Why Growing Plants from Seeds Is Difficult

Sowing seeds is more than sprinkling on the ground or starting in a seedling pod. Part of the fun is to research your specific seeds to answer the many conditions before your seed germinates.  Also, your native plant seeds are primary native in their identified ecoregion. If you don't work through all of these variants, you might find your seeds never germinate. It's impossible to identify everything on a seed packet.

Growing seeds can be tricky because it requires mimicking the specific conditions that each type of seed needs to sprout and thrive. Here are a few factors that can make growing seeds difficult:

• Seed Dormancy: Some seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent them from germinating right away. This can be due to a hard seed coat that needs to be scarified (scratched) or a requirement for a cold period to simulate winter.
• Finding the Right Conditions: Different seeds need different temperatures, moisture levels, and sunlight exposure to germinate. Finding the right balance can be challenging, especially indoors.
• Maintaining Consistent Care: Seedlings are fragile and need consistent moisture, but not too much. Overwatering can lead to rot, while underwatering can stunt growth.
• Damping-off: This is a fungal disease that can quickly kill young seedlings. It thrives in overly moist conditions.

Despite these challenges, there are many resources available to help you succeed at growing seeds. With some research on the specific needs of your chosen seeds and careful attention to detail, you can enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing new life from a tiny seed.

Information helpful about the seeds you are planting.

To give your seeds the best shot at life, here are some key things to know about them:

1. What are you planting? This is the most important factor. Different plants have vastly different needs. Knowing the specific type of seed will guide everything from planting depth to watering requirements. Seed packets usually have this information, but you can also find details online by searching for "[plant name] seed info".

2. Germination requirements: This refers to the conditions the seed needs to sprout. This can include factors like:

   • Light: Some seeds need light to germinate, while others need darkness.
   • Temperature: Seeds often have an ideal temperature range for germination. Seed packets will often specify if they need to be started indoors before the last frost.
   • Moisture: Seeds need moisture to germinate, but not constantly soggy soil.

3. Planting depth: Planting seeds at the wrong depth can hinder germination. Seed packets will typically specify the recommended planting depth, but a general rule is to plant seeds no deeper than twice their width.

4. Spacing: Seedlings need room to grow. Seed packets will usually recommend plant spacing, which is the distance between individual plants at maturity. Thinning seedlings later can be necessary if you plant too many close together.

5. Growing season: Knowing the length of your plant's growing season will help you determine when to plant. This is especially important if you're starting seeds indoors before transplanting them outside.

By researching these factors specific to your seeds, you'll be well on your way to growing healthy plants!