Seeds not germinating? Maybe this is why

Sometimes when you have really poor germination, there's a simple answer that wasn't obvious on the seed packet instructions.
Would you believe me if I said some seeds actually need direct light in order to germinate? They don't want to be covered with soil at all. Well, that's what we're talking about from the greenhouse today as I sow some of my February seeds, we're focussing on those that need light. Foxgloves, Antirrhinum, Petunias and Mimulus.
So join me in the greenhouse and I'll talk you through how to sow these seeds and the pitfalls to watch out for.
▶THE NEXT VIDEO TO WATCH◀
Make your own seed starting mix: • Seed starting soil mak...
February seeds I'm sowing: • Seeds I'm Sowing In Fe...
▶SUBSCRIBE◀
Please subscribe and we hope you enjoyed this video - it would be extra lovely if you could also SHARE it around - that would be the best present ever.
LINK: bit.ly/eliandkate
▶JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE ON OUR CHANNEL◀
We've got two options for you guys, firstly join the youtube community using the big join button or link below and access member perks and exclusive content
/ @eliandkate
▶LINK TO OUR GARDENING TOOLS AND KIT ◀
eliandkate.com...
▶ CHANNEL BRANDED SWAG ◀
/ inthegardenwitheliandkate
▶BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY◀
You can help support our channel in three ways that won’t cost you anything extra:
1. Be part of the community by watching, liking, commenting, and sharing videos.
2. Click this link to SUBSCRIBE and click the bell to get notifications when we post new content: bit.ly/eliandkate
3. If you use Amazon and want to buy anything at all, click through with this link, it doesn't cost you anything extra but we get a tiny commission: www.amazon.co....
Thank you for your support, it means the world to us!
#Februaryseedsowing #gardening #whattosow #flowers #greenhouse #zone9 #zone8 #Sowgroweatrepeat #GrowYourOwn

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

BTW, I am always glad when you talk about flowers as well as vegetables. Flowers are my mental health vegetables.

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂 I think that’s the thing… I’m looking after a garden not an allotment so flowers are a big part of that

[@sheilaclerkin2238]

Omg Charlotte I love this, they really are !

[@danielcoxon3557]

Sowed Livinstone daisies and had no germination, gave up and sowed leeks on same container. Lo and behold I now have two sets of seedlings thriving in the pots. Nature never stops amazing me.

[@melonieallan8490]

I’m loving that you are doing more videos on flowers 😊. Keep them coming 💐

[@eliandkate]

Will do 😀😀😀

[@cfr69]

some info/tips/best way to sow and grow lettuce would be great! never grown it before and looking at growing some "little gem" this year! thanks 👍

[@eliandkate]

Sounds good!

[@lindarobertson8505]

Thanks for the shout out Eli, another great video. Have sown some mimulus so I will see if I get them right this year!

[@eliandkate]

Any time!

[@marksallotmentplot]

Brilliant video 👍 I always learn something new when one of your vids come out

[@eliandkate]

Awwww thank you 🙏

[@Adamace1972]

Nice video I watch every Sunday, I was always told to close the vents up on a propergator to keep the heat in, then when seeds have germinated open the vents,

[@eliandkate]

The world won’t end if you do or don’t I suppose, it’s just a case of working to make sure you don’t get an environment that’s ideal for fungus I suppose

[@denisehughes837]

Hi new watcher enjoying your videos x

[@eliandkate]

Awww glad you are enjoying them Denise

[@DamsLifestyle]

Very nice video thanks for sharing

[@eliandkate]

Glad you enjoyed 😀😀

[@Bev437Sqn]

Thanks so much. I have heard that hollyhawks also require light to germinate. I am sowing some so I hope I heard right. 😅🙏 cheers from BC Canada 🇨🇦

[@eliandkate]

Yup hollyhock are exactly the same 😀

[@PointofimpactTV]

The little tubes are called Eppendorf tubes for using in centrifuges

[@charlotteoryan2003]

Love ur channel me and the hubby are getting ready to start our garden fir the 1st thanks to u keep up the good work thanks 😊

[@eliandkate]

Oh exciting, what plans have you got then?

[@charlotteoryan2003]

@@eliandkate we r gonna try potatoes carrots ,beets and mayb some peas but thinking about some flowers for the wildlife aswell just catching up on all ur videos there really helping and really well done

[@eliandkate]

Flowers will help your veggie crops, more pollinators more chance of pollination 😀

[@charlotteoryan2003]

@@eliandkate yeah that's the plan just need to choose what 1's lol

[@LLAMA-LLAMA]

Nice snazzy logo addition to the greenhouse!!! Thank you for another great video!

[@eliandkate]

Glad you like it!

