How to Make Inexpensive Sterile Starting & Potting Mix: Peat, Vermiculite & Perlite-No Fungus Gnats
Вставка
- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- I show you how to make sterile seed starting and potting mixes from peat moss, vermiculate and perlite. I go over different ratios and actually mix the variations so you can see them. I also go over 2 ways you can sterilize your mixes so you don't get fungus gnats, fungus or disease. Fungus gnat eggs often sit dormant in peat moss.
Options for Grow Lights I reviewed in another video.
Here is the Lights of America LED 4500 Lumens, 5000K 4 foot Shop Light as seen in video amzn.to/2DCf8zi
Here is the Lithonia Lighting LED 3000 Lumens, 4000K 3 foot Shop light as seen in the video amzn.to/2DZWkIl
Amazon price will vary as I quoted Walmart in store price.
Please Help Support My Channel: The Rusted Garden - Thanks!
Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedg...
You can support The Rusted Garden by using this link for anything you purchase on Amazon. It doesn't have to be garden related. Anything you purchase gives a % return back to The Rusted Garden
amzn.to/2ttyray Thanks for using my link. It helps fund my garden videos!
Subscribe to My UA-cam Channel (800 Garden Videos) - The Rusted Garden: / pilarchik
Follow me on Instagram for Harvest Pictures, Updates and Monthly Give-Aways: / therustedgarden
Visit My Original Blog The Rusted Vegetable Garden: therustedgarde...
Contact Me at therustedgarden@gmail.com
Any of the shows where you actually give people the recipes and show them how to make inexpensive version of those overpriced ones in the store, that's the videos that rock! Great video.
And you can adapt this for your needs. Thanks
You are absolutely the BEST GARDENING SHOW ON UA-cam!!! Anything I need to know, I go right to you and I got all my questions answered correctly!! Keep up the great work you do!!
I really appreciate that. Let me know if you have other questions too.
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim.
That was a nice and clear explanation.
My two/three cents:
- Use a container for "cooking" the soil which is not going to be used for food (to avoid complaints).
- That container should not be PET plastic or anything which will not withstand well boiling water temperature (wood might not be a good idea either). I am using an spare plastic microwave safe container with its own cover (so I don't need the film).
- Don't be impatient, wait for the mix to cool down unless you want to cook your seeds.
- I am covering the starting pots with seal-able bags (zip-lock, or some rubber band) to avoid posterior contamination and boost humidity. But maybe that's a different story.
Excellent 2+ cents. Thanks!
I was lucky enough to find the Jiffy Professional seed starting mix on clearance for $2.00 last season! I bought 20 bags!
Well you cant beat that now!
Same here. 2 years I got it at walmart at the end of the season for 2.50/bag. I only bought 8 bags. I went back the next season but they didn't have any left to sell on clearance. Bummer.
Your suggestion about sterilizing starting and potting soil with boiling water has been invaluable. I use that trick when I’m reusing soil too.
It works well
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Check out my Amazon Storefront for garden lights, seed starting supplies, fertilizer, pest management, books and more! www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Great video! I always end up buying several of the Jiffy mix bags every year, which, I swear goes up in price every year. Used to be $3.50, last year was $5. Burpee seed starting mix is good and a little cheaper, I tried it last year and was pleased. I did buy a small (8 qts) of vermiculite last week with the idea of making my bagged mix go a little further. Now, I need to go get a bale of peat moss and lug it down the basement to make some mix! Thank you!
It really works. The sterilizing is key too.
Jolene Talboom don't forget to sift your peat moss always moisten your mix with boiling water
I never thought about microwaving it, might have to wait till my wife is out of the house first, that will trigger her!
I like the smell. LOL. My wife hates it.
hahaha I was literally thinking oh his wife must love that!! N then u both sd it 😂😂😂 I'm dead 💀💀 lol
Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden) I hope u had great holidays with family! N wish u a prosperous new year!! 😉💜
Lollllllll
Haha, my wife would be so upset if I started using her bowls and microwave to heat up starting mix.
Thank you Gary! I've seen several of your videos on this and I'm finally going to try doing it myself. It seemed so intimidating at first but I'm learning more and more and feel up to it now. I've learned a lot from your videos, so thanks again!
Cheers to giving it a try. Dont worry and just have fun. You can learn till you start.
