Why Your Seeds NEVER Sprout. The Best Method To Start Vegetable Seeds

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Your thumbnail cracks me up 😅 🙌 ETA I love the way you illustrated your point with your sandwich seed/pass the parcel. I had no idea about soaking seeds! Genius! I can't wait to try that out. Cheers!

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

I knew about soaking sweet peas, but it honestly never occurred to me to soak any others! I'm going to soak some now!

[@geometricsprocket]

First good use of an Australian newspaper I have ever seen.

[@L_MD_]

Accurate

[@danapalmer3387]

If the print didn't come off it could still be used in the outhouse

[@ausfoodgarden]

I'm pretty sure the blue and pink colored seeds are sprayed with a fungicide to stop them from rotting. The main reason some of my seeds don't germinate is the packets say "best before 2013" 🤣 Some of them do still come up, I just start a lot more. Are you going to cover potting up and hardening off etc. in future videos? That's where I often struggle still. Cheers!

[@CulinaryGarden1]

Yeah I will definitely.

[@annac-lm8ci]

Thanks, that was really informative. I think what I find most confusing is that when you read the blurb on the website or on the packet they all say keep the seeds moist but not wet. So I never really know how much water to give them and have been paranoid about overwatering. Having said that, this is the first year I’ve direct sowed a heap of veg, kept up regular watering and they’re doing really well. I’m in the same council area as you, really enjoying the local content. Thanks! 😊

[@lozfozlks]

I can't believe I've never considered cutting up those 24 cell seed trays.... thank you so much for that tip!

[@CulinaryGarden1]

The 24 size is so impractical for the home gardener 😱

[@cmbooks2000]

I have always cut them into rows and even individual pots

[@Plethora_of_Paucity]

@@cmbooks2000Single cells are handy for transplanting but are less stable.

[@cmbooks2000]

@Plethora_of_Paucity yes. Everything depends on what you need to achieve. I do all kinds of wacky stuff gardening

[@MonkaMe15]

I love that you always make your educational content super fun and easy to understand, thank you!

[@Travelpossumstv1]

I've been growing veggies for 20 years and never had any problems with seed germination until the last few years. I use the same brands and pretty much the same potting mixes but now the germination rates are way down. Is the quality of the seeds getting worse. Once every bean I planted came up, now it's more like 50%. Some packets I have planted I've had not one seed grow! If it's not the seeds is it the potting mixes? A lot of commercial ones seem to have more twigs than soil now. Love your videos by the way!

[@juliemcgugan1244]

I had the same problem, after I moved homes. New home came with a water softening system. I thought it was just in the house and in an outdoor kitchen area. Seeds weren’t germinating, seedlings were failing; whole batches, not just odd ones, even ones kept in different conditions, due to different needs, would not germinate, but if they did, they didn’t last long. Even my fully established plants and trees began to struggle and I lost a few to disease. It wasn’t the disease that killed them, I came to find out, later…When doing some expansion on the irrigation system, we discovered that the pipes had been connected wrong! Some of the irrigation system had been connected to the water softening system in our garage, not to the main water source, coming from our municipality! Our plants had been getting stressed by the chemicals in the softened water! All that time and I thought that I must have been doing something wrong. Turns out that after watering my plants and seedlings with the water from the wrongly-connected water tap, the soil was being filled, more and more with chemicals! Pretty sure it this that was keeping my seeds from germinating and causing my plants slowly become weak and struggling.

[@davecannabis]

@@juliemcgugan1244 the water softening would most likely have to do with pH, if you test you phthat might give you a clue . too acid, add gardenlime

[@Plethora_of_Paucity]

Strictly rain water only!! It’s nature’s essence. Ionised rainwater even better, ie, ‘lightning treated’ ⛈️

[@juliemcgugan1244]

@@Plethora_of_Paucity I'd love to build a water catchment system, but lack the money for it, just now. Between April and November, this year, we had no rain whatsoever and our reservoirs dropped to less than 25% of their usual capacity. I am living in Paphos, Cyprus.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you lots of good information I’m a gardener in the Mojave desert, Southwestern portion of the United States 100+ degree days can last for months is not easy getting anything to grow and then you throw in Highwinds which will blow for weeks. I’m going to try soaking my seeds.

