3 Biggest Mistakes When Starting Seeds Indoors or Outdoors // How to Avoid or Fix Them!

Whether you have a backyard garden, an urban farm or a homestead. Sustainability starts with starting seeds indoors and starting seeds outdoors. There are several common mistakes most people make when starting seeds. This video will show you how to get the right lighting and potting soil, show you how to water your seedlings. How to avoid mold, fungus, disease, and fungus gnats.
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Find your last frost date: www.almanac.com/gardening/fro...

[@farmerchick3040]

For treating a fungus nat infestation you can water with diluted hydrogen peroxide. It bubbles up and kills all the larvae. They plants seem to benefit as well from the oxygen. It works great for treating lots of soil problems like bacteria fungi or bugs.

[@dougbas3980]

So, details please. What is the mix ratio? Spray on or bottom water? Thanks

[@Marice51]

What concentration?

[@farmerchick3040]

Saturate the soil with a 2% solution. If you spray the leaves for fungus you have to dilute it 50% with water.

[@mpineyro77]

Mix ratio please

[@karenreaves3650]

@@farmerchick3040 Thank you.

[@evieporter2500]

One tip I use is to plant my seeds in clear 5 or 9 oz. cups, I can see exactly how much moisture is in each cup! I Start with the 5 oz. cups then replant in the 9 oz cups after two or more true leaves develop. This enables me to keep an eye on root growth and moisture. From there it’s just a matter of the size of plant moving onto whatever size cup or pot you desire, or out into the garden after hardening off. I also sprinkle a little cinnamon on the soil surface as I am planting my seeds to keep down fungus gnats. HAPPY GARDENING!

[@gretchengrow213]

I like the clear cup idea about being able to see the roots and moisture I'm going to try it

[@trendinvestor2893]

I am mainly using 16 oz and 24 oz clear cups and using 9 oz clear cups for a few types of plants.

[@ouch2925]

I do the same but I use a clear cup in a red solo cup to keep it dark in the root zone

[@trendinvestor2893]

@@ouch2925 I have not heard that the artificial light will hurt the roots. Do you have any sources that indicate that the light is bad for the roots? Or are you just being extra careful?

[@bayswampkennels6386]

@@trendinvestor2893 I transplanted some pepper plants from 72 seed cell flat into plastic cups some red solo some clear. Ones in clear cups noticably started growing slower and also leaves developed a lighter shade of green.

[@lukejo45]

I'm glad you made this video seems nobody else really discusses this topic. This is by far the hardest part of gardening.

[@alicelaber2068]

Is hardening off discussed in one of the videos?

[@lubavukadinovic5752]

Deep gratitude for these tips, it is a crucial ⚠️ problem. Price is dramatically increased. I was surprised that nobody else was paying attention. God bless you for sharing

[@Sense2024]

I slept through it

[@MelbaSee]

@@Sense2024 Your loss 🤣

[@Sense2024]

@@MelbaSee

[@charcounsel4432]

This was my first year of indoor seedling starting. I learned: 1. I over water. 2. I waited too long to transplant to a bigger pot. 3. Beans started inside don't like to go outside. 😅

[@Sg4809]

You can start beans inside, I've done it but what ive learned is make sure you wait until its warm enough outside and move them in and out of the sun from the very start! They will like moving outside with no problem, also make sure you use the biggest starting pods you can get because they grow super fast !

[@OWK000]

Beans are really a summer thing

[@Zinnias2go]

charcounsel don’t give up! It’s a learning curve..greens beans can be direct sow. Try some outside 👍🌱🌱🌱

[@SIERRAnBC]

Beans (or anything that doesn't like to be transplanted) - start them in tp rolls (make 3 or 4 small cuts on one end and fold in to make a bottom), fill with dirt & plant the seed. Stand them in a bigger pot so they don't all fall over, & when it's time to plant them outside, unfold the bottom flaps, peel the cardboard up a bit to loosen it, and plunk it into a hole in the ground. Just don't start them too early because they grow fast.

[@jiaunmew878]

Yep, I noticed that bean are one stubborn plant.

[@donaldhagen1173]

For the gardeners that have the problem with when to know when to water. I use clear dixie cups and that makes it so easy to when soil is dry and also how the roots are developing. Really enjoy the videos.

