The EASIEST Seed Starting Mistakes To Avoid!

[@nadif8437]

Wow, first time catching a video just seconds after it's posted and minutes before I'm starting my seeds😅

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Way to grow! Timing is everything…😉

[@dalya1702]

Me too!! He read my mind

[@dianeth73]

My biggest problem mentioned here is the different growth rate of seeds, a video on what seeds can grow in the same flats would be so helpful.

[@Kofolenka]

That's my biggest problem as well. One big tray with seeds that germinate at different times which also leads to each seedling having different water requirements and just being at different stage/size drying out faster or slower and then getting either too much or not enough water.

[@potpourrioflife]

I ordered quite a few seeds from you and began seed starting last weekend!! I am very excited about how they are doing. For the most part I did plant like items together, but there are a few that have touched the plastic dome, so I had to remove it from the others where some have and some have not germinated. I will adapt!! While watching I'm saying to myself "yup, I did that, yup I did that, oops...I need to do that" LOL This is a great resource of info. Thank you

[@nadif8437]

I use a China marker too, they work great for me.

[@doloresreynolds8145]

I like these because I can wipe the labels off to reuse them, but the writing lasts a long time if I don’t wipe it off.👍

[@alicewhitley6441]

Love the gardener markers. I didn't know they existed 😊

[@juliereed9188]

Ok, I'm sold! I've just recently started getting back in the 🪴 🌿. Doing container planting as I'm a travel nurse and move frequently. I've watched about 4 of your videos and now I'm a fan! I like you details and honesty! Thanks for sharing!

[@marymusic3265]

Much gratitude to you Mr Richard Hirschman and Dr John. Very somber presentation..

[@waynesell3681]

Right on! Starting to find out about overwatered when preparing my first tray that I really soaked..

[@julieemig432]

Oh my I just overpacked my cells. I didn’t plant yet so I’ll loosen it up. Thanks!

[@gerrymarmee3054]

I did not know there were UV resistant markers!!! Thx!!

[@moleenmcclelland681]

Glad I caught this one . I start my seeds tomorrow.

[@RanknResourceful]

Man, i have been making a lot of these seed starting mistakes. Thank you! Hopefully I can turn it around this year!

[@susanrodman]

Great information! Thanks Luke🌻💕

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I used to think that Sharpies were the ideal way to label plants. Wrong...only the garden markers specifically designed for UV resistance last outside. Lesson learned the hard way!

[@rlorendean]

Another way, very cheap. Cut up aluminum cans using tin snips. On side without advertising, use pencil or sharp object to emboss name. They reflect so are easy to find, can be cut to size. If you want thicker marker, just double over.

[@TheKuptis]

@@rlorendean Be careful you don't cut yourself though. Thin aluminum sheets cut skin and flesh very easily. Much worse than a paper cut.

[@rlorendean]

@@TheKuptis Thank you. I should have mentioned that I do this wearing garden gloves and very carefully.

[@BryanRink]

I've used plain old pencils for a couple years now and it works great. Plus you can raise and reuse next year.

[@SilverSaabArc]

Bottom heat plus a small fan in a house with chronically dry furnace air in the winter equals plenty of dry soil for chili seedlings.. 😄

[@tobruz]

Markers: Pencil works just fine. I use old Venetian vinyl blinds cut to size. Try it ! Those markers must be closed properly after use or they dry out fast!

[@WS-by5cl]

Ooh Good tip on the blinds! We replaced an old window blind today; looks like I can repurpose it after all! (My kids like to tease me about how I can always find a use for something. ….. I just realized that makes me sound old. I’m in my early thirties! 😂)

[@anitahernandez1207]

I remember growing up, we lived in a small apartment, but it had a large living room window and my mom had plants like ferns, etc. I never really asked her much about it. Now that I want to grow my own food, it’s not just a pretty plant in the window. There’s so much to learn, and it’s very interesting especially when you’re expecting to eat from that plant in the future.

[@corinnasmarr5672]

Thank you Luke, I appreciate that you are willing to share your experience with us.

[@preschoolhomestead]

I finally got a garden marker this year and im so glad.

