For future reference you need to wring it out in your hand before filling the cells - damp sponge like. Now about all you can do is remove the dome/lid. Don't just prop it up, remove it completely. And if you have a small fan you can set to gently blow over the surface that will help too. It may take a couple of days for it to dry out enough so some of your seeds may rot in the mean time. Be prepared to re-seed some of the cells. Dave

I have never baked or done anything to sterilize my potting soil before using it for my own purposes, and I have never had any real problems. I think for the most part it is sterile when you get it. In college I remember using steam to sterilize soil that we were reusing in the greenhouse rose beds...but that was because it was used:) I know that a lot of people do use special seed starting soil mix, but I always just use Pro-Mix potting soil. I;m sure some folks will tell you to use seed starting mix, and others will say it doesn't really matter (like me!), but what it comes down to is what you personally prefer. Why not try a little experiment and start some in the finer mix and others in regular mix...and see if it makes a difference to you! I just find it easier to use one kind, and I buy the huge 3.8cu ft bails.

A tall plant that stands well by itself in damp soil is cimicifugia aka bugbane. I think it would tolerate some sun, but mine is in a semi-shaded area. I have made some bog gardens in my shadier areas, using plastic under the soil or kiddie pools, and there are lots of things that like the damper conditions. But the one in the sunnier area has been more of a problem as there aren't that many plants I know of that like sun and dampness. So I gave up on giving this bed extra water as I do with the shadier bog beds. Plants that seem to like the slightly damper area in sun are monarda liatris & lysimachia. Ribbon grass also does well there, and the edges of the pool keep it from spreading too much.

SCgirl, I used untreated 2x12 lumber and heavy duty deck screws, and the bed dimensions are 4x8 feet. For each bed I took three eight foot pieces, and cut one in half to make the ends. Avoid the pressure treated lumber ( the CCA stands for copper, chromium, and arsenic). Cedar is best, just make sure you're sitting down when they tell you the price...you can still get a few seasons out of plain untreated lumber and save some money. The floor you see is landscape fabric, which will let moisture through but keep down the grass. I'll cover the pathways with cedar mulch. Inside the beds, I'll cut out the landscape fabric so I'll have a good soil interface for earthworms and beneficial microbes. Before the soil goes in I'll add a layer of cardboard just to make sure no grass/weeds have a chance to peek through. Here is a link that might be useful: Raised bed material analysis