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

I broke down and got a growing lamp about 2 weeks ago. Makes a HUGE difference.

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha you’ll 😍 it

[@antonia5682]

Thanks for this! I *did* sow my snapdragons wrong, but realised my mistake and sowed some more on the surface. :D We live and learn!!

[@eliandkate]

You never know, you might be ok 👌

[@vanislandsteve]

Love you to run through peppers from seed. Will stay in my greenhouse until harvested. I start them off in a small heated greenhouse. Zone 8b Vancouver Island East Coast.

[@eliandkate]

😀 yep I keep you guys up to date on everything I’m growing including peppers so as you watch with us through the season you’ll see the plants and all their stages and any key things like potting on, feeding and even pollinating 😀

[@judithstambaugh9258]

Great video - thanks for the shout out. 😀

[@eliandkate]

No problem 👍

[@gudi361]

You are more than wellcome !😎

[@eliandkate]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@karenyhogan5196]

I just learned something at my 76 years I never new, that they did not need covering to grow

[@eliandkate]

Ah now you know the secret and you can confidently do things like seed viability tests 😃 Not all seeds need light to germinate but equally they don’t need dark, moisture is a wonderful thing 😃

[@lindaducsharm5168]

Hi Eli, this question is not about plants or seeds rather it is about your clothesline. You mentioned your clothesline once but I haven't seen it in your tours. I am planning on a new clothesline in my garden but am trying to figure how to do it so that it fits in the garden but isn't an eyesore or a hazard. Thank you...Linda in Sudbury, Ontario Canada (zone 4)

[@eliandkate]

We have what's known in Scotland as a drying green, so there is a black cast iron pole at 3 of corners of the lawn and the clothesline runs between the poles - traditionally there would be 4 poles but we took one out as it was too close to the greenhouse and got in the way when coming and going, especially when carrying plants. We chose a steel core line with a clear plastic coating so it's strong and won't snap but also doesn't show up on camera, however it also makes it harder to see when crossing the lawn so I have to remember to duck (not an issue for Eli who is just a wee thing!! I will get in trouble for saying that, lol). Hope that helps, K.

[@bwolf0003]

I’d love to see updates on your flowers. I don’t do a lot of flowers because often you have to pinch back and tend to them a lot to get them large. I’d be interested in seeing the petunias as they come on throughout the season.

[@eliandkate]

Your wish is my command

[@eliandkate]

I encourage a friendly community Rob 😀

[@eliandkate]

Not a problem with commenting here rob, I actively encourage friendly helpful chat. The only thing I take a negative view on is negativity or blatant self promotion 😂😂😂

[@eliandkate]

Treading on toes is not an issue but negativity and rudeness on the other hand I won’t tolerate 😀😀😀. I’ve unfortunately been subject to far too many arrogant gardeners over the years so I’m quick quick with the ban button to stop that in our wee community here 😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@eliandkate]

click the three dots, you can remove, hide, report etc If you hide someone then noone will see their comments

[@rudozemeu3357]

Greetings from a still snowy part of bulgaria

[@eliandkate]

We were lucky and escaped any snow

[@rudozemeu3357]

@@eliandkate I used the milk jug method from Scott to have some seeds to get going on bottles outside but maybe i over reacted a tiny bit....

[@rudozemeu3357]

Yes i just run over to your video about winter sowing with milk jugs

[@michaeld.3779]

I learned something new, Eli. MSeeds that lay on the surface of the soil. Who woulda thunk?

[@eliandkate]

Shocking!!!

[@janebarnes9006]

Thanks Eli . New to your channel ( just recently taken over an allotment)and look forward to your videos.Think I've caught up with most of your previous ones. Can I ask a question? We are up In NW England and got pretty battered with Storm Franklyn.... our greenhouse is a smaller version of yours I think. How do you keep your glass panes safely secure in your greenhouse ? We lost a number of panes in the storms.

[@eliandkate]

My greenhouse actually isn’t a standard greenhouse, it’s designed specifically to withstand a battering. It’s got a heavy duty frame rather than the standard aluminium and the glass is thicker than standard horticultural glass, then on top of that it’s actually fitted like household glazing, so with strips around the entire thing holding it into the frame, rather than glazing clips. They are pretty expensive compared to most greenhouses but we live on a wind plane so a standard greenhouse was a worry for us

[@janebarnes9006]

@@eliandkate Thanks for replying- your greenhouse sounds amazing. Not sure Its a good idea to spend lots on an allotment greenhouse but certainly would look at something like that should we want one at home . We live on the coast so its always breezy.

