---
title: "Hello! I am new here! I am starting a garden for the first time this…"
description: "Hello! I am new here! I am starting a garden for the first time this year and I’m having a bit of trouble keeping my seedlings starts growing and staying…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/x8_aVt91R1-MU6xd79uMKQ/Qe2NGeDSj1BJTB0Ef31Sbz"
community: "Edible Gardening"
author: "Kate"
published: "2026-05-20T23:12:50.684047Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OQrRpHKHuV7yHmmA3tH99_hBSu3g5nMXPFoBKeMCnL0/wJuSmGAGTGGQzUmXl-ePDw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello! I am new here! I am starting a garden for the first time this…

_Posted by Kate on 2026-05-20_

Hello! I am new here!  
I am starting a garden for the first time this year and I’m having a bit of trouble keeping my seedlings starts growing and staying healthy. Anybody have any advice, suggestions or ideas on how to keep these little ones growing strong and healthy?  
Thank you so much!

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OQrRpHKHuV7yHmmA3tH99_hBSu3g5nMXPFoBKeMCnL0/wJuSmGAGTGGQzUmXl-ePDw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OQrRpHKHuV7yHmmA3tH99_hBSu3g5nMXPFoBKeMCnL0/-_TQybhWTb-D5LdI8msEIg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OQrRpHKHuV7yHmmA3tH99_hBSu3g5nMXPFoBKeMCnL0/6TnqEbuVRwWNKMwGaVeGqQ.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Kat commented on 2026-05-21

Hmmm the soil looks pretty compact, did you use a seed starting mix? Typically seed starting mixes are less nutrient dense (to avoid nutrient burn) and fluffier/ more lightweight than potting soil. Using a heavier medium can cause a fatal fungal disease in seedlings or cause them to not germinate at all.

#### Kate replied on 2026-05-21

I bought the seed start pellets from the store. Where you add water and they expand. I always crush every side of the pellet before adding the seed

### Waspinator commented on 2026-05-21

Take the ones that have sprouted and put those together in one container. Give them more light and a light breeze to help keep their stems short and to strengthen them. Those that haven't sprouted can go back to regular seed care. Keep their soil moist but not sitting in stagnant water. Any that show signs of mold, remove entirely, those won't grow and the mold can spread to your other seeds. This fuzzy stuff \[see pic\] is what mold looks like

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/0aEjxie6sp2j8dSN-ejLnU9dTQl1mR1VekkhDobC1Og/wCuiDnICSIW-2BQ2WyA4sw.webp?size=large)

### Lana Tauz commented on 2026-05-21

Keep them misted

### Katie U commented on 2026-05-23

Did you fluff the pellets with a fork before you seeded them? I started with seed pellets as well, and the directions say to fluff the soil after they are hydrated. I didn't read well enough on my first try and my seeds didn't take.

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