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Check out my Amazon Storefront for garden lights, seed starting supplies, fertilizer, pest management, books and more! www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
My grandma always used to bake her soil to use it to start seeds. Thanks for the tips. I'm going to get started soon.
She was wise.
Perfect timing, I am transplanting my tomatoes and okra seedlings to bigger cups tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck
www.therustedgarden.com & Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications of new videos. Thanks
Many years ago I used my "special recipe" for germinating seeds. I vaguely remember using certain proportions of vermiculite, peat moss and some kind of commercial potting mix. There may have been a couple of other ingredients. One season, I got curious as to whether it was really necessary to mix my own.
I set up a simple test, germinating tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach and arugula. For each of these plants, I sowed 6 seed cells in four different mediums. One was my "special" germination mix, fine vermiculite, a commercial germination mix and a simple generic potting soil.
My conclusions were that there really wasn't a significant different among the different propagation mediums, although when it came time to transplant I noticed that the seeds started in simple, fine vermiculite appeared to be slightly more well-developed than the others.
I now use primarily fine vermiculite for germinating seeds - primarily because it's rather inexpensive and less messy than anything else. I'm not too obsessed with using vermiculite and if I don't have any on-hand, I'll use any kind of potting soil available.
Your particular potting mix looks intriguing, although I don't relish the thought of going through all that bother. But I like your videos and have picked up some good tips. I think this year I'll give it a test and compare it with my other starts. I've got to be honest though: I'm hoping I won't see a dramatic improvement using your mix as I'd rather not go through the bother of mixing my own. In that case, I'll end up cursing you and thanking you at the same time.
Many thanks for your efforts in making and publishing these helpful videos,
I find vermiculite and peat are the key ingredients. Over time i found that is all you really need too.
Last year I used straight peat as per your video for seed sowing, it worked great!
Its a good starter
Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications & Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs: www.therustedgarden.com
Greetings from Nova Scotia, Canada! Great job on showing the various proportions and staying on topic!
That is my goal. Topic and point.
The BEST explanation so far. Thank you so very much 👏🙌👊
Glad to share
You can find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more! at www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop (My Shop) for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com Please subscribe if you have a chance (Thanks!)
Sterile is a bit of a misnomer, as boiling water isn't sufficient to neutralize spores present in your environment.
Environmental organisms are generally beneficial, and your method of eliminating pests is effective, so really everyone understands what you mean.
Great playlist, I have a lot to learn.
Really good video! Really informative! I watch your videos since almost 3 years, and I always enjoy every single one of them!
Thanks so much for your time. I really appreciate it. Please spread the word.
Thanks Gary, your tops and you have saved lots of money over the years as well as great growing success.
Getting into gardening just now, and I want thank you for all the gardening tutorials you have on your videos. I’ve learned a lot! Question though if you have time, if I’m going to be using a bigger size pot to start my seeds in, what mixture should I use? Can I still use the 3:1 ratio of peat to vermiculite or do I use a more soil based mixture. Thank you sir in advance.
Thank you so much for making this video! I already boiled my bag of my jiffy seed starting mix, but I goofed when I was transplanting my tomato seedlings from one cup into some other cups (once they were all pretty good Size ) I ran out of my seed starting mix & had to use some other soil that already had a mixture of perlite in it (& since I am new, I think I may have had a bit too much perlite in it, but it was all I had at the moment).
I did however give them all a diluted watering of Vermisterra Worm tea (hope that was right?!)
And, incase you're wondering... When I planted the Tomatoes seeds, I planted 2 seeds & after a couple weeks, nothing germinated (before it took about week) so, I thought perhaps they were too old. So, I planted 4 more well, just under a week later, germination happened! Yay! But then next thing ya know... Those 4 seeds or should I say 6 seeds somehow turned into "36" plants 2-1/2 weeks later!!
There was 1 really big one, 4-5 pretty good sized & the rest were pretty small, I didn't have the heart to just tear them apart & throw away the babies! I soaked them & was successful in separating almost all (only 2 broke just near the end) & all others having their own root & re-planted in a solo cups!
Definitely a lesson learned as a brand new Gardener! 🤣 🍅 🌿 ♥️
Well that is success. Better to have more. LOL. They are hard to thin and get rid off
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for seeds, seed starting supplies, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com & Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications of new videos. I have over 1250 garden videos you can search and find the answer you need. Thanks
Thank you so much! I never thought of adding boiling water, but it makes so much sense.
