Marianne's Response

Bottom watering indoor seeds

I have just started my first seeds indoors and am trying bottom watering. I have 3 holes in the bottom of each container set in a pan of water just high enough to cover the holes. I have clear plastic loosely on top to keep heat and moisture on but it’s too moist. The soil is soaked and my poor seeds are going to get waterlogged so I emptied the pan. What am I doing wrong? I thought bottom wagering would let the soil soak up just the amount of water it needs.

Posted by Steph Bantell on March 23, 2014

Marianne's Response

First be proud that you are trying something new - and learning from it. Bottom watering is done when you place the pots in water than until the soil darks dark or moist and then remove them from the water. The soil will be water logged if you let it sit in water. Also, vent the plastic or remove it when the pots are in water - otherwise too much humidity. Be sure and use a seed-starting soil mix - it drains quicker to prevent water logging. You may need to try again with fresh seed - but just think about how much you learned! Keep growing, Marianne Binetti