sowed

Sowed is the simple past tense of the verb sow. To sow means to plant seeds by scattering them over the surface of the soil or placing them in furrows, with the intention that they germinate and grow. Sowing is a fundamental agricultural practice for crops such as cereals, vegetables, legumes, grasses, and cover crops.

Past participle: The past participle form of sow is sown. For example: “The seeds have been sown.” In modern usage, “sowed” is used for the simple past, as in “They sowed corn last spring.” Some writers historically used “sowed” as a participle, but standard grammar today generally uses “sown” for perfect tenses.

Methods and practices: Sowing can be performed by broadcasting seeds across a field, using seed drills to place seeds at a precise depth, or sowing in furrows. Seed size, soil moisture, temperature, and crop type influence timing and method. After sowing, seeds require adequate moisture and time to germinate and establish.

Usage and context: Besides agriculture, “to sow” is used metaphorically to describe spreading ideas, opinions, or problems, as in “to sow doubt” or “to sow discord.” The term is widely understood in both farming and literary contexts, and its correct form depends on the intended tense.