What am I doing wrong with the seeds?

Every time I try to start flowers, herbs or anything else to grow from scratch it's not working. My major problem that after germination the plants shoot up with very thin stems and then they don't want to grow. Too much light, too much water, wrong soil? I just don't know? I usually start them indoors or in pots out the balcony.

What am I doing wrong with the seeds?
Tall thin stems sounds like not enough sunlight to me. Make sure if you are starting them in the house you have a full-spectrum bulb that mimics sunlight. Most indoor regular bulbs won't do the job.
Reply:when i start seeds indoors i put them under a flourescent bulb and raise them up until they are within a couple of inches. then lower them as they grow. this will make them grow out instead of up .
Reply:if they are starting fine, then dying, I would say they can't get their roots down into the soil. Till it up good. maybe add some organics for good food for the seedlings. Keep the soil moist. you should be good to go. Water every couple weeks with some sort of plant food. Miracle grow or the like.
Reply:do you start them in their own pots or "germination trays" late winter indoors?



I do that and just keep them by the window for the sun.



Once they start to grow out of the pots then I plant them. You may want to plant them in a larger pot outside and as they get their strenght you can then replant them in the ground.
Reply:sounds like they need more light (plants grow tall and spindly if they don't get enough). you need to put the seedlings outside where they can get more light or by a window which is south or west facing (although watch out that the seedlings don't dry out and fry).