8 Most Common Seed Starting Mistakes (FINALLY Starting Seeds)
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- Seed starting has arrived! We are going to be discussing the most common seed starting mistakes and how to avoid them. What seeds are you starting?
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1. Label using a UV resistant marker 3:45
2. Slightly compact your seed starting mix 4:40
3. Premoisten your seed mix 5:50
4. Planting seeds too deep 7:12
5. Starting seeds too early 8:08
6. Direct watering with a watering can 10:26
7. Starting mismatched seeds 12:26
8. Overusing heat mats 13:20
Thanks so much for the list
Came to the comments looking for this. Thanks
you're a gem
you're a gem
Perfect
Would you consider making a video about caring for seedlings? I’ve watched a ton of videos on starting seeds, but I’ve also had issues in the past with keeping seedlings alive after germination, and there aren’t nearly as many helpful videos about that period of growing a plant. I’d really appreciate it!
Yes I am also interested in these. Pkus lights v. Window and fan blowing to garden etc.
Me too! Great idea-Mine often pop out of the soil very strong and then with her a week or two later and I’m confused. That would be a great video suggestion especially for this time of the year!
Yes please!
Yes! I'm getting anxiety because I had one tray die from "damping off", my second tray is doing a little better but I'm basically winging it, because there aren't enough videos on how to care for seedlings!
It could be "damping off". Make sure once they germinate you take the domes off and make sure they are too wet. They need moisture but if they are too wet the roots will rot and sit there for days and not move until they just fall over one day. You can usually tell if it's damping off by looking at the stem right at the base of the soil or right under it. If it's brown/grey it probably is too much water. I made this mistake on my first ones also! But now I grow everything from seed! You got this!
I am a mother and grandmother, recently moved into a senior retirement community. Happily with retirement comes the extra time needed to get back into gardening, plus I'm hoping to share some life teaching experiences with the new grandbabies. While I love listening to these great teaching vids, I get a thankful spirit from seeing you personally sharing and showing us your unique lessons as you prepare your own garden. And we love hearing about "Mrs. MIgardener" and what her interests are. I think you guys are wonderful, and your parents must be so proud of what you do and teach. So please pass our compliments along to "Mrs. MIgardener, as well as your parents. Great job!
Oh my gosh I didn't even know uv resistant markers exist!! Already schooled straight out the shoot! Sprout me happy!
I've followed your channel for a long time. I have to just say... You're totally f***in awesome dude 👏🏾✊🏾👍🏾✌🏾
I will be starting my seeds finally this weekend. The ice storm delayed my plans for last weekend. I appreciate this video as this will be my first time starting seeds.
Wood burning into wooden markers/sticks works well too.
I now know why my plants all had horrible growth AND mold issues along with being laggy. I did everything wrong! I used a heat mat the whole time, used a dome and planted too deep. I spent so much time and love with my plants and I was devastated. Thanks for clearing that all up!!
Isn't that just heartbreaking?! I've had that happen too.
I didn’t even think about seedlings over shadowing other seedlings, UV markers, and done info. Good stuff. Thank you!
some things i learned so far starting seeds.
brightness is very misleading, for example sunlight is 1,000 times brighter than average indoor light even though it don't look that way, plants see it that way so its good to get some idea of lumens and ppfd plants want and what your lights output. and remember to factor hidden costs of electricity. you may have a fluorescent tube holder laying around but a modern led grow light or just led shop lights might be worth it if your using it several months a year.
for soil im starting to have better luck with un-sterile starting mix. my issue with sterile is it becomes rapidly colonized by whatever is floating around and that might be something not helpfull. also sterile mixes cant breakdown organic fertilizers and it molds in order to try and break it down. found that the hard way. so now i mix half potting mix (peatmoss perlite) and half sifted compost. moisten it slightly and let it sit in a tub for months prior to "stabilize" then its already a stable eco system that isnt gonna get damping off or mold and has some nutrients and micro nutrients that you wouldnt get in peat moss and fertilizer.
a fan is good as plants aren't meant to grow in still air they need wind to transpire water from leaves in order to pull up more water and therefore nutrients. large majority of water plants drink is just meant to be evaporated back out.
i prefer top watering over bottom. i find bottom watering makes the bottom half very soggy and the top still very dry which the seeds in the top. also my weekly water soluble fertilizers wouldn't work well in bottom watering unless i kept the muddy leftovers and reused it to not waste the fertilizer. so i just use a squeeze condiment bottle and get good at top watering with either plain water or fertilizer mix and water the correct amount till a few cells drip from the bottom. takes more time but it works well.
and some small things. write down everything. dates started, watered, fertilized, temps, everything you do. your not gonna remember next year or figure out much you did wrong otherwise. a bit of research on what the plants want and attention to detail can go a long way. also equipment if you grow enough of your own food to be worth it. things like a good light, mylar, temp controlled heat mat, and a fan will make things go smoother.