It really helps.
Thank you! Never thought about using hot water. Definitely will be doing this.
It sure helps
Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs at www.therustedgarden.com & Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications. Thanks
Couldn’t smash the like button fast enough!! Thanks for the tips on soil - my ratios were a little rusty. Now they are Rusty.
Great useful vídeo -thks
From madrid Spain
Love meeting global gardeners. Glad to help
Another great video very helpful on that seed starting mix and the combinations it's what I'm going to try next thank you
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Had things potted in organic potting soil and now have gnats! Guess I'll take the plants out and go thru the process then repot???
It happens a lot indoors. Good luck.
Get your Fall Garden Seeds & Spring Seed Starting Supplies at... Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/
Your videos are great! Always thorough and informative. Thank you so much
Glad to help.You can support The Rusted Garden by using this link for anything you purchase on Amazon. It doesn't have to be garden related. Anything you purchase gives a % return back to The Rusted Garden
amzn.to/2ttyray Thanks for using my link. It helps fund my garden videos!
The old school way of sanitizing starting mix is 30 minutes in the oven at 200 deg F.
Old school works.
What does that smell like? That might trigger my husband.
I was wondering exactly the same thing!
dry/wet, does it matter?
@@EWG-hx5xb it will help kill nats eggs and mold . I got lots of nats last year. I'm trying it this year.
I have an 11x4ft hay bed, and two 5x5 dug beds. I just grew my first successful batch of seedlings (cabbages and spinach) 16 plants in total.
I want to grow 34 tomato plants plus a bunch of other plants next summer, so I think it's time for me to make my own potting mix.
It will save you money and youll find you make as good as stuff as any bag if not better. Nice garden!
My New YT Channel with Garden Videos 1 minute or less it is called... 60 Seconds or Sow Gardening Shorts: ua-cam.com/channels/qCRvbBUYBcPqZTYWax86aw.html
Thanks! Just made an order at your seed shop and will make another order soon. Wish you sold the trays. Great videos!
Very appreciated. They are actually a pain to ship and it makes them a bit more costly. I am looking into it though.
I sent you some extra stuff too.
Gary, great vids! A little info on organic starter fertilizers. I have used Espoma Bio tone Starter Plus for years in both my seed starting and transplanting mixes. It contains a biological inoculant that makes the nutrients quickly available to the plants. In fact, I never have to feed any liquids to my starter plants, I simply use water. Takes a lot of guess work out. Also, the biological components in this type of food protect the young plants from harmful pathogens. A sterile soil offers no protection. In a sterile soil a pathogen can roam free, with no competition from good microbes, they easily take over. If you use the Espoma you will see fungus growing at the top of the soil. In fact, this is good thing. These are the good microbes, included with the mix (rare is the organic mix that does not includes these) that are, not only protecting from bad microbes, but are helping to build a stronger, more healthy plant. I've compared plants grown in this soil to those fed liquid fertilizer and the plants in the Bio-tone are always bigger and healthier. Also, to control a fungus gnat infestation I use EZ Wet SE (must get the SE version). It's a sticker/spreader that can be used with a foliar program, but it also functions as a root drench that kills the larvae. Keep up the great work! Your new series is awesome!
Thanks that is good to know. I am using worm casting this year too for a change. I never heard of EZ Wet SE. I look into it. The more information the more choices. Thanks.
I'd love to hear what you find with the worm castings. I tried them and the earthworm tea (I believe the same brand) on my plants last year, all were in containers then, and found no difference in performance than those which received none. I'd also love for you to address the question of the "aged" castings vs. not, as I'm inclined to try the "not" this year. You mentioned in a video, that you had a section wherein you were trying them in your garden. What was your conclusion there? I've just been on hold, wondering if I should use them in my raised beds this year, waiting for your conclusions. I've seen others become an "advertisement" for this and other companies and don't find that trustworthy because they are being compensated, with product or money or both. Thank you, Gary for not choosing that route! It's one of the reasons we trust you!
D B - When you see the white fungus growing on top of the soil, do you just leave it there? This just happened to me on a repotted houseplant. I thought my soil was bad. I'm trying to put some plants in my bedroom & I think I'm allergic to the fungus though. I've felt sick ever since it showed up.
