Quit Damping Off!!

As Gardeners, it is our job to nurture our seedlings and make sure they grow nice and stout. Tending to their every need in hope that if you do a great job, the once seed, turned seedling, then plant will eventually produce for you. Whether it be sustenance (such as vegetables, herbs, or fruits) or Aesthetically ( being flowers, shrubs, and so forth).


Before you get to this point though you need to make sure that the seedlings grow strong, and don't fall victim to Damping off. Which is when a seed or newly emerged seeding is attacked by a fungus in the soil. Causing the seed to either rot and become mush, or a seedling to become weak and fall over.

some ways to prevent this are:

• to use seed starting, either homemade, or store bought, as opposed to  reused soil, because there can be left over fungi in them. Some people sterilize the soil. 
• Same goes for pots/growing containers, make sure they have been cleaned properly.
• have good air circulation
• watering just enough, and never overwatering
• not crowding space between seedlings..less space equals less air flow

Remedies:

just recently Lisa, of Getinthegarden mentioned that Chamomile tea around the base of a plant will help to take care of Damping off ( trick she learned from an Herb farmer she use to work with), I tried it this evening, and well so far so good.. thanks for the tip!!