Last year I made most of these mistakes. Especially planting EVERYTHING too early! I moved from a townhouse to a "real" house with an acre and was super excited to garden! I didn't make the mistake of the heat pad or humidity dome because I didn't know about them. If I had, I would have definitely made those mistakes too, LOL. I'm all set up in the garage... but waiting impatiently this year. Good luck to all!
Yay starting! Not sure there are warmer climates this year 😬
It's been pretty nice in southern California lately. Low 70s to low 80s for the next ten days or so.
@@vinstinct lucky you!!! Not so much in CT- another round of snow & cold temps coming in today but maybe near 40 this weekend🤞!
Already harvesting down in central Florida 😎
Just got a foot in colorado
4-6 inches of mostly sleet and ice here in Maryland right now.
I use heat mats and grow domes for germination ONLY and it definitely works better with then without. That's been my personal experience over the years.
I’m super jazzed about my garden plan this year. I have a few weeks yet until seed starting but I’m glad to have this info! Great video!
I've advised soooo many folks to watch your videos & buy your seeds!
You are such a gem!! Thank you Luke!
P.S. Hope to see Mrs. Migardener's flower project!!
This weather is crazy, but it is a lesson that you can't trust the nature to be "normal". Always have backups if some fail even after you plant them, or you may be going to the nursery to buy the same old varieties you might not want. Let's hope zone 5 doesn't act like zone 3 this year.
Thanks Luke. Lots of great info! 2021 gardening season has begun. Hope everyone has a bountiful harvest wherever you’re growing 🪴🌱
Never really grew from seed until this year, started on feb 6. Everything looking good so far, thanks for all the tip in your past videos as well couldn’t have done it without watching many of them.
It's so much more satisfying harvesting food from a plant you've grown from seed!
I've been getting so nervous about seed starting but these suggestions helped me to remember not to over complicate and less is more!
I'm more of a baker than a gardener so I really appreciate relating it to something else , thank you, good tips
I love to garden and want to thank you for teaching me so much! I’m starting my own seedlings for the first time this year after saving my seeds for the first time last season. This video was just what I needed!
For years I have bought the plants already grown. Last year I half-*** tried growing from seed, bought the light, used the red solo cups I had, and bought 20 gallon grow bags. Why 20? I have NO IDEA! And premoistened the mix is one thing I didn't do when I transplanted outdoors. I am learning a lot. I still plan on using those grow bags and hopefully I can make them work this year! Thanks for the wealth of info!
Thank You again Luke for great insight. I ran to my grow room and turned the heat mat off. Spring is approaching !!!!!
Thanks for posting this video! It seems like I keep making some of these mistakes over and over even though I know better! This video is a subtle reminder for me to pay attention to my seed starting methods!
Thank you for the info on the heating pad. I was considering on buying one for the peppers and tomatoes, but I would have used it for all the seeds in the tray. #1 mistake averted.
also good for hot weather vining plants like cucumber, watermelon ect. can also keep it on peppers if its fairly cool without it, peppers grow noticeably slow at 60f compared to 70-80s
This year I ordered a couple heat mats on the same day I filled the seed trays because I wasn't sure if the ambient temp was high enough. By the time the mats arrived 48 hours later, almost everything had sprouted. Within a week, everything including peppers & tomatoes had sprouted. If you keep your house around 68F during the day, you'll be fine without a mat.
This is my 2nd year to attempt gardening and my 1st year to use a seed starting mix instead of peat pellets. I had the water problem because I didn't know to pre-moisten. So I put the soil in the pods, gave it a light press, but I did think it would be best to water it before I put the seeds in. So I started slowly adding water to the cells and the water just pooled up on top of the soil. When it finally started soaking through, it basically just ran down the edges of the cells not absorbing in to the soil and just collecting in the catch tray. It's not easy to pre-moisten the soil once it's in those little pods, so next time I'll get me a separate container to mix a lot of soil at once like you have here in this video.