Excellent video! You are the best
Thanks so much
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Check out my Amazon Storefront for garden lights, seed starting supplies, fertilizer, pest management, books and more! www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. Please subscribe as it really helps me & please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com
I realize this was posted nearly 2 yrs. ago. I have a few questions. Today I bought 4 tomato plants and 2 bell pepper plants. I want to plant them this weekend. For soil that you will be using outside, do I need to add boiling water to the mix? I will be using 5 gallon buckets and raised garden. Thank you for all of your wonderful knowledge. You are a lifesaver!
Not for outside. Insects and Nature are all over. Just for indoors. Good luck.
Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/
- Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More
Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden) Thank you!
Sir can you replace peat moss with cocopeat instead for seed & potting mix? Excellent advice. Thank you for sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍
You cans for sure
Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com
Hello sir very good vedio. I am from India here cocopeat is much cheper then peat moss . Can i use cocopeat in place of peat moss . And which one is best ?🙏
Thanks for your wonderful video ,loved the tips👌🙏
Thanks!
I followed the recipe exactly this year and also used jiffy starting mix and found that the jiffy starting mix growth of plants was double what the home made mix was.
Well jiffy wins. I didn't notice much difference. You could always up the vermiculite to better replicate JM.
What is the reason that you wouldn't just start in the slightly bigger container when planting seeds? It seems like you wouldn't need to transplant from the little black container to the next larger size.
Room. If you have the room, start in the largest pot possible. For me I start 500+ plants so I start them in smaller spaces due to space limits.
Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs: www.therustedgarden.com
Excellent videos Gary!!! They are my "bible" to go to . I would like to know when you say to add 4 to 8 oz of perilte to your starting mix for transplanting, what is the ratio there.I know you use 3:1 peat moss to vermiculite, but what is the total ? Your "bowl unit" doesn't tell me what is the ratio to add the vermiculite to.
Ah I see. Just generally speaking its about 4-8 ounces in that much as you see in video. I dont know if I figured out a ration for it. You can stick with 3:1 for peat and vermiculite. as that is key. I actually dont use perlite anmore. It wasnt needed. Thanks so much for watching.
I now have an Amazon Influencer's Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is free to use and anything you buy may be eligible. Just use my... The Rusted Garden link at www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden anytime you shop. I have garden items broken into categories.
Yes, I've seen your storefront. Got some things last year. I wish you could add more of the things you use in your videos, i.e. the VermisTerra and other components to make the mixes for seed strating, etc.
If I could make a suggestion, I wonder if you could make another wonderful video about cleaning used containters. I searched but I couldn't find anything related to it within your videos.
Thanks for taking the time to answer, I'm sure you get tons of comments
@@THERUSTEDGARDEN
Hi Gary, I'm wondering, before I try this method, if I would be killing all the good bacteria while killing the bad bacteria in the soil when cooking it? Please advise...... Tks for your great videos.... :)
You dont need to worry about that for seed starting. Sterile is fine and good. The plants live off seed coat to start and some water soluble fertilizer to continue growing. You can also add in worm casting if you want some soil life there. Once that get ouside and grow massive root systems, thats when they need soil life.
Please subscribe if you have a chance (Thanks!) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Check out my Amazon Storefront for garden lights, seed starting supplies, fertilizer, pest management, books and more! www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. Please subscribe as it really helps me in making videos.
Awesome tutorial. Thank you!
Thanks for watching.
Check out my new Amazon Influencer's Shop. Anything you buy on Amazon helps The Rusted Garden when using my link. Ill be putting what I use in videos there for 2019. It is all set up by categories. Thanks. www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Great vids as usual! I probably missed it even though I watched it a few times: 1. Put the ingredients together 2. Microwave OR 2. Pre-moisten then 3. Microwave? Or does it matter? Thanks Gary!
Always put moist soil in the microwave. In my opinion.
I steamed my soil in the fall when bringing in outdoor plants. It worked great for at least 6 weeks. All it takes is a couple of eggs and there you go though. I developed a horrible infestation. I did find that cinnamon really keeps them at bay though more than any other product. Would that be safe on seedlings do you think?
Also a liquid fish & kelp fertilizer will work very well. This can be used on your organic seedlings.