[@dirttodreams]

Please talk about the grow light. Such as distance needed from the seedlings, will any of them work, how long to use one, etc.

[@octavioclarin4935]

Bro look up HLG lights. Specifically their quantum board builds. I bought a light in the 300 dollar range and it's worked for me like 5 years. Still running very strong.

[@LeslieKaster-j5h]

He has some videos about grow lights.

[@susanramsey9331]

Starting seeds today 2/17/24. Glad I turned in and watched a few videos. I was planning to plant MT lavender also. Now I know how to saponify! Thanks so much!

[@dadmezz4024]

I mixed petunia and strawberry seed. Petunias came up and required more bottom watering because they foliage fast while the strawberries drowned in water with top fungus. I am learning the hard way. Thanks Luke, you give great info!

[@dadmezz4024]

Luke. I read through the comments and a couple where about talking time. I thing your tempo is fine as most do. Folks, if video parts are too slow, repeated info for you, just hold a finger on the screen in mobile mode to increase the speed x2 to speed forward. You still understand Luke's instruction. Let up off screen when at info you are interested in. Luke, we have your back helping those few comments.

[@bukuroshja_shqiptare]

I love love love starting seeds!! It's overwhelming and so exciting. I wish gardening was my job, I would be the happiest girl in the world doing something I love!

[@barbaralong8665]

Always something new to think about. Appreciate your channel and look forward to next video.

[@NMgardening505]

Vermiculite retains, Perlite drains, always sprinkle some vermiculite ontop of cells itll make them stay wet for twice as long especially in aerated soil, if you have loamy or dead dirt use charcoal burned at high heats (not hard to make a small furnace with bricks thatll burn, you want a burn with no smoke is key so theres no oxygen) Charcoal is easier than people think, to turn it into biochar is when you activate it with nutrients (think of charcoal as a housing complex, a huge one at that), another thing is its very alkaline, try to let it simmer in a soup with some Oranges or citruses to cancel out that alkalinity as well as make the charcoal more feasable, human or not i dont think eating charcoal would be too good or itneracting with it personally, so i intuitively feel its better to quasi-compost (innoculate it for a few days or longre) so that harshness is less pronounced. Pumpkins, watermelons, etc; they CAN be transplanted (maybe not bigger varieties but i had a large, not huge, large variety that had a 70% transplant rate, please do it on a sunny, not windy day; soil falling can trigger the plant, wind can trigger the plant, its not hard to cradle anything delicately especially if your doing yardwork, just be careful, its a balancing game. take the liberty of watering in your soil daily (not drenching) and telling it "hey, spring is coming" right around that last snow date or when you start seedlings, especially true for sawdust which can kill easily your entire garden (which noone talks about) always remember your Building a Soil, making a Seed Starting Mix, Transplanting Seeds, we glance over the more directives of what is literally infront of us, to grow a lush garden that you're thinking of you're Building soil, not just a one time thing, your making the decision to actively learn and do more in that area (microbiology, Chemistry, etc) whether you know it or not, being aware of that and what it means is powerful, words hold power. if you say you're gonna grow this many this year and succeed with this many, watch what happens, set your expectations higher, your passion in this deserves as much. Live and Love, From NM

[@ingehoughton6914]

Thank you for all of the great info! Do you ever use soil blocks to starts seeds? I purchased 1 1/2" soil blocks this year and am excited to save space and hopefully not have to pot up quite as quickly for most seedlings. Any opinion or experience (pros and cons) you may have soil blocking would be greatly appreciated.

[@kittiew260]

One mistake nobody ever talks about is light hours for onions. Long and short day onions do not require the same amount of light as all other transplants.

[@claytonmclemore3143]

I love your videos and passion for teaching. I think you should continue to encourage people to go home if not willing to grow big. Just saying. Love you brother.

[@GrowBigTVwithJoeandKorky]

great info Luke

[@madhat127]

Hi, great video with some very helpful advice. Thank you for sharing. Have fun, Mark : )

[@dmick9168]

I do use sharpie, but I also wrap a clear piece of duck tape around each label to prevent water and uv fade. So far it has worked!

