Light rolling before sowing

What rolling is for

After leveling, the surface still has soft spots that sink under a footstep. Seed sown into them ends up deeper in some places than others, and those places come up patchy. A light roll evens out the firmness so the seed sits at a consistent depth and stays in contact with moist soil.

Light, not heavy

Use a water-filled garden roller only partly filled, so it is easy to push. A heavy roller presses the soil into a hard layer that seedling roots and water struggle to get through. If the roller leaves a shiny, smeared surface, the soil is too wet; wait a day.

How

1. Roll the whole bed once in one direction.
2. Roll again at right angles.
3. Fill any hollows the roller shows, rake lightly and roll once more.
4. Rake the very top lightly so it is crumbly again before sowing; seed needs loose soil to settle into.

No roller? Treading the bed in short, shuffling steps does the same job on small areas. Then sow.