How to Keep Seeded Plants Moist

Moisten the soil of any seed trays or pots before you plant your seeds with luke warm water. Starting with a thoroughly moist soil ensures the bottom layers of the soil are wet. Plant your seeds according to requirements for that particular species.

Moisten a piece of burlap or layered sheets of newspaper to make them fully damp. Drape the burlap or paper over the surface of the seeded area without pressing the soil down. Spray the material each day or two to keep it moist.

Check under the burlap or paper every day for one to three weeks and remove it once the seeds have sprouted. Spray over the surface of the soil any time it appears dry so as to moisten the upper inch of soil around the sprouted seedlings.

Water small amounts of pots or trays after the seedlings are up using a sports water bottle (for more control than a watering can). Aim to just moisten the soil of each pot without dousing the seedlings. Don’t swamp the plants or they can drown from lack of oxygen around the roots.

Place the entire seed trays or pots of sprouted plants into a shallow pan if you have too many trays or pots to water individually. Fill the pan with 1 inch of water. Allow the trays to soak up the water for one hour until the upper surface of the soil appears moist. Dump out any excess water from the pan.

Water your seedlings three to four times a week to maintain a moist, but not soaking wet, soil around the forming plant. The soil should feel damp like a sponge and never soggy. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch.