A Better Way to Start Seeds!
It’s often advised to just use seed starting mix for starting seeds. It has the light texture that seeds need to germinate but typically no nutrients. This is because a seed contains all the nutrients it needs to germinate and send out its first set of leaves but what about after that? Most often, seedlings aren’t big enough to transfer to a growing medium that contains the nutrients it needs for optimum growth for a while.
So set your seeds up better! Fill the bottom ¾ of seed starting cells with a good nutrient rich potting mix and then the upper portion with seed starting mix. The seeds will germinate in the seed starting mix on the top and then as they grow, the roots will reach down to the nutrient medium just when they start to need it. Check out the side-by-sides below! What a difference!
In each of the pictures, the 6-packs on the right had tomatoes and lettuce planted in a layer of seed starting mix with nutrient rich potting soil beneath while the ones on the left in each picture had just seed starting mix.
Some Seeds Are Trickier Than Others
It’s true - it is often said that carrots and parsnips are challenging to germinate but understanding the reason why can significantly improve the chances of sprouting these stubborn seeds. The key factor? Consistent moisture. These seeds, as well as a few others, are perfectly content in dry storage for an extended period of time. However, as soon as they absorb just a little bit of moisture, they must remain moist to germinate successfully. If they dry out after you've started the germination process, they will cease to develop and fail to sprout. Carrots and parsnips are particularly notorious not only for their sensitivity to drying out but also because their germination can be exceedingly slow, often taking more than three weeks. It's crucial to maintain consistent moisture for these and other similarly sensitive seeds listed in the table to the left, whether you're starting them outdoors or indoors.
| Seeds That Don't Like to Dry Out | Days Till Germination |
|---|---|
| Carrots | 14 - 21 |
| Parsnips | 14 - 30 |
| Lettuce | 7 - 15 |
| Radishes & Other Brassicas | 5 - 14 |
| Onions & Other Alliums | 6 - 12 |