Planting apparatus and related method

A new mobile planting apparatus has first and second ranks of powered row units and first and second power devices connected respectively to and providing driving horsepower to such ranks. Suitable power devices include mechanical, electrical and hydraulic types with the latter being preferred. Each power device includes a control mechanism permitting the driving horsepower provided to the respective ranks to be independently controlled. That is, each power device may be independently operated or disabled and the power devices may run at different speeds and horsepowers. A new method for planting seeds enables a grower using two ranks of row units to plant seeds up to the boundary of a field while yet avoiding seeding beyond or short of the boundary with either row unit. The method also involves planting two different types of seeds.