Hello, I'm New Here

Hello! My name is Linda Schilling, and with the help of my hubby, I have built my first Square Foot Garden. I live in the Texas Panhandle, with very windy and dry conditions, so this is going to be interesting.
I know I am a little late in getting my garden started, and planted a Black Krim Tomato plant, and an Amish Paste Tomato plant, each in their own square, laying the majority of the stem down as Mel suggests, and I mulched with loose straw. One square has both Lemon Basil and Sweet Basil plants. The other squares I planted seeds: "breakfast" radishes, Danvers half long carrots, bunching onions (green onions in this part of the world), white onions, spinach, romaine lettuce, more basil, italian parsley, snow peas, and California Wonder bell peppers.
I moistened everything well, and, as the wind was blowing -again- I covered everything loosely with straw.
My hubby says no straw until the seed germinate, but with the seeds on may of these being so tiny, there's not much Mel's Mix covering them, and the mix dries out quickly on top with the winds that we have here.
So: cover with straw? or not?

Hi Linda.  Welcome!

Can't give you any advice... Not in your area.  But know there are plenty of folks who are!

Welcome to the forum.

You're correct: the secret to getting small seeds to germinate is to keep them damp. Whether from heat or wind, the top surface of MM will dry out quickly.

You need some kind of mulch to help retain moisture. You have the straw already so it makes sense to use it.

Or, your husband can go out and mist the boxes 4-5 times a day!   

Thank you! That is what I thought, and the Mel's Mix is warm, so I should get germination soon.