10 Big Seed Starting Mistakes

[@jasonmorrow9616]

I made ALL of these mistakes. More than once. Thank you for bringing up such a painful memory. While you're at it, why not give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it? :-) Hahaha!

[@karinchristensen220]

I use the cells in a 1020 tray. One trick I've learned is to leave one cell empty. Then I can water through that empty cell until there is a little water left at the bottom. The soil soaks it up. If you water from the top it's too easy to not water down to the bottom and/or cause mildew on the top of the soil. I keep an eye on things and make sure that the water has soaked up to the top of the soil. If I see a little too much water still at the bottom of the empty cell I can carefully tip the tray and pour it out the corner or I can use a turkey baster and suck it out. This has pretty much solved the overwatering problem.

[@bbtruth2161]

good tip!

[@GardenerScott]

Great tip. Thanks.

[@karinchristensen220]

@@GardenerScott I forgot to mention that it's also a good way to rehydrate the soil if you forget to water. I am more guilty of that than over watering. That seed starting mix is hard to rewet if it dries out. Filling the tray through the empty cell works great.

[@juliepizzolato1911]

No matter what your gardening level it's always a good idea to revisit the basics as a refresher course! Thankyou again for all you do from North Idaho zone 6a 💚🌻🌿

[@Zenkitty26]

Getting ready to start here in Zone 8. Last year I grew over 300 tomato and peppers and was sold out by the second week of selling! This year I'm going to shoot for 600 with a combo of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, broccoli and romanescu. I just love to grow stuff and being able to sell plants lets me grow way more than I can fit in my small garden!

[@RossTrittipo]

Where do you sell your extra plants?

[@yvonneellefson]

If you don't have a plastic dome or are using yogurt containers, you can put a sheet of plastic wrap over the top until the seeds germinate.

[@jturie]

Yes! I do this with the finicky seedlings that don't like being up-potted such as eggplant and brussels sprouts. Also good for those monster quick growers like Zucchini.

[@glenndavie5430]

I'm getting my equipment assembled and receiving my seeds. Thanks for all your detailed videos! Will be a while - zone 5B.

[@priayief]

Indoor germination is a perfect opportunity to run your own "trials" to determine the best seed germination medium. Seeds are relatively cheap as is the small amount of medium required. When I first started doing this many years ago I was curious as to whether my commercial seed-starting mix was any better than fine vermiculite alone. I sowed two separate 6 packs of 1 in. cells with a single type of tomato seed. I didn't notice any difference between the two. That was not what I expected. Every year after that I've done many different trials testing and comparing other mediums: homemade compost, potting soil, coir, peat and different custom mixes. One year I tested the "paper towel/baggie" method and found it not worth the effort. Over all I've found that there's no particular medium that gives me significantly different results so I don't obsess about it too much. Now I use whatever is easily available and most often that's my own compost or potting soil (Pro Mix). Your video gave me another idea for this year: do I really need a heat mat? I've always used heat mats because, well, that seems to be the general recommendation. Now I can find out for myself. Thanks for posting your wonderfully-informative videos. Cheers

[@simplifygardening]

Such a good video Scott, Packed with great information and a brilliant setup you have

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Tony! I appreciate it.

[@maggiemanzke7926]

I created a calendar and put my seed starting dates on them, and almost every day now, I'm frustrated that there's NOTHING in the January square! Silly, since if I started anything, they'd be wasted. Thanks for these reminders.

[@1jw298]

Use those months to plan new setups and ordering new seeds. Gathering up materials whether you buy them or scrounge to get them free.

[@lorindav5549]

You can start onion seed.

[@millicentrowan]

Thank you! A mistake that I didn't know I was making until this year was that I need to actually soften my water before using it on seedlings and even some potted plants. I couldn't figure out why my neighbors and I all had issues with starting seeds indoors until I measured the hardness of our water. We're all on the same well, and our water is very hard. The mineral content seemed to have stunted and even killed our baby plants. This year, I used an aquarium water softening pillow and my seedlings are doing much, much better.

[@bbtruth2161]

Hard, alkaline well water here. Yup, had to install a new filter set up and I adjust the ph. Working pretty good.

