Potting Mix

gunrunner · February 4, 2015

Greetings from Presleyville!

I plan to grow my tomatoes from seeds this year and would like to know: What is your favorite store bought potting mix? Many people say that Miracle Gro has too many
sticks in it. I really could use some suggestions.

Thanks
Mike
Memphis

1

JJJessee · February 4, 2015

Before I started mixing my own, I found Fox Farm's Ocean Forest to be excellent, but also about $20 a bag (1.5cuft). Hyrdoshops tend to carry it or organic garden supply specialists.

PaulF · February 4, 2015

I use Miracle-Gro but not the moisture control style. Yes, it does have some sticks and clods, but it seems to be easy to get rid of that stuff. I have used more expensive soilless mixes but have not seen any advantage so far as germination or growth habit because of it. I have also used other brands with no problem (Schultz, Master Gardener, etc). I buy whatever is on sale or cheaper.

greyghost · February 4, 2015

The most important thing is to make sure that it's labeled "seed starter mix"
so that it's a very fine mix that is sterile (most important to prevent damping
off disease) and has no fertilizers to burn newly emerging roots.

I generally use Promix bx; Jiffy and Fafard, Fox Farms Light Warrior, even Miracle
Grow has a starter mix that should be finer than the potting mix. Some people
are using Wonder Soil and UltraSorb. I think Jiffy starter may be the easiest to find-you'll probably be limited to what is available locally unless you order seeds from a company that also sells seed starting products. Amazon is also a good source. An alternate starting medium would be expanding peat pellets (Jiffy);
also coir pellets available-I think they're called "jumpstart".

I generally use Promix bx to pot up seedlings, too, adding dilute liquid
fertilizer as they grow. On occasion, I'll mix coir into the Promix. I've also
added earthworm casings to starting mix (also a component of Wonder Soil),
about 10% or so by volume, with very good results.

Once you get some good suggestions, ask around at hardware stores, farm/garden supply, and hydroponic stores (especially for Fox Farms products) for availability. I personally use Amazon quite a bit for products
as well as companies I order seed from such as Johnny's.

I often use dilute Neptune's Harvest or General Hydroponics FloraNova Grow
for seedlings after they get a couple sets of leaves.

Be sure and ask if you have questions about light requirements of seedlings-very important aspect of growing healthy, strong seedlings. Good Luck!

tlintx · February 4, 2015

All good advice!

How many are you looking to start? Going to keep them in containers or move to the ground?

The reason I ask is you can get around 100 peat pellets for $15 on Amazon and they're really a very easy way to start things off, assuming you have less than 100 plants to start, that is.

As far as potting mix goes, I'll let you know when I find one!

Although I hear good things about ProMix BX (and would buy the Fox Farms Ocean Forest in a heartbeat if I could find it locally).

shelleybean · February 4, 2015

I, too, use a mix that's made specifically for seed starting. As far as specific brands go, I like Black Gold and Fafard.

Cole_Robbie · February 4, 2015

I bought some Light Warrior last year. I kind of wonder if it is just grow mix with more perlite in it. The bag weighs very little, and there seems to be a lot of perlite in it.

Stainless · February 4, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelleybean

I, too, use a mix that's made specifically for seed starting. As far as specific brands go, I like Black Gold and Fafard.

I've been testing Black Gold up against Jiffy this year.. and so far I am liking Black Gold more. The Jiffy dries up faster and doesn't hold moisture as well. These are just my experiences so far.

luigiwu · February 4, 2015

I only use seed starter mix when germinating seeds in cells, last year's brand was Jiffy. After they grow a couple sets of true leaves, I pot them up in regular potting mix - I've used a couple of different big-box store brands like miracle gro, sta-green (lowes) etc, Vagoro (home depot.) Sometimes the quality of the MG can really vary (depending on the factory, I think)

February 4, 2015	#1
gunrunner Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: memphis tn Posts: 81	Potting Mix Greetings from Presleyville! I plan to grow my tomatoes from seeds this year and would like to know: What is your favorite store bought potting mix? Many people say that Miracle Gro has too many sticks in it. I really could use some suggestions. Thanks Mike Memphis 1

February 4, 2015	#3
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,291	I use Miracle-Gro but not the moisture control style. Yes, it does have some sticks and clods, but it seems to be easy to get rid of that stuff. I have used more expensive soilless mixes but have not seen any advantage so far as germination or growth habit because of it. I have also used other brands with no problem (Schultz, Master Gardener, etc). I buy whatever is on sale or cheaper. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

February 4, 2015	#5
tlintx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SeTx Posts: 881	All good advice! How many are you looking to start? Going to keep them in containers or move to the ground? The reason I ask is you can get around 100 peat pellets for $15 on Amazon and they're really a very easy way to start things off, assuming you have less than 100 plants to start, that is. As far as potting mix goes, I'll let you know when I find one! Although I hear good things about ProMix BX (and would buy the Fox Farms Ocean Forest in a heartbeat if I could find it locally). Last edited by tlintx; February 4, 2015 at 11:02 AM. Reason: forgot to answer the actual question

February 4, 2015	#6
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I, too, use a mix that's made specifically for seed starting. As far as specific brands go, I like Black Gold and Fafard. __________________ Michele

February 4, 2015	#9
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I only use seed starter mix when germinating seeds in cells, last year's brand was Jiffy. After they grow a couple sets of true leaves, I pot them up in regular potting mix - I've used a couple of different big-box store brands like miracle gro, sta-green (lowes) etc, Vagoro (home depot.) Sometimes the quality of the MG can really vary (depending on the factory, I think) __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!

February 4, 2015	#2
JJJessee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Abingdon, Va Posts: 184	Before I started mixing my own, I found Fox Farm's Ocean Forest to be excellent, but also about $20 a bag (1.5cuft). Hyrdoshops tend to carry it or organic garden supply specialists.

February 4, 2015	#4
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	The most important thing is to make sure that it's labeled "seed starter mix" so that it's a very fine mix that is sterile (most important to prevent damping off disease) and has no fertilizers to burn newly emerging roots. I generally use Promix bx; Jiffy and Fafard, Fox Farms Light Warrior, even Miracle Grow has a starter mix that should be finer than the potting mix. Some people are using Wonder Soil and UltraSorb. I think Jiffy starter may be the easiest to find-you'll probably be limited to what is available locally unless you order seeds from a company that also sells seed starting products. Amazon is also a good source. An alternate starting medium would be expanding peat pellets (Jiffy); also coir pellets available-I think they're called "jumpstart". I generally use Promix bx to pot up seedlings, too, adding dilute liquid fertilizer as they grow. On occasion, I'll mix coir into the Promix. I've also added earthworm casings to starting mix (also a component of Wonder Soil), about 10% or so by volume, with very good results. Once you get some good suggestions, ask around at hardware stores, farm/garden supply, and hydroponic stores (especially for Fox Farms products) for availability. I personally use Amazon quite a bit for products as well as companies I order seed from such as Johnny's. I often use dilute Neptune's Harvest or General Hydroponics FloraNova Grow for seedlings after they get a couple sets of leaves. Be sure and ask if you have questions about light requirements of seedlings-very important aspect of growing healthy, strong seedlings. Good Luck!

February 4, 2015	#7
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I bought some Light Warrior last year. I kind of wonder if it is just grow mix with more perlite in it. The bag weighs very little, and there seems to be a lot of perlite in it.