[@veronicaallmaras6290]

I use sand on top of the potting soil to prevent fungus/mold from getting a start.

[@FrugalAggie]

Wow! Never thought of that! Thank you! I will try the sand.

[@ericaredline2960]

You are my hero! I’m totally going to use this!

[@FrugalAggie]

Most places that sell sand only have it in 50 lb bags which is WAY more than what I need. I found on Amazon a 5 lb bag called Mosser Lee ML 1110 Desert Sand Soil Cover. Price $4.98 if you have an Amazon Prime subscription.

[@Karen-mb4ko]

About how much sand do you use on each plant?

[@FrugalAggie]

@@Karen-mb4ko What I read is enough to cover the top of the soil. I just started a couple of days ago. Took awhile for the sand I ordered from Amazon to arrive.

[@adsoclasally8684]

You can also use a toothpick to check the moisture level, like you're checking a cake with a butter knife, if it's a tiny container or big fingers 🤷‍♀️

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great idea!

[@curiouscat3384]

oh I like this suggestion!

[@Fg4e]

I live in apartment so I do what my kids used to do, egg carton and a old bread bag lol put it on top of the fridge and it's good. I check on every now and then. I also use a craft/popsicle stick or and old pencil to check the moisture.

[@Ali-nx8gh]

I'm going to try that! Better than spending money on equipment my first go-around. Thanks for the tip.🌱😊

[@MaZEEZaM]

I have to say. It’s very hard to stop watching these videos, I learn so much from them.

[@ABamaGardener]

I catch myself doing this all the time. I call it OVER MOTHERING LOL "Oh are you thirsty, Oh are you hungry. Here ya go little one. UGH. Now I try to catch myself and be like the Huggies commercial with 1st kid and 2nd kid. Oh the plant looks thin I guess I better feed it. Just that type of thought process saved many of young seedlings. Just think 2nd kid.

[@jennhoff03]

That's brilliant! I'm doing vegetables for the first time this year and I keep going outside just to stare at them lovingly. ;'D I did it for like 20 minutes today, just examining them to see if I could find a problem to treat. ;'D

[@ABamaGardener]

@@jennhoff03 Hi Jenn, So glad that this is your 1st veggie garden. It's a beautiful thing to watch something grow that you place there yourself. If I can advise 1 thing is to not think of issues as a problem that needs to be "killed". Rather think of it as an "indicator" that something is not right with your SOIL.. Plants have been growing for billions of years, they know how to do it. Feed the soil and the plants will take care of themselves. Enjoy the ride. Check out my soil biology playlist for help.

[@Ali-nx8gh]

I've done the same......with plants & kids.🤱😂

[@LiliAquinas]

@@ABamaGardener just subscribed to your channel. You have a lot of great stuff! Thanks!

[@ABamaGardener]

@@LiliAquinas Thank you very much. This means a lot to me. I can't video but I hope I've created go-to playlists of all the wonderful channels being created. I try to keep it current, updated, and full of information that makes sense and that I have found to work.

[@iammamasan]

When I first starting pepper seeds indoors, I didnt know about lumens and Kelvin Temps, but I did know that leggy seedlings came about due to red light and leaf production was enhanced by blue light. So I used blue lights and I ended my leggy seedling problems.

[@JasonOfTGA]

Most of the factors there can identify with from trial and error over the last few years of my noobiness. Great to see someone putting forth information to try help others get past the frustration hump.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you!

[@ah7438]

I reckon you should have been a teacher, you sure know how to put over your subject in an inspirational way. thanks a lot Bryan.

[@champagneshore5256]

You’re awesome! I’m a SD gardener so I am so happy I found your California gardening channel.

[@jennhoff03]

On how I wish I had watched this one sooner! He just summed up my last few years' struggle with damping off and fungus gnats and overwatering, even with just my houseplants. Wow!

[@mattprofewhitney5638]

Thanks for the info! You rock! I have an indoor growing room and I'm using your advice to make sure that I have success this growing season!

[@axeldread2979]

I have listened to many seed starting videos this spring and yours by far was the most complete. Thanks for sharing your tips especially on when to plant. I am in zone 3 and your info on seed starting 4-6 weeks for certain plants was spot on by my experience. Thank you for stating the obvious as not all information is obvious when it comes to getting a good start to gardening!