[@vudu5vudu]

Thanks for this. Raising seeds has been my weakness. And I believe heirloom is pronounced "airloom" =)

[@af2313]

I feel like he did that on purpose so that we would all comment 😂 he pronounced it properly once or twice 🤭

[@melaniebird984]

Can we all stop sewing 3 seeds in each cell? The germination rate if you do it right is so high these days it is just wasting viable seeds imo. 😊 I sow more cells than I need to allow for losses but not multiples in each cell anymore.

[@peterminzenmay5005]

Excellent my man just in time.

[@StuWNZ]

Very interesting video thanks . I've got raised beds like yours they work really well. I'm in NZ and it's a frustrating time of year for growing. Without a greenhouse it would be very hard to get ahead with seed growing. Hot one minute, southerly blast next minute😮

[@juliebrown1037]

Thanks for the video, found you just in time as I'm about to start square foot gardening

[@jennifermark1637]

my grandmother used to start her seeds on top of the fridge for the warmth

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

I did that, once. Guess what happened? I forgot they were there, they germinated and died from lack of water!

[@juliemcgugan1244]

Yep, out of sight, out of mind!

[@BigMatt120693]

Thanks Ryan, I'm a new gardener and my seedlings are going great, my Basil seeds are going well inside but the zucchini, eggplant and capsicum are not germinating yet, might be the 10 degree nights in NE Melbourne.

[@CulinaryGarden1]

Yeah in Vic about now (when we start getting high 20 degree days) is when you can really start starting seeds outside. I started my capsicum seeds in August and they're still really lagging because they need the heat. Started my zucchini seeds in sept (indoor on heat mat) and I'm getting about 2 zucchinis a week of it already.

[@johnbaumann3866]

Very useful, Thanks so much.

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

I never use the seed mix! 😅 I like using a good multipurpose 😅

[@carolc7160]

Fantastic I learnt something new today, I have been growing veggies for many, many years, Thank you

[@lionrider1446]

Great content. Could you do a review of preparing the garden bed in the second year after heavy use first year. How do I get I right and ready for next planting?

[@michaellloyd8594]

Now...the lawn!...Sometimes it ends up being both...the more fun one first...really great video. Good job. I run a gardening business & a depot but only sometimes get caught up having fun with seeds. I love the different shapes they're designed in, that affect how they fall, float, how deeply they hit etc. Every now & then, at the right time, I'll do a big seed collect from all sorts of flowering plants when done... You're helping a lot of people with a vid like this. Good job. Cheers from Sunny Melbourne...

[@rudbarnes8577]

Interesting and informative, as always. 👍👏Conventional wisdom says to sow seeds 2x their diameter deep and I've always tried to do that. Not so important?

[@Tamsins_Potager]

I would only add that if you want to buy Australian grown seeds, then you will need to do your research. A lot of big name seed companies import seeds 😢

[@davecannabis]

when i plant my favourite herb, (no prize for guessing which one) i like to soak them in warm water overnight, and you can tell the viable ones as they absorb water and sink (edit) this was written before you got to doing that in the video, ;-)

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

Lol. Do you think that's the same for all seeds? That the viable ones sink?

[@davecannabis]

@@thatswhatisaid8908 dunno about all but i know some do

[@hellegilbert3000]

Thanks for the gardening tips.

[@MortalBane]

Well timed video! Have a bunch of seeds coming up, but my heirloom corn did really really badly. Might have been a result of bad seeds, but could have been one of these issues.

[@zappy7393]

Great vid mate, up in QLD I dont think we really had a Spring this year...its been in the 30's since the start of October. Vermiculite also draws in water and releases it over time...kinda like a wicking bed.

[@jackiek4159]

Thanks for the tips! 🙌💚

[@BookHermit_au]

Thank you, this helps

[@davinasquirrel7672]

I believe it is a definite pre-soak for large/hard seeds. The tiny ones possibly not as critical.

[@VyvidVampyre]

I love your videos! I've been having trouble raising Angel Trumpet and Sacred Datura (d. innoxia and d. wrightii) from seeds, I've had none sprout at all, but my White-Carolina Reaper seeds are sprouting like crazy. Have you got any tips for Datura flowers??

