Seed starting soil

9 years ago

I have read a lot of posts and articles on the subject but I'm still not 100% sure if what I'm trying to do will work or not.

I start my seeds in the small seed starting trays but once the plants get bigger I move them to a large foam cup. The seed starting soil has no nutrients so it doesn't help the plant once they get bigger and need to feed on something. My idea this year was to fill the foam cups with 80% soil from my garden and the top 20% seed starting soil. That will allow the transplanted plant to stay within the sterile soil for a while but once the roots start growing they will quickly reach the garden soil and start feeding from it.

Have anyone try this? Are the small plants (3-4 weeks old) not ready for the garden soil yet?

I also have worm compost and I was thinking if mixing that with seed starting mix would be a good option for the transplants?

Thanks

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
The problem is garden soil just doesn't work well in any sort of a container, large or small. It is too fine and too dense and won't allow for proper drainage. Make sure your foam cups have a drainage hole in the bottom and fill with your seed starting soil or regular potting (container) soil. After they have their second set of true leaves, you can water with a dilute (not more than half strength) solution of any liquid fertilizer.

Garden soil belongs in the garden or in a bottomless raised bed, nowhere else :-))
digdirt2
9 years ago
In addition to the problem gardengal discussed, you never want to create layers of different types of soils. That creates ponding of the water, a water table develops between the layers of soil as they drain differently and that causes roots to rot.

I agree that using one of the many liquid fertilizers is far better for seedlings but if you feel you must use a dry fertilizer then either buy one of the many soil-less growing mixes that already contain it OR mix a small amount of a dry granular fertilizer in with your seed starting mix.

For future reference, many of the commercial sterile, soil-less growing mixes used for containers can also be used for seed starting. There really is no need for a special seed starting mix in most cases.

Dave
draku_nj_6b thanked digdirt2
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lgteacher
9 years ago
In the horticulture department of a nearby college, they start seeds in a 50-50 mix of peat and perlite, and then add Osmocote when the seedlings are very small.
draku_nj_6b thanked lgteacher
robert567
7 years ago
Why even ever use the fluffy "seed starting mix" they sell for vegetables? You can't grow plants in it. For veggie seeds, why is it so complicated? Most seeds are simple. Why all the unnecessary transplanting that disturbs seedlings? Just use my saved nursery plastic pots and 3 cell packs with container soil. Why waste money on all of those seed starting kits, special seed starting stuff, special peat pots? Why is seed starting so hard? Light, warmth, pots, soil, and water. Why is it so different from outside?

I just got my first grow light set up, full spectrum LED hood, so I'm getting cocky, lol. What else do I need? Any "organic" liquid fertilizers that are practical? I'm not sure what to trust, but I have sworn to never ever use Miracle-gro again.