[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

Just sow some seeds today for the first time. Wanted to know how much water do they need each day and when are the best times to water them.

Many Thanks
Chris

[barney rubble]

Hello
welcome - I'm quite new too - I water when the tops look to be dry or drying out. If the tops are dark the seeds and seedling are in probably Ok.  Others with more growing experience might advise differently. good luck

[mumofstig]

Stick your finger into the soil an inch or 2, if it's dark and damp then thats ok. If it's dry then give everything a good watering. Stick your finger back into the soil to make sure you've wetted more than just the top surface...easily done at first
You'll soon get used to your own soil

[andreadon]

don't water the soil after you've sown the seeds !! 

always water the soil first, then sow the seeds: otherwise the seeds will float away....

If in doubt, you could put some water around the edge of the plot.

[chrisb1357]

Many thanks for the replies, Well i did sprinkle over the bed after i had sow them but did not know that i should have not. R well you live and learn. Fingers cross things will grow now.

Chris

[Yorkie]

Once you have plants up, don't water too often.  The best advice is to water deeply and not so often - if you water frequently, the roots remain shallow and suffer drought more; if the roots have to search more deeply for water, they are stronger and withstand drought more.

[chrisb1357]

Many Thanks Yorkie i will remember that.

I just should have known to not have watered them after sowing today. i was using a small mist / shower setting on the hose so fingers cross. Do you think any of the seeds will grow now that i have watered them or will it be all down the drain. I have have the other plot to sow in 2 weeks time to i will remmember then.

Chris

[peapod]

dont worry too much Chris, it should be ok,Ive watered after sowing many a time and they've germinated

[Stripey_cat]

The main problem with watering after sowing is that you can float the seeds out of the drills, so it can be hard to weed for a while.  You may find, if we keep having this hot wind, that you need to give them another watering in a few days - once there's a root down they will be able to stand the top inch of soil drying out, but if your seeds are only a quarter inch deep they'll dry out with the rest until they're germinated nicely.