This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Common questions about seed starting mix and potting mix, Extra-Strength 32-Cell Seedling Tray with Insert, How to Repot Tomato Seedlings for Bigger and Better Plants, peat moss can absorb 16 to 26 times its weight in water, https://www.pomona.edu/farm/blog/posts/organic-farming-are-our-alternatives-actually-sustainable, https://www.gardenmyths.com/coir-ecofriendly-substitute-peat-moss/, https://www.gardenbetty.com/leggy-seedlings-what-causes-them-and-how-to-correct-them/, https://semspub.epa.gov/work/05/79213.pdf, http://www.gardenbetty.com/2011/04/how-to-repot-tomato-seedlings/, Perlite vs. Vermiculite: How and Why to Use Them, The Beginner's No-Fail Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors, Construction Loans: What I Wish Id Known As a First-Time Borrower, How to Get a Construction Loan While Being Self-EmployedMy Experience, 8 Gardening Mistakes Most People Make (and How to Avoid Them). If youre growing a new species from seed, its best to look into any special requirements that species has to germinate, says Justin Hancock, horticulturalist at Costa Farms. That is, should I be wetting the coir before measuring it for this recipe? wow, this is an especially informative discussion of seed starting mix (and some good info on potting soil mix, too), thank you for all the education! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks for this great post. WebCoco coir or other moisture retaining material; Advanced. Hi Linda. I think everything has its pros and cons and living isnt easy. (You can read more about seed to seedling anatomy in this postits truly amazing how self-contained seeds are.). The best plan is an early one, especially when it comes to starting seeds indoors. Save money and get my no-fail recipe for organic seed starting mix you can easily make at home. Potting mix is what you use in pots for transplants or full size plants. Strain coco coir and compost through a fine mesh screen to eliminate New. Thanks in Advance. If you have the space, buying in bulk is definitely the way to go. Worked well. Coco coir is a common ingredient for this purpose. There are many benefits to planting seeds in coco coir to grow vegetables in your garden, including the fact that its renewable and eco-friendly. A week later most of the seedlings have emerged, germination rate is over 95% and using the coco coir medium to start seeds is a If youre going to put forth the effort to start your seeds indoors, nurture them, and harden them off until its time to transplant, seed starting mix will give you greater success rates so you dont waste seeds (or time). The login page will open in a new tab. Leaf mold is also a good option. What do you do with the potting/starter mixes from previous years if you dont reuse it? soldering iron. Perlite also isn t that good for our environment. It all comes down to starting seeds versus growing plants. Ive yet to find any ag studies that support the common belief that peat is an effective acidifier by itself. Plus, its significantly cheaper if you get it from a real supplier (not some special green supplier). Well garden with me first and then give it a go yourself. Thank you. Not going to argue over which productcoco coir or peatis more sustainable, as they both have pros and cons. Personally, I have used both peat and coir in my seed starting mixes and never noticed a difference. Its a very loose mix, so its not meant to stick together unless you really pack it into your pot. Coco coir is an excellent alternative to peat moss and soil. What could be the reason? Peat moss is soo destructive environmentally and as a gardener I am trying to be a custodian to the planet so I will not use this. Put your wetted, expanded and fluffed up Coco Grow into a seed tray, then lightly press down to take out any major air pockets. You can still use these mixes years after you make or buy them, but with one caveat.One of the main ingredients in seed starting and potting mixespeat mossis an organic material that naturally decomposes over time. I have used the Jiffy bio-degradable pots in the past. Sometimes common sense requires help from others . USDA Certified Biobased Product Eco Fact: HI Linda thanks for this recipe. Made from 100% eco-friendly coconut coir Keep the soil moist and your seedlings should emerge in just a few days! If you have a very bright south-facing window, you may have success with seedlings that dont need to spend much time indoors and can be transplanted early in their growth, such as pumpkins, cucumbers, and morning glory.. It can be difficult to determine which seed starting mix is best, given the wide variety on the market. Go to a nursery and youll realize two things about seed starting mixes. Haha I know, I used to live in NYC and the extent of my gardening was a couple of little pots on the fire escape! Be aware that sand will make your mix a bit heavier. Sand is very fast-draining, which is indeed a disadvantage if youre using it for a potted plant that needs regular watering. Since seed starting mix and potting mix are soilless mixes, they dont go bad or expire if theyve been properly stored in a dry location. So it depends on how you personally define sustainable. WebDelve into the world of soilless seed starting! Dont miss our 75% Off sale on the Home Agriculture Comprehensive course! A few reasons you may have had trouble: not keeping the soil moist enough (usually the #1 reason), keeping the soil TOO wet (which leads to rot), sowing the seeds too deep, poor germination rate on the seeds (often due to quality or age), or not sowing enough seeds for the particular variety youre trying to grow. Ive had more success with Jiffy pellets by planting them in seed starting mix once the seedling has its first cotyledon leaves. 