[@dustyflats3832]

Glad you mentioned to not grow all seeds together in a propagation tray that have different germination times. I think last week the tray was planted with several and you can’t separate them all connected. Once they sprout the cover comes off yet some are not ready yet.

[@VaultDwellerGal]

What store starts with M and ends in W? I’m stumped.

[@cyhomer]

The fert starts with m and ends with w. (Miracle grow)…not the store….

[@VaultDwellerGal]

@@cyhomer Ahhh. Thanks!

[@giniaweaver7377]

I was googling big box store names because I was stumped too. Lol

[@elizabethlane8690]

@@cyhomerI didn’t think there was a “w”…

[@stephan695]

I use cup size containers and do not have problems with Roots when transplanting into the garden

[@rhondawilson-williams7852]

Well, I planted seeds 6 days ago and didn’t have your video to help! Hopefully I won’t have too many problems!

[@PrettyAliceNight]

Great tips! I love those garden markers but I use the more fine point variety.

[@denisebayer8748]

China markers work great!!!! ♥️♥️♥️🤗🤗🤗

[@daisybred]

Ending up with ‘blanc’ plantlabels is a pain! Great tip to mention!

[@goodnessineverybite2378]

Those Garden Markers are $9.99 here in Canada (Amazon)

[@santaanaroadwildman3614]

I made a mistake once, I packed the soil too much, the seedlings remained sooo tiny!

[@phenixwars1]

Here I am squishing my eyelid to see how much I can squish my soil 😂 It's a mistake I've always made because I see everyone on KZbin do it. Thank you!

[@jeremiewampler]

For marking my seedlings, I sketch and number the holes and keep it in my notebook so the sun can’t fade it

[@judysalisbury3363]

Proper marker is a must

[@chanakancrafton9103]

Because of your video, I went ahead to buy the boost strap farmers’ 128 cells trays. The bottom of the trays are very flimsy and all the cells get water unequally. Most of their products are good except this one.

[@benbearkiller]

Lol red solo cups and sandwich baggies to create a humid environment. Nothing fancy then just throw them away until next year 😊

[@7dwarfes103]

As an experienced gardening guru I found the beginning of your presentation a real talk down. Please review the choice of words and conjecture.

[@CreativeRedundancy]

Hello Luke listening and eye seed what you mean here. That last one makes sense. I’m slowly starting some here and miCRogreens. Btw I enjoyed that stream with you and grow big tv . Take CaRe

[@theoneandonly1158]

I do 128 cells. I plant out everything i need and i keep detailed notes of what i planted. As soon as i know i can up pot, i do. I only use a little worm castings. If they need it i use liquid fertilizer when i water next. I

[@laurieolmstead7998]

I have so much trouble getting my seedlings out of my 1x1" tray starters, can you give advice on how to do this without destroying the trays and stressing the plants trying to get them out?

[@macsnacks]

What would be a good way to start herbs in texas I find that parsley and cilantro are harder to sprout. Compared to tomato or peppers. In a seed tray environment…

[@crystalbritzman907]

So how much trifecta should you add to the seed starting mix? It does not say on the bag for starting seeds?

[@keithcarey6016]

Regarding #5 mistake, why not deal with the fertilizer during the up-potting or the outside planting time? Most seed starting mixes are pretty sterile because they aren't potting mixes.

[@stephan695]

Miracle grow has its place, containers

[@camicri4263]

Blessings!

[@martinmercerjr8615]

I don’t know why I am so much trouble this year with seedlings. I tried to make my own seed starting soil . The only thing I used is coco coir, perlite and miracle grow potting soil. I ended up throwing it away and buying seed starting soil from Amazon.

[@scorpioslab]

Do you ever use seed starting domes till sprout? Then mist the soil for the ones a day or 2 behind? So you don't dry out before sprouts.

[@jessicaolson490]

For the seedlings that sprout at different times but one tray, could you just stagger when you add the seeds? For example maybe pre-label but then you would add the tomato seeds first and then a couple days later the ones that take a shorter time to sprout like broccoli?

[@cardstockcollector]

Thank You!

[@asiajo1010]

Just @ me next time 🤣🫣 Thanks MiG team for another informative video!

[@kimmy2011]

Thank you!!!