[@dagneytaggart7707]

Perfect timing. First year for seed starting. Your presentation was well organized and clear.

[@kamilfrancoolczak]

16:00 when you have too much of your transplants - just give them away to friends. Last year I was growing indoors 40 tomatoes, but I grew only 6 outside, the rest I gave away. Friends where happy.

[@TNBushcrafter]

My friends all have acreage and/or farms as well. They love free started plants, when I go overboard with seedlings. The biggest thing I think new gardeners don't realize with starting to early is all the time daily carrying plants in every night and out in the morning and daily watering.

[@jturie]

I have one of those seed starting systems where the water wicks up from the bottom reservoir via a capillary mat. Works great, but I've learned that continually refilling the reservoir after the seeds have sprouted generates that fungus you talked about. Result? Healthy one day, dead the next. I also have 2-24 cell blocks, so I sort my seeds by sowing date so that I don't have to re-pot individual cells and disturb the seeds that haven't sprouted yet. This video should be renamed "Seed Starting 101" it is so useful. Thank you!

[@tristans_jungle6924]

Already started some seeds and I need to start more! Zone 9a Houston, TX

[@francesbatycki404]

I’m starting seeds for the first time this coming year. I’m practicing with soil and seeds and lights by growing microgreens. 🤞🤞

[@lar113]

In only two years of seed starting indoors, I have broken every one of these rules, at least once. Thank you Gardner Scott for your videos. I have a much better plan this year. Cold stratification dates, planting dates etc. Once again, thank you.

[@waynesell3681]

Started a few seeds in coco coir seedling mix for the first time. May have drowned my seedlings that stuff really stays wet! Mixed it up with peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. Hoping for better results. Making my seedling and potting mix is easy enough if I'm paying attention. No seedling heat mat either but may be getting one soon. Getting long thanks.

[@purshindarahluwalia4554]

Very well explained. Thanks Scott.

[@littlemouse9900]

With this being my first year starting from seeds I found out that the cat nip likes the windows that my piano sits in front. They grew so fast there the rest of my seeds died that were by my sliding door. Guess the piano is the place to grow in my house lol

[@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783]

It's never too early!! 😳😁Lol

[@TheLoneWrencher]

Add a little more hair and a sweater and you are "the dude"

[@itsallaboutlight]

Always sad when the video is over.... love listening

[@stephenmoberg8807]

I’m anxious to use my new stack and grow light setup with 2 levels. I’m using your calendar method to determine when to start my different seeds. Just did that today and used it in reverse to try to get a second harvest in zone 6b. I have the calendar right next to my grow light station to remind me. Thanks for all your work! Really appreciate your dynamite videos!,,

[@ho11ywoodromance]

You are the Bob Ross of gardening.

[@jacobbullon649]

I definitely understand the struggle of wanting to plant the whole seed pack. Made that mistake last year and found myself with not enough pots, light, or space.

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

We got a purple grow light and used it on the strawberries in the window for a few days, and they broke dormancy and grew an extra set of leaves. The light was only on for 5 hours from dusk, so the difference with lights is night and day. Also the strawberry seeds that germinate are the ones that are more constantly watered, but those results are dependent on the fine qualities of the specific soil used, than the way they were watered~

[@AndreNantel]

I made a big one that wasn’t mentionned. I tried to overwinter one of my pepper plants and left it near my test seedlings. After a few weeks they were covered with aphids. Fortunately these were only experiments so I could afford to throw everything out in the snow.

[@SpiceyKy]

Finally got my indoor setup going in my garage this week. I'm so stoked. Thanks 😊 Scott.

[@Sheenasalesthriftytreasures]

Great video thank you 😊

[@valeriebennett1011]

Perfect timing! I'm in zone 8b, last frost Apr 3 and gathered my 8 to 10 week seeds this morning to start them. Now I will wait until Monday when the lights and heat mats come in. This will be my first time to start seeds indoors. Thank you so much!!