[@grannygct]

Thank you for an informative show on how to start seedlings. I had some issues this Fall but now I know why it happened. Love to watch more of your gardening episodes. Happy Gardening!

[@johnbarrette8065]

It is always a pleasure to view your videos. Lots of free information that really help. Thank you for being there for all of us. Keep up the great work on the videos. Can't wait until the next one.

[@mydear6788]

Love your style of explaining gardening to us. Thank you.

[@linbat6148]

Didn't know about the cinnamon! Great hint! Thanks!!!

[@jimmydemetriou7847]

Hello Brian, great video about starting seeds. Very clear advice and the main problems I often have are starting too early (itching to grow stuff) and geting the watering right. Liked and subbed! Thanks XX

[@dopapier]

So clear, so fluent, so intelligent. Thanks.

[@gourdsbyjm]

Yes yes. I have had all of the problems. Thank you for addressing this.

[@leemullally8774]

Thanks Bryan, this video was very informative and addresses why I have been been having issues with starting seeds. Hopefully I will be able to get some of my seedlings in the garden or it means starting over. Keep sharing the informative videos.

[@stu53jp]

My tomatoes damped off in the greenhouse. I’ve been gardening for years but must have been getting by on luck. It’s about time I learnt something and I really like your videos for that.

[@gr33kheritage]

Great video. Your comments/advice have helped me understand the reasons for the problems I have been experiencing. Will keep on watching for additional info. Thanks!

[@Muffinadventures123]

My seedlings have been thriving because of your videos. Thank you!

[@norileewilliamson685]

I have learned so much from your videos. I have always planted plants from Walmart but wanted to try planting from seed. So glad that your health issues are much better now. Thank you so much and keep those videos coming!

[@jacquelineanthony881]

I learn something new every single time I watch your videos. You are amazing. The way you explain things is so professional.

[@hikernj]

Can’t wait to try these fixes! I made every mistake! Now I know better!

[@teenaskipper2782]

This is a fantastic video for a first time gardener. Thank you so much.

[@mikeshusterman6018]

Great Videos, and easy to understand. I too realized I was over-watering in my greenhouse. You never stop learning with gardening.

[@adrianabshire]

Love the videos! We are learning so much from you - thanks for doing this!

[@carrieporter3401]

Had almost given up starting seedlings. Thanks much for the tips. Ready to try again!!

[@stelladina2437]

Thanks for sharing this posting, I experienced all what you had explain and I hope that all will be well with my garden this year. Thanks 👌🏾

[@panterita1177]

Thank You so much for the tip on the gnats. I am having an issue with them and didn’t know how to get rid of them without harming my plants. I have a mosquito zapper and was having a little fun with that but they keep coming back for more 😆

[@lindas9638]

As always, awesome information! We are in central west Florida, well past starting indoors, and garden such as it is this year is underway. Best in there is a big cluster of volunteer cherry tomatoes that came up late last fall which we covered on our several nights of below freezing. We now have already gotten a couple hundred tomatoes! Thank you and God Bless!

[@michellemacias-awana1414]

Thank you for these videos, I have learned so much from you. You seem to have a knack for getting to tips, tricks, and info that can be immediately applied.

[@MyTi824]

Can’t wait to start but I know I have to I’m zone 5. I’ve been gardening longer than you’ve been alive, but your never too old to learn new tricks, and I did. Thank you. Glad to find your channel.

[@naomisims7230]

I started gardening 3 yrs ago & knew absolutely NOTHING. I've learned more from my mistakes than my successes, but give all the credit to the successes to Bryan's videos. I've experienced increasing success each year. It really is a good thing not to become discouraged. My first year, I lost every tomato seedling I bought to fungus disease before any blooms formed. I thought it was my fault, but later, after studying up on it, & a call to the place I bought them from, I found out the bought seedlings were already infected with a fungus disease before I bought them. The seller admitted he had received many calls such as mine & offered a refund. So EVERYTHING isn't always your fault! I HATE to lose even one plant. I almost feel like a mother to my "babies", & I'll do everything I can to not give up on a plant. I even HATE pulling up plants that have made finished their time of production! Keep on keeping on! Thank you "Next Level Gardening"!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Wow. Thank you. That means alot!