[@TerribleTim68]

Yup, I've moved to smaller trays like 6 cells or even ones that each cell can be pulled out individually. 😎 Smaller trays makes WAY more sense for the average home gardener, we're not planting 50 of a single plant, we're usually planting maybe a dozen at most of a given plant.

[@johngallo7383]

I just started this journey in growing my own in South Florida. I live in an apartment so it's all balcony growing. I am using a seed starer tray with lights. Is this correct for a seedling starting mix, I use organic OMRI seed potting mix and i added in Coco Coir and mixed it all together and then used it for my seedlings. Is that an ok thing to do? Should i add anything else to it? Thanks for the Vid btw! 👍

[@1234iadore]

Thank you soo much! Where are your black overhead light from?

[@lorraineyanez4301]

Do you have a top 10 must have garden tools?

[@laurieolmstead7998]

Could you please give measurements in "cup measurements" instead of percentages for making seed starting mixes/potting soil?

[@denisebayer8748]

I feel as if I missed something. What type of fertilizer is the suggestion to place in the seed starter soil? 😊😊❤❤😊😊

[@logicalmisery3737]

Seeds don't need fertilizer imo. Once they sprout, you'd transplant. You encourage root growth by making the roots search for nutrients.

[@helenli982]

​@@logicalmisery3737That's what I thought.

[@lesliescully3544]

Do you pot up at some point?

[@dennisdunn8461]

can I use trifecta in my container garden

[@floydbertagnolli944]

Great info. Thx!😊

[@lwjenson]

Lol in the past 5 years I have totally made every one of these mistakes. Also putting different things in the same tray also makes it hard to harden them off, if half can take some cold and half can't.

[@LeslieKaster-j5h]

Ditto

[@film_magician]

What's the store that starts with M and ends with W??

[@mikek621]

Question: For all types of seeds is a all purpose good or should I go more nitrogen based?

[@marciastehouwer4942]

What kind of plant cells do you recommend

[@HeyJustDaveHere-tf2yj]

I have used the plastic bathroom size dixie cups and use an aluminum pan with the clear plastic dome as a humidity cover. If things sprout at different times then I move them together into like trays

[@jericox1813]

Someone PLEASE help me!! I am NEW to gardening (2nd year) brand new to seed starting (1st year). I started a lot of seeds in a greenhouse and a wind storm destroyed everything ,including the greenhouse. Started new tomato seeds in 72cell tray on March 1st and they germinated great (2plants in each cell) That’s it! They sprouted up and that’s where they are stuck! No new leaves no growth. They look fine. They have 3 LED lights about 2 inches over them 16hours a day. The lights are 6500K and 2200 lumens each. The plants are about 11/2 -2 inches tall. Do I need to pull one plant from each cell? Do I need to put them into a bigger pot? Do I need to ditch them and start over? My soil was an organic seed starting mix that I also sifted because of sticks and rocks. I only water when they are dried out , usually once a week. Ok this is all I can think of. If y’all know what I’ve done wrong please tell me.. Thanks in advance.

[@edgyerica4823]

me who started my seedlings in a giant pot ._. they sprouted very quickly and seem to be doing well. Guess I know for next time :)

[@heatherpfeil2939]

How much granular fertilizer to add to seed starting mix?

[@elviramack1864]

None

[@dovinhgarden05]

Tuyệt vời

[@ourv9603]

HERE is an innovative idea>>> A weed farmer in California (where else?) scavenged a few BROKEN commercial refrigerators from a scrap dealer. He fixed the inside light, cut the cord to the compressors and uses them for seed germination. He places his seed trays inside on growpads & the insulation to keep the refer cold, keeps it warm. WOW. Starting refer in a refer. Whoda thought? Reuse-Recycle-Repurpose just like any good hippie would. !

[@barbaraengle768]

I never heard of one😮

[@AUDIO2AUTO]

Once you get good, you should know your plants by how they look.

[@zachfife7907]

Is miracle grow bad?

[@tuba_ogtheuniquelybeardeda7572]

What are your thoughts on Electroculture?

[@nadif8437]

I'm going to follow this to see what he might say. I have a woman who wants to join the garden I manage who has spoken about this.

