All About the JP-1 Jang Seeder

The JP-1 was designed for small-scale market gardening, gardening, and homesteading, with small to medium seeds in mind. A wide range of customization makes the tool versatile and scalable. The construction is rugged, not minding rough terrain or damp soil. While more expensive than others, its ability to conserve seeds, save time and labor, and precisely seed large quantities of space quickly makes it worth every penny. 

What Makes JP-1 Stand Out?

The durability and precision of seeding the JP-1 can accomplish is astounding and sets it apart. It’s highly adaptable to different-sized farms and gardens and is worth its weight in carrots. 

• Durability: The JP-1 weighs 25 lbs. and can power through heavy, damp, clay-like, and rocky soils with no problem. 
• Weight: You don’t have to push forward and down to ensure seeder-to-soil contact like you might with other seeders. 
• Transparent hopper: Allows you to see the seed level. 
• Secure hopper fit: With the hopper pushed into place, there is no worry about it coming loose. 
• Double-sided adjustable handle: Left-handed and right-handed users can adjust it, shortening or lengthening it to accommodate the garden bed width. This also makes seeding inside a high tunnel a breeze.
• Ergonomically friendly: Easily and quickly accommodates farmers and gardeners of various heights with its adjustable handle. 
• Seed singulation: An innovative feature that allows only one seed in the desired area, making seeding much more precise. 
• Variety of seed rollers: The JP-1 Jang seeder has a seed roller to suit your enterprise’s needs. If you need something customized, you can order blank rollers and create your own using a drill. 

The Design and Build Quality

Upon delivery, you’ll likely notice how well-built the JP-1 Jang Seeder is. It was designed and made using high-quality, heavy-duty materials. No detail was spared, from the grips on the handlebars to the long-lasting paint. With proper care, the JP-1 Jang Seeder should be the only seeder you ever have to purchase. 

Additional parts that you can add on to expand its versatility: 

• Double-disc opening shoe: Swap out the standard shoe with this version to handle a bed with extra debris. This works well in a no-till system with roots and crop debris present. 
• Kickstand: Use this in the field when changing rollers or during storage. Easy to install and inexpensive. 
• Fertilizer hopper: Allows you to fertilize while you seed, saving time and energy. 

Harnessing the Full Potential of the JP-1 Seeder

At first glance, the Jang series seeders may seem complicated. Let’s dive into the various parts and how to calibrate them to understand how the JP-1 works. 

Understanding the Mechanism for Precision Planting

1. Seed Rollers: Each roller features divots spaced and sized differently. A roller is selected based on the size and shape of the seed and desired spacing. Rollers should drop that amount of seeds per rotation. For example, a roller with 12 divots should drop 12 seeds per full rotation, and a roller with 24 should drop 24. When determining if you’re using the right roller for the seed, lift the tool and hold your hand under the hopper as you turn it one full rotation, then count the seeds. A 5-10% variance is acceptable. Anything more or less will affect germination. Raise or lower the brush as needed and try again. 
2. Standard shoe: This mechanism creates a furrow on the front end and covers the seed on the back end, alleviating the need to create a furrow by hand or using an additional tool. 
3. Handlebar: It is adjustable from left to right, making it possible to sow wide beds and switch them from left to right-handed users. You can also adjust the height as needed. 
4. Seed Hopper: Easy to remove and attach with a large capacity. Ensure it’s lined up with the sprocket, or seeds will not drop. This is a mistake we made several times without realizing it. Just take the extra moment to double-check that it’s properly placed before beginning.   
5. Sprockets: A sprocket, or gear, is placed in the front and rear of the chain system. Changing the sprockets will change the seed spacing. 
6. Depth adjustment: Adjust the depth based on seed packet depth recommendations. Based on what you often direct sow, you may find this doesn’t need to be adjusted much. 
7. Brush adjustment: The brush runs over the top of the roller. Lifting it will allow more seeds to drop. Leaving it low in most cases will yield the best results, but play around with the height and note its effect. 

Related Video: How to set up and use a Jang seeder

Adapting to Various Seed Types and Sizes

The sprockets and the roller you choose will determine how far apart the seeds will be spaced when they drop. Placing the sprocket and chain on the JP-1 Jang Seeder works similarly to replacing a bike chain. Ensure the chain is snug on the sprocket before use. Adjust the brush to the level you need for the seed and load the hopper. 