[@lizat1664]

Good luck. It's so rewarding to see them grow from seed.🌱

[@incongruentcreative]

I started WAY to late last year, and had it in a mini greenhouse outside. I COOKED ALL MY SEEDS!!! And then ended up just buying seedlings. Not this year though! Thank you Scott for sharing this info. You are really a life saver.

[@littlemouse9900]

Yeah I cooked one of my trays this year. 😖 not too bad considering this is my first time planting from seeds. I thought taking my tray outside on a sunshiny day would help... and I ended up baking my seedlings.. 😔

[@6732Louise]

Perfect timing for me, I'm planning to start sowing indoors this week 🙂🌱

[@monicam.8006]

Last year, I started my seeds early, and every, single gardener around told me, "Don't start anything in doors. Direct sow only starting the second week of March. I didn't listen, and I lost tons of crop to rabbits, insects, and a blazing sun. Now I know, direct sow only in the second week of March for my area.

[@vlanza1999]

Yep, made every one of those mistakes. The worst one...not hardening off over a long enough period, rush it and all that work was for nothing!

[@Rainman97x]

I'm trying something a little different this year. I'm seed starting my peppers 11 weeks before I plant them instead of the recommended 6-8 weeks. The reason why is that I'll be trimming them back after their third set of true leaves. I also tend to have weeks of mild weather in April, but sometimes a short freeze, even snow. We call that one Dogwood winter. I plan on letting them grow back while outside in early April, bring them inside for the few days of frost, then plant them after.

[@GardenerScott]

I'm doing it in a similar way this year. Pruning the tips can make for a bushier plant at transplanting.

[@stillness4610]

I feel like it should be common sense to start the light immediately/ right before they sprout. 🌱 😶🙁I left mine in the dark too long and have been struggling because of it; just due to miss information. I'll give this a try and thank you for you video! I also planted my seeds too deep. I did achieve some seeds growing very fast to sprout because I left them by the heater to germinate (saves on electric) with the cover.

[@AutoDudes]

This is literally what I was going to search for. Thanks!

[@heidiclark6612]

Thank You for a very timely video! I made sure that if I was to start any own seed, I was going to do it right! So I have a wonderful setup. I know the feeling of sowing tiny seeds. I am trying to grow lisianthks this year for the first time. Thank goodness for pelleted seed. they're seed is like dust. I also made the mistake of believing the seed packet when it said slow and erratic germination on greek oregano.I sowed lots and thick.......I got close too full germination on these. Yikes! Can we really have too many plants? Lol

[@WinsomeWinslet]

Great video! Quick tip for anyone that grows too many seedlings: sell them to people that can't find any starts. :)

[@maryrancourt2467]

Was also thinking that if you don't cover your soil immediately after seeding, it will form a dry crust that your seedlings might not be able to push through even if they still have enough moisture down below to germinate.

[@sheraleethomas]

So straight forward and down to earth! Thanks again!

[@carole6779]

Great video! The challenge for me now is that I kept daily records last year of the high-low temperatures for my home garden (so proud of myself, lol). Turns out my last actual frost date in 2020 was a full *6 weeks* before the predicted last frost date, although there were a few dips into the 30s F in between and plenty of spring winds. So, this year I will experiment, put a few things out "early" (planning to protect them) and keep on with the record-keeping. Climate change or anomoly? Only time will tell. 🙃

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Carole. I'm starting a little earlier this year too, but not with everything. My eye will be on the forecast.

[@victoriasann1772]

We've used seed starting mix before with poor results. You have larger lights than I do.,am using a dome and heating pad. I'm doing it 6 weeks before last frost using a indoor kit. Using miracle grow potting mix. Beets requires 1/2 inch.

[@evelyndorman5301]

I'm going to try winter sowing outside and starting my sweet potato slips inside with lettuce.

[@tjon66]

All great knowledge. But like last year when we had a Late Freeze in mid May destroyed everything planted. So Luck will play into everything in nature

[@cezarycezary1729]

Thank You Scott for You're knowledge, easy to learn. I'ts nice to listen to You. Very good guide. Greetings from Poland!

[@rgchannel8398]

Thank you

[@ScottHead]

Good refresher. Thanks for the reminders.

