How to Water Seedlings Using Tray Weight

In this video, I'm showing you a simple but effective way to get your seed starting just right, especially when it comes to watering. It's easy to over or under-water your seedlings, and I've found that measuring the weight of your seedling tray is a great indicator of when it's time to add water or hold off.

I'll walk you through how to tell if your tray is too dry or just right by its weight to get that moisture balance perfect. This trick has been a game changer for me, and I think it will help you too, whether you're new to seed starting or have been doing it for years. Let's make sure our plants get the best start possible!

PRODUCTS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO:

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[donpickerel]

I'm glad I found you again. Definitely the smartest gardener around.

[ELBlDu]

50% Feild capacity via muscle memory. What an EXCELLENT scientific experiment. That picture really sticks in my head because of the weight.What a great visual imprint too....this reminded me of my favorite chemistry teacher that made me LOVE chemistry.

[anitahernandez]

I feel like I'm watching you on PBS. 👍 🌱

[jeannet]

This was such a good, teaching video! Thank you.

[lindaclegg]

Thank you - this video is so useful! I stand my trays in water when first sowing seeds, to saturate the soil. Is there a reason why it's better to use the hose, please?

[sandrasykes]

❤️❤️ the greenhouse! ❤️❤️ 👁👁 its arrival & set-⬆️

[bethlindauer]

Very informative! I noticed the roof panels have a shield to filter sun, can you tell me where to purchase them? Thanks!

[Cindy-qugc]

Hi Joe - thanks for this tip. As a scientist, I really like this precise method. I have a couple of questions for you
1). I am surprised you need grow lights in your greenhouse? Wondering why that is? Will you be able to turn them off when # hrs sunlight/day increases?
2). Do you have any tips for sowing very very small seeds (e.g. thyme or snapdragons)?

[tbpc]

Great information! I am really interested in your seed trays! Both the cells and the tray under. Did i miss the info on those?

[lisaimhof]

Thanks Joe! Question- as your seedlings are growing and adding their own weight to the formula, do you find you need to reweigh periodically and readjust your baseline, or are you repotting before that happens?

[joycearthur]

Joe what is your light you have? Looks like one I have and one of the bulbs has gone out and I can’t find a T5 replacement bulb.

[annephythyon]

This is fanastic. Watering seedlings and plants properly is never explained well enough. Question: what is the red attachment on your hose?

[AS-ueil]

Hi Joe! I JUST almost took my old scale to my trunk to donate, since I rarely use it, but now I'll keep it and use it for exactly this purpose, thanks! BTW, when you say you are looking for "half of field capacity" but your field capacity is 11lbs and then you say half would be 9lbs...did you mean that number or was it supposed to be 5.5? Thanks for any clarification.

[sheens]

I thought I was the only one that used a scale to determine when to water 😂

[jrl]

Waste of time with scales 😂. I'll never seed into dry soil or dry peat. Just water when trays feel like less weight. Just my point of view, no offense.