Creating Homemade Seed-Starting Blend: A Comprehensive Guide
Want to save some cash on your food and supplies? Join the ranks of homesteaders who grow their crops from seed! In this budget-friendly guide, learn to make your own seed starting mix, perfect for those shoestring budgets.
Why not buy seed starting mix from the store, you ask? For starters, it's pricey. When you need to sow hundreds of seeds, you'll soon find that bags don't last long. Moreover, store-bought mix may contain ingredients you don't want or need.
So, what's in the homemade seed starting mix? Only three simple ingredients—perlite, vermiculite, and coconut coir—all easily found at your local garden or farm store.
What Makes Seed Starting Mix Different?
Seed starting mix, also known as seed compost, is made up of material that is soilless, light, grainy, and non-compacting. It has no soil, compost, or fertilizer, all of which are unnecessary for seed germination. In fact, seeds contain all the nutrients they need in the first couple of weeks.
The Importance of Avoiding Soil
Unlike baby chicks, seeds don't require additional nutrients from outside sources. Rather, they draw on the nutrients in their own seed. That's why you can test seeds for germination with just water and a paper towel.
Potting vs. Seed Starting Mix
The terms "potting soil" and "seed starting mix" might seem interchangeable, but they have distinct differences. Potting soil usually contains soil or compost, is denser in texture, and often contains fertilizer. On the other hand, seed starting mix is lightweight, non-compacting, and supports seedling growth while avoiding unnecessary materials.
Is Seed Starting Mix Necessary?
While you can start seeds in potting soil, the results might not be as positive as with seed starting mix. Potting soil may promote mold and fungal growth, leading to problems with germination. For serious seed-starters, a homemade seed starting mix is the best choice.
What's the Best Seed Starting Mix Recipe?
The perfect seed starting mix will have good drainage but also retain enough moisture for healthy seed growth. Three simple ingredients will get the job done:
- Coconut coir: This sterile medium, derived from the fiber found between the shell and outer coating of a coconut, holds water well, making it an ideal base for seedlings.
- Perlite: This volcanic glass has a light, styrofoam-like texture and improves drainage and aeration, keeping roots healthy.
- Vermiculite: Compressed dry flakes of mineral used for rehydration when watered again, making it a vital ingredient in any seed starting mix.
Combine equal parts of perlite, vermiculite, and coconut coir and mix thoroughly. Before using the mix in your seedling trays, wet it down to ensure uniform moisture levels. Happy planting!
Up Next: Check out our other seed starting articles, from common mistakes to vegetables to start indoors. Get ready to reconnect with your food, nature, and the heritage way of life. Join over 40,000 like-minded folks in our Facebook group, "The Self Sufficient Life." Click here to join us!
[1]: "Seed Starting Mix," University of Missouri Extension, accessed March 31, 2023, http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/G6470
[4]: "Seed Starting Mix vs Potting Soil: What’s the Difference?," Burpee, Accessed March 31, 2023, https://www.burpee.com/learn/growing-vegetables/growing-vegetables-from-seed/seed-starting-mix-vs-potting-soil-whats-the-difference/
In the quest for a budget-friendly gardening lifestyle, crafting your own seed starting mix is an excellent approach. This homemade mix, which consists of perlite, vermiculite, and coconut coir, is perfect for those growing seasons in the home-and-garden sphere. When cultivating your own crops from seed, using a soilless seed starting mix can promote healthy seedling growth while ensuring fewer unnecessary materials.