Wonderful video dispelling so many myths and how thoughtful to post it early in the season so we can still correct our mistakes!
Im starting my seeds today here in maine! Starting with my longer growing veggies and herbs. Thank you for the knowledge and the seeds! You guys are awesome!
Good hair day Luke!
Can’t wait to get started on the garden!
Thanks, lots of good Information. Mistakes I have made my 1st yr of starting seeds. Blessings!
First time starting seeds indoors lol pretty sure I made so many of these mistakes 😂 I’m having lots of fun though
Look at them as learning experiences! & remember that none of us ''experienced" gardener's STARTED OUT experts... we were all in your shoes at one point!
I remember soooo many mistakes in the beginning but finally got the feel for it. And it really does take a feel for it that you can usually only get after you make these mistakes. Thanks for sharing the experience!
Started all my seeds Jan. 1st and will be planting outside within the next 2 weeks. Can’t wait!!! Salinas Ca. 9b soil is about 45 degrees already 👏🏻👏🏻
I just make a grid map. I keep it in a gardening log book/journal. When I go to transplant, I create another map to plan out my garden. It helps me plan out companion planting, as well as the order (so taller plants don’t shade out shorter plants.
It’s a living document that I keep and add to every year. It helps me keep track of what did/did not work from previous years. It’s super helpful!
Before I did this, if I did forget, I used a plant identification app. They’re fairly accurate.🙂
I am starting to do this, this year. I have our small garden plot to work in and we will be starting a larger garden as soon as we can get the fencing up at the end of march, after the cows go back to the ranch. It is difficult to build a new cattle fence with the cows tromping all over lol
Suggestion: A short summary bullet list of all 8 mistakes could be a great and helpful addition to the video description!
Agreed
I just started to garden and your videos are very informative. You seem like a great person and whoever has the luck to date you must love your passion.
Just got my MIGardner seeds....thank you for this vid. I live in Denver and have a hard time waiting. 3 weeks to go and the seed starting will begin.
So excited! Just ordered seeds from your seed company last week! In Ontario Canada but can't wait until I can start the seeds I bought!
Just started quite a few of your seeds in my new setup. Looking forward to my next order and you're next video!
I had no idea about the heat mats. I just bought 3 of them. I also did not realize about the domes. Thank goodness I had not started my seeds yet because I would have been making big mistakes. Thank you so much.
We're still going through a horrible freeze up here in oklahoma. Gardening talk keeps me hopeful for Spring. Thank you for the seed starting tips!
Thank you Luke. You just preventdd me from screwing up half my crops. I was all set to start my brassicas on a heat mat. I also intended to leave the mat on all my peppers and tomatoes. I greatly appreciate everything you do.
Oh man my first time using a mat and a humidity dome, and Im so glad I watched this video for my first shot at growing my own seedlings
Thank you Luke, so excited to get the garden 2021 underway🌱
Thank you Luke. You stated the two things I did wrong last year and now I will correct that and hopefully have a more successful year!
I am actually starting my seeds this weekend! Glad this video came out today. Great refresher on what not to do :)
My family send me a couple of seeds from Migardener store. I am so excited to grow them! Hugs from Poland ❤️
Omg thank you!! This was perfect timing for me!!
Thank you so much for everything you said, you really helped me here. I was keeping my seedling tray in heating met all the time, days and night. I will take care of that.
Lol! Thanks Luke! I actually did order a combo heat mat/seedling tray and dome from Amazon a few weeks ago. Last year I just used recycled yogurt containers. Clam shell fruit containers and old roasting pans to put a bit on f water in. I had quite a bit of success with germination of my seeds too. After watching so many gardening tutorials, I wanted to copy what I’ve been watching and have a nicer set up! I had a beautiful little garden last year. I hope it’s as good thing year! Thanks so much for your tips! We are in zone 7. So I’ll be getting started soon!
Starting seeds for the first time this year and this is super helpful! Can't wait to start my MI Gardener seeds!
I’ve started seeds and really appreciate the info about heat mats! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Whew-saw this just in time! Thank you-very helpful!
I'm in a local gardening group and one member is complaining that she has a monster cucumber that has already started to flower and we are still 2 months out from last frost date.
Meanwhile, thanks to Luke I haven't started my seeds yet (but soon! Probably this weekend!)