[@gmvalentine626]

"I feel like a mother to my babies" LOL, I can totally relate. I don't even like to thin seedlings by plucking some out.

[@tonymeluzio2346]

I also use Chamomile tea as an antifungal that has worked pretty good. Brew I cup and put it in a squirt bottle, fill bottle with water and mist.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Nice!

[@nanarose3496]

Tony Meluzio do you mist the soil or plant?

[@leorickt.9604]

@@nanarose3496 soil

[@tonymeluzio2346]

@Nana Rose349 yes the top of the soil with a spray bottle. Sprinkling Cinnamon on top of soil is another alternative.

[@samwillis7265]

Will this work for the little white gnats?

[@eatyourlandscape-PNW]

Just found your channel and really enjoyed the video. Long time gardener, short time seed starter. Your tips were excellent, the 2 inch light info was just what I needed. Thank you

[@sweetdoll1pr]

Glad I found someone that help ,I honestly think you have every video when it needed it ,thank you for all your help and I love you share all links to find the supply ❤

[@SqueaksUofA]

Lots of good tips here. To prevent overwatering, I use the weight method for seedlings so I'm not disturbing the limited soil with my finger. I also use capillary watering from underneath unless I'm feeding. Glad I found your channel, I'll be checking out all your videos soon. Take care brother!

[@barbaraannewer6320]

exactly what I was having problems with! I'm using a tray with a water reservoir underneath I got the seed starting mix that you recommended but I started having algae grow on them pretty quickly. So I will try the cinnamon!

[@markkulyas2418]

Finally found a video that covered everything especially about watering, thank you!

[@cbdcdiva6872]

Thank you for breaking this down so simply and completely. Just starting this garden journey with seeds and you've made me feel like I can do this now!. Subscribed!

[@thumper347]

Great info. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I have 39 out of 45 seedlings going now and they are almost 6" tall with nice thick stems. This is the first time I've been able to get them this far without dying off. Thank you again for all the great info.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Awesome!!!

[@rronaldreagan]

California Garden TV can you adress the opposite problem we have in southern countries/regions? Leaving seedlings in direct sunlight kills them in 30min. They start to bend until they are comoletely horizontal on the floor. Mind you its sunny and warm here (25°C on the shade, 32°C on the sunlight)

[@jennhoff03]

@@rronaldreagan I live in Houston and I totally know what you mean! All the books say they want full sun, but those little guys can't handle the scorching, direct sun of the south. There's a process called "hardening off" where you start bringing them out in bits. I'd put them out in the shade for an hour a day and slowly get them used to the heat. Also, I'm not an expert on this, but I noticed that almost every website says "full sun- 6 hours." Where my family had been planting was actual full sun, like 12 hours. So this year I put them in partial shade that gets 6 hours of really hot sun but then shade the rest of the day. And they're doing pretty well so far! Fingers crossed! The south is just a different kind of climate than most of the guides online.

[@maggidull1952]

@@jennhoff03 I believe you meant "hardening off" not damping. Yes?

[@jennhoff03]

@@maggidull1952 Yes, thank you!

[@AVoice2Remember]

Just found you on KZbin and I’m in love. Thank you so much for clear, concise and very informative information (on growing tomatoes, starting from seed). I’ve been a veggie gardener for a bazillion years - you can teach an ole gal a few new ticks 👍. I grow (from Baker Creek) all my veggies and donate out full gardens to organizations and people who love to garden, but might not have resources. This year, I’m teaching and donating out edible flowers too. Question if I may, what and how often do I feed my fruit trees - apples, pears, cherry, and nuts - almonds & walnuts and lastly artichokes ? All were pruned last month and need to be fed now. Suggestions ? I’ve always purchased from: Cottage Farms which has 3 different food bases: an acid base food for citrus, berries etc; a Rose base for all rose bushes; and a general food for others - butterfly buzzes, lavender. Please, any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Gabrielle Napa / Sonoma, CA

[@randydeshane9991]

Nice video, I have had everyone of those issues at one time or another.

[@weta-linetv5354]

All of these problems I had last year, but know what I did wrong so hopefully this year I do better. Thankyou for sharing the video.

