Lower cost equipment for seeding and transplanting on vegetable farms

With the upcoming deadline for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant program, we are publishing a series of articles about low cost equipment that can make farming more efficient on a small-scale. All of the equipment highlighted works well for farmers on rented land, as it can be easily moved to a new site. In this article, we highlight tools for seeding and transplanting.

Why Purchase Seeding and Transplanting Tools?

Although it is possible to seed and transplant vegetable crops by hand, there are many advantages to using tools for these tasks. Seeding and transplanting tools greatly improve efficiency, are easier on the body, lower costs, increase yields and make for easier harvesting and cultivation.

Push seeders

Push seeders generally do not require a tractor, electricity, fuel or any specialized tools to set up or fix. A push seeder works by the user walking it down a bed, which lays seed in a straight row.
Features of push seeders

All push seeders are built to create a furrow in the ground and then cover that furrow with soil once seeds have been planted. Push seeders have hoppers that can hold a large quantity of seed and plates or rollers, specific to different types of seeds, which help move seeds into the soil. Push seeders allow the user to adjust the depth the seed is planted and the distance between rows of seeds. Some push seeders use plates to dump small amounts of seeds at set intervals while other seeders use rollers to singulate individual seeds. All push seeders allow you to attach multiple seeders together so you can seed 2,3 or 5 rows in one pass.

Jang vs. Earthway

Two of the most common seeders on small vegetable farms are made by the companies Jang and Earthway. Although both are push seeders, they vary significantly in terms of their capabilities and complexity. Generally, Earthway seeders are much simpler to use and are highly recommended for beginning growers. Jang seeders are more adjustable and use less seed but are complex to learn and maintain.

Jang Seeders

These seeders work by “singulating” seed using rollers - this means they are built to only put one seed in the ground at a time. For this reason Jang seeders generally use the absolute minimum amount of seed needed to plant a row. This can provide significant cost savings for farmers who do large amounts of direct seeding. Jang seeders also use a gear system to control how fast (or slow) they lay seeds in the ground. This gives farmers a large amount of control over the spacing between individual seeds. This allows farmers to optimize their yield while reducing the need for thinning crops like radishes or carrots.

Jang seeders have specific “rollers” that work with different crops. These rollers do not come with the Jang and need to be purchased separately. Each roller is specialized so farmers should be prepared to purchase 6-12 total rollers to be able to seed their most common crops. The standard Jang seeder JP-1 only works with smaller seeds. For larger seeds (like beans and pumpkins) growers need to purchase the TD-1 seeder. Growers should be aware that the Jang has many moving parts - several of which need to be changed out between seeding different types of crops. Jang seeders generally take more time to set up and troubleshoot compared to an Earthway.

Photos by Lindsey Miller

Earthway Seeders

These seeders work with plates that grab small amounts of seed and put them in the ground. Unlike with a Jang, the Earthway doesn’t singulate seed, instead it grabs several seeds at a time. This means the Earthway will often go through relatively more seed per row, and crops like carrots will require some amount of thinning.

There is no way to adjust the space between seeds with this seeder. Instead they plant a solid row of seeds. Earthway seeders have far fewer parts than Jang seeders, making them easy to set up and fix. Switching crops only requires changing out a seed plate - which usually takes less than 15 seconds. Different plates are built for different types of crops. Earthway seeders come standard with 6 plates and farmers can buy 5 additional plates to cover any type of additional crops. Earthway also sells blank plates that growers can use to drill their own seed holes to fit the unique needs of crops that may not have a standard plate.

Photos by Lindsey Miller

Seeder Costs

The table below gives some example costs of different seeder models. Prices may vary depending on where you source the seeders and plates/rollers from. Costs are from Johnny's Seeds unless otherwise noted and include estimated shipping.

• Jang JP-1: $499. For small seeds. Does not include rollers. 
• Jang TD-1: $799. For large seeds. Does not include rollers.  
• Jang Vegetable Starter Kit: $639. Includes 4 common rollers. 
• Jang JP-3: $1281. Seeds 3 rows at a time. Does not include rollers.  
• Jang JP-Roller: $24.95. Single seed roller.
• Earthway 1001-B: $187. Includes 6 plates. 
• Earthway seed plates: $44.70. 5 additional plates 
• Earthway 3 row multi: $542.95 (estimate from Sutton Ag). Includes plates.

Where to buy seeders

Two common places to purchase seeders are Johnny's Seeds and Sutton Ag Enterprises.