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

Wow what a great video. Hi from UK I always say to new gardeners especially, 3 things. Light, heat and space. Take care and be safe.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Rob!

[@philbrownred6500]

Dang...I was batting 100 till the growing to many plants mistake was mentioned!

[@NS-pf2zc]

Great info, Scott! I get so excited about seed starting every year. It’s so wonderful to see green growth when it’s still cold outside. I’m guilty of starting too early at times, just so I can see and smell the new growth. I stagger plantings, so it’s no big loss, but that green gives me hope every year!

[@nanibly]

Good vid. It might be helpful to pin to comments, what is a “last frost date” and where people can find that info for their area...

[@glenndavie5430]

Have you tried a self watering seed tray with a wicking fabric for starting seeds?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes I have. I have a few that I will probably show in a future video.

[@glenndavie5430]

@@GardenerScott Thanks. I'm going to try them for the first time this year.

[@norykan]

Hi Scott How do we know this is last Frost date and there will be one or two more after this? AND: some areas (hot area) there is not Frost, what about those areas?

[@GardenerScott]

I have another video that explains last frost date in more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaLJoap8l8p2fdU For gardeners with no frost, there is more flexibility in deciding when to start seeds inside and out.

[@sophiematern8357]

Excellent information Thank you 🇨🇦

[@carriekassick7311]

Thank you for sharing this with us, so much helpful info!

[@peoniesanddahliaz]

Great information. Thank you so much from a first time grower of plants from seeds.

[@TheEnglishladyskitchengarden]

Thanks Scott. I learned some useful stuff today.

[@ejfishes7610]

Great video! I will place my flats on top of my fridge / freezer to help with a little extra warmth for germination

[@frankbarnwell____]

save the great videos like this. not doing so is another mistake!

[@happypappy]

Thank you from Independence, Missouri!

[@nomadclan3604]

So easy when it's still snowing outside to want to plant ALL the seeds😂

[@420.........]

Seedpackets? Lol, I use old seasoning containers to store and solo cups to grow in.

[@angel6185029]

I’m in 7a and my last frost date never works out for me lol I find Mother’s Day weekend to be a safe bet!

[@victoriasann1772]

Got 12" dome, heard plants requires 1 inch per week in soil

[@CC-dl6bo]

Where did you get those lights and chains setups for your garden seeds in back of you? I was thinking of doing that and don't know where to go and what to buy. Thank you

[@GardenerScott]

They're just shop lights I got at Lowe's or Home Depot. I got the chain there too.

[@LGGGlove]

Thx you. Garden Scott you are so amazing.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

I saw my first frost when I was about 10, I thought it was snow.

[@donnas7767]

Thank you so much for getting back to me!!

[@damattice23]

Thank you. I over water. Will be more careful.

[@scrappyquilter102]

(you will laugh) With the moral support of your videos, we cautiously started our first tomato seeds indoors last March. The two of us hovered over them like nervous parents with newborns. We did not have a heat mat. Would they germinate? we wondered. We did not have an ideal lighting location, so they ended up sitting on top of the toaster (when it wasn't on) directly below the little, under-cupboard LED kitchen lights. Much to our surprise, all went well! They germinated! Then I almost lost them all to damping off but rescued them just in time, and then they just grew and grew. Try to imagine our joy when the first leaves developed! We took turns moving them around to different windows to catch our fleeting sunlight in the daytimes. We even fashioned a micro-greenhouse up against the house to toughen them up outside prior to planting. Somehow they flourished. We had great tomatoes and will do it again this year. Thanks for the coaching! (and the coaxing!) Best, Liz

[@GardenerScott]

So glad to hear that, Elizabeth. I'm sure you'll have an even better growing season this year.

[@stephenmoberg8807]

Thank s again - using a grow light system for the first time !

[@jacobfoley9430]

You remind me of roger rabbit the mycologist

[@gotigers13]

Great video . Very helpful info .

