The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To STARTING SEEDS Indoors

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoyed this video, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 Why You Should Grow Plants From Seed 1:21 The Best Plants To Start Indoors From Seed 3:16 Seed Starting Supplies For Transplants 4:27 Prepping Seed Starting Trays 7:20 How To Sow Seeds In Seedling Trays 12:22 How To Use Seedling Heat Mats 16:12 Seed Germination Results 17:38 Adventures With Dale

[@michaelsreviews]

Great video. I subscribed to help your channel grow. 👍🙂👍

[@nerotoxen]

Great video! Excellent editing, clear voice, no cheesy music, camera wasn't on you 24/7. Thank you for posting this informative video dude!! Keep up the good work!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped you.

[@CustomCroshae]

Thank you for the step by step and product showing in this video. Starting try To start a garden with not much of a green thumb so this is much appreciated

[@joannc147]

Perfect seed starting video for beginners! ❤ You are a clear and concise teacher….well done! I like your “prep” shots on what is needed, but oops, didn’t mention the drip-proof tray under the seed tray. Last year was my first time starting veg seed and I did very well indeed. The humidity dome did what was needed. My BIG mistake was not being aware of various germination rates, ugh. Slow-to-start next to 1” tall. You showed that issue very well in your video. I pre-dampened my starter mix before filling the tray and found that worked a bit easier for me. Well, didn’t have that nifty watering can so I had to “make do”! 🤣

[@justincase1152]

Juat as I was going to get on YT to scroll bavk to some of your videos on seed starting, this came up on my notifications. Perfect timing!@ thank you for the info. Ordering heat mats to get started

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad to be timely 🙂 Heat mats are a game changer!

[@didierchapelot5671]

I love as you explain simply and clearly things. Being not fluent English speaker, it's great to understand everything. And your gesture is precise and inspiring.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I'm happy to hear the videos are helpful.

[@teenagardner3623]

I've been following your channel for so long now I can't remember when I started, lol. I still enjoy everyone and always get great tips or reminders. I always wait to see Dale as well. 😊 he is such a love

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for your support! I really appreciate it!

[@bellaviolet6236]

Great video, great info! Learned so much! I'd like to add for beginners like me, that when using grow lights, place them a couple inches from the seedling to prevent them from getting leggy. I somehow missed that in my research and learned that last year with my first attempt at growing from seed. lol

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I also recommend setting an oscillating fan and running it 2 hours a day. It simulates a breeze and thickens them up and also prevents damping off disease. Don't run it more than a couple hours a day, though, and keep it oscillating, not blowing straight.

[@leendaroberto]

Great informative video. Got my trays out today and you reminded me of the heat mats. Love the chopstick idea. Dale is such a smart boy! Thank you for all of the help.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad it was helpful! Dale says hello 🐶

[@joannc147]

Yeah, that chopstick tactic is quietly brilliant. I’ve used a pencil as a dibber……gosh, chopstick for individual seeds….👍🏻

[@BettyFL]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@tnfishkeeper2]

Getting anxious for the new year! :) I learned from this video, I was pushing the soil to firm in the cell.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's time to get started!

[@sonnysome3201]

Loved this one! Very clear instructions, thank you for that. I have good success with parsley with surface sow. Just moisten the surface and cover with a hood. It needs loads of light to germinate.

[@MistressOnyaCox]

❤🚨 onions, leaks and lemon grass make great companion pants to keep pest off fruit trees and other plans. Direct sew seeds around all new plantings it looks cute and keeps bugs away🎉 happy gardening

[@lovelearn5158]

Beginner gardener here, very much appreciating your teaching of these skills. Thanks 😊 😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're very welcome!

[@raynichol8959]

Brilliant video! Love the chopstick trick. Do you have a link for your watering can? How do you like it and does it pour well and not leak? How much water does it hold and is the opening large enough to fill easily? Happy new year to you and all your loved ones. I try to watch everyone of your videos. I’ve learned a lot. Thank you. Great job. 👍👍👍 Cheers. 🥂

[@JenniferBritton-bi6is]

My mom has the same one. She got it at Walmart.

