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Poor Germination
Peat B
Posts: 441
I am the worlds worst optimist. Every year, the soil gets more than the usual recommended amounts of veg matter, kitchen stuff, paper, cardboard, leaf mold, compost, manure and covered with carpets, and the only think we DON'T use is our Duvets, because WE still need them ourselves ! OK, we don't sow seeds direct into the soil until the end of May, because we are on a dank, North facing slope, and the growing season is some 4 to 5 weeks shorter and later than the rest of the UK, here in Northumberland. But, in wor greenhouse, even there, the seeds are oft times, eaten by roaming regiments of slugs, meeces and an occasional rattus rattus. We place the usual covers fitting tightly over the seed trays, and in no time at all, there is either a complete non event of germination, seeds rotting in 'Hammond' Innes No's 1, 2 & 3, including broad and runner beans, which I have always thought of as the commando's of germination ! After a while, the trays become lined with a green slimy mold, go rank, and I have no other recourse but to add to the compost heap again. I am perplexed, disappointed and going broke, buying seeds that sit and rot. Is it something I said ? or Something I do or Don't do ? Answers please, on a post card, writing on one side at a time.
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when grow seeds you need a compost for seeds it must not be rich in nutrients and they need to be watered when they are dry and not over watered.you will also need to make sure that they are protected from slugs and snails and thin them out and transplant often.
More grit/perlite in the compost and less watering Peat, would be my best guess.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Are you over watering your seedlings Peat, because it sounds as though you are.
Most gardeners only water their seedlings after sowing and the wait till the compost almost dries out before even considering any more water.
If your'e suffering from pests in the greenhouse use staging and put your seed trays on sharp sand to prevent slugs. Us traps for rats and mice. Inspect your seed trays or whatever you are sowing in for slugs before sowing. Disinfect your seed trays/pots before using to guard against fungal infections.
Hygiene in the greenhouse is priority, and are you composting all your veg peelings? Veg peelings will attract rodents, especially potato peelings.
Having a bad day? It will all look better tomorrow (hopefully). From another ?optimist.
For this season think I'd pop along to the GC and buy some plants and pop them in the veg patch, and stand back and admire them proudly with your fingers crossed behind your back
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Peat -
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...