Seed Starting: Problems and Solutions

I hope you've enjoyed our series on seed starting.  I just ordered my last batch of seeds, some new plants for our butterfly habitat.  I've also got to get some of my early spring bloomers started this weekend, such as English primrose.  This is the time of year when I stave off the winter blues by peering at my little seed trays every day, hoping for a green shoot or two to brighten the day!

Today, I'll respond to questions I've been asked over the years about seed starting, highlighting problems and potential causes and solutions. The good news is that organic gardeners experience no more seed startling problems (in my own personal experience and from working at a garden center for several years, when I answered customer questions) than conventional gardeners when it comes to seed starting.  In fact, those starting seeds with organic gardening methods often have better success in the long run than those who douse their seeds with chemical fertilizers early on in their life cycles.

Without further ado, let's begin our Q & A session on seed starting problems and solutions.


I planted my seeds, but they haven't come up yet. Is something wrong?

First, check the seed package or if you've thrown it out, do an online search and find the same exact variety that you're starting. Does it say how many "days to germination?" This is the approximate time it takes from the day you plant the seeds to the day they start to sprout. Some plants have a long germination period of up to three weeks. Always check that first. It may be that your little plants are taking a tad bit longer than you thought they would.

If it's well past the germination date, two things immediately come to mind. Is the area at the right temperature? Some seeds like it cool to sprout while others need a bit of heat. That information should be on the seed package too. A simple thermometer kept near your seed starting area will give you all the advice you need. I raise my seeds in my basement, which is very cool year round.  The seeds often get off to a slower start. You can use electrical heating mats to raise the temperature, but the eco-friendly angel sitting on my shoulder and whispering conservation advice hates even that bit of electrical spending.  I just wait a bit longer.

Another reason I've seen for seeds not coming up is ignoring the planting instructions on the package and either covering seeds too deeply with soil, or not at all.  Each seed has its own requirements. Some seeds prefer light to germinate and are sprinkled on top of the soil. Think of grass seed – you never till that into the soil, right? You just sprinkle it on top of the ground, water and wait. Lettuce is like that. It prefers to be on top of the soil or just lightly patted in. Conversely, vining crop such as cucumbers and melons do prefer to have their seeds planted into the soil. Always follow package directions.


There's white or green stuff growing on top of the soil. What is it, and will it harm my plants?

Fuzzy white stuff is mold or fungi. Green stuff is algae. Both indicate that the conditions are too damp. If you have a plastic bag over the seed starting tray or one of those clear plastic domes, remove it and let the soil dry out between watering. Neither will harm the seedlings, but too much water can kill seedlings.


My seedlings came up fine, but suddenly toppled over. Some appeared bitten off or broken at the soil line. What happened?

This may be caused by dampening-off, a catch all term for diseases caused by soil bacteria or fungi. Usually this happens when gardeners take soil from their outdoor garden to start seeds, but it can happen anytime. You'll need to start over, I'm afraid. Use different soil and wash out the pots or trays using a water and mild bleach solution, then rinse well to get all the solution off. 


All my seeds came up, but I've got a gigantic clump in one cell of the seed tray and nothing in others. Help!

This happened because when you put the seeds in the tray, a bunch spilled out of the seed packet. They came up in a big clump. You can try to tease out some and replant them, but most of the time this doesn't work. Just pick out the extras and discard.  If you find this happens a lot, consider buying seed tape instead of a package of seed. A seed tape is a paper tape that's planted right into the garden. Seeds are affixed to the tape in regularly spaced and proper intervals. For tiny seeds, seed tapes can help a lot.


Do you have a gardening question? Email Jeanne at jeannegrunert@dishmail.net

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About the Author
Jeanne Grunert is a writer and marketing consultant who moved from New York City to a 17 acre organic farm in rural Virginia. She writes about gardening, health and raw foods for many publications, and her gardening book, Get Your Hands Dirty – A Beginner's Guide to Gardening, is available from her website, http://sevenoaksconsulting.com/GetYourHandsDirty.aspx  

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Written by:  Jeanne Grunert
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