I thought I would share my seed starting failures today! Here is a list of 5 mistakes I made when starting seeds indoors.
1. Do not plant 2 types of seeds in the same tray.
Different varieties of seeds grow at different times and grow to different heights. When, I planted 2 different kinds in the trays I had to adjust the lights for the taller plants, which then made the shorter ones that much further away from the light source. When the plants are further away from the light source, they become spindly and leggy. This means that the plant is actively looking for the light so the stem of the plant keeps growing until it finds it.
2. Do not plant too early.
Why? I was so excited to start my plants that I started a few things too early. The package for the snapdragons said to plant 8-10 weeks before the last frost and the sweet pea package said 10-12 weeks before last frost. I think I planted them both about 12 weeks before out last frost date and they are getting so tall!! I moved them out to the garage in front of a north facing window and they are doing good out there, except that I think by the time I plant them outside they will be monsters in tiny little seed trays!!
3. Do Not over water.
This seems so so obvious, but well I over watered a few trays. Low and behold. Root rot and damping off. Damping off is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects seeds and new seedlings, it is the rotting of the stem and root tissues at and below the soil surface. This is more likely to happen when you soil is to wet. When you water your trays, water so that the soil is damp. I prefer to water from the bottom. I pour water into the bottom of the tray, when the soil it damp at the top, pour out the extra water in your tray. Let the soil mostly dry before watering again. This is approx every other day for me.
4. Do not Underwater
Hello self,,,little plants need drinks too. After over watering and killing some, I under watered and killed some more. Check your plant trays everyday. On average I water my trays every other day. I water from the bottom, meaning that I water into the tray and not on the little seedling themselves. This forces the roots to grow down and also cuts down on rotting and fungus knats.
5. Do not forget to label.
Why? I thought I would totally remember what I planted. This is not the case. Especially if you are planting several different varieties. The seedlings start to shoot up quickly and sometimes you move the tray to a different spot. Always label your seedlings.
You do not have to have any special supplies to label your seedlings. Use a piece of tape and a sharpie. Write the name of the plant on the tape and stick it to the side of tray. Make sure the spot you are putting the tape is dry.
Planting seeds is a learning curve. For some people this would be no fun at all. That is okay. there are plenty of places you can buy your seedlings from. For those of you who want to plant seeds, keep trying. You might not win the first time around. Do not be discouraged.
This is a quick 101 on starting seeds indoors.
Johhny’s selected seeds is a great place to buy your seeds.