[@Plethora_of_Paucity]

Hmm, interesting question. Might be the wrong channel but here goes. Crush the fresh flowers and simmer slowly in the saucepan with only enough water to prevent it from drying out. Well ventilated room. Drain the juice and set aside to cool. Add sugar and/or cordial concentrate to help mask the pungent taste. While blocking the nose, scull. Do not sip. Expect side effects including hallucinations 10x stronger than LSD, vivid images of past treasured memories which never happened will return, out-of-body experiences will endure for eons and the urge to fly will become the belief that you can. Avoid multi-storey balconies. Hope that helps. Godspeed on your spiritual journey.

[@YUYUith]

hi, thanks for sharing and the informative vid. I am from Melbourne, hve a quick question. the soaking in water method of seed - does that work well with tiny seeds like for flowering plants instead of say cucumber, melons? Thanks.

[@dollyperry3020]

Good video!

[@traceya4721]

After they have sprouted and go outside in the sun - then what? Do i need to bring them in at night until warmer? In NZ with similar climate to Melbourne

[@rudbarnes8577]

Too-high a temperature can also be a problem. Don't try planting lettuce seeds in Brisbane summer. Follow the planting times on the packet.

[@davinasquirrel7672]

Don't even try planting lettuce in Victorian summer, they will bolt in five seconds or less. I must figure out how to make a 'cool house'!

[@michelleadams1210]

Thanks Ryan, that is very informative. What do you recommend for sunflower seeds? I direct sowed in the ground with compost and mulch added, about 30 seeds. 2 sprouted and one of those died. So now I have ONE I am babying like there's no tomorrow. I still have some seeds but thought maybe I should start in punnets? I am near Mildura, so it's dry but nice weather, not too hot so far. I reckon they probably dried out a few times, but I was watering daily....

[@gypsy1111]

Sunflower seeds take alot longer than you think to grow. I grew up in that area.. Keep water on the area in the mornings and mulch. They'll push up through

[@gypsy1111]

Sunflowers will never reach their full potential height if you grow in punnet then transplant. You can still do it and it works so easy but they won't get as tall. Rule of thumb with sunflowers- the more you water the bigger they get 😊

[@michelleadams1210]

Thank you for your advice. I will try some more directly sown and water water water!!

[@derekhobbs1102]

I know a guy that would start his seeds on back seat of his car, plenty of sun and heat.

[@CulinaryGarden1]

That guy is living in 2050

[@lindahall4626]

Love this

[@downer4207]

Hair loom for the algorithm 😆

[@helenstewart2085]

Sieve some potting/compost into a container, fill your seedling container with normal what ever to 2.5 cm full then do a layer of the sieve mix, place seed on this, then a layer of vermiculite or if big seeds Curbits more sieve mix. Then place seed tray into a container of water for 30 minutes. You won't need to water for a while!!!

[@EveryoneWhoUsesThisTV]

I switched to cheap & simple sifted sand and coconut coir for a seedling mix and found no difference in seed success.... :) Clean sand and compost also works - 50/50 mix. I mostly use my perlite when planting things deep - to harbor extra oxygen.

[@StuWNZ]

I'll have to strat soaking my seeds first.

[@heartshapedisle]

What brand heat mat is that please? In southern Tasmania so really need one to help start seedlings inside. TIA

[@tminusnine4455]

This may be a stupid question but in Australia is summer determined by the seasonal temp or the calendar?

[@madcatjo]

What is that seed storage case and where can I get one??? 😻

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

I think he mentioned in another video its from kmart?

[@CulinaryGarden1]

Yeah it's a photo storage container from Kmart :)

[@johnclarkson-n6z]

great vidio i might be to late but hope not zinnia seeds planted most came up but next is the big problem get to aprox 10mm high then start to dey off still plenty of water but not to much so why is the big question your help if possible john tasmania

[@nicholasbrokling1508]

What about temperature, here in Mt Isa Qld our mid day temp gets to 40+ C, surely most seeds won't germinate at that temp?

[@blackrabbit8978]

So, what you are saying is, seeds were designed with a purpose by an amazing Creator.

[@Hello-kr8gj]

I don't know if it is an Australian thing but I have never heard someone pronounce heirloom as hairloom but that is a crazy mental picture although I guess so is airloom.

[@mrswobbles]

Hair loom haha. The H is silent ♥️👍❤️

[@pauljohnsontwonoviceangler6170]

Liked and subscribed

[@juliemcgugan1244]

I find it difficult to keep my seeds watered and not let them dry out. If I water them, I sometimes water them too much. But keeping them damp enough is a real struggle, no matter what I add to my soil; vermiculite, perlite, spagnum moss or cocopeat…they just always dry out unless I keep a dome over them. But if I do cover them, then I can’t keep them in a place bright enough and they end up leggy. If I put them outside, the sun is too much and the sun begins to heat the whole thing up. At this stage, it’s starting to feel like I can’t win, no matter what I try.