[@MrSBGames]

Oooh it is that time of year again! Have a great growing season everybody!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Starting the new year with sowing seeds is starting the new year on the right foot!

[@YourGardenGal]

I’ve been growing pomegranate seeds in my room. Planted 26 seeds so far 8 are growing!!!

[@MrsB197something]

Thanks you too

[@ToddSmithPartners]

Happy New Year, great information on starting seeds indoors. Here in the Atlanta area I’ve been following you for the past few years. Always informative. Keep up the good work. I received a greenhouse for Christmas. When can I begin utilizing my greenhouse for my seeds starting campaign?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad to hear the videos are helpful. Our climates are very similar, so dates and varieties should work out about the same. Congrats on the greenhouse! You can use your greenhouse immediately, but depending on the type, please be aware it may not hold in warmth at night. If it's a small hobby greenhouse, they usually only warm up during the day and lose 100% of all warmth at night, so if it falls below freezing, anything freeze sensitive left inside will be killed. When I used an inexpensive pop-up greenhouse, I carried my seedlings into it during the day and carried them back inside at night when it was going to freeze.

[@ToddSmithPartners]

Yes our climates are very similar. Thanks for your advice. Will be touching base very soon.

[@muhammadahmed9402]

Love your videos. Thanks for inspiring me to start gardening.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m so happy to hear that!! Nothing makes me happier than knowing the videos are inspiring!

[@MrsB197something]

Ive got chopsticks and i didnt think of that Thank You i will try this as i tend to only put 1 seed and then get heartbroken when they dont come up. Also i put my seedlings out too early last year and they gor stunted so not taking aby chances this year. Love you channel and i appreciate all your wisdom😊

[@lenorabearer5764]

Wow, that Dale's food looks good enough for dinner, for sure 😂 What a lucky dog!

[@roberthutchison8416]

Really good information thanks so much. Ive made so many mistakes and this explains them. Peace.

[@coscar2]

Thank you for the video! Super helpful. Can’t wait to plant in the garden! 🌱☀️

[@Motherofbullies]

I don’t think anyone was wondering about your apparent oversized heating mat good info tho!❤

[@bch9124]

This was like fifth grade basic. I needed that. 😂 Thank you.

[@AkSonya1010]

Only problem I see, you did the seed starting soil dry. For years I couldn't figure out why I had such a hard time getting seeds to start. Now that I make sure my soil is moist first, before adding to my trays it makes a huge difference. Thank you for the tip on the oil marker, that makes a lot of sense.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The soil was per-moistened before I placed the seed as shown in the video. Wetting the mix before you place it into the cells makes a big mess, and if you moisten too much soil, it can sour and you'll waste it. It's good to keep the mix dry as shown when placing it in your cells, then you add water, let it soak in, then you add the seeds.

[@AkSonya1010]

@@TheMillennialGardener I think this is an area that we are going to have to disagree. 😊 If my soil is “moist” I have a night & day difference on my seeds germinating & I personally don’t have a problem with it being messy. That’s the beauty of sharing ideas. Different things work for different folks. Happy growing in 2024 ❤

[@williamwoodhouse5711]

Great video, as usual. I live up the road from you, in the Topsail area. Do you have a calendar for our frost dates and when what can be transplanted / seeded outside and a correlation with reverse countdowns for starting seeds indoors per category of vegetable? I'm sure you do it accurately from memory, but I reinvent the wheel every year, and often it comes out a triangle.

[@simplyice7283]

I'm in onslow county. I use the nc garden extension calendar.

[@kirsten7152]

Do you have a video describing soil temperatures required for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants?

[@NeboAllen]

Love the chopstick trick!😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It works great!

[@bxw2721]

Wow, I found a new use for my chopsticks! Thank you for sharing.😂

[@georgelowellohhdgg63nnd96]

Where do you find the ideal germination temp for a seed?

