3 Common Seed Starting Problems and How to Fix Them

Starting seeds indoors is a great way to make your garden successful from the start. Nurturing and watching seedlings grow from nothing into a fully grown plant can be incredibly rewarding. Gardeners have asked how to be more successful with starting their own seeds, and the problems usually boil down to simple, common mistakes. Here are the three most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Also, consider a layered bulb container.

Not Enough Light


A common rookie mistake in starting seeds is not giving their seeds enough light. New seeds need a lot of light to get growing. You can start with a south-facing window, but if it doesn’t get 6+ hours a day, it probably won’t do.

Solution: artificial lights.

Using grow lights, found at your local garden center, can provide the ample amount of light your seedlings need. Hang lights from chains, so you can lower and raise them as they grow. Keep lights about 2–3 inches above the seedlings.

Too Much or Not Enough Water


This is the most challenging part about starting seeds. Seedlings are incredibly delicate and need to be watered just right. Keep the potting mix moist, but not wet.

Solution: Check seedlings regularly.

First, cover your seed-starting container with plastic until the seeds germinate. This will trap any moisture in and help keep the soil moist. Use a misting spray bottle until seedlings appear to avoid overwatering. Once your seedlings are established, water from the bottom. Your container should have drainage holes, so let your plants soak up the water from the holes to minimize the risk of overwatering. Lastly, check your plants every day.

Starting Too Soon

Many beginners try to start seeds as soon as they buy them, instead of when the package advises. We all get a little excited to have green plants growing again, but if started too soon, they can die off from the cold.

Solution: Find out when your expected last frost is.

Seeds should usually be started four to six weeks before your last frost date. This will ensure that by the time your seedlings are ready to be transplanted, your soil will have started to warm up. You may need to place your seedlings outside during the day and bring them in at night for a few days to get them acclimated to the outside temperatures.

In a few short weeks you’ll be ready to transplant!

Comments

Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More on Gardening Calendar

Rough-stemmed goldenrod

Discover the native Rough-Stemmed Goldenrod: a clump-forming plant with serrated leaves and bright yellow blooms. Attract pollinators to your garden by adding native species – an excellent addition to any garden in late summer and early fall. Plus, debunked studies have confirmed that it isn't the cause of hay fever!

Gardening in the Month of October

Discover expert recommendations for your fall garden. Learn about planting bulbs, storing dahlias, overwintering annuals, and more for a beautiful spring garden.

Blue Vervain

Discover the vibrant bloom of blue vervain & explore its traditional uses, habitats, and cultivation methods! Learn about this hardy perennial plant native to North America & its many alternate names, such as Simpler's Joy & Swamp Verben.