I am a a relatively new gardener - have not grown veggies from seed, and not much experience with the New England weather. Couple of questions with that background:
1. My eggplant seeds all germinated but they have been growing really slowly. Just about when I lost hope they have got a third leaf but the stem is really thin and the color of leaves is lighter green that sometimes makes me feel they are yellowing. I googled seedling problems and identified one - over watering. Now the questions is how do I know if I am overwatering? secondly do I need to give them some fertilizer? I am afraid they will burn or something if it is too strong. Is there a seedling fertilizer available? or a ratio for diluting the available ones? I put the seeds in potting mix so there should have been some sustenance for them but it has been too long and I wonder if the small seedling cups full of soil has enough left in it.
Thankfully I figured out that in my area eggplants should not be put out till June 1 so they have some time to grow. Assuming that the initial stunting can be cured . If not should I buy seedlings closer to planting time to save the season. That will be really disappointing.
2. Marigold - I have grown marigold from seeds a lot and it is the easiest to grow that way but this season both the trays have not a single seedling emerging. At what point do I declare that they have failed and sow more seeds. I have no idea why not a single one sprouted. I have kept them in the oven now assuming that the house is too cold for them. Before this I have never used any heating mats or any grow lights and things have been fine. Although this was a bit south in New York City and not in gloomy New England.
Thanks for any suggestions.
