Growing vegetables from seed is one of the best and cost effective ways to harvest healthy vegetables. Well, every gardener has their own preferences for seed starting. Like, some like to start seeds in public trays, pots and while some use soil blocks and biodegradable cups or even eggshells.
However no matter the method you use, there are handful of best practices that apply to all seed starting routines. As a gardener if you stay away from these practices, you might end up in making some mistakes seedlings can be weak or unhealthy. So it’s important to avoid these 8 common seed starting mistakes you need to avoid to get healthy vegetables.
8 Common Seed Starting Mistakes To Avoid:
- Starting Seeds At The Wrong Time:
Some crops like hot temperature and some like cool temperature and that’s the reason it’s important to understand about growing conditions for different type of vegetables, herbs, or other seeds you’re starting. Starting seeds that aren’t suited for your climate or for the upcoming season might make you end up in disappointment.
The best time to start your seeds totally depends on your location and the variety of plant. Get to know about the plant preferences by reading its descriptions on the seed package or in the website. Also, you need to become familiar with growing zone, the average first and last frost date and then able to work backwards or forwards from there.
- Using Wrong Soil Or Potting Medium To Sow Seeds:
You don’t necessarily have to buy potting mix but you need something other than plain old garden soil. Using wrong or old soil from your garden may contain and introduce diseases or pests to your new seedlings. On the other hand some bagged potting soil is too dense and has less than ideal texture or drainage for seed starting.
So, always use fresh, clean, bagged soil that is made for starting seeds. It should have the right and fluffy texture to promote germination and allow new roots grows with ease. Bagged seed starting mix is one of the best and free of potential pests or diseases.
- Starting Seeds In Cold Or Wet Soil:
Seeds generally need warm temperature to germinate. So before planting your seeds, bring your soil mix inside your home and warm it up. If you feel the mix is too dry, you can add some water to moisten it up. Allow the mixture to be in ambient temperature in your home. Once seeds are planted, use a heat mat to move germination to keep soil temperature in 60 to 70 degree Fahrenheit.
- Planting Seeds To Deep:
Rule of thumb for planting seeds is at a depth of two or three times their width and it’s better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Seeds of some plants like lettuce or snapdragon need little light to germinate, so they should be scattered on the surface of the soil and not covered at all. If seeds are planted too deeply, they may not germinate.
- Not Providing Enough Sunlight:
Unfortunately, setting your seedlings by a window probably isn’t going to give them enough sunlight to become strong and healthy. So, you need to provide them some supplemental light. Place them as close as possible to the tops of plants without burning them. Setting up your lights can easily adjust their heights as the plant grows is a best idea.
- Not Labeling Trays Or Growing Containers:
Don’t forget to label your seeds before you sow seeds. Use a waterproof pen and place them in the appropriate pot, flat or six packs immediately after sowing making sure there will be no confusion. Otherwise, it will be tough for you to tell different seedlings apart and what they are supposed to be when they mature. You should also include sowing dates on your labels so you know when to expect germination of those seeds.
- Over Or Under Watering:
Seedlings should always be kept moist that doesn’t mean you need to sit them in water for so long. Too much water can lead to cause of fungal conditions known as dampening off. Whatever you plant your seedlings should have proper drainage holes system at the bottom and a tray underneath to catch excess water. You also need to ensure that they don’t try out completely which happens when the seedlings are growing too faster.
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- Not Giving Enough Attention For Your Seedlings:
Just like humans and animals, young plants need lot of attention for their healthy growth. Check out seedlings for several times in a day to monitor temperature, moisture, diseases, pests or any signs of distress. As they cannot survive on their own and will quickly perish if neglected.
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