Seed Starting Snafus
Whether you’ve seed started before or never done it in your life, take a moment to check out these 5 snafus when seed starting!
Not starting with correct medium (soil starter).
A common mistake is thinking you can head to your local gardening store, grab a bag of soil, and begin your seeds. That would be a negative Ghost Rider. Don’t do it. Your seeds need a lightweight, well-draining, nutrient-filled soil. A good mixture is 1/3 Coco Coir, 1/3 Compost, 1/3 Top Soil. If you’re too busy to make a mix, one I’ve used in the past (and has worked well) is Burpee Seed Starting Mix.
Burying seeds too deep in the starter.
Planting your seeds too deep means most likely your seeds will run out of nutrients before they can open up and receive light and energy. It’s like trying to get out of bed on a cold morning when you’re nice and warm under all the blankets. Ain’t gonna happen. A good rule of thumb is to plant twice as deep as the seeds width. This means each seed is different. For example, a pepper seed will be started much closer to the top of the soil than a squash seed.
Not providing enough light.
“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” ~ Aaron Rose
Your seedlings need the right light. Most likely a sunny window will not provide the amount of light a seedling needs. If your seedling doesn’t receive the right amount of light, it will become leggy and is more likely to fall over and die. They are desperate for light and they grow rapidly towards it. To prevent this, it can be as easy as adding fluorescent lighting over your seeds.
Overwatering.
Listen, I get water happy too. I need to feel like I’m doing something to help these little babies grow!! Whispering to them daily might be a better idea than watering them daily. Overwatering can cause mold, fungi growth, and your seed to rot! Make sure excess water has a way to drain away from seeds. Check the level of dampness by placing your finger lightly in the soil. If dirt clings to your finger, it is still damp enough.
Not hardening off your seedlings.
Huh? Hardening off? This is the process of introducing your new babies to the great outdoors. By doing this you are preparing them for greatness. It’s like the changing of seasons for humans. The weather changes and our bodies begin to adjust to the fluctuations. A seedling has to do something similar. Begin by introducing airflow while seeds are still indoors (about a week or two after sprouting), a fan will work just fine for this. I also like to brush my fingers across the seedlings to help with growth. This also simulates wind. The next step is to begin introducing them outdoors within a week or two of transplanting to your garden. Start with a shady location for a couple hours per day. Slowly increase sunlight over a week or two. (Tip: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT take your seedlings outside on a windy day. They will look like limp noodles and your heart will feel the same. (If this happens, see number 1. 😆)