Practical Benefits for Gardeners and Farmers Alike

Whether you’re sowing 20 feet of carrots or two-hundred-foot beds of spinach, the Jang is a tank in the fields. Seeding will be quicker, and due to the dense and accurate germination, time will be saved on weeding and thinning, resulting in abundant harvests. 

Labor and Time Savings

Jang seeders singulates seeds in the hopper through the roller, allowing only one seed to drop at a time. This decreases seed waste, labor spent on thinning seedlings, seeder jamming, and overcrowded beds. If the user wants more seeds to drop for a thicker seeding, simply raise the brush to allow more seeds to fall out.

Increased Crop Yield Through Accurate Seeding

Overcrowded seedlings compete for nutrients, water, space, and sunshine. Under-spaced seedlings compete with weeds for the same resources and leave you with under-utilized bed space that should be making you money. With the precise seedling of the JP-1 Jang Seeder, seeds fall where you want them, and seedlings are perfectly spaced out for increased yields and profits. 

While the JP-1 Jang Seeder is heavy and can handle rocky terrain and damp soil, you may yield better results by preparing your garden beds by clearing debris, creating a weed-free zone, and leveling the surface. To learn how to control weeds and prep beds using silage tarps, check out our article on this topic.  

Succession Planting with the JP-1 Jang Seeder

The Jang seeder series can accommodate various-sized seeds, but the JP-1 Jang Seeder is known for sowing tiny seeds in large quantities in 30-inch market garden beds or on homesteads. This table shows some popular crops often sown using the JP-1 Jang Seeder and the roller recommendations based on farmer trials. Adjust based on your needs, but start here. 

The number on the roller refers to the amount of holes in the roller and the letter or letters refer to the size of those holes. The body of the Jang seeder features a roller and crop spacing chart that you can reference in the field if needed. This will indicate what hole/sprocket combinations for seed spacing are possible.

Succession Planting on a Market Farm

Market gardeners typically succession plant greens, carrots, radishes, and lettuce every three to four weeks. The range for days to maturity depends on variety, time of year, and whether you prefer your greens baby or full-size. Also, consider how long one bed of each crop lasts you. The goal is to harvest from subsequent sowings around the same time the previous sowing is cleared out. You may adjust the timing between sowings based on forecasted temperatures, soil conditions, and harvest amounts. 

Here is a sample of what a market garden sowing schedule might look like, using the JP-1 specifications above. 

*Days to maturity 

The “Date of First Harvest” column is useful information when determining the accuracy of your suggested next succession sowing date. 

Pro tip: Keeping records like this can be challenging when the farm is busy. Practice snapping daily photos of new things happening on the farm to refer back to later. 

Your ability to succession plant will depend on the weather and bed space available. If you’re new to succession planting, the more records, the better. Adjust in real time as needed and as bed space opens up. This could change from season to season based on customer demand.

If you regularly sow beds of 6 to 12 rows of seeds, consider the other versions of the Jang seeder, like the 6-row, so you can make fewer passes per bed, saving you even more time. The JP-1 can also accommodate additional rollers and hoppers. Our sales team would be happy to help you if you need to special order additional parts or a different model. 

Navigating Common Concerns and Troubleshooting

As precise as the JP-1 Jang Seeder can be, there are nuances and a learning curve. Using it regularly, tracking results, and keeping notes will help you get the hang of it with limited frustration. For all the ins and outs of the parts, roller, and sprockets, as well as a comprehensive order of operations for seeding, check out our Jang Seeder 101 article. 

Addressing Familiar User Challenges

• Small parts can easily fall out and get lost in the field, during storage, or while transporting. Pro tip: Invest in a small, durable storage bag that fully closes to store extra pieces and rollers in, and keep it on the handle of the seeder. This way, if you’re in the middle of seeding and notice a screw or bolt is missing, you can fix the problem right away and complete your task. 
• While the JP-1 Jang Seeder's weight is a benefit, it can also be a disadvantage. If it's hung up in storage, getting it down may be difficult for some individuals, and maneuvering it around the farm may also be challenging if you have limited strength or mobility issues. 
• The rollers are sold separately. However, our starter pack offers the most popular four sizes, and other sizes are available through custom orders; just call us and let us know what you are looking for. 
• Calibration can be challenging and confusing. The seed rollers, front and rear chains, and depth can each be calibrated, which can be tedious and time-consuming the first few times as you learn.  
• If the JP-1 Jang Seeder is used infrequently, getting the hang of it can take a while. 
• Proper storage takes some forethought. 