[@stevemcnaughton-kb3jc96]

Thanks for the video, I thought I had to enclose the seed tray in aluminum foil with the lights at first, ended up cooking about 1/2 the tomato plants. I did add one of the CFL bulbs above the seed tray, it's a lot brighter then what I had there before, I hope that helps these little guys! I've added the fan to move the air around them now. It's still pretty crappy here in NW PA, but I did take them out for a bit of sun the other day, they all enjoyed the field trip.

[@laurazavala7409]

Hi Brian! Thank you so much for your tips. I started new pepper seedlings about a week ago because half of my first batch did not germinate😞. I was sad but I remembered that for me this year is all a test on everything. I must learn how plants behave, their needs. I repotted my zucchinis, beans and big success none died so happy for the plants👍🤗 oh, oh my 2 blueberry plants are fruit now so excited. Blessing to you and family🍓

[@lornahall5135]

I learnt so much. Was not doing well with starting seedlings inside. Thanks for this video.

[@LorrayneHam]

Thank you for this, I just started my first seeds indoors in my basement on a heat mat.

[@OWK000]

Thanks for the video--good hints. They only year I had good starts was when I took them outside during the day where I made a homemade plastic greenhouse/hothouse situation with just sheet plastic and the frame of an old chair. I brought them in at night at first and if it was really cold but just left them wrapped in plastic at night once they got bigger and under plastic on colder days, unwrapped on warmer days. I had the nicest healthiest stockiest starts ever. That UV light is so powerful and really kills fungus that is damping off. I took them outside even before the seeds popped up, because I wanted that UV light to kill any fungus on the soil. The corner with windows in two directions that I used to use would just relentlessly cause damping off: just like the fungus was jumping off the window sills.

[@michelemares8247]

I really enjoyed watching this video. I’m glad that I was able to get some great advice prior to getting my planting started. I’m super excited. I’m growing jalapeños, cilantro, tomatoes, bunching onions, watermelon, and squash! Things my family and I enjoy to eat and cook with. I will continue to watch your videos and I am looking forward to learning much more from you! Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@waynechien-vovietchongmy9724]

Success? Ill bet you rocked it

[@bluesight_]

this is REALLY solid information for beginners. nice job with this

[@JA-dz7rd]

This is incredibly helpful thank you so much I’m saving this and getting everything you mentioned bc I didn’t realize you can just get normal money grow lights this is gonna be way more affordable now !!!

[@pbjsilverstudio4882]

Thanks for all the great info!! I’ve saved this video to watch again next year when I start my own seeds indoors. No more buying starts at the nursery!! Also, I hope your MRI results were positive in a good way.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you!

[@MontalbanoMinistries]

You CAN save leggy seedlings! If your seedlings stretch too far and fall over simply tie them to a bamboo skewer with dental floss or string and then place them directly under a grow light. Keep the light about 6-12 inches from the top of the seedlings depending on the intensity of light. There’s also bendable wire specifically for plants if you cant find a place that sells bamboo skewers.

[@karricompton]

I am the poster child for saving leggy seedlings. I did it this year with my tomatoes.

[@ptcreations8947]

Thank You for that.... I had so many beans do that last year. 😢

[@karricompton]

Also with my broccoli!

[@trackerelf]

Learned a ton...going through a slump after this last planting and this gave me hope again yay 😅

[@rebeccagraf2962]

So so good! Glad to find so much info in one video!

[@JC-cu4ek]

I'm in southern Ontario (Canada) and my melons are already in the ground - covered at night. I found that putting my covered seedling tray in front of or on the heating vent keeps the soil nice and warm and allows for a great selection of seedlings.

[@audreyyoung6133]

I luv your needed advice,may God continue to bless you!

[@lauriea8502]

My seedings always damped off. This is the first video I’ve seen that really explained watering. Thank you! I can’t wait to try seeds indoors again.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Good luck!

[@donnarodriguez4755]

Rewatching your very informative videos in this series. Thank you for your contributions.

[@sharonlinskens6440]

Thank you for all your helpful tips. I love watching all of your gardening videos

[@KeyClavis]

Thank you for the info about the cinnamon. It makes sense since cinnamon is both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, but I hadn't thought about how you could use it in the garden. Wonder how it works against slugs....