[@martindohnal7154]

👌

[@clairwilliams4093]

Awesome video, thank you! Some questions please... I have humidity domes with vents on the top and the instructions on the packaging say to keep the vents closed until the seeds germinate, then open them. They say nothing about when to remove the domes. Is it ok to leave domes with the vents open over germinated seeds or should I just remove them after germination? Also, I will be germinating seeds in pods and leaving them there until they are large enough to transplant into the garden. I understand that to germinate seeds you don't need nutrient rich soil and can use coco peat or similar, but if they are going to be hanging out in the germination pods for a while, isn't it better to use a more nutrient rich mix...say coco peat mixed with compost? If not, how often do I feed the seedlings? I have liquid marine fertilizer. I really love your videos and am learning loads, but it is difficult staying in a 3rd world country...we don't have all the amazing "home depo" soil mixes that you have and our seed packets only have very basic info on them. That is why channels like yours are invaluable...thank you for taking the time to make them!

[@GardenerScott]

Remove the domes when the growing seedlings begin to touch them. You can just remove them after germination. They will need nutrients so you can use a rich mix or a diluted fertilizer. Thanks.

[@donnas7767]

I am new to growing micro greens and each time I cover them after I first see them the seedlings appear within”white fuzz’’ which looks like mold. When I left uncovered and under the lights they “fried” and died, please help! Would love any suggestions!

[@GardenerScott]

The white fuzz is from too much humidity so you should remove the cover earlier. The lights are probably too intense and too close and can be raised. If you're using a heat mat, it's adding to the trouble.

[@homesteadinglee2067]

Absolutely love your videos and advice

[@maryz2681]

Always love your videos and information. I have a question about lighting though. If you don't have grow lights but have good light in South facing windows, can you just start them with the natural lighting?

[@GardenerScott]

You can start in a window but it may not be enough light for best growth. Young seedlings to better with 14-16 hours of light and most areas don't get that much in early spring.

[@samramsay8512]

hi if your seed pkt sayssow in cell packs press in soil and do not cover. needs light to germinate. keep at 75* germinate in14-21 days. So when do I plant ?

[@GardenerScott]

It depends on the plant. There should be some indication of how early to plant as it relates to last frost date. If it's a perennial plant, you can plan for about 10-12 weeks before your last frost date.

[@escapefromny2012]

Thank you! I've seen so many tutorials on seed starting and so many have misinformation and confusing information. Yours is spot on. I thought I'd have to make my own video (I'm trying to help friends and family) but I'm going to share your link instead.

[@elliemartin5912]

Very helpful Thank you so much

[@maryglidden2943]

Got my seed starting station all set up and so antsy to get some seeds started. I am trying to control myself so instead did 22 winter sowing jugs! Was wondering what those plants were that were under the grow light that were feathery looking.

[@GardenerScott]

The ones on the left are lavender I started from seed a number of months ago.

[@maryglidden2943]

@@GardenerScott oh my gosh! I winter sowed some lavender seeds I do hope they will germinate though I seem to recall they are very slow and growing by seed isn't the best but I haven't had much luck with cutting either.:( Really enjoy your channel!

[@kimberly8185]

I need some heavy duty seed starting trays that won't break the bank and I can use for a few seasons. The cheapo trays I bought last year cracked and I would like to reuse them more than one year. Any suggestions?

[@GardenerScott]

I just bought some from greenhousemegastore.com. They're more expensive but the sturdiest I've used.

[@samramsay8512]

HI I planted sweet pea seeds and I put them under grow lights. They have sprouted and are about 3 to 4 inches have one set of leaves and are very lanky. I had the light 2" above the seeds. Are these sweet peas supposed to be this tall? When will they have the true leaves?

[@GardenerScott]

You should see true leaves very soon. As a vining plant it will be tall and lanky.

[@nevaeh_bdatea2190]

That's what i did planted all together 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦🏽‍♀️ 😩 i really want to do this

[@MegaSunflower56]

Very good and in depth video!!!!

[@2triangles]

Another awesome video! Question: have you found a difference in what type of light to use for seedlings? Do fluorescents and LEDs work equally well?

[@GardenerScott]

I haven't noticed much difference and use both florescent and LED lights.

[@2triangles]

@@GardenerScott thank you sir.