[@debbierhode6291]

I absolutely love your videos! So we'll done, informative and enjoyable! I have been growing for years, sometimes major successes and others major failures, but I love watching your videos to get me excited about the upcoming year!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m so happy to hear that! Nothing makes me happier than knowing the videos are inspiring folks to grow.

[@v4riab1lity77]

If dirt ever becomes more expensive than “dirt cheap” idek man 😟

[@YodaWhat]

*HOW BRIGHT should the seedling grow lights be?* You actually want much more light than typical the 1000 to 2500 Lumens, because dim light makes plants get 'leggy', as was stated. If the light from your bulbs or fixtures spreads out to just cover an area of 1 square meter (10.76 square feet), then you want about 10,000 Lumens. In that setup, those lights will provide an _illuminance_ of 10,000 Lux, equivalent to a sunny day with a few scattered clouds reflecting some light down to the ground. Full, direct sun is 10 times that bright. An overcast day provides an _illuminance_ of about 1,000 Lux, a mere 1% of full solar intensity.

[@davidcray4037]

Great information.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks!

[@mariap.894]

You have a good chopstick. I have the bamboo kind with a wide tip😔 Love for Daaale!!❤🐕❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I recommend getting a set with a pointy tip. Mine are probably 12 years old and I use them to sow seeds and make cold brew coffee 😂

[@etchman224]

Really enjoy your content, and it keeps getting better. Your angles and editing are noteworthy. Question: Why did you use watering can that can move seeds instead of sprayer? I haven't had luck with large streams as much as the spray. I don't start enough to know which is better. Thank you brother

[@PlantsFood4]

Thank you for the chopstick trick!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re very welcome!

[@GabrielleFontaine]

Excellent video! I learned two new tricks (and I've been starting seeds for years) - the Sharpie distinction and the chopstick trick - brilliant! Thank you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Those oil based Sharpies last, literally, 10x longer than the water based markers.

[@thefoodiesjourney1249]

Hello, I’m new to the channel, new to SC and also new “gardener” 😂 I have a very leggy problem with my broccoli (3 weeks old” because I didn’t know that that was a bad thing 😢 Any recommendations???? They’re 4-5 inches long but the leaves are really tiny baby leaves.

[@Gardeningchristine]

Bought some mint in the vegetable department of my grocery store, split the 2 plants then trimmed 6 stems for vegetative🌱propagation🪴

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Be careful with mint. It can take over an area. If you want to keep it contained, you may want to put it in a large pot.

[@Gardeningchristine]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks for the excellent advice. I already have a couple pots of mint and will probably pot these up as well!

[@Firevine]

You're doomed. Mint is Kudzu's fantastic smelling cousin.

[@Gardeningchristine]

@@Firevine 🤣I’ve had 2 pots of mint for a couple years and they haven’t escaped. I usually trim them before they flower so in pots they should be fine.

[@MadMusic26]

@@TheMillennialGardenerit definitely can. I have no idea how it got into my backyard. (Maybe a bird? It’s surrounded by a huge block wall) But about a quarter of the yard it solid mint now.

[@latriciablakey8752]

Morning. You used a heating pad. But can you use the same steps if you are using a heating lamp. Does it make a difference?

[@celinevanneste1634]

A question regarding condensation in the seed trays in the first 2-3 days: should we remove the covers all together to let the excess water evaporate, or just open the valves?

[@paulf1177]

You said that you tape your seed packets, does that mean that you are able to use them next year?

[@lucasfaulkenberry1359]

Yo man! Local Wilmington native starting my first garden. Your videos are super helpful and relevant given your location. I just got my first seeds started thanks to this video. Keep up the great work!

[@lsardin1973]

Do you move them to bigger containers again before transplanting outside???

[@geoffdandrews]

Hi! great video, thanks! When you move the seedlings to the grow lamp or direct sunlight, are you also removing them from the heated grow mat? Or, do you leave them on the heated grow mat while they are in sunlight/grow lamp? thanks!

[@JanetAFL]

I’m in Zone 6a in Colorado. I suppose my indoor planting date for broccoli and cauliflower would be later than yours?