[@cindypetri7711]

Now I know my failed seedlings were over watered! This video came at the right time. I have a few vegetables in an east facing flower bed and had planned to water again tomorrow before we leave but now will not. We also put up a 2’ clear plastic wind block on the east side and a piece of plywood on north and south side to block some of the strong gusty winds blowing 17- 30-35mph that we’ve been having from the southeast. Supposed be stronger tomorrow. Is this a bad idea to put up this wind block? There is still plenty of air going in there but am I keeping the plant from gaining it’s best strength with this wind block? The tomato seedlings are about 1 1/2-2” tall.

[@24-Card]

Can’t overemphasis the importance of the fan! Thank You!

[@lala012310]

Absolutely, positively, LOVE your channel!

[@CMEly65]

This was great information for me. You answered questions I didn't even know I had, lol.:)

[@rayvonheart5743]

Hi Brian! Thank you so much for the wealth of info you provide. I'm new to gardening, so I've been binge watching your videos ever since I found you about a month ago! My question is, can I plant tomato seeds right in the garden instead of transplanting a starter? I've made every mistake on your list, so I thought I'd try planting some seeds directly in the garden just in case my starters don't make it. I'm in the mountains of NC. Thanks again. It's amazing to see how fast you've grown in just a month's time. Way to go! You deserve your success. 👍

[@NextLevelGardening]

Thank you so much! Absolutely. After your last frost state you can plant them directly into the garden. You might get a shorter season but the plants usually do better if they were directly sown in the garden. Good luck!

[@mahryadesiree3345]

Brian you're a lifesaver thank u for these videos.

[@scottpeacor3523]

This is great. This is a long video, but I've been searching for good information on over watering and watering in general, and thank you for the great description. The explanation with the tap root really makes sense. I'm pretty sure I've been over watering... its so easy to want to do something when the surface is dry.

[@eSheeep]

The recipe for the potting mix is just good for starting seeds (2 parts coir/peat 1 part vermiculite). You'll have to transplant them to a more substantial mix containing nutrients at some point (i. e. adding compost to the mix) or start feeding with a liquid fertilizer. Of course you could always buy high quality compost or liquid fertilizer for that purpose, but it's absolutely no issue to make and use your own HQ compost to save some money. And it honestly isn't that much trouble to sterilize it yourself. I also do my own liquid fertilizers with a vermicompost system, which I use (diluted) on my seedlings, no problem. Just my point of view, as I try to make my garden as self sufficient as possible.

[@raydel5732]

Brian , You are an answer to my prayers. Two / three weeks ago you stated in one of your videos coffee grinds can stunt our plants. Well !!! 4 weeks before this video I started all 60 or so vegetable seeds in my home made potting soil (Peat moss, perlite and vermiculite -- "And were off" -- Every body was doing well 'till I remembered used coffee grinds are a good source of nitrogen therefore I mixed into the growing plants (and more new starts) plenty of coffee grinds. -- Yup you guessed it . That is when I asked The Father " Heavenly Father, why are my plant stunted. -- You, Brian gave me the answer --Thank you, thank you, thank you. -- The following day I replanted all my plants into fresh soil (without coffee grinds) and , wa-la --- Everyone is strong and healthy just waiting to go in to the garden in three weeks . --Thank you much. --Also , I hope and pray all is well with your health. --Ray Sussex NJ USA

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great! Sorry bout the first batch though!

[@blueminutes4686]

Perfect! You covered everything I needed advice on right now, as I'm sitting here cutting up yogurt containers to make tags. Thank you!

[@brianandtamiolson2330]

Ok, I have experienced all of the above. This was the best information I have ever seen all in on video. Thank you❤️

[@markdodd9777]

I'm so glad I found your KZbin channel. This is my first year planting a bigger garden and taking it serious. I've had small gardens years ago that did so-so. I just threw the plants in the dirt and hoped for the best. This year I'm doing a garden with 350 plants and after watching just a few of your videos I've learned so much! I know this will be a great year. Thank you!!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Wow! That's great!

[@BaloosCluesOriginal]

Brian is awesome. Season after season I rewatch many of his videos. His journey has been amazing to watch.

