Seeds need specific conditions to germinate — temperature and moisture can be difficult to control beneath the soil, and are easily affected by weather, human error, and other factors. Be sure to plant seeds at the depth recommended on each seed packet. Seeds that are planted too deeply will not germinate. Seeds usually require well-cultivated soil — while some plant seeds think dandelions will grow nearly anywhere, many herb, flower, and vegetable seeds require soil that has good drainage, the correct pH level, and adequate fertility to succeed.
Seeds are sometimes poorly stored — make sure to store all of your unused seeds in a dry, airtight container in a cool part of your house. Excessive heat will kill seeds. Moisture even high humidity can cause seeds to go moldy or otherwise lose their viability.
I have been gardening for 45 years—-still learning! I used to be able to start my seeds in my growing medium and not worry, not any more. Thanks for the article. It was helpful. Has worked for me to save most of the damping off seedlings!
If snow melt here in Vermont is late and even raised beds are too wet to work, they get weekly fish emulsion to keep them vigorously growing, or even potting up for those that like warm soil.
So I take care not to start seed too early since younger vigorous transplants do better than older root-bound ones. No need to buy that expensive sterile nutrient-less starting mix that dries out so fast if you have compost that stays so nicely moist and is forgiving if neglected for a day or three.
I bring in several 5 gallon buckets full each fall and store in cool cellar with an old dinner plate on top so it has a bit of air around the edges and stays damp but not moldy. The worms and no doubt the beneficial bacteria and fungi are still living when I start my seeds in spring. I put the worms in kitchen compost and dump them into the outdoor pile.
Only had damping off 2 years out of almost 30 here, and the chamomile tea did the trick for most of the seedlings. The only time you water from the top is when you water the seeds in initially. Thanks for the info. Just in time. Also love you choice of music! But really thank you for the information. Always check the recommended germination temperature on the seed packet. Most species can be sown successfully indoors at temperatures between 13C - 21C — easily achieved in a heated propagator or on a bright windowsill.
Once germinated, you can move your seed trays to a slightly cooler position. Outdoors: Keep an eye on the weather and avoid sowing if the soil is cold and wet, as this will cause the seed to rot.
Seed packets usually advise when to sow direct outside but this will vary between warm southern gardens and cold northern locations. In the north it may be necessary to sow a month later than the seed packet suggests if the soil remains cold. Help early sowings along by using cloches to warm the soil. Ensure that seeds are kept evenly moist by thoroughly wetting and draining the compost before you begin. After sowing you can cover the seed tray with a sheet of glass or clear plastic to retain moisture - the compost should remain damp for several days or more.
If the soil surface begins to dry out, simply stand the seed tray in water until the surface becomes moist - but be sure to let it drain again. Remove the glass or plastic as soon as the seeds begin to germinate to prevent the seedlings from rotting.
Outdoors: Wet, poorly drained soils or dry, sandy soils can be difficult environments for seed germination. Both can be improved by adding plenty of organic matter such as well rotted manure or homemade compost. On wet soils this will improve drainage and air circulation, while on dry soils organic matter acts as a sponge, holding water in the soil for longer.
If no instructions are provided, the size of the seed gives a good indicator of how deep to sow it. Very small seeds such as begonia and lettuce only need a light covering of sieved compost or vermiculite. Larger seeds like sunflowers and beans need to be sown several centimetres beneath the surface. As a general rule of thumb, most seeds should be planted at a depth of 3 to 4 times their own width. Did the seed packet mention pre-chilling, chipping, scarifying or soaking?
You can find a full description of different techniques in our specialised sowing information article. Planting seeds often means they are close to the surface, where birds and small critters like squirrels or mice can help themselves once they discover the stash. The Fix: If pests are a common nuisance during the germination stage, drape a mesh fabric over your seedbeds to prevent birds or animals digging them out until they sprout.
If you cover seeds tightly with dense soil, you cut off the oxygen that the seed requires to germinate. Even heavy rain can compact the soil over your seeds, and when it dries can form a crusty barrier.
The Fix: Use a soil mix full of organic material to set seeds. A quality garden soil is loose enough to prevent compaction that cuts off air to seeds.
Related Potting Soil vs Garden Soil. Starting seeds too early in the spring may allow the roots to sprout then quickly die off during a frigid night. You may never see the shoot sprout above the soil, but the root growth began. The opposite can also be true, with the temperature making the soil too hot for the seed to sprout, or it grows then dies off immediately.
The Fix: Set seeds when your region is free of overnight frosts or when the season is right for the type of plant.
0コメント