[Bigfatsi]

Hi,

I recently started sowing the seeds for this year. The garden was a mess and I figured they could get started whilst I sorted it out. No chance of keeping them at home as we have a five week old and the place is enough of a mess already!

I've recently built a shed with a glass front, which I thought would be ideal, but due to the recent low temperatures has struggled to get warm. I've now erected a plastic greenhouse inside the shed which has improved the temperature a little.

However, this morning I can see mould on all of the trays. Is this ok?

They've been in for between 3-5 days and there are signs of germination on a few. I'm just wondering if it's a sign of too much, or too little watering. Any ideas? Should I bin them and start again, or is it normal and nothing to worry about?

TIA

Simon

[compostqueen]

If the compost is cold and wet your seeds will rot off before they get chance to germinate. They need moisture, warmth and light generally speaking

What seeds are they?  Unless we know what you're growing we can't really give advice. 

If they have begun to germinate I wouldn't be chucking them out just yet. 

[JayG]

Mould is almost inevitable in prolonged damp, cool conditions - try leaving the plastic greenhouse off during the day and replacing at night if possible, make sure the compost is no more than damp, and then cross your fingers.

Most seeds should be uncovered once germinated as they can be prone to damping off as well as mould and/or mossy growth on the growing medium.

[Bigfatsi]

Cheers for the replies. I've planted tomatoes, chillies, peppers, basil, coriander, sprouts, swede, green beans, spinach, leeks, cauliflowers, beetroot, cabbage, pumpkin, sweetcorn and comfrey.

I'll keep the door open during the day and see how things go!

S.

[viettaclark]

Check the seed packet labels carefully.
Plants such as tomatoes, chillies etc all need minimum temps to germinate and they won't get it in an unheated greenhouse!
Others such as brassicas and leeks would be ok and parsnips, beetroot, radish etc can be sown straight out into the beds.
Not time yet for courgettes, squash or runners.......again they need heat.