[@heatherpfeil2939]

He has a different video talking about this. Essentially doesn’t recommend but you should still give the video a watch to understand why.

[@tuba_ogtheuniquelybeardeda7572]

@@heatherpfeil2939 I haven’t tried yet, but have heard some nice success stories.

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

"Gentle pressure, Crow, gentle pressure." 1,000 points if you get the reference.

[@AugustLeo1619]

🌱

[@dfreak01]

I keep messing up.

[@Michellegrows]

Don't push your soil to the back of your skull. Got it! 😂

[@hulkman4004]

You need to keep your shop fill. You always sell out

[@brianblaster1]

Not interested in buying your sharpie By the way sharpie don’t fade

[@jeromefridmann6108]

Again !!! you talk TOOOOOO much !!

[@Amyvb74]

Um, no one is making you watch his videos…

[@CBe-ot8vu]

Color code your plants. You have 6 different color zipties or plant ties. 6 different Tomatoes 6 different peppers etc etc. Use blue for beefsteak red for big boy yellow for cherry tomatoes n write it down on a paper what colors correspond whith what plants. No more missing ink from sun bleaching them and weathering

[@kathyhoot7277]

You are the only person to tell us when to move our starts off the heat mat. Now I know why my stuff died. Thanks for the lessons! NE Indiana here

[@ThahnG413]

I guess it depends on what you are growing and the temp of the heatmat. I measured my heatmat and it gets around 100f in the middle while the outside is around 85f. The tray soil temps go from about 75f to 85f during the day depending on the amount of sunlight shining through the window, and so far, I have had no problems with the heat mat killing the already germinated pepper seedlings, and the more stubborn seeds are still coming up one after the other.

[@heatherhuard]

Great info! I have made all of those mistakes and learned my lessons. The other thing you can do with those plug trays is to cut them into smaller pieces then you can use the heat mat and just take off the pieces that germinate quicker.

[@batzzz2044]

Just hit you up for a seed order. My scarlet runners are excited for those sunsets. My hummers will be thrilled! Got to give one a shower and drink with my hose last season 😂😂😂

[@lindaoglesby3571]

I don't have a store that starts with a M and ends in a W. Now I feel like I'm missing out lol

[@hoosierpioneer]

Yah I got lost intrying to figure out who M****W is? I can't even think of a store ending in W. Probably overthinking it😂

[@cyhomer]

…he’s talking about miracle grow water soluble fert..(not a store)…(he just refered to a big box store cuz that’s where you usually buy it….)

[@charlieray2132]

😂 I came to the comments for this very question. Thank you!

[@beverlyr8152]

Excellent info, thank you. I've had good luck avoiding a few of those mistakes by using the Bootstrap Farner 2×2" little pots in their sectioned tray, instead of one big tray with cells. I can move around pots that sprout first, take them off heat mat, or need taller space from the lights. I prep the pots with regular potting mix in bottom half, and coco coir seedling mix in top half. So the seedlings get what they need after growing a little and I usually don't need to re-pot very many. Can't wait until it's planting time!!!

[@Gardencook5]

Great idea!

[@joemachismo6594]

I do pretty much the same thing(a little different on the soil mix) mainly to avoid having to re-pot.

[@markcarruthers3313]

I’m pretty sure I found THE EASIEST seed starting mistake to avoid. Exactly a week ago I planted five 4-cell containers with 4 colours of peppers & 1 with what was described as an “early pepper”. Four of the planters have germinated but the one with green sweet peppers had not and, 7 days later, I thought I should dig up the cells to see if there was any germination taking place, at all. Low & behold, it seems that I moved that particular 4-cell container from the planting area to a tray, BEFORE actually putting any seeds in it!! 🤦‍♂️ I think such a mistake can certainly be avoided!😂

[@DDGLJ]

Heh, I think we’re all guilty of something similar. 😄

[@flyfishdr]

Some peppers germinate way faster than others Anywhere from 5 days to 2.5 weeks 😮

[@Talula72]

Espoma makes great organic liquid fertilizers that work very well for seedlings. Half strength is the usual recommendation

[@wdfamily_027]

I use it too, great stuff!