[@simonysinclair7163]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I really enjoy your channel. I will appreciate if you can talk about planting seeds for lambs lettuce, or if you have any advice on starting lambs lettuce growing. Im new to gardening, and would love to grow lambs lettuce, but am not sure what the best way is. 😘

[@eliandkate]

I’ve actually already sown lambs lettuce in the previous video. These are one of the crops that do better in the cooler months so sowing early in the year or again later when the months are cooler. They tend to bolt in the hotter months.

[@pennythompson4790]

very interestingx

[@eliandkate]

😀😀😀

[@elizabethf5819]

Have you shared which seed trays you use? I'm new here. 😅

[@eliandkate]

Hey Elizabeth, if you check the video description there’s a link there to all the tools and things I recommend

[@Whistlewalk]

Thanks for letting us know that you have problems getting pelleted seeds to germinate. I've tried pelleted seeds 3 times: no glory. Now I know its not necessarily me being an idiot. Ta.

[@eliandkate]

🤣🤣🤣 never assume something is just you

[@caracurphey6864]

Came here to say this. Couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. Now I know its them, not me!

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂

[@nicolahart9177]

Hi, was just looking at my sweet peas that I sowed in October using home made seed compost. They are now quite large and in root trainers which are supposed to help with transplanting. Had a thought and wondered what you think, they are actually growing so they probably need some nutrients. I haven't bee able to find any advice, everyone just says sow in autumn and then plant out when warm but that's months in seed compost??

[@eliandkate]

Yeah you prob do want to think about if they are getting everything they need. I’m not a big sweet pea grower so can’t give you the best advice but check out @greensideup Steve there is growing them, tell him I sent you and he’s to help 😃😃😃

[@beckypeterson7522]

How about dragon wing begonia? Expensive and TINY!

[@eliandkate]

It’s not something I grew but yup, same it’s another seed you sprinkle on the surface so that it’s exposed to light.

[@ShirleyJDavis]

I want to see how you plant begonias seeds. I am not having any luck with germination. Please help!

[@eliandkate]

I don’t grow them I’m afraid Shirley but they are one of the seeds that wants light to be able to germinate, don’t sprinkle on the surface and don’t cover them.

[@lyndabirkby3887]

Hi Eli, do you also sanitise your coir and perlite with boiling water?

[@eliandkate]

Not as a rule no. The coir I make up with boiling water so not planned sanitising but gets a blast of boiling water but not with perlite. The reason I sterilise the compost is because it’s either used and risky or to reduce the chance of fungus gnats. That’s not really an issue with perlite

[@lyndabirkby3887]

Thankyou so much;Just mixing the seed sowing mix now.Vitapod on and all set to go.

[@melissaabbott5168]

I have been making the seed starting mix and potting mix as you have suggested. I was just wondering if you can reuse the seed starting one because it hasn't actually had any nutrients in it to be used up? I know you couldn't in the same way for the potting one as the compost part would have been drained a bit, but for the seed starting one? X

[@eliandkate]

Yup but I would advise sterilising it again

[@melissaabbott5168]

@@eliandkate thank you :)

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

If a seed lands on the perlite, will it germinate or is it like falling on stony ground?

[@eliandkate]

oh I like that Steve. :D. So many things this week have felt like falling on stony ground. Yeah it will still germinate as long as it gets moisture (and for these ones light), although obviously you wouldn't want to leave a seedling in pure perlite for too long as there's no nutritional value there for once the seed needs it.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

@@eliandkate Cool

[@rumi885]

I planted (seeds... So small I thought it was an error) foxgloves for the second time. I wonder what to do next when they germinate and are looking leggy or what to do to prevent them to be leggy.

[@eliandkate]

There is no guaranteed way to fix leggy seedlings. You can plant tomato seedlings deeper because they will then treat the hurried stem as growth material and create new roots but not all plants do this. Leggy seedlings are caused by too little light. It’s quite common for seedlings grown on the window ledge. In some cases when you transplant them outside it stunts their growth and allows them to strength up. But remember even plants that would normally do ok outdoors in colder months will most likely die if you just suddenly put them outside.

[@juliaodonnell5941]

Hi Eli. I bought some antirhinum Pontiac apple blossom seeds (approximately 20) but they’ve arrived in a tiny plastic pocket. Have you got any tips for how to get them out without losing any?

[@eliandkate]

Not sure what you mean by a pocket?

[@juliaodonnell5941]

@@eliandkate If only I could send a photo! It’s a little plastic bag with the closure thing across the top that you press together. They seem to be stuck to the sides (static not wet) 😁

[@eliandkate]

Ahhhhh. Not sure I have any amazing advice…. I just tap things. Maybe try sticking your finger in there and see if they stick to your finger???

[@juliaodonnell5941]

@@eliandkate Ha ha! Will do. It feels like I’m dealing with a tiny amount of gold dust! Thanks Eli

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha but they are gold dust 😀😀😀😀