Homemade Seed Starting Mix

OhioGardener 2/4/2024, 12:33 pm

A common seed starting mix for SFG'ers is using Mel's Mix, such as referred to in this post: https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t23798-mel-s-mix-as-seeding-mix

If no extra MM is available, another easy to make, and very successful, seed starting mix is to make one using available ingredients:

4 Parts Screened Compost (use 1/4" screen)
2 Parts Peat Moss
2 Parts Medium Vermiculite

...or, if preferred perlite can be substituted for part of the vermiculite:

4 Parts Screened Compost
2 Parts Peat Moss
1 Part Medium Vermiculite
1 Part Perlite

This mix is easy to make and store, and much more economical than store purchased seed starting mix. The peat moss and vermiculite will both retain moisture and keep the soil friable for root development of the new seedlings, while the compost will continue to nourish the seedlings.

**sanderson** 2/4/2024, 4:05 pm

I use extra* MM and screen it with a 1/4" gold miner's screening pan that fits on a 5-gallon bucket. Very Happy

It turns out looking like this.

Screening extra* Mel's Mix saved from rebuilding beds. Sometimes a 2'x4' will be built as a 2'x3'.


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Homemade Seed Starting Mix

Homemade Seed Starting Mix

Re: Homemade Seed Starting Mix