10 Big Seed Starting Mistakes

[@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?

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@glenndavie5430]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@francesbatycki404]

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

[@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.

[@dagneytaggart7707]

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

[@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~

[@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.

[@simplifygardening]

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

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Tony! I appreciate it.

[@itsallaboutlight]

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

[@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.. 😔

[@purshindarahluwalia4554]

Very well explained. Thanks Scott.

[@SpiceyKy]

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

[@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.

[@sheraleethomas]

So straight forward and down to earth! Thanks again!

[@cezarycezary1729]

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

[@donnas7767]

Thank you so much for getting back to me!!

[@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.

[@ejfishes7610]

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

[@stephenmoberg8807]

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

[@WinsomeWinslet]

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

[@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!

[@6732Louise]

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

[@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!

[@AutoDudes]

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

[@tristans_jungle6924]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@happypappy]

Thank you from Independence, Missouri!

[@peoniesanddahliaz]

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

[@carriekassick7311]

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

[@mizsparkie5479]

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

[@ceepark114]

That is so true about using a seed starting mix instead of potting soil--I learned the hard way and struggled growing seeds into plants. Thanks for the great video about starting seeds indoors.

[@m.umaish]

Just in time. Scott you truly are the best teacher for this stuff. Thanks a lot

[@TheEnglishladyskitchengarden]

Thanks Scott. I learned some useful stuff today.

[@ivethgo2876]

My best TEACHER on KZbin!!!!!

[@emkn1479]

I’ve learned a lot from personal experience and from a variety of sources but it’s great to have them all condensed here 👍

[@MegaSunflower56]

Very good and in depth video!!!!

[@SuperWhatapain]

Thank you!!! So helpful! I see now where I was going wrong and getting so frustrated i didn't want to try. Thank you thank you!😁😁😁

[@ScottHead]

Good refresher. Thanks for the reminders.

[@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.

[@brooklyngiraffe]

I learned so much from this video, I have watched it twice already! Your point about over-sowing really resonated, it’s so tempting to plant them all.

[@sophiematern8357]

Excellent information Thank you 🇨🇦

[@threeeyedgoddess7635]

Dear Mr. Gardener Scott - I NEEDED this! Thanks for this video packed with knowledge the garden is going to be great this year in Zone 8b - starting now.

[@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.

[@heathermacdonald6404]

You've got such great information. Love your new style of presenting! Thanks!

[@LGGGlove]

Thx you. Garden Scott you are so amazing.

[@homesteadinglee2067]

Absolutely love your videos and advice

[@d-sow-13]

Great tips Scott, always appreciate the info. The setup looks great out there! Love the pup stopping by to check in. Having the lights made all the difference in the world for my seedlings, they went from leggy weaklings that mostly died on transplant/if I hardened off too fast, to healthy, ready to go plants!

[@StevenWaskewicz]

A great video Scott, all the things I've been doing for years, and a great inspiration to beginning with your own seeds for gardening..

[@carolleimbach6407]

Guilty of overwatering. 🙄 Great video!

[@evelyndorman5301]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@donhepler294]

A good video! One of the best explanations for what can be a complicated process.

[@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.

[@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

[@michelleguelfi3460]

Thanks again for all of your great advice! You are such a pleasure to watch!!

[@hondosmith8234]

Hello Gardner Scott I enjoy watching your videos and find much information ver useful for my gardening methods I do not raise my veggies in raised beds I would say that I fall somewhere between home Gardner and Market Gardner I have a poly tunnel that I use to start plants in for several people that put their orders in for plants, the way it works for me is they give me their list of custom plants and pay me on delivery if I have a crop failure they are not out anything and still have the option to buy their plants which is what they normally do anyway seems the only thing that I have ever had issues with are onions but believe I have them down now and carrots which I only grow for my self. All of that aside you done a video on using old wood to fill up your raised beds and I have been building some larger flower beds out of rock. I have 64 acres of timber pasture and ponds so I went around and gather up some realy decayed old logs with a shovel for the most part and put about 10" in the bottom covered that with about 6" of old partially rotted had coverd that with aout and inch or two of composted chicken litter and then about 4 inches of topsoil from where a pond was dug. I have planted Hollyhocks, bleeding heart, iris and tulips (variety) I am anxious to see how it all comes out. thanks for the tips.

[@GardenerScott]

I bet you're going to see some good results in those new beds. Rotted wood and chicken litter should give you great microbial action in your soil. I hope you have a successful year for you and your customers.

[@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.

[@stevenoxley2005]

Good video man, also I just wanted to say I loved u in the big lebowski.

[@hedwigdevine9053]

Thank you for being so thorough.

[@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!

[@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.

[@Sheenasalesthriftytreasures]

Great video thank you 😊

[@gotigers13]

Great video . Very helpful info .

[@michaelvittori8525]

Thanks for the timely video !! It would be great if you can make a video on what nutrients/products you recommend to re-invigorate raised bed gardens for the new growing year.

[@GardenerScott]

I have a few videos about soil where I discuss some of the nutrient/organic amendments and am planning more this year. Thanks.

[@ivethgo2876]

I started pepper, kale and sweet chard seeds 🙋🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍🌾 Sunray Tx. 6b zone

[@jblewis1975]

Such good advice! As always, thank you for sharing your experience with us 😁

[@Jeff_PNW]

Love your videos, Scott. 😊

[@damattice23]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@frankbarnwell____]

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

[@rgchannel8398]

Thank you

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@leslienichols5268]

Very timely !

[@elliemartin5912]

Well spotted... my mistakes

[@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.

[@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.

[@janwilliams4282]

Excellent!!

[@HzFvr]

Thank you so very much! Excellent!

[@jamurray64]

Hi Gardener Scott what is the silver- looking thing attached to the back of your plant stand? Thanks for another great video.

[@GardenerScott]

It's a mylar thermal blanket.

[@3musketeershomestead62]

Great video!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@rubiora9586]

Thank you for education us We need it😇😇😇😇😇🤗

[@biggrantlewis]

Really good video! Thx Scott