|
| We've started a new vegetable garden this year, and direct sowed seeds last weekend. It was REALLY hot this past weekend (90 degrees), and it's just now starting to get more seasonable and some rain.
I'm worried about two things: 1) Although we watered daily, and sometimes 2x/day, we couldn't keep the area moist. There were no seedlings yet, just seeds. Will the heat and dryness ruin the seeds? (you can see what we planted at the link below) 2) We're planting in raised beds, and the birds are frequenting our boxes. It looks like holes are pecked in the planting mix.... will they eat all the seeds before they have a chance? And someone (critter) dug up my strawberry roots and left them on the surface of the soil. I reburied them, but they looked pitiful after baking in the sun. I'm going out now to buy some netting, but I want to know if I should reseed... Thanks! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of our garden building process and planting plans
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| They may not germinate if the soil stays too dry. But are you sure that it's dry *where the seeds are*, rather than just on the surface? Even in the hottest, dryest weather, 2x watering per day should keep it moist underground. If you really are concerned, lightly mulch your soil -- leaf litter, yard clippings, etc. That'll keep it moister. Just don't go too heavy on mulch (esp. yard clippings), or you risk burning your plants. Yeah, the birds will eat what they find. They rarely find everything, though. If you're worried, cover it until germination. |
|
- Posted by blindingbrown (My Page) on Sun, May 3, 09 at 22:45
| Thanks! We're starting to see a few things emerge. And I've covered everything with mesh. I may have to reseed a few things, but at least we have the happiness of seeing some progress. |
|
| Good to hear. Watching new seedlings emerge and grow is really a delight :) |
|
- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Sun, May 3, 09 at 23:33
| Glad I saw this post. My question is exact as blindingbrown. I've also watered the bed 2x a day. One around 8am and another at 4 or 5pm. It's been almost 8 days now and I haven't seen any germinations yet.d Here is more info. I didn't till the soil. I just created a small hole for the seeds and replaced back the soil I removed. I watered them the time I direct sowed the seeds. However, the one where I covered with black insect screen and seeds just on top of soil and pressed down germinated very well. Do you think that the seeds that were sowed 1/2" below is the problem? I forgot to mention, my dirt is plain dirt and doesn't have any mulch. Around 2 or 3am, the dirt becomes dry and solid. Do you think if I till the dirt and mix peat moss with it, it will hold better moisture? Thanks! |
|
- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Sun, May 3, 09 at 23:39
| Ooops, I meant around 2 or 3pm, the dirt is already dry. |
|
| Since many of the seeds I sow are very small, I've been covering them with a thin sprinkling of fine peat moss and I've had better germination than in the past. |
|
- Posted by blindingbrown NY - 6B (My Page) on Sat, May 9, 09 at 9:38
| Ok, a majority of our seeds are up now. Just a few pesky hold outs. So, it must have been the hot spell/cold spell that got them off to a slow start. Now that the weather is seasonal, (most) all the seeds seem happy. |
|
- Posted by quilt_mommy (My Page) on Sat, May 9, 09 at 10:58
| I don't know about the peat moss and all that, but I can tell you in my experience, I don't till the soil either. Sometimes I remove sod altogether to make a bed, sometimes I just turn it deeply. Either way there are always at least a few weeds to pull, but seeds seem to germinate just fine. There are probably things I could do to get a higher germination rate, but really, as long as you follow the packet instructions most seeds aren't too fussy. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Growing from Seed Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.