the soil with, 
for example, red circle markings representing cherry tomatoes, facing 
upwards. A child places one end of the seed spacer adjacent to one red 
circle on the row spacer and the other end of the seed spacer adjacent to 
a second red circle juxtaposed on the other side of the row spacer. Next, 
the child creates a hole in the soil to the depth of a red circle on the 
dibble next to every red circle on the seed spacer. Finally, the child 
removes cherry tomato seeds from the package with the red circle marking 
and places them in the holes and then covers the seeds. Thus, a straight 
row of cherry tomato seeds is planted with seed spacing determined by the 
spacing between red circles on the seed spacer. 
The next row of cherry tomato seed is planted in the same method after 
moving the seed spacer so that it is adjacent to the second pair of red 
circles on the row spacer. Thus, by easily matching red circles on seed 
packets, dibble, seed spacer and row spacer, a child can plant rows of 
cherry tomatoes at the proper spacing and depth.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus constructed 
according to the present invention for seed planting may have a squared 
row spacer 10 including a support member 12 attached perpendicular to two 
parallel elongate arms 14 and 16. Each arm of the row spacer 10 has 
markings affixed thereto. 
For example, in FIG. 1A, the row spacer 10 has colored strip markings 
affixed horizontal to the longitudinal axis of each arm 14 and 16. The 
colored strip markings 18, 20, 22 and 24 on the lower arm 14 indicate the 
spacing of rows of tomato, corn, carrot and lettuce seed rows, 
respectively. Corresponding colored markings 26, 28, 30 and 32 are affixed 
to the upper arm 16 juxtaposed to colored strips 18, 20, 22 and 24, 
respectively. 
Accurate spacing of seed rows is accomplished by stretching a seed spacer 
between juxtaposed markings affixed to the row spacer. A seed spacer 34 is 
an extended cord or stick (FIG. 1B). The seed spacer 34 may be bounded on 
its ends by a first pole 36 and a second pole 38. The seed spacer 34 has 
colored strips 40, 42, 44 and 46 corresponding to the colored strips on 
the row spacer 10 and affixed horizontal to the longitudinal axis of the 
seed spacer 34 to indicate seed spacing within a row. The spacing of 
matching colored strips on the seed spacer corresponds to the optimum 
spacing of a particular type of seed within a row. 
In one embodiment incorporating a row spacer and colored strip markings, 
the row spacer is placed on the soil in the desired position. Next, the 
first pole of the seed spacer is placed in the soil adjacent to a colored 
strip on the row spacer. For example, the first pole 36 is placed in the 
soil adjacent to the leftward colored strip 18 on the row spacer lower arm 
14. A straight row of seeds is marked by stretching the seed spacer 34 
parallel to the row spacer support member 12 and placing the second pole 
38 into the soil adjacent to the leftward colored strip 26 on the row 
spacer upper arm 16. The seed spacer will extend between the juxtaposed 
colored strips on the row spacer and mark a straight row for planting 
seeds. The colored strips on the seed spacer 34 are then used to evenly 
space the seeds within this row. 
When the seed spacer 34 is placed adjacent to the soil, the matching 
colored strips on the seed spacer indicate the placement of a particular 
type of each seed within a row. The marking strips on the row spacer and 
the seed spacer are coordinated such that similar colors or geometric 
figures refer to similar seed types throughout. Thus, if colored strips 18 
and 26 on the row spacer indicate tomato seed row spacing, corresponding 
colored strips 40, 48, and 50 on the seed spacer mark the placement of 
tomato seeds within the row. 
Of course, it will be appreciated that the row spacer is an optional 
element of the planting apparatus. Seed rows may be planted singularly, in 
which case row spacing is nonexistent, or row spacing may be altered by 
soil characteristics. However, use of a row spacer may be preferred when 
the apparatus is used by children. 
Creation of a hole for planting each type of seed at the ideal depth is 
accomplished with the use of a dibble 62 (FIG. 1C). An optional embodiment 
of the dibble 62 includes an elongated cylindrical stem 64 with a first 
end 66 and a second end 68. An abbreviated cylindrical bar 70 is affixed 
to the stem 64 at preselected first distance from the first end 66. The 
bar 70 has a first surface 72 and an opposing surface 74. Markings are 
affixed to the first and second end of the dibble to indicate which end is 
depressed into the soil for a particular type of seed. 
A hole is made in the soil by depressing the dibble 62 into the soil until 
a surface of the bar 70 is adjacent to the soil. Thus, to make a hole in 
the soil of the desired depth for tomato seeds and at the desired 
placement within a tomato seed row, the dibble is placed with the end of 
the dibble having the marking for a tomato seed placed adjacent to a 
colored strip on the seed spacer corresponding to tomato seeds. The dibble 
is then depressed until a surface of the dibble bar 70 is adjacent to the 
ground. 