[@ptcreations8947]

Wow! I am trying to do more than tomatoes and green beans this year. 😊

[@PaquiCamus]

Same here. Just throw the seeds and hope for the best. Total failure. Then I started paying more attention to time zones in Australia. November and December, no germination at all! This year I have paid. more attention to zones and I had success in planting and getting coriander, Bok choy, pak choy, and tatsoi. Success about 70%.

[@karenlatham4053]

Great tips! I agree. I really like to read the comments. Sometimes I find good information down in the comments. Being a new gardener, I'm looking for every bit of information I can find lol.

[@imjanies1]

Karen Latham , me too! I grew a few veggies a few years back, but, never got back into gardening until this quarantine. I’m calling it emergency gardening; due to the possible food shortage in the future. My biggest problem that I’m facing is planting the seedlings too early outside and they die off. It literally IS trial and error. But, the one piece of advice I can give you is this: save all of your water bottles. Then, cut them in half, plant your seedlings in the cup with some good soil. Then, cover with plastic wrap. Next, if you have a heating pad, put those seedlings on the heating pad in a semi dark place. Within about 7-10 days, instant stem! This has helped me grow A LOT of veggies!! I didn’t have a heat mat for the seeds and I didn’t have the peat pods from the store, so, I improvised. I had my whole family saving water bottles, 2 liter bottles, to go trays, butter containers and any containers that I could put them in to let them absorb water from the bottom. Happy gardening to you and good luck with the garden. :)

[@stephanielofink6204]

Just found you and have learned so much. You are an excellent teacher.

[@sylviahendrickson2003]

My problem was over watering in the green house . Thanks for the tips.

[@StevePatak]

I started my seedlings in peat pellets on March 12th. I set-up 3 2000 Lumen, 5000K Cree LED bulbs in reflector housings and placed everything on a shelf in my server closet to keep it all warm. I had to transplant all the tomotoes, basil and a few flowers 3 weeks ago and now I am concerned that due to lingering winter weather in the northeast (it snowed/sleeted yesterday) that we are getting close to danger time for them all if the weather doesn't start escaping overnight frost temps soon. Also the gnats are real. Thankfully no damage to any plants yet.

[@melodyclark4347]

Can you try container gardening? I'm in AR and we've had late frosts as well. Fortunately I got things covered and only lost one tomato plant. Cheers.

[@purrrrson]

I found that I had fungus gnats almost every time I repotted some plants. After some research I discovered that MiracleGro products are often full of gnats and/or their larvae.

[@highstandards6226]

Try taking fresh mix,place it in a pie plate, place pie plate in your oven as its heating up, or cooling down before or after use, for 15 minutes, to kill off those eggs or larvae. Then place each batch of bewly steriled soil into a separate container or bag..easy way to salvage potting soil that *always* costs toomuch to simply chuck every second bag because its contaminated!🙄😎

[@highstandards6226]

Ground CLOVES! *Nothing* can stand those!

[@lilbrit1811]

I just made the mistake of using miracle grow potting soil. I started my seeds, watered them in and covered with plastic wrap. A few hrs later I went in my bathroom and looked. There were nasty tiny bugs allllllll over the plastic wrap! 😳🙄 i took off all the plastic wrap hopefully squishing all of them but then had to put the pots outside which I’m sure is going to make it so they don’t germinate. Stupid miracle grow!

[@dreamweaver8210]

A peroxide solution will kill bugs and purify (clean) your soil. Look up the right ratio of peroxide and water so you don’t use too much and damage your seedlings.

[@lilbrit1811]

@@dreamweaver8210 thank you! I did this and my lettuce and arugula are growing perfectly! So glad they aren’t a loss, I was worried the hydrogen peroxide would kill them but it didn’t. I have another bag of miracle grow that I now know to treat before hand

[@ResonanceHomestead]

Leggy, a classic in Australia climate when planted too early... Great advice

[@DanlowMusic]

Love your videos. You have given me such a knowledge on the make up of plants (the biological side of them). Definitely a go to for me.

[@uniquefotos]

Thank you!!! You're a life-saver!!! It's nice to find a community which gives you information and help you through especially when you're a first time gardener. Leggy, fungus, damping off. I have all those problems at the same time. I started long beans in a tray because I am just so excited to buy my first seeds even if my raised bed is not ready yet. In 48hours, 8 out of 10 sprouted. Half died coz of damping off and fungus. The rest ended up leggy. I put them in a shade because here in the Philippines, it is just sooo hot. 30-36°C. It's late when I learned they don't want to be transplanted too but they made it through and 3ft.tall now. BTW, I am using cinnamon from now on.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Great. Thank you Prim!

