Hi, Exactly two & half weeks ago started next horticulture with Indian Spinach- Palak(Spinacia Oleracea). I opted for Furrowing then sowed around 12 seeds, 6 in series & parallel to each other. As per instruction on seed packet I kept soil moist & exactly in 4 days seeds germinated. All was going right till 1 & half week and then I found few seedlings fall over like its got tiny cut on middle part of stem & above part bend due to it. I gave support & made it erect by gathering soil together & even tying up carefully to toothpick but efforts went in vein & all died. During these 1 & half week I opted for semi-shade sunlight against the seed packet instruction- "Expose to sunlight after one week". So I felt lack of sunlight may causing issue & kept it outdoor & put Mosquito nets to protect from birds & excessive sunlight. But result was even worse & that now almost all seedling are falling over. A quick Google search caused fear in mind, Are my spinach seedling become victim of "Damping off" ?? Pics- [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/pyifHmQl.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/jWm1ArXl.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/ocnnqMSl.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/CQKSb4yl.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/dewPydAl.jpg[/IMG] If yes is there any way to save them? What must have gone wrong?? I opted for regular soil+compost mixture readily available in market. I'm thinking of Few plans before sowing next time please advise & correct me- 1. Prepare soil by mixing with NPK Fertilizer.(spinach's Nitrogen requirement) 2. Add bio ingredients like neem cake & after market products to enrich soil ability to battle predators. 3. Wet seeds in humic acid & then sow or spray humic acid on soil before sowing to stimulate root growth. 4. Use Plant/seed starter solution as per instructions.

For the compost, which is the best I can purchase from Lowes or Home Depot?