Expert Advice for Seamless Operation

Familiarize yourself with the JP-1 Jang Seeder before completing a sowing in the field. This will save time and frustration. 

1. Give yourself grace as you adjust to the seeder. Stay focused on the task so you remember to complete all the adjustments. 
2. Allow time to learn the tool and monitor the results. This is not an out-of-the-box tool that works the same on every farm in all soil types. It must be minutely adjusted for your enterprise. 
3. Keep detailed notes (electronically if possible) and adjust as needed. 
4. Use the tool without seeds outside the field a few times to get familiar with the various movements, speed, and grip. Once you feel more comfortable, add seeds and test different techniques over a tarp to catch the seeds. Move into planting the field when you are confident the seeds are dropping how you’d like and the tool adjusted for your body. 
5. Pay attention to the seed depth required on the packaging and set it accordingly for the best germination results. 
6. Weigh the seeds you add to the hopper and again after seeding a bed. Record the amount required per bed of that seed type so you know for future seedings. 
7. Stay focused while seeding and avoid distractions from cell phones.
8. Always make sure seeds are dropping before seeding your whole plot. If seeds weren’t dropping or were at an incorrect rate, you won’t know until the seeds germinate poorly!  

As a small-scale farmer who has used the JP-1 Jang Seeder for four seasons, I know that using this tool can easily feel over-complicated if you allow it to. However, if you trust your instincts, closely monitor your fields, and track your results, you might also find your farm doesn’t require as many of the adjustments as the seeder is capable of. 

We have simplified our JP-1 Jang Seeder process by focusing on two seed spacings, using four rollers, and not adjusting the depth often. We’ve found this saves valuable time and makes the process easier to do quickly. Our germination rates drastically improved after the first season of getting to know the tool and dialing it into our needs. 

I’ll offer this farmer hack:  Remove the guide plate. We’ve had much success with this. Some seeds get caught up in this felt-lined plate, causing uneven seed placement. We’d rather a few more seeds drop than end up with bare spots. 

Your Investment in Efficiency

If you’ve struggled with seed waste, spent hours in the fields thinning carrot or spinach seedlings, or aren't impressed with your germination rates, it’s time to invest in the JP-1 Jang Seeder. 

Cost-Benefit Analysis of the JP-1 Jang Seeder

When the benefits are considered, push seeders are an inexpensive alternative to mechanical seeders and are more efficient and cost-conscious on a small scale. Don’t let the seeder price scare you off; it will pay for itself after the first season. Time is the most valuable resource on a farm. Precision seeding with the JP-1 Jang Seeder removes the need for weed control and thinning, saving time, money, and body aches. 

Investing in the JP-1 Jang Seeder is investing in your time and your physical health. You’ll be rewarded with increased germination rates, decreased weeds, and higher yields. It will quickly become your reliable farming sidekick. Plus, it will save you from bending over to direct seed by hand and is much more durable than other seeders on the market. 

Pro tip: Don’t get caught without extra parts! One of the downfalls to its advanced, adaptable design is various small pieces that hold the tool together that can easily be lost. Order spares of everything, even a hopper, and keep them in a safe place on the farm. 

FAQ

How is the JP-1 Jang Seeder different from traditional seeding methods?

• The JP-1 Jang Seeder is heavy and durable. It can handle rough terrain, such as damp, rocky soil and soil with plant debris and stems.
• Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for market gardeners, farmers, and homesteaders. 
• It’s fully adjustable and ergonomically friendly. 
• It saves valuable time and energy while conserving seeds. 
• The results are undeniable. 

Can the JP-1 Jang Seeder handle a wide range of seed sizes?

Yes, with multiple-sized and shaped rollers, the JP-1 Jang Seeder can handle a wide range of seed sizes, from arugula and baby greens to pelleted carrots and peas. Remember, you can buy blank seed rollers and customize your own for your enterprise. 

What type of maintenance does the JP-1 Jang Seeder require?

All rotating parts should be lubricated regularly. Do not lubricate the seed rollers. Check the brush, guide plates, and rubber pieces for compaction over time and replace them as needed. Remove caked-on soil, amendments, compost, etc. from the wheels and other parts, as continual residue may lead to the tool working improperly. Get in the habit of doing this before storing it after each use. 

Written by Jenna Rich of Partners’ Gardens LLC, Reviewed by JM Fortier