[@uniquefotos]

@@NextLevelGardening No, thank you!!!!!!

[@karlbyrne1111]

What does the cinnamon do

[@whoisjules.design]

This might be a little over kill, but my grandfather taught me to add boiling water to the seed starting mix. Mix well with a shovel and wait for it to cool before planting, of course. Seed Starting Mix 1/2 - Sphagnum Peat Moss 1/2 - Vermiculite

[@jennhoff03]

Interesting!!

[@LiliAquinas]

My grandfather told me this same thing. He said it was to kill off undesirables in the seed starting mix. Now that it's easy to purchase sterilized potting mixes, I don't think adding the boiling water is necessary, unless you just prefer to DIY, so you know exactly what is in your own mix. 🌱🌱💚💚

[@resarm5007]

You can add boiling water to ANY potting mix/soil to kill undesirables. Other people also heat it in an oven to sterilize. That's how old timers reuse old soil. But if you don't know what you're doing it is best to just start with fresh sterile soil.

[@texasblue416]

I love you and your book! Thanks for all your advice and teachings. You explain everything very well and take it slow so that I am absorbing the information you teach. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Please keep the videos coming.

[@getupgetoutandgrowsomethin4471]

Knowledge is wealth!!! Thank you for educating us. I’m new to gardening and I am loving the “Grows”, and “Glows.”

[@juneshannon8074]

Love the music from the movie from “Psycho” when looking at the new seedlings, lol.

[@NextLevelGardening]

🤣🤣

[@mirandab0807]

Right lol 😂

[@sabrinapulley8049]

Lol It got my dog to cock her ears back and forth😂

[@billcat1840]

My cats jumped up wide eyed when the Psycho music played 🤣

[@lizsummers6818]

Though I live in the deep south, I've had problems for years trying to get my okra seedlings started outside despite good weather and soil. This year I started them inside under a grow light and they came up beautifully. It got cold again outside and I wasn't able to transplant them so I had to keep them in their growing cups. They got tall, but I eventually was able to plant them deep into the soil (like you can tomatoes) and left about 2 inches of stem and leaves on top. They seem to love it and are putting on new leaves and all are looking very good. I find that okra is temperamental when started outside. I appreciate your great seedling tips especially about how to water them. Thanks!

[@SanKissJuice]

liz Summers I’m growing some okras in my outdoor garden in Malaysia so it is tropical. Maybe it likes a lot of sunlight and water? It has been raining a lot here and I notice the little plants are growing bigger. I did have to add more fertilizers in the beginning because they were turning a bit yellow.

[@lizsummers6818]

@@SanKissJuice Glad to know your okras are doing well. Unfortunately, we got several cold and very windy days in a row and now my okras are very sick and looking bad. I will probably have to start over with new seedlings.

[@bdaddylb]

Thank you for addressing this issue.

[@ahmirasaunders8062]

This is the best gardening video, wish I found it last year but at least it’ll help me this year 🌱

[@joanies6778]

Thanks for the tip on the fan. 😊 I went down to the basement and turned the air purifier fan towards my trays. I recently bought my lights at Walmart for $23 each, 4ft wide, 5000 lumens, color temp 5oook. They have worked great! I purchased organic seed starter mix for

[@NextLevelGardening]

Perfect!

[@suzibarlow3611]

Good idea. It is the water getting hot, not the microwanves that sterilize. Smart.

[@jnineneuorpe8841]

Recently? Wow, that's awesome... Was the light LED? I just paid $99 at Home Depot for Black Magic LED grow lights.

[@simondavies4348]

Tip. Put a cocktail stick in the compost by the stem. When the top of the compost dries out pull out the stick and you will see it is still damp. Only water when the stick comes out mainly dry.

[@robwebster7406]

Thank you for your got tips, just starting gardening this year for a break from electronics, and now finding the rabbit holes in gardening like I did in electronics 🤔 thanks for your great help 😊

[@preetaheeralall]

I love your videos and the pace you speak