This is how I do it. First, I rake the enriched bed to as fine a tilth as I can. Then, I lay the handle of my rake onto the soil where I would like the first row and press down gently to leave a furrow.
In this case one keeps it SHALLOW, as basil does not like to have to reach too much for light.
Next, I make sure the subsequent rows are wide enough for my weeding tool to fit comfortably between them.
When the rows are done I gently scatter the seed as evenly as I can in the furrows.
With my rake I tamp down gently to barely cover the seeds.
Water gently, this seed bed will be kept moist till germination, then watered as required.
PLEASE NOTE:
All seeds have different requirements as to the depth they should be planted, check your seed packet. Some seeds like basil, require a bit of light to germinate, others need a depth of 1/2 inch, or as the case with some beans a full inch.
I attended the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Connoisseurs Garden Tour this past week end and have lots of photos to share, which I will try to do within the next day or two, thought the seed starting was a more timely topic for today. Hope you agree.
Recreating Eden Landscape Blog 
Fresh basil is a must here – I use it all the time in cooking. Last year I tried something I found on internet about freezing the leaves – whole. Did some and have a good large bag of it but fresh beats that by a mile.
Carolyn, I always freeze basil whole, just cut a batch place it in a plastic freezer bag & freeze. Used in cooking it is great.
I know the potager is extra gorgeous this year, another year’s age PLUS decent spring rains.
Time to visit again. XO T
Y’all come down, I’ll make lunch.
Thanks for the tips!
Hope you found this useful.
Very much so. Thank you again. :o)