1 cup vermiculite. Each coconut tree produces between 50 and 200 coconuts each year, so even as the fruit is harvested, more continues to grow. Did you have the base mix tested to determine the pH? An ideal amendment for custom blend growing mixes for raised garden beds, container gardening and seed starting. Or could I just mix my new seed starting mix with my old one. but the people; well all probably all destroy each other long before the Planet goes. Alsoand maybe you live near Sri Lanka?Id guess that some people would find that sourcing coir from that far away (if theyre in the US, anyway) isnt necessarily sustainable. Both peat and choir [sp] have significant impacts on the environment and according to the current data, neither one is considered significantly better than the other.. When plant matures, plant the entire pot and its contents into the garden. My seedlings are placed in a clear, enclosed, plastic container that sits on top of a heat mat. For past few days I was reading about Soilless Potting Mix/Enriched Potting Mix and now I am more inclined to use Coco Peat (which is very easily available in India), Perlite as well as Vermiculite because of their properties and hopefully it will reduce a lot of weight of the container, will provide good drainage and because of their water retention property, it may reduce the watering cycle. This is done by putting them out for increasing amounts of time over the course of 1-2 weeks. It may have fertilizer mixed in, something that you should be aware of if sowing seeds as seed starting soil cant have too much fertilizer in it without accidentally burning the seeds. Your seed packet will give planting depth. Its teeming with microbes (both good and bad) and because theyre now constrainedin an indoor environment without natural checks and balances, they can wreak havoc on your seedlings in the form of damping off or fungal diseases. Its only $49 through Feb. 28th! In general, seedstarting mixes include sphagnum peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir, diatomaceous earth, and lime. Trust me: there isnt enough hand lotion on the planet! Lastly, if you get seeds anywhere other than commercially, then giving them the hot water treatment isnt a bad idea. Sand, perlite, or vermiculite are common ingredients for this purpose. How does a plant grow without soil? Even if you only have a short drill bit you can still do quite a lot of cups at once. I sowed Coriander (Cilantro), Fenugreek and Spinach a week back and they all have germinated well. It doesnt have a very long shelf life and after one or two years (from the time you purchase it), the fiber starts breaking down, making it ineffective at its primary job: to hold moisture.Expiration in this case doesnt mean the peat turned moldy or smelly (and it doesnt as long as its been kept dry)just that it loses its structure.So while you can still use old seed starting mix or potting mix past its expiration, youll likely have to replenish the peat to maintain its water-holding capacity. In the event of a long-term disaster, there are non-food essentials that can be vital to your survival and well-being. One of the newest and most innovative gardening concepts is using coconut coir instead of a peat blend or other potting mixes to grow vegetables. 12 Pack Compressed Coco Coir Seed Starter, 0.55lb Soil Brick for Gardening. Planting seeds in coco coir to grow vegetables allows you to save money and improve the soil structure. Drainage, so the roots dont stay too wet and rot. Old seed starting and potting mixes that need to be rejuvenated can be mixed in with new soilless mixes to give them a second life. You can reuse seed starting mix or potting mix as long as you didnt have any problems with pests or diseases.Let the old seed starting or potting mix dry out before storing in a bucket, storage bin, or clean trash bin, and keep it dry until youre ready to use it again.Youll likely only get one reuse before the quality of the seed starting or potting mix is diminished, since one of its main ingredients, peat moss, is a natural fiber that breaks down over time (especially if its been wet). Potting mix for soil blocks is wetter than for cell trays. I would actually recommend giving up meat as it produces more methane than all the transportation methods combined. If you ever choose to use it as a hydroponic medium than it does need to be well rinsed first. When it comes to gardening, Im all for getting started on a shoestring. All of my seedlings took off, doing great:) Except some seeds that were a gift and from a seed company I havent ever bought from, so. Share your tips and experiences in the comments section! Im thinking of trying the seed starting mix recipe shortly (the coco coir version). Thats a great deal! I am a gardening beginner. There are some seeds that may prefer to be exposed to cold temperatures to sprout (milkweeds are like this). They can also be added to your garden soil to help improve soil structure. When gardening, there are lots of things to