[@mizsparkie5479]

Thank you so much, Gardener Scott! All of your videos are so practical and helpful . . . And encouraging!

[@jeffhurst4744]

Yep. Have made the mistakes you talk about. Still do a few, like seed starting too many of individual plant. Belong to a Peapatch group with 100-120 plots. Many of us swap/share our starts. We also give oodles of freshly grown veggies/fruit/etc to our local food bank. I’ve also begun, last year, to sometimes sow seeds on a rotating schedule to have continuous starts to plant. Really like and enjoy your videos.

[@lpmoron6258]

I have watched videos on winter sowing into containers. Can one sore cold weather cross into the ground soil and cover with clear cut off jug and do the same thing?

[@GardenerScott]

It depends on the seed and your climate, but can often work well.

[@michaelmarchione3408]

So, do I use seed starter mix or potting soil when I plant my seeds in milk jugs for winter sowing?

[@lizat1664]

I'd like to know too. Great question.

[@wendyburston3132]

Good question. I'm starting some butternut squash seeds this week. I put regular potting soil on the bottom and seed starter mix on top. I'm in zone 5. Is this the right thing to do? First time for winter sowing.

[@GardenerScott]

Good question. I use a loose potting soil with vermiculite for winter sowing. Conditions are different outside and I won't be transplanting from cells to pots so the seeds can germinate in potting soil.

[@GardenerScott]

Wendy, that is a good technique to get good germination and seedling growth.

[@wendyburston3132]

@@GardenerScott I just bought some vermiculite

[@j.b.6855]

Last year I invested in a seed starting setup of 3600L/5000K led shop lights. I made the mistake of starting them way to early because February was mild and I thought we would have an early spring, that diidnt happen. It was a lot of extra work up potting plants because they got big. Then it was hard to carry them up the basement stairs to harden off outside. This year I have all my planting planned out on a calendar. I wont be tempted to start them early. I also started way to many seedlings. While a problem, it was easily solved by giving extras away to people at church and neighbors.

[@bbtruth2161]

Started some peppermint. Holy cow! Those are teeny tiny seeds. Have the smallest little green shoots coming up. And rosemary....sheesh, tough to germinate. I have tomatoes started, just a few with the plan of taking clones instead of using all my seeds. I think it's a good time to experiment. I have learned a lot about seed starting this year. Bottom heat really helps. I heat my home via wood furnace. It does stay nice and toasty, but also very dry, even with a humidifier, my furnace is 100,000 btu beast. Makes me have to pay lots of attention to moisture while not drowning them. Have lots of pots and soil all ready to go with more on order. Great tips! Thank you so much for all your lessons.

[@tami4378]

After after seedlings have true leaves and have been potted up, do the lights still need to be 3" away or can they be higher to make them easier to take care of?

[@GardenerScott]

The lights should be close until more leaves develop but can be gradually raised. By the time they're ready to go outside my lights are usually about 6-8 inches above the plants.

[@hoperules8874]

🤗Yay! Been saving all my egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and clear plastic veggie containers with lids!!! It's time to make the "doughnuts"! Thanks for this tutorial! Might have ruined my babies without the instructions!

[@sarahcrossen550]

Ironically, this standard method never seems to work for me. Last year, I did this...I planted several varieties of plants in a flat (I do not need dozens of a single plant), used a seed starting mix, planted at appropriate depths, surrounded the grow space with foil to increase the heat and light from my only grow light, checked twice a day to make sure the soil stayed moist...and only had 5 plants in the whole flat. So I went back to what I usually do: starting in potting mix in individual containers ranging in size from a yogurt cup to a recycled 4” nursery pot. It’s like everything you’re not supposed to do, but for some reason it works better for me🤷‍♀️ Edit: for clarity’s sake, the 5 plants were not all the same variety. I planted a row of each type (same number of potential plants) but only one or two would pop up in some of the rows and other rows not at all.

[@elliemartin5912]

Well spotted... my mistakes

[@davidcliatt1314]

When you say, take the top off when the leaves start growing , do you mean the first or the first true leaves?

[@GardenerScott]

It's usually just about the time true leaves emerge.