My carrots didn't germinate very well???

Hi everyone,

I planted carrot seeds directly into the ground - no soaking or anything - on April 23. Of the 32 "spots" planted in two squares only about 10 -12 have sprouted. Immediately after I planted them it rained but we've had hot and dry the last few days. I've watered once each day, in the morning. Since the seed packet says they germinate in about 7 days, I was wondering if I should be concerned yet? Should I put in more seed? Should I try to soak the seeds first?

Thanks,
Gloria

the seeds are tiny, and you said it rained. Do you think they could have gotten washed away?

Do you have room to plant more?

You could use the same space, and you may or may not have the same thing happen as I did. I was whining on this Forum about the low percentage of germination I had with my tomatoes. So in some of my seedling flats, I put something else where the tomatoes didn't germinate. Well, now I know how to get tomatoes to germinate!

Yes -I have space to replant. I think I can get the seeds close to the original spots.
So it isn't too late to replant?
Gloria

Sometimes it happens. I had to replant some of my spinach 3 times this year! I say replant while you still can.

Tim, I'll do it tomorrow. I'm so new to this, is it common for so many seeds not to germinate? Should I be over-planting to make sure I have enough? Also, do you soak all of your seeds before planting?
Thanks
Gloria

to get tomatoes to germinate!

I read this and thought .. germinate, germinate how do I do that ? Thought about this the whole way to Lowe's to buy Mel's book on sale. I had read the value edition, but didnt remember seeing the germinate section until I started "re reading" the full edition (with colored pics !! ) And what did I get to !! Germinating !! So I will start my germination projects Sunday :-D So excited !
Ha-v-v

When I direct seed unless it is cool and overcast I water twice a day as I've discovered that the top 1/2" of Mel's mix dried out fast and that is where the small seeds are. I also seed twice as many as I think will germinate -- this only applies to small seeds. Also, everything I've read about carrots state a germination time of 10-17 days, so you might want to gently dig out one that hasn't poked it's head out to see if it is just a slow poke. I have such a hard time being patient when it comes to gardening!

I hate to be the one to rain on your parade, but it is probably too late to re-seed to get a good crop. Carrots are a cool weather crop. For you area, the last suggested date for planting carrots was March 16th. However, if you can shade the bed for a couple of weeks, that might help. Here's a link to my second most used resource next to SFG:

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/E-502_home_vegetable_guide.pdf

I printed it out and keep it with my SFG book.

I think (think?) my carrots are germinating... what is coming up in that square looks different from my other squares. I had 3 squares reserved for them, though... square #2 is going in today, rain permitting!

I haven't tried digging up a carrot to see, but I did dig up one of my limas. It is slowly splitting apart and looking ruffly inside. I very carefully put it back in, hope I didn't kill it.

I doubt you killed your lima unless you damaged the root, but if it was just starting to split, it may not have put out a root yet. The cats dug up a square of my bean seeds and they came up everywhere. I carefully dug them up and put them where they are supposed to be and all but one transplanted fine.

Thanks, belfrybat. I didn't see any trace of a root, so I am crossing my fingers it is okay. I had planted two beans in that square, didn't find any trace of the other one. So, I planted some more, of both limas and the regular beans. Hopefully at least some will come up? If most do, I will have plants to share! The Christmas lima seed is really pretty, I can't wait to see what the pods look like.

Gloria Said:
Tim, I'll do it tomorrow. I'm so new to this, is it common for so many seeds not to germinate? Should I be over-planting to make sure I have enough? Also, do you soak all of your seeds before planting?

Gloria, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't soak my seed. If I don't soak it I do like belfry and water the square daily to keep the seed moist. There was another tread that recommended green tea for soaking with those who did it saying they had 100% germination rates. I plan to give it a try next year.

I am in So Cal in an inland valley - where it gets pretty hot. I use the Sunset planting zones and according to Western Garden Guide carrots are good to plant every month of the year. So, I say do not be discouraged. Put the next batch in and see what happens. The worst you will do is waste a square and you will definitely learn the tolerance of your area for carrots planted at different times.

Thanks Tim, belfrybat and Chopper,

I'm going to give replanting a try - I figure it can't hurt and it may help so I'm willing to try. I did soak the seeds overnight - but I have to say that getting those tinnnnyyyyy... wet seeds planted is a challenge. Lots of patience needed here, lol! We'll have to wait and see if anything happens. Thanks again for all the help and I will check out the links.

Gloria

Megan,
You are very close to me. I thought I had an issue with my carrots as well. Turns out, they were slow to germinate. I waited quite awhile, thought I saw something, but wasn't sure if it was weeds. I just kept watering, and now I know they are definitely carrots! Your's may come thru yet.

Patience is a virtue I do not possess!
Nancy

Thanks Nancy. My first square of carrots seems to be coming along. At least, something is growing in there alongside the onions.... I haven't gone poking around to see what it is.