seed media.. is usually finer ground ... brand name really doesnt matter ..

do not buy such with fert in it ... you should be in charge of that ...

you dont mention what you actually want to grow ... so its a bit speculative to guess what might be best to use ...

you might also want to tell us where you are.. as canadian sources might not be the same as US or GB sources.. or product names ...

welcome to the forums ...

ken

I agree that brand name is inconsequential. Most seed starting mixes are very similar in that they are comprised of very fine and lightweight materials, typically peat or coir and perlite or vermiculite. Any can work. Sterilization is optional but many prefer it.

And yes to no added fertilizers. Seeds do not require fertilization until they have been up-potted into a standard container mix.

It doesn't really matter.

Personally, I dump everything in the same as my potting soil (Miracle Gro Moisture Control). It's easier.

And while it does have some endemic fertilizers, the flat is contained. It spares me having to fertilize with anything except nitrogen during the development phase of five to eight weeks until plant-out.

The large bales of pro-mix are decent. They can be had around here for about 30 bucks... but you have to be using that much in a season. If you don't want to use it all in the first season you buy it then you need to get it very dry, seal it in a bag(or 2 or 3), and store it in a cool place until you need it. Starts benefit from fertilizer after the first 2 sets of true leaves... I fertigate every watering with a weak solution through bottom watering... just set the whole plug tray in a trough until it wicks up enough that the top starts to look moist. Then I take it out and set it up over another trough on daisy trays to drain... every few trays this drainage gets poured back into the first trough.