Are Your Seeds Not Sprouting? Could Brunnings Seed Raising Mix Be the Answer?

April 2, 2025

Why Your Seeds Might Be Sleeping and How the Right Seed Raising Mix Can Help

You’ve done everything right—or so you thought. You planted your seeds gently into the soil, watered them with care, and placed the tray somewhere sunny. Then you wait… and nothing happens. Not even a whisper of green. If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. Many new gardeners face the same frustrating problem: seeds that simply won’t sprout.

Here’s the good news: the problem might not be you. It might be your soil. Yep, the very stuff you thought was perfect could actually be making it harder for your tiny green babies to wake up and grow.

The Seed Struggle is Real

When I tried germinating lettuce and cosmos the first year I became “that person” with a windowsill full of yoghurt containers, I was crushed when a whopping 80% of my seeds didn’t come up. “Maybe I overwatered.” “Or maybe they dried out.” “Was I singing too loud in the kitchen?” I questioned everything. But after seeking help at, you guessed it, Strathalbyn H Hardware’s Garden Centre, I found my game-changer—Brunnings Seed Raising Mix (5L).

This stuff isn’t just regular soil in a fancy bag. It’s been specially formulated to create the exact environment seeds need to start from scratch. Loose texture, perfect moisture retention, and gentle nutrients—not too rich, not too lean. It’s just right.

Why Regular Potting Mix Doesn’t Measure Up

I used to grab whatever potting soil I had lying around, assuming dirt is dirt, right? Big mistake. Regular potting mixes can be too dense, causing seeds to rot before they get a chance to sprout. Others dry out too fast, especially in shallow trays. Some even attract mould or fungus gnats if they’re not well-aerated.

The Brunnings Seed Raising Mix avoids all that mess. It's light as a cloud. You can feel the difference side by side. And my seeds did too—within a week, little green shoots popped their sleepy heads out of the soil like it was the first day of spring!

So What Makes This Mix So Good?

Brunnings Seed Raising Mix has a few wins under its belt that make it perfect for beginners (and a relief for plant parents everywhere):

A light and loose texture that gives roots room to breathe and stretch. Compacted soil smothers them before they even begin.
Excellent moisture control so it never gets soggy or dries out too quickly. This helps seeds germinate consistently.
Balanced nutrients designed for young plants—not too rich, not empty. Just the boost baby roots need to find their footing.
Ideal for a variety of plant types, including your veggies, flowers, pot plants, and beloved leafy herbs.

Whether you’re starting flowers in punnets on the patio, herbs in little clay pots on the kitchen bench, or cucumbers for your veggie patch—this mix sets the stage.

Is a Seed Raising Mix Really Necessary?

This was a question I used to ask. The short answer? Yes, if you want better odds and fewer heartaches. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t use concrete to grow carrots, right? You need something that your seeds can push gently through as they sprout. With the Brunnings Seed Raising Mix, you’re giving them every chance to succeed.

It’s like sending your seeds off to their first day of school, packed with a snack, water, and a hug—you want them to have what they need to grow.

Keep It Simple and Watch What Happens

Here’s my go-to starter combo: one of those basic seedling trays, some plastic wrap to hold in moisture, and this mix. Moisten the soil before planting. Press your seed in just the right depth (don’t bury it alive, ahem—I’ve done that more than once), and place the tray in a sunny, sheltered spot like a windowsill or patio table. Boom! Done.

Don’t forget to keep the mix damp, not soaked. That’s another sweet spot the Brunnings Seed Raising Mix really helps with—it stays consistently soft without becoming mushy.

A Tip if You’re Really New to Gardening

Start with fast growers. Lettuce, basil, cosmos, zinnias and radish all pop up quickly and make you feel like a real pro, even if you're winging it. There’s nothing more confidence-boosting than a little green sprout saying hello!

Your Garden Starts with Just One Seed

No more staring at empty trays wondering if you got cursed by the plant gods. Whether you’re greening up your balcony or planning pancakes with home-grown strawberries, it all starts here—with the right mix under those seeds.

If your seedlings haven’t shown up to the party yet, change up their welcome mat with Brunnings Seed Raising Mix (5L). It made all the difference for me—and I’m betting it’ll do the same for you.

See you at the nursery!

Cheers,
Candeece 🌿

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