[@BlueGHL]

I love your videos, but please for the love of all that is true and good: it’s “air-loom” not “hair-loom.” I’m usually quite chill about this sort of thing but for some reason my brain really needed something to be said today.

[@timhaynes739]

What happened to our follow along garden?

[@OMGrobloxandweird]

heirppm types have more nutrition and avoid f1 unless old types

[@mgjsmith77]

Some seeds do need sunlight to germinate.

[@CulinaryGarden1]

Yeah a lot of ornamentals need sunlight to germinate but basically no vegetables (which is what this video focuses on). There's celery & some herbs and that's about it 😁

[@mgjsmith77]

spot on, also lettuce requires light to germinate.

[@friend7897]

New garderners beware. 14:39 .. you will totally flush your seeds this way. Use a spray bottle instead😊

[@CulinaryGarden1]

Yeah i just tried to make it dramatic for the video. If you can just bottom water them

[@annettepearce1690]

👍 🥦

[@rise4329]

10 degrees?! F or C?....

[@juliemcgugan1244]

C, not F. 😆

[@davecannabis]

i hate to be a nit picker but the "H" in heirloom is silent

[@tdub5776]

Then don’t be a nit picker if you hate it! There’s no need for it and no one will applaud you for it!

[@sicksixty6]

I like being a nitpicker and Dave is right. It’s a silent H. Language is important and if we all have our own words for everything then why have language at all.

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Yep, same as in Chardonnay 😏

[@gothic_oma]

I believe the Brits and Australians pronounce the "h", just like they do for "herbs".

[@michaelcooney7687]

Honestly?…🤣🤣💝😎

[@moiraslater8526]

A lot of conola varieties are GMO

[@iantaylor5292]

canola is GMO Rape. There is no such thing as a canola plant.

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Yeah but canola is a commercial oilseed ag crop, not typically grown by home gardeners.

[@GrettaGolubic]

I was keen to watch, but too many ads

[@thecraigcliff]

You lost me at hair-loom 😂

[@Pr0fBruce]

Below is the UK transcription for 'heirloom': Modern IPA: ɛ́ːlʉwm Traditional IPA: ˈeəluːm 2 syllables: "AIR" + "loom"

[@MrLouithefly]

Dumb question, aren't orange carrots genetically modified?

[@CulinaryGarden1]

They were turned orange though selective breeding, very different to altering the DNA of a species.

[@MrLouithefly]

@CulinaryGarden1 ahh okay thank you, that's where my lack of horticulture knowledge starts to show it's ugly head haha

[@rudbarnes8577]

You;'re right that the original carrots were white or purple when they got to the Netherlands, but plants always have some variability. Farmers selected increasingly orange carrots and planting them for whatever reason. It's just Darwinian evolution with humans deciding what's fittest to survive. Look up the wild forms of wheat, corn and strawberries.

[@thebackyardbrewer5611]

Hair loom seeds and almost always old varieties that produce true to type seeds when they flower. Hair looms always produce true to type whereas F1 will not produce true to type seeds but will rather produce seeds of one of the original crossed varieties. I think everytime you say hair loom you should cut in a 1/4 second clip of an of a guy with a mullet and an old loom, that would be funny! On another note ive had terrible germination rates with corn seed from bunnings this year, the packs are in date but they all have heaps of micro punctures from the sharp seed which i think may contribute but im not sure, its probably just rubbish seed

[@-Scotty]

Cause the seeds are too old.

[@EricaNernie]

Don't pronounce the "h" in "heirloom"!!!!

[@UniversalSovereignCitizen]

Really... you took a quarter of an hour to tell us so simple a thing. The info is sound, but you just make too much of it. (Sound. Yes I know you got it, you are obviously astute. But not all are...so how about keeping it simple also.) Are you considering peoples data allowance?

[@1MoreL1E]

Is soaking in warm water still a good idea/recommended for super tiny seeds like spring onion? I've just been direct sowing them but feel like my germination rate could definitely be improved.

[@ginaradovic7446]

🌹🌹❤️❤️🦘🐨