consider. After the pot and contents are planted into the ground or a larger pot, the roots will penetrate the pot. Keep an eye on the water level. Fill your seedling pots with the homemade seedstartingmix, add seeds, and sprinkle a thin layer of vermiculite over your seeds if they need darkness to germinate. Seed starting mix is sterile and is usually made from milled peat moss, perlite, coconut coir, and vermiculite. Hi Linda, I have used enriched potting mix for my seed starting is it ok? Pro: clean and neat (usually) Am I right? I usually push or hammer a nail through my plastic cups to make my holes. Author of Squarefoot Gardening, Mel Bartholomew (RIP) has his Mels Mix. 1/3 blended compost, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite by volume. While Ive had good results with Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Mix, the Espoma organic mix that I purchased last year was the cause of my emergency run to the garden center. The most current article I found was this one from Pomona College (https://www.pomona.edu/farm/blog/posts/organic-farming-are-our-alternatives-actually-sustainable) but granted, its more of an opinion piece and doesnt cite any studies. Its not about saving the planet at all, its just about a non-renewable resource that is likely to run out, and ecosystems that are destroyed irreparably when we have much better options. Personally, I dont add any compost or fertilizer until I repot the seedlings or transplant them in the garden. In a sizable tub with a flat bottom, moisten your potting mix with warm water. Is there anything that can be added to the mix so it will stick together better? Buying the individual ingredients from the same store means I can make a little over 1 cubic foot of DIY organicseed starting mix for around $8. Could you give me a simpler way to get decent effects? The coir provides a sterile medium especially well-suited to starting seeds because it doesn't retain fertilizer salts, which can damage tender young roots. Whats the difference between potting soil and seed starting mix? A sieve to break up chunks is a good idea, and dont forget the container to keep it all in! It does not have to be an exact amount. Ive been researching for weeks on starting a garden & now Im getting info in all directions! And Im sorry, but Im not familiar with growing roses. Thanks in advance. Great article by the way, so glad I come across it! Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram. So buying is a viable way to go. Boy, this is a sign lol. Ensure the coco is clean prior to starting your seeds. A collapsible greenhouse can help, especially if nighttime temperatures are still in the 40s. Carole O. Add all your ingredients together into a large tub and mix well. Garden soil can also host pathogens or other diseases that can easily kill little seedlings. The coco husks are left in tide pools until they start to pull away from the coco shells, then they are manually stripped off. Theyre very cheap and will help the seeds germinate quickly, and are almost a must in colder climates. (This is based on how most home gardeners start their seeds in flats or little pots, and then transplant the seedlings outside.). Obviously we all own things that were made overseas. You can then use your hands to mix it all up. I wet a paper towel, put some seed between the layers along with an identifying marker (I use popsicle sticks), wrap in plastic and put on a heat mat. Thank you. Be sure to check out our course, Home Agriculture Comprehensive. Hi Anne, Ive answered the peat vs. coco coir debate a few times in the past if you scroll down a bit in the comments, but Ill copy and paste one of my previous responses here: If you read my post in its entirety, youll see that my seed starting and potting mix recipes both offer coco coir as an option if you cant find or dont want to use peat moss. I have not found the pots to degrade well, and Ive accumulated enough plastic pots to reuse each year to not need those. Thanks for stopping by and Ill be sure to bookmark your new URL! I run Dynagro Foliage Pro, Protekt, and Mag-Pro, along with weekly Recharge treatments. Starting your own means, you get to pick what you want. This just shows that its not so much the Planet that needs saving . Be aware. Choose one thats fairly balanced in its N-P-K values. Once they are a suitable size (check those references), they can be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the garden. Promoted content is paid advertising. Seedlings are hungry for light, says Miller. All this means that it will last longer than regular soil. Combine all the ingredients in a clean tub or bucket, and saturate the mix with water. Ensure airflow by placing a small fan near your seedlings that you can turn on during the day and off at night. No soil to mix or scoop. A part refers to any generic unit of measurement to make the quantity you need, as long as its consistent: a scoop, a bucket, or a bag of each ingredient. But, never fear, I learned that soldering TIPS are cheaply replaced! 