Always use clean pots and trays and fresh seed starting mix, and water seedlings with mains water, not rainwater that’s been standing around. The solution is to ensure good air circulation at all times, while taking care not to overwater. Seedlings typically collapse at the base and sometimes you may notice fluffy white fungal growth spreading across the soil surface. Damping off is caused by one of a number of soil or water-borne fungi that thrive in very wet and/or muggy conditions. It’s a common complaint, and ‘damping off’ is the culprit. Your seedlings are up but then they collapse and wither as quickly as they appeared. Starting tomatoes and peppers under a propagator lid increases humidity Damping Off Pots of warm-season favorites like peppers and tomatoes germinate quicker when covered with a propagator lid or clear plastic, which raises humidity to the steamy level they love. I like to moisten my seed sowing mix before sowing, using a spray bottle to dampen the mix before using it to fill containers. Moisture: If seeds are too wet they run the risk of rotting before they’ve had a chance to germinate, but too dry and seeds won’t receive the cue to sprout. Heat mats and propagators help to raise the temperature and keep it steady, while a cool cellar, cloak of damp newspaper or overhang of shade cloth should counter hot weather. Refer to seed packets and check the temperature at soil level to ensure seeds are cosseted correctly. Cool-season crops like lettuce or any of the brassicas happily germinate at temperatures as low as 10☌ (50☏), while warm-season vegetables prefer something above 20☌ (68☏). Temperature: Different seeds need different temperatures. Vegetables known for slow germination can be chivvied along by pre-sprouting on damp paper towel before carefully planting the tiny seedlings. Case in point: radishes are notorious for speed but it took three weeks for seedlings to emerge from a recent sowing in my unheated greenhouse.

Sometimes seedlings fail to appear because they simply haven’t had enough time to do so! Check seed packets for typical germination times but bear in mind these reflect ideal conditions. Timing: I’ve said it so many times before I’m at risk of boring you to tears but it’s worth repeating (again!): patience is a virtue. Perform a germination test if you believe seeds may be past their best How you store seed has a profound effect on its viability too. Seeds of some vegetables, like parsnip and onion, only keep for one year, while others will store well for up to five years or even longer. Check seed packets and, if in doubt, try a simple germination test to ascertain once and for all whether seeds are good for sowing or throwing. Old seed: Like fresh food, seeds have a use-by date. There are several reasons why seeds fail to germinate, so let’s take each in turn. What, no seedlings? Don’t worry, we’ve all fallen at the first hurdle. Hopefully your sowing schedule will get off to a strong start but to help you on your way I’ve put together a few pointers for diagnosing and troubleshooting some of the most common problems associated with germination and young seedlings. Actually, scratch that: less thinking, more doing! Depending on where you live the growing season has either already begun or is just about to, so there’s no time to waste! Ready…set…sow! If you haven’t got your first seedlings underway now’s the time to think about getting started.

Vegetable seedlings not growing