I made the mistake of not pre-moistening my soil last time, and I learned my lesson! It did seem like the water was just sitting on top and my seeds were all displaced and splashed everywhere. And I used a humidity dome for too long and the soil got moldy. Definitely a learning process for me! Thank you for the video! Excited to start this year with more information than last year.
Last year was my first year starting plants and I did most all of those things. My garden was an embarrassment haha. Also the first year I started watching MI Gardner so this year should be better. Thank you Luke!
Same for me. Hopefully many lessons learned that I remember haha
Thanks! Perfect Timing I need to start my seeds soon!
Thanks so much, Luke! I was doing a few things wrong in my seedstarting. Hopefully this year will be better!
Thank you, Luke! Didn’t realize it was time to start, now I’ve got the motivation.
Wel it depends on your zone, what your average temperature is going to be when you plant them out in 4-8 weeks (depending on many factors) & how many days to harvest for that crop/flower. Like he said, if you're not going to be able to plant outside for 60 more days because your last frost is 60 days away (around April 15th) & you're planting a crop with 60 dog, you're going to have a full grown, & very stressed plant!
Creatively Candace Thank you! It's not scientific but I figure since I live in the same state as Luke, I can just follow his lead. I probably should get a little better at timing ...sound like you really have this down!!
@@vineyardchickshomestead oh OK! Sorry! I didn't realize you lived close to him!
I had no idea about the watering from the bottom, makes so much sense! Thank you!!
Thanks for always being so informative about the baby steps!!
Very helpful! Just in time! I almost started some of the seeds too soon! Thank you!
Omg Luke, I am also an MI gardener, and I also got flower seeds this year to check them out! I got three colors of zinnia, and a couple of other flowers with long names. I will start seed starting on Sunday. Good luck this year.
Not pre-waterting! Just made that mistake with my first microgreen trays. Water repelled, and went all over the counter. Lol. Live and learn. Of course, I still didn't clue in to what I had done wrong until you mentioned it in the video. Thank goodness for @MIgardener :)
I appreciate this video, just in time for starting my seeds for spring!
Thank you so much for this video! I was just looking at my sprouts under my dome, wondering why they were looking so pitiful. Love you guys!💖
This video is awesome! I have watched it many times so I can absorb all of the good information. I have always direct sowed or bought starts. I am going to try starting a few seed trays this year.
Taught me some very important things I hadn't even thought about. Thanks 😊
And don’t forget to label your cells as you go- I always forget what I planted in each cell by the time I’m done. 😆
So, SO helpful!! I'll be making some adjustments in my seed starting! Thanks :D
Sounds like a good night 🤙🏼
Started my seeds here in Georgia on Jan15th both summer and cool season crops. Can't wait to harvest and taste Romanesco and new varieties of tomatoes Luke. You are awesome as always
Nice to see you starting. 💙
We started up some seeds in January.
Yup I didnt pre wet soil and it spilled over and lifted. Derp...lesson learned
In the past, I’ve been taking the advice to get rid of the heating mat the moment seeds germinate a little too seriously. I would always do that and that’s when the troubles would start. My grow tables are in my basement and it’s really cool down there (upper 40’s/low 50’s). Things planted in compost do ok, but things in commercial soilless mixes have the hardest time drying out - they stay waterlogged for days and days, despite the fact that I only bottom water when things get thoroughly dry and not more than once a week. So I stopped this practice of removing plants from the heating mat right away - and within few days seedlings got a whole lot more cheerful. So marry the advice for heating mats to your ambient temperature.
Thank you!! I was getting good at starting my seedlings, but definitely did some of these mistakes! This will up my game haha. Good video as usual!
Nice and informative video Luke. PLEASE do a video showing the PROGRESSION of the seeds you just planted and the problems that can arise after germination, if any arise. It would be nice to see what the seedlings are suppose to look like as they progress to the point of being planted out. There is a definite need for this as I have seen in many, many of the comments listed here. That is why I am also making this request. I too can find such a series beneficial to see how seedlings look as they mature to the point we see them when we buy them at the stores.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on the above.
guilty of at least 4 of those mistakes, including one just this morning, lol. good thing I love learning ;) Thank you!
So timely and important! Love your hair by the way lol ☺️
So Happy that it’s almost seed starting time!!
Yay! Excited to find a youtube gardener close to home!