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a dibble 87 can take the 
form of a single, elongated stem with markings affixed horizontal to its 
longitudinal axis. The horizontal dibble markings indicate the depth at 
which the dibble is depressed into the soil for each particular seed type. 
Referring to FIG. 1, the dibble 62 has a colored strip marking 73 affixed 
to the first end 66 of the dibble stem. The dibble colored strip marking 
73 corresponds to colored strip markings affixed to the seed spacer and 
the row spacer. Thus, if colored strips 18 and 26 on the row spacer 
indicate tomato seed row spacing, corresponding seed spacer colored strips 
40, 48, and 50 mark the placement of tomato seeds within the row, and the 
corresponding dibble colored strip 73 indicates preferred planting depth 
for tomato seeds. 
The tomato seed hole is created by placing the first end 66 of the dibble 
62 adjacent to the leftward seed spacer colored strip 40. The dibble is 
then depressed into the soil until the first surface 72 of the bar 70 is 
resting on the ground. In this manner, the stem 64 creates a hole in the 
soil at the preferred depth for planting tomato seeds. The dibble is then 
withdrawn from the soil and a tomato seed is dropped into the hole. The 
seed is covered with dirt. The planting process is continued for the 
remaining seeds and rows in a garden. 
Markings on seed packaging may also be coordinated with the dibble, seed 
spacer and row spacer markings. The addition of appropriate figures on 
each type of seed package and properly placed corresponding figures on the 
row spacer, seed spacer and dibble provides a complete apparatus for 
easily planting a complete home garden. For example, the seed packaging 75 
(FIG. 1D) includes a marking 77 corresponding to the row spacer markings 
for cherry tomatoes, the seed spacer markings for cherry tomatoes and the 
dibble marking for cherry tomatoes. 
In an alternative embodiment, a seed strip is attached to the seed spacer. 
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a seed strip 76 is removably attached to one end 
of a seed spacer 78. The seed strip 76 is constructed of a biodegradable 
or other suitable cord 80 with seeds 82 and 84 affixed thereon. The 
distance between the seeds 82 and 84 approximates the distance the cord 
must extend downward and upward into and out of a hole when a seed is 
planted, plus the distance on top of the soil between holes. 
The seed spacer 78 of FIG. 2 has geometric figures affixed to its 
longitudinal axis in contrast to the colored strips of the seed spacer 34 
of FIG. 1. Corresponding geometric figures are placed on a row spacer 85 
and the dibble 87 to mark the ideal row spacing and seed planting depth 
for corresponding seed types throughout (FIGS. 3A and 3B). Thus, a carrot 
figure on a row spacer, a seed spacer or a dibble would correspond to the 
dimensions for planting carrot seeds throughout. 
In yet another alternative embodiment, a marked seed strip may be bounded 
by poles to function as a seed spacer. A seed strip/spacer 86, as 
illustrated in FIG. 3A, is marked with geometric figures and loosely 
affixed to two poles. As in FIG. 2, the distance between the seeds on the 
seed strip/spacer approximates the distance the cord must extend downward 
and upward into and out of a hole when a seed is planted, plus the 
distance on top of the soil between holes. The distance between each seed 
strip/spacer marking and the closest seed approximates the ideal planting 
depth. 
To use the seed strip/spacer 86, the first pole 36 and the second pole 38 
are placed in the soil. Next, the cord is placed on the soil between the 
two poles 36 and 38 with the excess cord gathered adjacent to the remote 
pole 38. The user examines the strip markings to determine the type of 
marking or geometric figure affixed to the strip. A dibble, such as the 
dibble 87 in FIG. 3B, is placed on the cord to the right of a marking 94 
on the seed strip closest to the near pole. Then, while holding the 
marking 94 on top of the soil, the dibble 87 and cord are depressed into 
the soil until the dibble marking corresponding to the markings on the 
seed strip/spacer 86 is adjacent to the top of the soil. This action 
forces the portion of the seed strip to the right of the seed strip/spacer 
marking 94 into the soil. The dibble is then withdrawn from the soil and 
the hole is covered with dirt. As each seed is planted, the excess cord is 
slowly drawn from the gathering adjacent to the remote pole. 
The row spacer may also be embodied in a plurality of forms. FIG. 3A 
illustrates the use of a rectangular soil container for the row spacer 85. 
When a container is used as a row spacer, colored strip or geometric 
markings are placed on the rims of parallel sides of the container walls 
to indicate spacing between seed rows. Thus, the row spacer 85 has 
geometric figures affixed to the rims of the container walls in juxtaposed 
positions along its short sides. The container is first filled with soil 
and then a garden is planted using a seed spacer and dibble. 
Although described for purposes of clarity with regard to specific 
preferred methods, the present invention is not limited to those 
embodiments but rather is applicable broadly to all versions falling 
within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, string, 
thread, rope, cable, wire, twine or ribbon may be used to embody the cord 
80 of the seed strip 76 and the cord of the strip/spacer 86.