This year I decided to brave a new frontier in gardening.
Planting from seeds.
I have to be honest, folks. I am not feeling very optimistic.
Despite frequent watering, singing, undying devotion, and a heat pad, not all of my seedlings are making it.
This is all made worse by me visiting my neighbor who is in on the operation. Her seedlings are thriving. I think they actually grew a few centimeters while I was there.
Here is what I learned so far:
- Keep these little guys warm but don’t scorch them. I was keeping my trays in direct sunlight and on warming trays. They were wilting, despite twice a day waterings.
- Twice a day waterings may be too much.
- Singing doesn’t help.
- Have some patience. I was convinced I drowned my tomato seedlings the first week. So in proper Badger Girl fashion, I went back to the gardening store and bought more seeds (basil, peppers, and tomatoes). I replanted my trays and was so excited when I saw little plants emerge in the following days. Then I realized my basil plants looked suspiciously identical to my tomato plants….Ooops.
- Stay positive. Some of my seedlings are doing well.
And, most importantly, Manatee’s spinach is thriving.
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Any tips for growing from seed? What are you planting this summer?
