Seeds are magic to gardens. Tuck them in soil, add a little water and you are on the way to a beautiful bloom or tasty harvest. Start seeds indoors to jump-start your garden. Whether or not you have experience starting seeds, you will improve your success by avoiding these common errors.
Seed-Starting Mistake #1: Catalog Hypnosis
It is tough to resist the beautiful pictures and glowing words in seed catalogs. Even experienced gardeners struggle to resist the allure. That is the first mistake most seed starters make: ordering too many seeds. A simple secret to success with seed-starting is exercising self-restraint. If you are new to the practice, do not start too many different types of seeds. Stick with simple ones, such as Tomato, Basil, Zinnia or Cosmos.
Seed-Starting Mistake #2: Starting Too Soon
In many regions, sowing seeds gives you a chance to get your hands dirty when it is too cold to garden outdoors. Do not start your seeds too soon. Most plants are ready to shift into the great outdoors in 4-6 weeks.Learn more aboutperfect timing for seeds.
Seed-Starting Mistake #3: Planting Too Deep
Read seed packets carefully, for detailed information about how deep to plant seeds. The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all.
Seed-Starting Mistake #4: Not Labeling Trays
Once you start sowing seeds and get dirt on your fingers, you will not want to stop and make labels. Before planting, prepare labels and add them to containers as soon as the seeds go into soil. Otherwise, it can be tough to tell seedlings apart. Be sure to include sowing date on your labels.
Seed-Starting Mistake #5: Soil Is Not Warm
Seed packets specify the temperature seeds need to germinate – soil temperature, not air temperature. Most seed germinate at 78ºF. You will have sure success if you use a waterproof root-zone heating mat. Once you start germinating seeds in soil, aim to keep soil temperature in the 65-70ºF range.
Seed-Starting Mistake #6: Too Little Light
In the warmest regions of the country, there is enough ambient light in a south-facing window to grow stocky seedlings. In northern areas where winter brings persistent cloud cover, you will need supplemental lights. Purchase or build an illuminated plant stand to start seedlings. For stocky, healthy seedlings, provide 14-16 hours of light daily. Suspend lights 2-3 inches above seedlings.
Seed-Starting Mistake #7: Water Woes
How much water do seeds need? For seeds to germinate, you need to keep the growing soil damp but not too wet. Learning how to water seedlings is pivotal for success. Many seed starters cover the container to keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Once seeds sprout, do not miss a watering. Unlike established plants, seedlings do not have an extensive root system they can rely on for vital moisture. At the same time, it is important not to overwater and let seedlings sit in water.
Seed-Starting Mistake #8: Not Enough Pampering
Seedlings are delicate creatures. They need daily attention and lots of tender loving care, especially when they are young. If you cannot monitor seedlings daily, checking on germination, soil moisture, temperature, and lights, you will definitely reduce your chances of success. Seedlings do not survive neglect.
Learn More About Starting Seeds
Not sure you want to start seedlings? Learnwhy you should consider starting your own seeds.
Seedlings must be prepared for the transition to life in the garden. Learn how tostrengthen seedlings before planting.
Some seeds can be sown directly into soil outdoors.Learn more about the process and which seeds are best for this method.
FAQs
That is the first mistake most seed starters make: ordering too many seeds. A simple secret to success with seed-starting is exercising self-restraint. If you are new to the practice, do not start too many different types of seeds. Stick with simple ones, such as Tomato, Basil, Zinnia or Cosmos.
What is the most difficult seed to germinate? ›
Some seeds like Allium 'Purple Sensation' and Eryngium giganteum need a long period of cold-moist stratification with alternating temperatures. These are the most difficult seeds to germinate.
Why some seeds may fail to germinate? ›
A seed might fail to germinate due to multiple reasons. Water is a key factor in promoting seed germination. Very less or too much water content can affect germination. Lack of oxygen also inhibits seed germination and oxygen availability is directly linked to water availability.
Is it better to germinate seeds in soil or paper towel? ›
Germinate seeds faster
The paper towel method creates prime conditions for seeds to germinate in less time. Depending on the type of seed, the controlled moisture and heat conditions within the bag can enable seeds to germinate in a few days. You'll have a home or garden filled with bright new leaves in no time!
Which seeds do not germinate properly? ›
The seeds of most warm-season vegetable crops (beans, squash, cucumbers, etc.) will not germinate if soil temperatures are below 50° F. Lettuce, pea, radish, carrot, beet, spinach, and other cool-season crops will germinate if soil temperature is above 40° F. (High soil temperatures- over 85° F.
What seeds take the longest to germinate? ›
Slow Germinators: Some seeds naturally take longer to break dormancy and start growing, often 2-4 weeks or more. Examples include parsley and some perennial flowers like geums.
How do you germinate a stubborn seed? ›
1.)
Some seeds have particularly hard or thick seed coats, so soaking them in room-temperature water for a few hours ahead of planting can speed germination. Ly says seeds that benefit from pre-soaking include peas, fava beans, chard, squash, cucumbers, corn, and okra.
Why are my seeds not germinating after 7 days? ›
Too much or too little water is the most likely reason for seeds not germinating. With too little or no water, seeds remain dormant. With too much water, seeds become susceptible to rot or infection from soil-borne fungi (also referred to as "dampening off").
Why do seeds kept in the refrigerator not sprout? ›
Seed germination requires a suitable warm temperature. Both very low and very high temperatures are unsuitable for germination. The temperature inside a refrigerator varies between 5∘C to 20∘C and this is certainly very low temperature. Therefore the seeds kept in refrigerator do not germinate.
What to do with seeds that didn't germinate? ›
So if your seeds never emerge and you're pretty sure you didn't over water, try planting the seeds more shallow the next time. My rule of thumb is 2 weeks for seeds to germinate. If the seeds haven't emerged in 2 weeks, I start over.
Pre-Soak Your Seeds Before Planting
That is why many seeds take a long time to germinate. You can "trick" the seed into opening faster by pre-soaking them in water. The goal is to penetrate the outer surface of the shell so that the plant gets the signal that it's ready to grow.
How to make seeds germinate faster? ›
Pre-Soaking.
This method could be the fastest way to germinate seeds. Place seeds in a shallow container in warm water and leave them for 16 to 24 hours (smaller for 16, bigger for 24). Remember not to expose seeds to temperatures higher than 80°F (26.6°C) and not to pre-soak seeds for more than 24 hours.
Do seeds need to be covered with soil to germinate? ›
It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all. Once you start sowing seeds and get dirt on your fingers, you will not want to stop and make labels.
Which seeds need darkness to germinate? ›
Some other popular types which prefer darkness for germination are:
- Calendula.
- Centaurea.
- Delphinium.
- Gazania.
- Nemesia.
- Primula sinensis.
- Schizanthus.
It's official: beans, peas, and pumpkins are among the top ten easiest plants to grow from seed, according to a list created by the Home Garden Seed Association. Also on the list: cucumbers, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, lettuce, radishes, and squash.
Which seed cannot be sprouted? ›
Final answer: Pinus seeds cannot germinate and establish without fungal association.
Which seed takes the least time to germinate? ›
Cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, spinach, turnips, basil, melons, beans, peas, and other seeds that germinate quickly are some of the greatest examples.
What is the most difficult plant to grow? ›
According to respondents, the plant with the highest difficulty rating among recreational gardeners is orchids, scoring 7.14 out of a possible 10 points.
What is the inability of seed to germinate? ›
Seed dormancy is the state in which seed is unable to germinate, even under ideal growing conditions (Merriam-Webster).
