Soil - compact and compress it or leave it loose?

[Dynamite]

Hi there.

When planting seeds in trays and pots and also when transplanting seedlings, I find myself sometimes patting the soil down and thinking, should I be doing that.

Are there any rules to when to compact and pat down or leave the soil loose?

Kind Regards..........Rob

[fishpond]

As far as I am aware, the only reason to firm the soil is to ensure the seeds/roots are in full contact and there are no large air pockets.

[Jungle Jane]

I always pat down to leave a nice flat finish & to get the air gaps out of pots when potting on. If the seeds are really tiny I just sieve a bit of compost on top & don't pat it down because the seed would probably stick to my hand.

[Bren In Pots]

I always use a second plant pot to pat down the compost, one day I'm going make or buy one of those wooden thingies I've seen them use on TV.

[burnie]

I tend to use water to compact the soil, rather than pressure to remove possible air gaps, as far as I am aware it's only brassicas that need compacted soil from start to final planting out.

[ESBkevin]

Soil contact it the name of the game. That's why we use very fine sieved compost and a little press can't hurt. Usually I sift some more compost on top of the sown seed and a light watering with a fine rose then leave it at that.

[bario1]

I always compact the soil a little when potting up/on... otherwise the plants seem a bit unstable and it's hard to get the soil to take on water.