Transplanters

Transplanters work by taking an already growing plant and placing it in the ground in a mechanized manner. In addition to saving time, this allows a farmer to have straight rows and consistent plant spacing - making cultivation and harvesting very efficient. There are many types of transplanters - this sheet will look at 4: Paperpot, Water Wheel, Conventional and Rotary (or carousel).

General considerations for transplanters

All transplanters rely on having plant material (not seeds) to transplant. This means before purchasing a transplanter you should either have a greenhouse to start plants in or have a source for plant starts. Paperpot transplanters do not require a tractor, while Water Wheels, Conventional and Rotary transplanters require one. You will also want to ensure your tractor has enough HP for the model of transplanter you are using along with a 3-point system. Water Wheels can transplant into plastic mulch or bare soil, while the other models can only plant into bare soil. Finally, it is important to ensure you are growing transplants in a plug size that can fit the transplanter you are purchasing.

Paperpot Transplanter

This is a special transplanter that relies on seeding into paper pots connected in a chain. The Paperpots are then fed through a transplanter which is pushed by hand. This transplanter is unique because it doesn’t require a tractor. However, it does require plants to be seeded into specialized paper pot trays. Paper pot systems work best in well-tilled soil. The transplanter may struggle to pull through soil that is poorly tilled or has large amounts of plant debris. Paperpot transplanters are available in both 1 and 2 row setups. Please note: Paperpot transplanters will not work with traditional greenhouse plugs or plant starts.

Photo: Paperpot Co

Water Wheel

A water wheel transplanter requires a tractor for operation. Depending on the type you buy, and how much water is in your tanks, these require tractors between 40HP and 70HP. These will not work safely with small acreage or garden type tractors. Water wheel systems work by punching a hole in the ground which immediately fills with water. A plant is placed in the hole and as the water dries, muddy soil seals in the roots. Water Wheels are versatile and can be used on both bare ground and plastic mulch. The wheels that punch holes in the soil are generally welded, meaning you will need to purchase different wheels for different plant spacings. With a 3 person crew, Water Wheels can generally plant two rows at once. Water wheels require a minimum of two operators - one to drive a tractor and another to place plants in the ground. This transplanter requires water to function.

Image: rainfloirrigation.com

Conventional Transplanter

These transplanters work by creating a furrow in the ground. The person operating the transplater places plants into grippers which guide the plant into the furrow. Spacing between the plants is controlled by sprockets that change the speed of the grippers. Although these transplanters work best when used with water, it is not required. For that reason this is a recommended transplanter for farmers without a well or other access to water. This model can transplant one row at a time. A tractor between with at least 30HP-40HP and a minimum of two people are required for operation.

 

Image: transplanter.com

Carousel (or Rotary) Style Transplanter

Similar to a conventional transplanter - this style allows an operator to place plants into rotating cups, which then feed the plants into a furrow. The cup system allows one person to transplant significantly faster than a conventional system that uses grippers. Water is recommended but not required for use of this transplanter. This model can transplant one row at a time. A tractor with a minimum of 30HP-40HP is required for operation as are a minimum of two people.

Image: transplanter.com

Pricing

All pricing includes estimated shipping costs

• Paperpot transplanter from Small Farm Works: $723. Requires you to purchase special paper pots, which are not reflected in the price.
• 2 row paperpot transplanter from Small Farm Work: $1550. Plants two rows at once; requires you to purchase special paper pots, which are not reflected in the price.
• Rainflo 1270 water wheel transplanter: $3600. Comes with one wheel and requires a tractor to pull it. 
• Rainflo 1670 water wheel transplanter: $4100. Has more water capacity than 1270. Comes with one wheel and requires a 50-75 HP tractor to pull it.
• Rainflo individual water wheel: $180: Water wheel replacement for different plant spacing 
• Holland conventional 1500 transplanter: $3300. Requires tractor to pull it, but does not require water, and does not come with a water tank. 
• Holland conventional 1500 transplanter with water tank: $3800. Requires tractor to pull it.  Water is not required for use, but the tank allows you to use water if desired. 
• Holland conventional 1500 front wheel drive transplanter: $4650. Requires tractor to pull it. Specially designed for sandy soil. You can add a water tank to this model, but the base model does not come with one.  
• Holland rotary one transplanter: $5600. Requires tractor to pull it. Cup system allows for fast transplanting. Does not require water. 
  

Where to buy transplanters

• https://www.smallfarmworks.com/
• https://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/transplanters/
• https://www.rainfloirrigation.com/equipment/transplanters
• https://transplanter.com/ (Holland)

Authors: Ariel Pressman & Annalisa Hultberg. Edited for web by Natalie Hoidal & Lindsey Miller