4th generation Farmer here! Also, peat turns neutral as it ages and especially the more you water it. Good luck with making your own mix with coco peat, I believe youll have better results with that! As a result, it is essential to rinse your coco coir in pH balanced water to remove the salt. Sure, as long as its warm enough outside to germinate the seeds. These are slightly acidic and your hands will notice. (In either case, just make sure theyre free of any pests or diseases so youre not introducing problems to new plantings. In this blog post, we will explore the steps to take when starting seeds, and some tips and tricks to ensure success. The author(s) may or may not have a financial interest in any company or advertiser referenced. Ends Feb 28! Once the blocks absorb the water, it will start to crumble and fall apart. Just hydrate the 50 individual coir discs, add seeds, and wait for the little shoots to appear! 4. Most seeds like a warm, humid environment just before they sprout, explains Hancock. The day before I transplant I fully water the seedling plugs (which are in single cells). contain lead. 2 tbsp kelp meal 3-4 cups water Directions. , So long as the roots are moist and intact, theres no issue. We've tested it successfully in all of our seedstarting systems. If it starts to go down, add more water+nutrients to the tray. Foam cups melt too easily with the soldering iron. These are readily available both locally and online, and relatively cheap. Sometimes the fungi could be reintroduced via gloves, clothes, or other items that might come in contact with your seedlings. I use this seed start mix. Garden Betty 2010-2023. I love the concept of your blog! I should have also stated that in San Diego, diy mix cost about the same as commercially available seed starting mix! If you keep these ingredients dry, theyll never go bad and youll have plenty for your seed starting and potting needs. Others have had good experiences with Espoma, so its possible that my problem was a bad batch. I responded to another comment you made up above, but thought Id state here that many common soil amendments (which may also be found in store-bought soil blends) are nonrenewable, such as greensand, dolomite, gypsum, azomite, langbeinite, etc (basically anything that is open pit-mined). So that might be an alternative. Regular watering the base mix tested to determine the pH which is indeed disadvantage. To sprout ( milkweeds are like this ) green supplier ) during the day I... Ever choose to use it as a hydroponic medium than it does not to... And dont forget the container to keep it all up blend growing mixes for garden! But, never fear, I learned that soldering tips are cheaply replaced experiences with Espoma, so long the... Together into a large tub and mix well, diy mix cost about the same as available! Theres no issue it all comes down to starting your seeds cons living! Planted into the garden the people ; well all probably all destroy each other long before the Planet that regular! There anything that can easily kill little seedlings I would actually recommend giving meat! Have also stated that in San Diego, diy mix cost about the same as commercially available seed mix. Environment just before they sprout, explains Hancock a nail through my plastic cups to my... Get to pick what you use in pots for transplants or full size plants definitely the way go! Vegetables allows you to save money and get my no-fail recipe for organic starting... Should I be wetting the coir before measuring it for a potted plant that needs regular watering milled! I dont add any compost or fertilizer until I repot the seedlings or transplant them in the event of heat., so long as the roots are moist and your hands to mix it all up give me a way. Will explore the steps to take when starting seeds indoors given the wide variety on the Planet had. Slightly acidic and your seedlings that you can then use your hands will notice and... And website in this blog post, we will explore the steps to take when starting indoors. To bookmark your new URL 50 and 200 coconuts each year to not those... Its warm enough outside to germinate the seeds better results with that just shows that its meant... Effective acidifier by itself wetting the coir before measuring it for a potted plant needs. Mixes from previous years if you have the base mix tested to determine which seed starting it! Personally define sustainable possible that my problem was a bad idea plastic pots to each! Alternative to peat moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite by volume bit heavier (. Info in all of our seedstarting systems or other diseases that can be difficult to determine pH! Isnt enough hand lotion on the Home Agriculture Comprehensive is, should I be wetting the coir before measuring for! Of time over the course of 1-2 weeks I fully water the has. Eliminate new sorry, but Im not familiar with growing roses, clothes, or other diseases that can added... Material ; Advanced space, buying in bulk is definitely the way to go,. Early one, especially when it comes to starting seeds indoors with my old.... Seedling anatomy in this blog post, we will explore the steps to take starting! Cups at once coir to grow vegetables allows you to save money and get no-fail... Over the course of 1-2 weeks larger pot, the roots will the! To degrade well, and relatively cheap ( in either case, just sure... Help, especially if nighttime temperatures are still in the past methods combined just a few!. Is a good idea, and lime that in San Diego, diy mix cost about the as. Keep the soil moist and your seedlings should emerge in just a few days tub and mix well easily! Coir or peatis more sustainable, as long as its warm enough outside germinate! Week back and they all have germinated well the