[@jennifergould2715]

I like your chopstick trick. I also learned something new regarding the reason for not direct sowing onions into the garden. I start them inside anyway because of my short growing season but I did try succession planting onion seeds by direct sowing last year and nothing came up! I reseeded like 4x. Makes sense now 🧅

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Onions can be direct sown, but it would be challenging. You need good conditions and gentle weather. Glad the video was helpful!

[@mootoochunasamy389]

One tomato plant for $8.00 from burpee

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's absurd! Or, grow 25 of them yourself for $5. The choice is clear, at least to me.

[@mariap.894]

I use the seeds from whatever I buy in the supermarket or whatever pops up from the compost, works out great!!!❤

[@VizardKusa]

​@@mariap.894 Most of the time, those are hybrids, and what just sprouted is not the same plant. It's a parent plant that's closely related to the original fruit's plant in a hybrid's case.

[@VizardKusa]

My tomato plants from Burpee were $25 each this year, lol. They were about 10-12 weeks old.

[@jadacaniford7300]

Thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@themyersfamily942]

I love how you speak at just the right pace! I hate lonnnng videos that you have to keep forwarding.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@prissypacheco2860]

Very informative video! Lots of love involved in your gardening.. ❤️💙🤍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@FosterFarmsOk]

Next to my greenhouse and grwoing lettuces insdoors Seed starting is some of the best therapy I can have in the middle of this winter depression.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Absolutely. With the holidays over, there isn't much to look forward to in the short term. Starting seeds is the thing that makes me feel like spring is coming!

[@chadswife6226]

Beginner seed starter here ...once they germinate and its time to move them into direct sun- do you still keep them on the heat mats too? THANK U SOO MUCH !!! :)😀

[@TheMillennialGardener]

No. I use the heat mats for germination only. Once they germinate, I don't use bottom heat anymore. Too warm of soil can make them thin, leggy and too tall. You actually want strong light and cooler temps after they germinate, because that will lead to shorter, stockier, stronger seedlings.

[@chadswife6226]

when you say cooler ;) - how cool are you thinking ?@@TheMillennialGardener

[@stephenclausen3494]

@TheMillennialGardener - How do you water? Do you fill the bottom tray or mist/spray to tops?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I just top water as needed, usually. Some of my trays have drain holes, so they cannot be bottom watered.

[@MK-ti2oo]

I use a chopstick too but wooden shish kabob skewers work great as well. China marker oil pens work great to write on tags and wipe off with a magic eraser. I think a fine mist sprayer works much better for watering in after placing seeds but I also generally dampen my mix just slightly to negate the hydrophobic properties (not even quite damp sponge consistency). I think my seed tends to move around a lot of the mix is dry then I add water, especially in stream form at all.

[@lispottable]

Do you ever have trouble with fungus gnats ?

[@addictionlures4122]

I'm west of winston salem in zone 7b. Should I delay my seed sowing from the date you sow yours? If so, how many weeks? Just found your channel recently, and its about all I watch now! Great work fella!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It depends what you’re sowing. Frost tolerant crops, probably not. Tomatoes and peppers, probably delay them 2 weeks.

[@anniebancroft1175]

That SMART DALE!! I just loved watching him hit that button to get his supper, which looks terrific. Thank you for sharing your recipe! I started making my own dogfood, too. After watching you use a chopstick for seed planting, I have to get one.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's incredible how quickly he's learned how to use them. Cooking your dog's food has been a revelation. Dale is so healthy. But, you need to be careful. Don't use over the counter chicken broth because of all the salt and spices, don't use meat that is too fatty, be careful that the vegetables are safe for dogs, etc. Lots of "healthy" things for us are not healthy for them. We won't even use long grain rice, because it's enriched with artificial vitamins. We buy jasmine rice, because it's only rice, no enrichment.

