Why won’t my seedlings grow?

Question

I’d like more information about raising seedlings, working with temperature, potting up versus planting out and how to make seedlings develop well after germination. My seedlings often seem to get stuck at the stage before they develop the first true leaves. They just sit there for weeks doing nothing. The soil is fertilised. I don’t know why.
Jennifer, via email

Answer

I reckon it’s best sowing seed in punnets rather than directly in the ground. There are so many good reasons for this, and one is the control you have over the elements. If you keep your seedlings in a covered greenhouse, when the weather turns cold or wet, they are well protected. If you have them somewhere exposed, you can move all your babies to a more protected spot, or a cooler place on a hot day, which gives them greater chance of advancing comfortably to the next stage.

Another advantage is that you can start spring crops early by providing the seedling trays with a warm toasty environment. This could be provided by a heat pad, a glasshouse or just a sunny north facing windowsill. Similarly, you can get an early start on cool season crops in summer by placing your seedling trays under shade cloth.

Once seeds germinate, they rely on nutrients in the soil to get growing. I find that adding fertiliser to seedling mixes or soil can be hit and miss. You’ll get more reliable results by liquid feeding them once a week using a liquid fertiliser that has been mixed at half the recommended rate.
Phil Dudman

You’ll find more growing tips and ideas here.