dry? mold? 38 year old man who has never kept a plant w/o killing it needs help

[JLivermore]

Got this kit from Urban Farmer and am super excited about it!

I chose basil, parsley, and oregano. I had so many questions about how to deal with the dry compact dirt and how many seeds to plant and how far to space them.... I did that all as well as I could and see some sprouts, which I'm thrilled with.

I don't know what's up with that kind of white substance on the top. I hope it's visible in the photo. It's most noticeable on the far right yellow pot, and the basil on the left has none!

Is this.... a problem? Please feel free to give any advice whatsoever, like I should plant more seeds in the middle pot, or water less, or more, or.... anything. All pointers welcome.

Thank you!

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum! How often are you watering?

 

[JLivermore]

2 - 3 times a day. At least in the morning and then when I get home and/or at night.

 

[Rosyrain]

I think you may be giving it way too much water. Most plants only need water about once a day.

 

[Becky]

I'd agree with Rosyrain, that's too much. You want to keep the soil moist, but seedlings are so small they don't need a lot of water. Try cutting back on how much you water them and hopefully the mould will not be a problem.

 

[headfullofbees]

Far, far, far too often.
Don't water for a week, unless plants begin to wilt, then only very sparingly, or you'll kill them all with kindness.

The single greatest cause of death to cultivated small plants is overwatering, so don't feel bad about what you've done; we've all done it.
Just learn, like I had to.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Chuck]

If you have any whole ground cornmeal (not the enriched kind) sprinkle it on the soil and it will get rid of the mold. And don't water so much

 

[JLivermore]

Seems to have been good advice. Stopped watering, looks better already!