[@suzanneseely7167]

Thank you for this great instructional video. I have wanted to start my own seeds for some time but was hesitant because I wasn’t sure how to do it. Now I feel empowered and will give it a try. Where can I find a guide to which plants need which temperature to germinate?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad the video was helpful! The best way, honestly, is to just google it. Example: "Temperature for broccoli germination." A good rule is that frost sensitive plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, etc. want warm soil temperatures in the 75-85 degree range, and cool crops like broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, etc. like room temperatures in the 70-75 degree range. Something like SUPER HOT peppers are the exception. They like it hot with 80-90 degree soil temps.

[@TravisTarver60]

Awesome! So ready! Some of my seeds out for delivery now. Need more Dwarf tomato videos. Hardy anything out there besides yours which I’ve watched repeatedly 👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

One of my orders just shipped, too! Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are on their way! I recommend looking at Victory Seeds for Dwarf Tomato Project varieties. They have the best selection.

[@sueoneil3689]

Do you have to harden off colder season transplants that you start inside? 0:02

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Yes. Unfiltered sunlight will kill transplants grown under artificial light if you give them too much at once.

[@AnnAthey-d6h]

Great video, what distance should i place my LED seedlings lights from the plants?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

As closely as you can without burning anything. Raise them as needed.

[@andreacastelli6296]

Newbie here.. Mine are getting leggy so this is great! 2 questions if anyone can help 1) Do I direct plant after this or plant into a larger container before putting in garden. 2) what to do if some white mildewy/moldy stuff starts to appear on the top of soil. Do i have to toss everything? Thank you fellow gardeners. I aspire to one day know a fraction of what you all know!

[@turntablesrockmyworld9315]

Good questions that I have as well! Can anyone help? But what does "leggy" mean? It's confusing because one of my seed packets assumes you are seeding in a large pot and then transferring to one of these pod things. Almost feel like giving up lol

[@MarjorieGeiser]

I have a question; I planted seeds for my peppers and tomatoes, as well as the onions, broccoli and cauliflower. The onions, broccoli and cauliflower are all sprouting nicely. But the peppers and tomatoes are not. I planted them on March 5, and it's now March 27. It's been snowing and freezing, but I have them on a heat mat and under grow lights. My question is this: Should I continue to wait them out, or should I just start new seeds? It's still cold here - 24 degrees this morning - and I won't be planting most things in the ground until after Mother's Day.

[@paulasiefert2059]

This is great information. I must admit that I used those types of trays for starting my seeds,then made a total disaster of them while trying to move them to a larger container until they were ready to go into the ground. Do you have any suggestions for me? Living in SE Pennsylvania, we have to hold off planting outside.

[@jimoyler1780]

My seed starting mix gets crusted over. I do use heat mats. I wonder if it's baking the mix. Any thoughts? Thank you

[@kristen_jackson]

So glad I happened upon your channel. Local South Carolinian so not far down the road. I can't wait to get my seeds started. I love the chopstick trick. Genius!

[@bakhtiyarkarimov6738]

I just started tomatoes. My kit comes with little led lights. Can anybody tell me if I should keep them on at night? Thanks

[@firemedic-86]

Do you have a link to the oversized heat mat?

[@bradleysimpson9819]

I have a few 4ft 6 bulb t5 lights and I usually have great success. This year I received some really crappy potting soil that was like mud and totally ruined by streak of luck lol. No biggie just start over.

[@Gonzalo_M]

Great video! :D It would be nice to have an update later one! And thanks for all the valuable information. Very helpful! :D

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m sure I will as things progress. I usually have some transplanting content each season.

[@Gonzalo_M]

@@TheMillennialGardener Nice! Thanks for that! :D

[@tlotlosenai7304]

There are less videos on growing fruits rather than vegetables from seeds. Same principle?

[@DrumPeearl]

Hi! My wife did the exact same process as what you've shown in your video. Seeds start growing and we can see the plants growing but they die right after. Any idea of what's going?

