I sowed 4 acres this spring with only 2 or 3 hours per week because I have a full-time job. Broadcasting is the only option for me for annuals. For bigger seeds like beans/pumpin/watermelon/sunflower/pea, I try my best to cover them with a layer of soil using a hoe. This is my first year of doing it and so far so good in term of germination. I am not planning to thin any seedlings for I don't have time. Here is my observations:
1. For best result, broadcast before rain with soaked seeds.
2. If no rain in the next couple of days, don't soak the seeds.
3. Remove mulch before seeding and mulch back when seedlings are bigger enough.
4. Using a hand-held broadcaster is better.
5. Germination rate is higher in wet spot.
I am trying to find out what plants are good for self-seeding so that I don't need to do it myself. Majority of my time is on trees and shrubs this year.
Steve