Everyone is hoping to become a master gardener from the moment they plant their first pot. A garden in your backyard looks cool, but only if you know how to plant your plants and maintain their health. Your plants need to thrive, and that’s easier said than done. More often than not, most of us make seed starter mistakes that are the reason why your garden doesn’t thrive.
Luckily, this is an easy fix. Growing plants from seeds is easier and cheaper than buying them fully grown. And much more satisfying, of course. If you’re planning to have a full-fledged garden in your backyard, here are some common seed starting mistakes that you should avoid.
Using Old Seeds
While old seeds may work, they never work as good as fresh starters. Old seeds germinate at a lower rate and are not as vital as young seeds. According to experts, you should never save seeds beyond one season. Buy a fresh batch and use it if you want a thriving and vital garden.
If you still plan to save seeds beyond a season, keep them in your basement or better yet, the fridge.
Starting Too Soon or Being Late
When planting seeds, you shouldn’t be early or too late. If you plant them early your seedlings will overgrow before you can transplant them. Should you start too late, they might never bloom. You need to pick the right time to plant your seeds, yet many people miss the window and are disappointed there’s no growth.
How do you determine the ideal planting time? It’s simple – you need to know the last frost date specific for your region. Then count backward the number of weeks required for planting the seeds which is precisely when you should plant them. Or check the seed packet – it will have the right information.
Seeds in a Sunny Window
Many people like to start flower or veggie seedlings in a sunny windowsill. That’s the wrong thing. While they grow quickly thanks to the sun, they also become weak because of it. They start growing toward it instead of filling out. This is why it’s better to start them indoors with artificial light.
And you don’t need to spend thousands on equipment. A few ordinary fluorescent bulbs will do nicely and will allow your seedlings to grow steadily.
Using the Wrong Soil
If you’re starting seedlings for the first time, you need to plant them in adequate soil. To become great plants, seedlings need great soil. By great, we mean ultra-rich nutrient soil that’s also lightweight. Plain garden soil or top soil are not good ideas. Make sure to use a high-quality mix if you want your plants to thrive.
Not Hardening the Plants Before the Transfer
When you’re staring with seedlings, the goal is to eventually transfer them outside. Before that happens, you need to harden them. If you take indoor-grown plants outside, they usually wither in days. They’ve had it easy indoors and the outside world comes as a shock.
By hardening your plants you will help them survive. Take them out for a few hours outside every day so they can adjust to temperatures and the wind. This should go on for a few weeks before finally making the transfer. Once you get them outside after the hardening, they’ll be able to thrive.
