Manage Moisture with Bottom Watering and Humidity Domes

Keep the seed starting mix consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water from the bottom by setting containers in a shallow tray of water and letting the mix wick moisture upward. Use a humidity dome over the tray until seeds germinate, then remove it promptly to allow air circulation.

Why It Works

Bottom watering delivers moisture directly to the root zone without disturbing seeds or compacting the soil surface. The humidity dome maintains the high moisture level seeds need to break dormancy. Removing the dome after germination reduces the humid, stagnant conditions that promote damping off.

Tips

• Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings once seedlings emerge
• Avoid overhead watering with a strong stream, which can dislodge tiny seedlings
• If mold appears on the surface, increase ventilation and reduce watering frequency