Help! My Seeds Aren’t Sprouting!

Did you plant a bunch of seeds and few if any even sprouted? This can mean one of three things: you haven’t given your seeds enough time; you have bad seeds; the needs for them to germinate (sprout) aren’t being met! Let’s narrow it down to see what’s the issue.

How do I discover the cause of the issue?

1. Check to see if you have given your seeds enough time to germinate!

   • The seed packet usually list germination time. Some seeds take 3-5 days some take up to 3 weeks! If you are within the germination time and none of them have sprouted, you might not have to worry yet! No germination time on your seed pack? Google the name of the seed and you’ll find it!

   • If a few seeds have germinated and its been a few days and nothing else has, its probably an issue other than not giving them enough time to germinate and you should start looking at the other problem solving steps!

2. Determine if your seeds are still good.

   • If a few have germinated and it has been a few days and nothing else has maybe its the seeds.

   • Seeds can go bad if they get wet, if they get too hot, if they are stored too long, and if they aren’t properly collected

   • To test, put 10 seeds in a wet paper towel inside a ziplock baggy. After the determined germination time you should see the seeds cracking and roots starting to poke out. The goal is to have 8 or more germinating. If not, try some new seeds

3. Lastly, check if their needs for germination are being met!

   • Temperature

     • Some seed like it warm, some seeds like it cold. Your packet should tell you. If it doesn’t-google will

       • Soil temp. indoors is usually 5-10 less than the air temp. it doesnt need to be extact but it does need to be ball park. Use a thermometer to temp if really curious.

       • To keep seed trays warm try a heat mat, watering with warm water, placing hear a heat vent, or even on top of your refrigerator.

       • To cool trays, place in a basement (if cooler) a garage or outdoor greenhouse as long as these places don’t freeze once seeds germinated

   • Moisture

     • Generally high humidity is needed for germination but we want to avoid washing seeds away so try the following

       • Domes

         • domes/a bag can also be used to cover the tray but make sure to take off when germination reaches about 75%

         • just check to make sure soil is still moist and not dry or molding

       • Misters

         • I mist with a fine hairspray like mist 1-2 times a day depending on soil

         • I usually stop when roots can reach the bottom of the soil block or the first true leave appear

         • should be used in combination with occasional bottom watering

       • vermiculite on top also helps keep moist

       • never leave standing water

       • if white and green mold forms, humidity might be slightly high. Try sprinkling cinnimon to inhibit the mold or introducing a fan and moving air

   • Light

     • Does your seed need light or darkness to germinate?

       • If your packet says something like barely or do not cover, the seed needs light to germinate

         • It might also not have enough energy stores to reach the sunlight if it is planted too deep

       • If it says to plant 1/4 -1/2 deep the seed does not need light to germinate so make sure it is covered well with soil!

   • The Divas.

     • Some highly picky seeds need special conditions called stratification

       • these need to be soaked, froze, or scratched to mimic the passing of winter and the arrival of spring. Think your seed might need this? The packet or a quick google of the seed germination needs will tell you.

I hope this simple guide helps your plants to get growing and you to find a little joy in the green things.

Love, Bayleigh