Most seeds pushed way too far underground will wither and die before ever reaching the soil surface. But this Swiss army knife unfortunately doesn't come with anything to help the baby plant claw its way through the soil to make it to the surface. I like to think of seeds as nature's Swiss army knives, each filled with so many different useful things the plant will need. Picture a seed germinating and sending its first little stem up to look for sunlight, only to encounter more and more soil. I know it's tempting to dig a nice, deep hole whenever you have a trowel in one hand and a seed packet in the other, but one of the main reasons seeds don't sprout is because they were simply buried too deeply. ![]() Let's look in more detail at the reasons the seeds you planted might not be coming up to say hello. If, on the other hand, you try to plant them when it's too hot outside, they might rear their little plant heads, only to sink back down when they realize the sun is just too bright for their liking.īasically, to get a seed to sprout successfully, you need to get the planting depth, the water delivery, the timing, and the soil temperature just right. ![]() or they'll rot in the soil long before it's time for them to germinate. Make the mistake of planting seeds when it's too cold, and those seeds will wait until it warms up. They won't, for example, wake up until the weather is just right-not too hot, not too cold, but just in their ideal temperature range. They're like Goldilocks in the story about the three bears they need everything to be just right for them to grow. Seeds are pretty incredible little things, but they're also incredibly picky. Then spray the soil whenever it feels dry to the touch.So You Planted Seeds Days/Weeks Ago and Nothing's Come Up, Huh? Keep checking daily for the first two to three weeks while the seeds germinate. The best practice is to feel the soil with your fingertip daily, and if it feels dry, use a light spray setting to moisten it. Carrot seedlings germinate well when they receive consistent moisture, so you should keep the soil moist to the touch. With your seedlings in the ground, it's time to start watering. How Often to Water Carrot Seedlings Keep in mind that carrot seeds germinate best between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (although some cultivars can tolerate 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit). Now the soil is ready, and you can sow your carrot seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep. Remove any rocks or pebbles you see, as this could impede your carrots from growing. Next, mix 1 to 4 inches of organic compost (1 inch for existing gardens or 3 to 4 inches for new gardens) and blend it 6 inches deep. Use a tiller or garden shovel and till the soil to loosen the earth 10 inches down. However, you need to sow the seeds before you can start watering!īegin by picking a spot in your garden that gets six to 10 hours of sun each day and prep the soil for seeds. A good practice is to feel the soil for moisture every few days or about three times a week to see if it's dry and could benefit from a soak.Īn inch of weekly water is an excellent standard for carrot plants, but seedlings require a different approach. However, if you plant carrots in sandy soil, irrigate twice weekly to maintain soil moisture 10 inches deep. For example, if your vegetable garden has heavy soil (like clay), you should soak the ground once a week to moisten it 6 inches deep. The kind of soil you have can influence how often and how deep you should water your carrots. Soil Types Can Influence Watering FrequencyĪnother factor to consider is what type of soil you have in your garden. Alternatively, you can use a soil moisture meter to measure the soil's moisture content. When the first 2 inches of soil are dry, your carrots need water. As a rule of thumb, check with your finger or a trowel to see if the soil feels moist 1 to 2 inches down. It's typically best to customize watering frequency to align with soil moisture. Generally, this means you should irrigate the soil every few days or one to three times weekly. ![]() So, if the weather doesn't bring an inch of rain per week, it's time to get out your watering can or garden hose instead. Image Credit: Katerinavulcova via PixabayĬarrots grow best when they get 1 inch of water every week from rain or irrigation.
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