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Florida Gardening

How to Keep Seeds from Drying Out in the Garden

15 years ago

I'm on my next round of lettuces and amaranth seeds for the garden, but the top layer of soil keeps drying out unless I'm on top of watering four times a day, which I'm not able to do. I imagine there must be a better way! DH is planning on hooking up a mister to that spot, but it will be time consuming and can't be done until a couple of weeks from now. What can I do in the meantime? I'm afraid that the seedlings won't be able to poke up through mulch, and I can't think of anything else! Help! (...my lettuce thanks you in advance :) )

Jane

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Comments (8)

new2gardenfl
15 years ago
Maybe constructing some temporary shade will help.
floridajane
Original Author
15 years ago
I thought about shade cloth, but will it keep things from drying out or just protect the seedlings from strong sun?
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garyfla_gw
15 years ago
Hi
Here's a novel idea that I've heard about . Make water fall from the sky, as I recall they call this "rain"??
Seem to remember it happening long ago??
Hopefully you'll get some good ideas all I've found is to water,build a irrigation system none of which work well lol
BTW Rain dances are overrated have tried Tango, Salsa even the Frug zilch!!! gary
jay-wpb
15 years ago
THis may work. YOu can buy one of those battery operated timers from home depot that gets attached to you hose. The timers vary - some work like misters coming on every couple minutes or so. Anyway you can buy a sprinkler head and attach it to the hose with an adapter that home depot sells also. YOu can buy a sprinkler head that sprays a mist - anyway your choices are unlimited. I am in the process of creating a 16ft pvc pipe with several small heads which I will use on the newly transplanted bed for a week or so lessening the amount of spray each day until the plants are established.
an_ill-mannered_ache
15 years ago
you can cover the area with a piece of clear dropcloth, weighted at the corners. wet the area thoroughly, scatter your seeds, cover lightly with wet peat or the like, then cover with cloth. check it often and remove the cloth when the seedlings emerge. i do this all the time in the spring when i'm direct sowing. it works very well, and speeds up the germination. just be sure to check often--no use in cooking the seedlings.
bigpaulie1972
15 years ago
Micro irrigation and some shade cloth should do the trick. Also try some hay over the seeds to insulate them yet still allow the seedlings to sprout...kinda like with grass seed.
floridajane
Original Author
15 years ago
Great ideas-- thanks, everyone!

Jane
watermelon7
15 years ago
Its called germinating inside! lol
You can find bio-degradable cups and small pots at Home Depot for pretty cheap.

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