hey, I was curious about seeds floating up to the top.. is that common? and bad if it happens?

within a week of sowing my seeds, just about all of them floated to the surface... not the big big ones like melon, etc, but moderate ones like most of my flowers, basils, eggplants, etc....

when that happens, am I supposed to cover 'em up? I just let them go and some germinated and sent a root down and righted themselves, some did headstands and fried. enough seemed to have made it though...

I know that sometimes the earth freezing it contracts and the seeds end up on the surface. I guess of those left on the surface, some will seed anyway, as you found out.

ellen

I never bury any of mine that are smaller than, say, columbine seeds. They get sprinkled across the top of the damp soil and out they go. Have never had a problem with germination or sprouts. Mine never get a chance to float as I'm a bit over-enthusiastic with the drain holes. Those roots know where to go.
:)

I deliberately left some on the surface as I read someone else mentioning that's what they did. I buried all the others. The ones I left on the surface have had just as good germination as the ones buried. Go figure.

It just makes me nervous watching them look all weird until they get leaves. LOL

Mine always float, I noticed it last year and about had a cow...the only thing stopping me from posting the question is the fact that they all germinated the next day or two.

I'm not even sure that Four O'Clocks need to be covered. On the ground, when they reseed, the are on top of the ground and do great. The outer coverings actually turn gelatinous right before they germinate. It is very weird looking. Four O' Clocks will probably not germinate until the night time temps are warm.

LIme