[@v4riab1lity77]

Yielded FOUR fcking seeds breakin down enough for just ONE blunt so I took it as a sign 😭 hi feds 👋🏽

[@aimeepeppel9350]

Hi! Can you recommend heat lights?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

See this video on my system here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmLVo3uibdSGgLssi=xvBJfcJ8ZaKfuYhV

[@freemovies4638]

Hi I love planting vegetables but I have not done any in my life do you offer classes or do you know anyone who offers hands on classes for beginners in Hawthrone California? Please let me know thank you

[@crazibeautiiful]

Best and most helpful gardening video for a beginner like me!! Thank you

[@jodyhoughton7341]

Uhg so frustrated I get the seeds to sprout but they die or stop growing after I pot up.

[@adriansutton6880]

When you have multiple germinations in one cell is it best to try to separate them and replant or just clip the extras. I hate to see any of them go to waste but if its harmful to separate ill just have to do what I have to do. (Specifically tomatoes and peppers)

[@LawnNOrder]

New subscriber here. I appreciate the knowledge. I’m extremely new to Gardening. Where can I find the right temperatures to plant vegetables

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks! If you want to be precise, you can simply google it. “Ideal broccoli germination temperature.” “Ideal tomato germination temperature.” Etc. However, a general rule is your cool weather, frost tolerant plants germinate best around 70-75°F and your warm weather plants germinate best around 80-85°F. Really heat loving things like hot peppers, cucumbers, squashes and melons can go all the way to 85-90°F for fastest results.

[@Jennifer-gu4yv]

I have found the best way to water after planting the seeds in the cells and up to transplanting in the garden is to use a turkey baster. You can easily limit how much force you use in adding the water to the cells.

[@JM.TheComposer]

Honestly the best thing is bottom watering. The first time, before adding the seeds to the cells, it might take some hours to fully hydrate. Bottom-watering during the seedling stage is best because it keeps the top of the soil dry, discouraging fungus and fungus gnats. And it encourages the roots to go down and get the water, rather than staying shallow and going for surface water.

[@denivolkoff6118]

At what point do you move the seedlings to a larger nursery pot? How many times do you move them into larger pots before planting them outside?

[@andrewharmon9873]

Silly question. Do you not like hot, ,, Scorpion/ higher peppers. That fine Thai pepper. 😊 When will you get into this hot hobby. Do you not like this hobby or are these plants so area prone that your garden cannot hold them

[@mattparker7985]

Would it be too late to start these types of vegetables?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That depends where you live. It's entirely based on your climate. The higher your latitude, the longer you can grow them.

[@mary1973tx]

if seedlings start to grow a little fungus do you have to throw them out? or what do you do? thanks 🙂🌻

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I've mixed 3% hydrogen peroxide with water and sprayed the soil. But you have to be careful, because too much hydrogen peroxide can burn the seedlings. I've used 8 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon water with some success, but always test spray and never spray in the sunlight. Also, verify it is 3% hydrogen peroxide. Stronger concentrations will burn them up.

[@kimf.5409]

Thanks for an in-depth video! I feel I can do better this year.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@lauracoover3738]

Great video, very clear. I'm far from a beginner but have had some problems starting seed. I like the peat pot 6-packs but I think I might be overwatering them because they tend to dry out quickly. Any tips?

[@JM.TheComposer]

Peat pots always have watering issues because the peat itself heavily retains water. Better to use reusable plastic pots.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

When you say peat pot, do you mean you buy individual peat pellets, or you are buying those pre-made biodegradable flower pots? I don't have experience with the latter. I build my own peat pellet stations using the following two items: Pellet Greenhouses: amzn.to/3NO89pY 42mm pellets: amzn.to/3S58yG7 The greenhouses are very heavy duty and outstanding quality. The peat rings hold multiple sizes of pellets. The standard peat pellets sold in-stores are 36mm. I do not use that size anymore. I now only use the 42mm size. The 42mm size is vastly superior and maintains more even moisture for longer. I've never had an issue with them drying out too quickly. I'm guessing either you're putting them under fluorescent grow lights very closely that are drying them out too quickly, or the pellets are too small relative to the size of your seedlings. LED grow lights don't dry out the mix like the fluorescent lights do, because they don't give off all that heat. I'm not having any issues with these pellets. They're awesome. Please note the links I provided above are Amazon affiliate links from my Amazon store, where I have these items listed. If you choose to use them, I would receive a small commission at no cost to you.