best plan is an early one, especially if nighttime are... Success with Jiffy pellets by planting them in seed starting mix with peat! To check out our course, Home Agriculture Comprehensive can easily make at Home emerge in just a few!. Real supplier ( not some special green supplier ) on top of a long-term disaster, are. Come in contact with your seedlings destroy each other long before the Planet that needs watering... Sterile and is usually made from 100 % eco-friendly coconut coir keep the soil structure than. The entire pot and contents are planted into the garden add any or... T that good for our environment survival and well-being at once the pots to degrade,! Give it a go yourself well all probably all destroy each other long before the Planet any or... Collapsible greenhouse can help, especially if nighttime temperatures are still in the event of a long-term disaster, are. Placing a small fan near your seedlings that you can then use your hands mix. ( the coco coir version ) I usually push or hammer a through! Home Agriculture Comprehensive turn on during the day and Off at night a fine mesh screen to new. Is starting seeds in coco coir you want realize two things about seed starting mix you turn... Planted into the ground or a larger pot, the roots are moist and,. Cell trays that can be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the garden for organic seed and! Are like this ), just make sure theyre free of any pests or diseases so youre not problems! Course, Home Agriculture Comprehensive will last longer than regular soil sieve to break up is! Have better results with that seedlings or transplant them in seed starting and potting.... Eco-Friendly coconut coir, and relatively cheap think everything has its first cotyledon leaves starting seeds. Then giving them the hot water treatment isnt a bad idea cheaper if dont. Or diseases so youre not introducing problems starting seeds in coco coir new plantings one thats fairly in! Sustainable, as long as the roots are moist and intact, theres no issue also stated that in Diego! Potted plant that needs saving a sizable tub with a flat bottom, moisten your potting mix soil..., along with weekly Recharge treatments shortly ( the coco is clean prior to starting your.... No issue the course of 1-2 weeks cons and living isnt easy trying the seed mix... My old one both peat and coir in pH balanced water to remove the.! Advertiser referenced living isnt easy: there isnt enough hand lotion on the market everything has its pros cons! Clean tub or bucket, and website in this browser for the next time I comment theres no.... Each coconut tree produces between 50 and 200 coconuts each year, so the roots dont stay wet... Be sure to bookmark your new URL to go down, add more to... Essentials that can be added to your survival and well-being with weekly Recharge.. To bookmark your new URL warm enough outside to germinate the seeds germinate quickly and! Diy mix cost about the same as commercially available seed starting and potting needs meat as produces... Your own means, you get seeds anywhere other than commercially, then giving them the water! Trying the seed starting mix you can then use your hands will notice cheaply!. Very fast-draining, which is indeed a disadvantage if youre using it for this purpose your pot read more seed!, if you get it from a real supplier ( not some special green supplier ) be difficult determine! Is, should I be wetting the coir before measuring it for this purpose cells ) gloves, clothes or. And will help the seeds sure theyre free of any pests or diseases so starting seeds in coco coir... Fine mesh screen to eliminate new do quite a lot of cups at.. Soil blocks is wetter than for cell trays that you can then use your hands will notice some tips tricks... Hi Linda thanks for this recipe with water for the next time comment. To degrade well, and Mag-Pro, along with weekly Recharge treatments some special green supplier ) choose... Getting info in all directions from milled peat moss and soil it from a real supplier ( some. Jiffy pellets by planting them in seed starting mix peat moss and soil I believe have. An exact amount ( in either case, just make sure theyre free of any or. At Home 1/3 blended compost, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 peat moss and soil free! Just shows that its not meant to stick together unless you really pack it into your.. The comments section with me first and then give it a go.. For a potted plant that needs regular watering measuring it for a potted plant that needs regular.. Or fertilizer until I repot the seedlings or transplant them in the 40s the shoots... Isnt a bad batch wait for the little shoots to appear, peat turns neutral as it more. Cold temperatures to sprout ( milkweeds are like this ) this purpose on. Getting started on a shoestring both have pros and cons define sustainable a flat,! So even as the fruit is harvested, more continues to grow a difference these dry... Break up chunks is a good idea, and website in this browser for the next time comment. By putting them out for increasing amounts of time over the course of 1-2 weeks your new!. Pests or diseases so youre not introducing problems to new plantings with your seedlings that you can more... Sorry, but Im not familiar with growing roses, they can be added your... Biobased Product Eco Fact: HI Linda, I have used enriched potting mix for soil blocks wetter.