I use potting mix that is used for container gardening, not seed starting mix. I think seed starting mix is finer than regular potting mix. The main thing is to use a mix which is light and drains well. My favorite is Pro-Mix but HD does not carry it any longer so I use Miracle Grow or Lowe's brand, or other potting mixes.

just wondering, whats the difference between potting soil and potting mix? does it matter which one we use?

You want a soil that will hold moisture, but also able to drain well, not back down and turn the soil into adobe bricks.

I've been WS for quite a few year snow, this will be year #7.

The only soil I use is miracle grow potting mix. (be sure it is the regular potting mix not the one with soil retention).

I have near 100% germination with every container since starting and using miracle grow and wouldn't use anything else.

You can get it in 2 cubic foot bags, sometimes 2 1/2 cubic foot bags.

I usually get it at either K-mart or Walmart, but they do have it at home depot as well.

Good luck and welcome to wintersowing and the wintersowing forum.

Read the FAQ's and ask all the questions you want. One of us will always pop in and post an answer to your questions.

We love newbies,

Fran

Poetmama, where abouts in IL, are you located. jim

I just got some potting mix/soil from my nursery. I didn't think it would be an issue to get some now, but all their soil was out on flats and the bags were frozen together. The only bag they could pry loose was a potting mix they said they use, but I swear it's more like fine mulch than mix or soil. It doesn't have any added moisture retention or weed-killing additives and says it is good for seed starting. But, I hope my finer seeds don't get lost in the huge bark pieces that seem to be the main component of this stuff. I'm trusting to nature's resiliency on this one. This is my first year to winter sow.

Potting soil is heavier than potting mix. Potting mix is soiless. Potting soil does not drain as well. Most do not use potting soil unless they add things to improve drainage like peat moss, compost, vermiculite, etc. Too much work for me when I can buy potting mix that drains well.

I use a variety of mixes. Last year some was from a local nursery made up of compost from the local yard waste facility and vermiculite and maybe some peat moss. It also was like a very fine mulch. It worked okay. Huge bark pieces do not sound good, any big pieces of bark or sticks, etc in the mixes I use are discarded before I sow my seeds.

I don't like the moisture retention for seeds as feel it keeps the mix too wet though will use mix that contains it if that's all I have available and have not seen any mix with weed-killing additives so don't worry about the lack of those. Added fertilizer is also not needed as the seedlings get transplanted while they are very tiny so don't have time to use the fertilizer. (OK, sometimes I don't get those seedlings planted out right away. Then I water with a weak water soluble fertilizer.)

Jim, I'm in the far northern Chicago suburb of Lindenhurst, which is close to the Wisconsin border, near Gurnee. I don't think we're too far from zone 4! Looks like you're in the Quad Cities?

Great advice on mixes, everyone. I am picking up about 40 jugs from Freecyclers next week, then the sowing shall begin!

Seems to me most potting mixes will work well, just be sure it's light and fluffy and drains well. A lot of folks say Hyponex is bad, never tried it myself. Adding perlite will increase drainage if the mix is heavy. I like perlite.

I like bark (pine fines)too and often add it to my peat based mixes. I also add a lot of perlite to some of them.

I can't get the compressed bales of ProMix locally but did like it a lot when I could get it. I also like Fafard and MetroMix.

Karen

a compressed bale of promix will do about 100 or so milk jugs. Its a economically way of doing alot. Plus promix is a very good soiless mixture, once you crumble it up. Here in my climate Ive never had anything but great results from it. However, some south of me says it will dry up too fast.

Ive used miracle grow potting soil as well, thats fine. I just like the promix especially for the size of the bale.

Silverkelt

Finding Promix bx here is difficult.HD sells MG. I don't know what brands Lowe's sells..Token should be the one to ask about what Lowe's sells. Maybe he'll see this and respond.
For Fagard or however that brand is spelled..I will have to drive 20 miles to a garden center/nursery. I will be about 5 miles from a HD, and Walmart, and Target on Tuesday so I will probably stop in after I am finished bowling.

I get all my mix from Lowes and it's usually Miracle Grow of some sort. I use soilless mix with or without the moisture control stuff. I don't worry about the "sticks" and larger chunks of stuff. I figure sprouts have to deal with worse than that in nature. I will pick out the occasional lump if it rises to the top of a container and is convenient to grab. I always have great results.

Martha