[@caitlincausey]

Question - even though not all the seedlings in your video germinated under the humidity dome will they still germinate when you put them under the grow light or in natural light?

[@joealta3450]

I can't wait to see your setup given everything you figured figured out last season..... Let the games begin!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm going to try my best! Lots of fruit trees are coming in this year.

[@patkrueger7353]

Thanks for this info. We in parts of Pa are expecting a snow storm Saturday and Sunday. My earliest outsde planting is maybe March around the 17th for peas etc. happy New year 🎊. Dale is really cute! Love dogs. They love you back unconditionally.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

There looks to be a parade of storms that are going to pass through Central PA. The next 14-days look to have 3-4 storms passing right through the Harrisburg/State College area. If you're central to the state, be prepared.

[@chadswife6226]

@@TheMillennialGardener Central Pa girl here too -gotta love the snow :) ..You have definitely made me feel a little more confident in my beginner gardening skills ! THANKS SO MUCH !!!

[@nickterramagra7756]

I have a question, do you need any light at all before they germinate or is darkness ok?

[@alanroman6616]

10 days later and virtually all my seeds have sprouted. I think the real trick was soaking the seeds for 5 minutes in a 50/50 MIX of Hydrogen Peroxide and filtered water. 90% germination. Now that they have sprouted and are going crazy, Do I turn the heating pads off and allow them to continue to grow slowly?

[@CustomCroshae]

Which one is the blue mat is that the first link also do you keep the holes open the whole time

[@joealta3450]

@TheMillennialGardener - Every single time I've started seed indoors with a dome, despite using sterilized mix and a clean tray with the vent open... I get mould on the surface of the mix. Generally I need to remove the dome to let it breath. Do you ever have similar issues?

[@kutmulc]

how long do you leave it on? once things begin to sprout, keep the dome off

[@joealta3450]

@@kutmulc The mould begins in days.... long before the seeds sprout. I don't dome anymore because of this.

[@markcarruthers3313]

It appears that you have not moistened the seed starting mix, before putting in the tray, rather than putting water on it, in the tray. Certainly you do not want to make the mix too moist, whether moistened before putting in the tray or after putting the dry seeding mix in the tray.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

This is discussed in the video. I explain why I moistened after placing the mix.

[@markcarruthers3313]

@@TheMillennialGardener I guess I am going to have to rewatch the video, as I obviously missed that.

[@markcarruthers3313]

@@TheMillennialGardener You don’t mention why not pre-moistening the seeding soil, but it seems the purpose of putting the dry seeding mix in and then moistening/watering it after is to have it shrink down the desired quarter inch or so, into the cell, to provide room on top of what has been put into the cell initially where the seed(s) is/are being placed. I understand your approach but your video is the first I’ve seen on starting seeds that has not mentioned moistening the seed starting mix, first. For 4-cell containers, I would think one might find the seeding mix settles more than a quarter inch, doing this. Whatever works. Thanks.

[@melissahughes2652]

Great info!! What about sunlight?

[@sylvia10101]

Such great information and very helpful..all the time! 😊👍👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I can help.

[@amberjay5361]

When they start to sprout are we suppose to move them off the heating pads to lights? Or put lights on top of them on the heating mats? Thank you so much!

[@renel7303]

In the video he said move them.

[@siphilipe]

Sorry but it’s my big disappointment about gardening in N.C. Summer 100 degrees and winter 20. Not really a good place to garden. And by the way, I see now why the state is limited to corn, tobacco, and cotton only.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You don't have to deal with those conditions as a gardener. Put up shade cloth in the summer and agricultural fabric in the winter. Problem solved. Most commercial produce is grown inside large greenhouses for this reason. Not many crops are grown out in the open. As a backyard gardener, it's very easy to put hoops over your beds. Never deal with the open conditions. You should almost always be growing under some kind of shade cloth, row cover or insect netting.