Seeds to Deep

KF5IWR 4/9/2012, 1:27 pm

This is not only my first SFG but its also my first garden. I am sure I am just being impatient but wanted to make sure I didn't do anything wrong either.

I couldn't find vermiculite so I made my mels mix 1/2 compost and 1/2 peat moss. If I planted all my seeds at about 1 inch deep (even when some said 1/4 to 1/2 inch) will that cause them to not sprout? Or take a little longer?

I planted the following seeds on 3/31:
Cantaloupe
Cilantro
Cucumber
Beets
Head Lettuce

My Cantaloupe has sprouted.
2 of the 4 cucumbers have sprouted
And 1 seed of Cilantro has sprouted

Were at about day 9 and I was thinking that I would see a few more sprouts by now from the other plants.

Am I being impatient or did I plant to deep?

KF5IWR 4/9/2012, 1:28 pm

Forgot to mention, Im in zone 8b

quiltbea 4/9/2012, 1:34 pm

The smaller the seed, the less deep they should be planted. They can either rot or die from lack of sunlight when planted too deeply. The rule of thumb is 3 x the depth of the seed so tiny ones like radishes can be just laid on top of the soil and a light dusting scattered over the top at most. Lettuce needs light to germinate so just lay those on top of the soil and they should germiante.

Try again.

boffer 4/9/2012, 1:49 pm

+1 everything that QB said.

I've read that the number one cause of germination failure is planting too deep. Your zone doesn't tell me about your growing season climate, but from the list of what you planted, I'm guessing you're in a warm/hot location. Things should have germinated by now.

I plant squash, cukes, peas, and beans about one inch deep. Everything else is ¼ to ½ inch deep. Lettuce gets barely covered, if at all.

KF5IWR 4/9/2012, 1:52 pm

So it would be best to just re-seed over top of what I put in there last week and not even worry about last weeks seeds correct? Thanks for the input!

boffer 4/9/2012, 2:00 pm

On the forum, we like to say that seeds are cheap. You could re-plant, and if the squares start to get too crowded because all seeds eventually germinated, you could transplant some plants, or just do some selective thinning.

KF5IWR 4/10/2012, 1:36 pm

So here is what I did:

Cilantro - Noticed a few more sprouts when I got home from work so I lightly removed (dusted away) some of the mix in those boxes. Found some more sprouts hiding so I left those boxes alone.

Same with the last cucumber box

Beets - I did a little digging in one box and was able to find 1 or two sprouts hiding. My seed package says 8-10 days so I'm going to give them until I get home from work tomorrow and see if there is any improvement. If nothing, then I will re-seed

Lettuce - I re-seeded that one. I laid the seed on top and sprinkled a pinch of mix on top. Just enough to hide them.

Thanks again for everything!

AvaDGardner 4/10/2012, 8:59 pm

KF5IWR wrote:This is not only my first SFG but its also my first garden. I am sure I am just being impatient but wanted to make sure I didn't do anything wrong either.

I couldn't find vermiculite so I made my mels mix 1/2 compost and 1/2 peat moss. If I planted all my seeds at about 1 inch deep (even when some said 1/4 to 1/2 inch) will that cause them to not sprout? Or take a little longer?

{snip}

Am I being impatient or did I plant to deep?

+1 I'M GUILTY AS CHARGED! (Is there comfort in knowing you aren't alone?)

I decided today that I finger (or it is probe?!?) too deep when I plant seeds. I automatically go to the first knuckle, which too deep for most of the seeds!

My beans would be perfect with that technique, and they all rose to the surface the next day!

Other plants that should have been up weeks ago, are just popping now. Tomatoes, Bell peppers, eggplant, etc. NOW they show up! SIX WEEKS LATER! Seeds to Deep 601593

Well, better late than never.

Here's one for Bea...she's got this great technique of using a damp pencil to handle tiny seeds. Today while looking for Nantes seeds I saw a Ferry Morris 'seed handler.' It's basically an over-sized syringe in bright colors to suck up and deliver seeds.

Who needs that when they've got Bea and her great ideas??? Go damp graphite!

Ava

KF5IWR 4/10/2012, 9:59 pm

AvaDGardner wrote:
+1 I'M GUILTY AS CHARGED! (Is there comfort in knowing you aren't alone?)

I decided today that I finger (or it is probe?!?) too deep when I plant seeds. I automatically go to the first knuckle, which too deep for most of the seeds!

My beans would be perfect with that technique, and they all rose to the surface the next day!

Other plants that should have been up weeks ago, are just popping now. Tomatoes, Bell peppers, eggplant, etc. NOW they show up! SIX WEEKS LATER!

Well, better late than never.

Here's one for Bea...she's got this great technique of using a damp pencil to handle tiny seeds. Today while looking for Nantes seeds I saw a Ferry Morris 'seed handler.' It's basically an over-sized syringe in bright colors to suck up and deliver seeds.

Who needs that when they've got Bea and her great ideas??? Go damp graphite!

Ava

I didnt know what you were talking about but I saw Bea's blog link and searched for pencil. Awesome idea! Thanks both of you!

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