I am late starting but this really helped & lessen the confusion for this first timer. :)
Learned to not use a watering can and to water from the bottom! Thank you, Luke!!!
Last year I couldn't find hole-less trays, so I used boot trays from the dollar store. They are very sturdy and worked great!
I did too!
I did that last year! Worked great!! They held a lot!
Great tips thank you! Seed starting is so exciting and yet it does carry the intimidation factor 🙋♀️😉
I started my seeds just a few days ago following the farmers almanac recommendation. I didn’t put enough soil in each cell so I added a bit more. I am using a grow light. I will be sure to water from underneath to prevent problems. Thanks for the advice!
Ok, I’ve made all those mistakes & at the same time ,so I’m thankful for this video for sure!
Great video. Just got into seed starting and made all the mistakes. Thanks for the info. :)
This was very helpful. I believe you answered my questions and told me my mistakes. Thanks
Thank you, I made each of these mistakes:-) I found your video extremely helpful. Thank you!
Good to know about the domes. Thanks!😉 We will be in the high 50's by Tuesday here in NE OK. I will miss the snow.
Thank you!! I was considering buying a heat mat but I will put that money towards other supplies! Very helpful!
First year really trying to start seeds so this was helpful. I have a heat mat, so this was informative before I start too many😊
I’ve found that people have their own unique seed starting methods. I know growers who swear by humidity domes or heat mats. If it works for them than that’s great! I personally never use either and do just fine! Maybe my seedlings take longer to sprout, but I try to omit as many steps and supplies as I can. Keep it simple!
Thank you for this video! A great refresher.
Great topic!!
I had no idea these UV pens existed.
I had given up on using store bought labels because of this issue. This year I just cut up solo cups & yogurt/cottage cheese/sour cream lids because I thought it was the labels, not the markers. Thus far no fading, but if I see it, I'm totally getting these pens. Nothing is worse than having a mystery plant/variety. 😕 (Sorry. My type A is showing)
This year I'm gifting myself early with a seedling mister for my delicate seedlings. No more squirt bottle hand cramp!
Totally agree about mats & neighbors.
It is so easy to get so excited about seedlings. You just want ALL THE THINGS! So you line your packets up and just go nuts. Then comes...planters remorse and the false idea that you must have a black thumb. Lol
I am careful to seed out large trays very carefully & with forethought. Like things together. If I wouldn't plant them together in the garden, I'm not making them seedling neighbors. Peppers & cabbage aren't next door to each other because they like different things. My peppers will hang out in the grow room longer, waiting on warmer days while my cool weather plants will not. I may move them out under covers much, much sooner. I find, it's best to either plant in smaller trays (for select varieties) to rearrange later. But... that's just my preference. I also try and learn from previous years. Plants that will be much bigger and taller, may be directly seeded in a larger container to eliminate the need to transfer. I'm usually up and going on other garden tasks by that time and things tend to end up thirsty and root bound or are pushed into the garden sooner than they really need to. Then I'm stuck buying or restarting due to dead starts. Prime example were my tomatoes last year. I lost them all due to that "surprise" cold blast that inevitably comes every year (winter's last hurrah).
Thanks for another video.
Thanks! I am getting ready to plant seeds soon and this really helped with my planning.
Great video. I learned alot. Starting seeds this year for the first time. So excited.
I started all my tomato seeds and pepper seeds. Our average last frost date is March 15th. We are in south Alabama. Great video 👍
I use a spray bottle for my seed trays. I might try to bottom water a tray this year to see how it compares to the spray bottle method
Until literally a week ago I have always just poked holes in the lid of a plastic bottle and watered with that. I finally got a spray bottle and it's just so much easier haha
Misting is only for surface sown seeds (lettuce, snapdragons). Cover all overs with damp very fine soil or vermiculite, and a humidity dome (or plastic bag). Once first seedlings emerge, remove cover! Might need to mist a day or two more until more emerge, but goal is to attain bottom watering ONLY which will eliminate damping off (assuming you have used sterilized seedling mix). Once seedlings leaves are about to touch each other, transplant to larger pots (except for onions-- just keep them watered with weak fertilizer water). Always water with very weak fertilizer, if in doubt wait a day to water. Dry soil surface means nothing-- wait until top 1/2" or so is dry before watering. I use clear plastic salad mix bins which allow me to actually see when soil is dry.
Got a new greenhouse. Taught me a few things I was going to do wrong. Thanks.