Troubleshooting Germination

Average time to read: 3.4 minutes

You planted seeds but you don’t see sprouts yet. What’s going on? We’re going over the ten most likely causes and how to resolve them.

*Echinacea purpurea seeds ready for cold stratification*

Option 1: It just hasn’t been long enough yet.

Many new gardeners are (understandably!) excited and it’s possible that it just hasn’t been long enough yet. Check the seed packets or do a quick google search to find out the germination period of what you’re growing. Peppers take 21 days! Some herbs can take months! One of the harder lessons gardening teaches us is to:

s l o w d o w n.

Option 2: The seeds are too cold or warm

More often than not, a chilly temperature is the cause of the problem. Feel the soil. It should be warm to the touch. If it feels cool, make sure the tray is covered with a clear plastic dome to help lock in heat. You might also consider placing the tray on a seed starting mat, which is designed specifically to keep germinating seeds warm.

However, in rare cases it is possible for seeds to be too warm! This is much less common but it’s something to be aware of if you know you’re keeping your seeds toasty warm and nothing is happening.

Option 3: The seeds are dry

Germinating seeds must be kept moist for the entire germination period. For germination to occur, moisture must penetrate the seed coat. It’s important to know that if seeds are allowed to dry out after that occurs, they will die.

If your seeds have experienced periods of dryness and they’ve exceeded the germination window without sprouting, they could be dead. If this is the case, start again with new seeds. Cover your trays with clear plastic domes to help lock in moisture during the germination window.

Option 4: They were stored in humid or wet conditions*

As mentioned above, if seeds dry out after moisture penetrates the seed coat, they will die. If seeds are stored somewhere excessively humid or get wet during storage, it may have triggered germination. If they dried out before being planted, they might have died.

Option 5: They were stored in excessively dry conditions*

If seeds are stored in an excessively dry location such as a refrigerator freezer for an extended period of time, they can become so dehydrated that they die.

* Reputable seed suppliers will store seeds in climate controlled facilities. If you will be storing unused seed for use next year, keep them somewhere cool and in an airtight container. A mason jar in a closet is perfect.

Option 6: They need light

In a few cases, some varieties actually benefit from exposure to light during germination. The seed packet should specify if this is the case but it could be worth looking into if everything is germinating except one variety.

Option 7: They’re buried too deeply

Sometimes seeds have germinated but are buried too deeply. This can make it seem like nothing is happening because they have a lot of growing to do before they break through the surface of the soil. However, burying seeds too deeply can also prevent them from accessing the light they need for early growth so they wither and die before you ever see them. Never bury seeds more deeply than 3 times the width of the seed.

Option 8: They’ve been eaten

This is common for peas, beans, and corn that are direct sown outdoors. They soften up as they take on water (a process known as “imbibing”) making them very tasty snacks for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Make sure you sow these seeds when the soil temperature is warm enough so they germinate right away. Sowing earlier into cool soil will delay germination, making it more likely that critters find them. You can also cover them with protective netting during germination if this is a big issue in your area.

Option 9: They rotted

This can be common for beans and corn that are sown too early. If they soften up but it’s too cold to germinate, they can suffer fungal damage and/or rot. Always wait until the soil is warm enough before sowing these seeds.

Option 10: They need to be stratified

Some seeds (especially perennial flowers and tree seeds) are in a state of deep dormancy that must be broken before germination is possible. The most common way to break dormancy in seeds is cold stratification. Read all about it here.

Seeds can remain viable for many years but they are living organisms and they can behave unexpectedly. Your garden is not a lab and there are many variables that cannot be controlled for. We hope this helps to sort out what might be happening and how to fix it but remember: Mother Nature is your boss in the garden.

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