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I think I've just come to the realization that seeds can be sown a little deeper in starting mix or potting soil than what the packet says. The depth given is for direct sowing I believe and soil is harder to push through than starting mix.

One of the more experienced growers here can correct me if I'm wrong about being able to sow deeper in fluffy mix.

Noticed it when starting bok choy and Asian greens. They both tend to put out multiple shoots right at ground level as so;

Mine have up to an inch of single stem before they split like below but longer and the longest ones are wanting to flop/lay over. I'm thinking if I had sown them twice as deep as what the packet says, they wouldn't be like that.

I always top water until they sprout and use a humidity dome to prevent that top of the mix from drying out.

Wildly swinging temperatures will have an effect. I set my heat mats for 76 for cool weather crops and just bumped it up to 82 for peppers/maters. As soon as they all sprout, I'll turn it down to 70 and pull the humidity dome off. Once they have true leaves, I'll turn the mats off unless it's a really cold night because my seed starting room is unheated.

I would bring your containers/trays indoors, top water and cover with something to prevent drying. As soon as most all of them sprout, pull that cover off. If you don't have grow lights, as soon as they sprout, bring them outside and then only cover on cold nights.

I always get 90% or more germination if I do everything right.

It's kinda crazy how cool weather crop seeds need to be warm to sprout but a few weeks later, the plants can handle cold just fine. Must be why Spring seems to come in a sudden burst when conditions become just right.

I always get 90% or more germination if I do everything right.

But this last batch went bad. A few things had sprouted so I had already pulled the humidity dome off. My heat probe came out and was laying on the floor so the heat mats stayed on full time and dried the seed mix out. Two lettuce of 10 had barely sprouted and I've kept watering since but no more sprouting so I guess the rest of the seeds had broken open but not broken through yet. Killed 'em. Gotta start over. I think I'll do them in seed trays instead of paper towel rolls because they seem to dry out really fast.

Noted on all. I thought the issue with lettuce was that it needs some light to germinate properly?

Drying has not been an issue — the top of the seed starter media / “soil”* stays slightly moist with only moderate attention, although TODAY I’d better check twice as we’ll be very windy and warm. The fire danger is up to moderate until t’storms arrive this evening. The (good chance of severe) t’storms are a reason to bring the seeded containers in anyway - despite the porosity of the starter media, heavy rain could flood containers and / or definitely disrupt the seedings. Hail would be even more fun, along with any really high winds...

This weekend I carted out the over-wintered lemongrass, and some onions, which are in fairly heavy pots. They will just have to take their chances.

*These seed starter media are apparently “modified” to retain moisture. I’ve had problems with it staying TOO moist in the past, but have adjusted... I think...

I’ve never used heat mats, but maybe I’ll give a couple a try. Even the cheapies on Amazon seem to get good ratings.

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Seedfactor-Waterproof-Germination-Hydroponic/dp/B078J2YMY9/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6