Crust on the soil

[JimmyJames]

Hi all,
Not posted for a while - been busy getting my hands dirty!

I hope you are all well.

I did have a question....   When I prepare a bed for sowing (eg carrots),  I rake the soil as directed, and sow away.  What I tend to find is that after watering, the soil forms a really hard crust on it.  I guess all the dusty powder parts of the soil form a solid lump.

Is this really a problem?  I fear that the seedlings will struggle to push through the crust.

I had a failed sowing of phacelia early in the season and I put it down to the crust.

Thanks
James

PS - I guess I need more organic matter in the soil, but this is a work-in-progress and not all of my beds have enough right now...

[JimmyJames]

[GodfreyRob]

Like you say, maybe you need something to stop the crust forming. You could work in a little sand or a bit of potting compost or sieved rotted garden compost, in the seed drills/stations prior to sowing as a short term fix .