Starting seeds is one of the favorite ventures of veteran gardeners. However, if you are a beginner, or if this is your first attempt at seed starting, it can be a tricky business. This is because many people have tried to start seeds but failed woefully. And this could be attributed to the several mistakes they make, which leads to failure.
According to Balcony Garden Web, there are up to 8 common seed starting mistakes beginners make and should avoid. Here they are in no particular order:
- Placing Incorrectly
- Wrong Soil
- Planting Seeds Deep in the Soil
- Not Starting at the Right Time
- Improper Watering
- Too Much or Too Little Sunlight
- Using a Fertilizer
- Not Soaking Large Seeds
When you plant seeds, ensure you place the container on a windowsill, countertop, or even a different spot in your garden specially prepared for sowing.
The goal is to keep the container with the planted seeds in full view from time to time, so you don’t forget to give them the attention they need.
You just can’t use any soil for seed starting. Old soil from your yard or even garden may contain and quickly introduce pests or diseases to your fragile seeds/seedlings. Even bagged potting soil may be somewhat too dense, which may affect the seedlings. For this reason, go for clean and fresh bagged soil prepared only for starting seeds. Such soil has the right fluffy texture and light enough to promote germination.
Seeds are very particular when it comes to how they want to be planted. Planting seeds too deeply affect germination. This is why you should always read seed packets, as they come with all the necessary information you need. This includes information on how deep to plant the seed in the prepared soil. You should also be cautious when planting seeds. Make sure to plant seeds only two or three times deeper and only as wide as the seed.
Starting at the wrong time is a very common seed starting mistake that beginners make. Timing is highly crucial when starting seeds. Therefore, strive to know your USDA Hardiness Zone as well as the average last frost date. Since plants are different, they need sufficient time to develop. Planting seeds too early can stunt their growth or cause them to be root-bound.
Dry soil never results in healthy, sprouted seedlings.
Keeping the soil moist all the time is essential. However, you need to be careful so that you don’t underwater or overwater the seedlings. Too little water and the seedlings will become unhealthy. Too much water and the plants will drown. You should consider covering the container in which your seedlings are developing with plastic. This keeps humidity and moisture levels higher, thereby promoting a higher germination rate.
Seedlings need lots of natural light to develop properly. Insufficient light causes seedlings to be ‘leggy’ as they stretch forth in search of adequate light. Such seedlings will always be at risk of breaking since they are generally weak. They can also become prone to ‘damping off,’ a condition in which seedlings become skinny right at the soil line, keel over, and die. If natural light is insufficient, buy a higher strength light bulb or artificial grow light and position it 2-3 inches close to the seedlings. Make sure the lights are on for at least 12 hours per day.
Sprouting seeds don’t need external feeding because they have all the necessary nutrients required for sustenance for a few weeks. You can only fertilize them after the first or second set of real leaves appear. And make sure the fertilizer is of the liquid variety.
If you intend to plant large seeds such as gourds, melons, etc., consider soaking them overnight. This action helps seeds with hard coverings to sprout faster.
Many beginners are guilty of crowding too many seeds within a small space or in a single pot. This causes competition as each seedling starts fighting for root space, water, and even nutrients. Therefore, stick to the one-seed-per-pot rule if your pot or tray cells are tiny. And don’t exceed 3-4 seeds if you use those standard, medium-sized planter boxes.
Don’t plant seeds that are too old. Carry out a water test to determine how viable some seeds are. You can do this by submerging the seeds in a bowl of water for up to 20 minutes. Seeds that sink are viable ones and will germinate well given the right conditions. Any seed that floats will not grow well.
Temperature plays a vital role in the germination of seeds. Seeds thrive or germinate in soil with a temperature between 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. And after germination, the perfect growing temperature is about 10 degrees Celsius cooler than before.
Conclusion
Gardening is a learning venture for every person involved. Making a few seed starting mistakes comes with the territory. And since you can fix most of these mistakes, your seedlings will do much better next time.