Yea a couple eggs. I think I had some on sweet potatoes that are causing an annoyance. It is safe for seedlings. Test it as good practice but I havent noticed harm. I have a video on hydrogen peroxide drench for seed starts. I would experiment with that too. Kill the larva.
Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications & Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs: www.therustedgarden.com
I like the way you explain all..thank you!!!
That's my goal. And you can proceed as you wish from the info.
I always buy "ProMix BX"... a compressed 3.8 cubic foot bag expands to 7 cubic feet, and costs me $38.00 (very cost effective)......thats a LOT of seed starting mix......and a lot less work. I have been using ProMix for years, works perfectly.
Thanks
Great video! What is your opinion on adding worm castings to the mix? And if that's ok to do, what ratio should it be?
Actually I have an experiment running on those starts you saw. I am using premium casting at a lower ratio to provide nutrients and such. Ill be talking more about it later. I wanted to try some with the straight seed starts to see when it does. But ultimately I want to use it in my potting mix when I plant the seed starts up to bigger containers. We will see!
Great information! Thanks for showing us!
Very glad to help.
Very informative, my issue is my area's climate is is particularly dry no matter how much I water the pot and I started using a drip feeder in an attempt to keep the soil hydrated 😂 wish me luck
Good luck!
Check out my new Amazon Influencer's Shop. Anything you buy on Amazon helps The Rusted Garden when using my link. Ill be putting what I use in videos there for 2019. It is all set up by categories. Thanks. www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Always great videos Gary. Thanks.
Thanks. Have a great weekend
Hi Gary! Love your videos! After I boil the peat moss + vermiculite, I let it sit for 24-48 hours. Should I wait for it to completely dry before I start packing it into my seed start containers? I plan to only be growing indoors (cilantro, garlic, chives, oregano, mint). Also would I be able to use worm compost at all?
Nope you can actual use it as soon as it cools if its not to soggy.. But you start when you want.
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Check out my Amazon Storefront for garden lights, seed starting supplies, fertilizer, pest management, books and more! www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
@@THERUSTEDGARDEN thank you!! I will!
I grew up with Vermiculite, Pete Moss, and Perlite as I mixed them with the Pete Moss each year then I moved here, and you have to order the Vermiculite to have it sent to the store as no place, not even nurseries, carries it here. Might be because it is so wet, and humid, here as opposed to the almost desert area I came from.
I like vermiculite and peat now days. The perlite is fine but I found it didnt really need it for starts.
You can find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more! at www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop (My Shop) for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com Please subscribe if you have a chance (Thanks!)
Do you NEED the vermiculite, or can seedlings grow without it? I've read some concerning things about vermiculite and asbestos, but I'm new to gardening. Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful.
There isnt a concern of asbestos. But I think you do need some vermiculite. They do best with that and peat.
Please visit, The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/ - Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More
You've mentioned before that you add "Neem Oil" to the starting mix to cut down on fungus. How much would you add to (I assume) the final mix you had on this video? Also, is the final mix the best point to add the neem oil. Thank you for all of your videos they are very helpful!
Really 2 teaspoons. You don't need much.
Thanks! BTW Do you ever add compost or worm castings to your seed mix? Would it be bad if I did?
Actually I am experimenting with wormcasting in all me starting mix this year. Aged worm casting that dont have any bug eggs etc. I wouldnt add compost indoors as it will carry eggs etc.
So how or where do the transplants get nutrition from .?
Enjoyed your video. Thanks so much.
Gary what about storing the bags of seed starting mix in the freezer? Would that kill anything? Last year I stored them in the freezer and defrosted them and added boiling water. Still got the gnats. This year just used the jiffy mix right out of the bag and nothing since I planted on January 5th today being the 18th. Only difference is I'm using a different part of the house and using a small heater on low fan low temp and it's very very cold this year. Using a regular fan on low too. Also, how big are the true leaves before you move them to bigger pots?
Hi Gary! A friend just gave me an unopened bag/block of compressed coconut fiber and a large bag of vermiculite that they weren’t going to use.
Can you substitute compressed coconut fiber for peat in seed starting mix?
Yep 100%
Hello, I'm a first timer with some flower seeds. Your video makes perfect sense. Would the boiling water method work on those pellets?
Thanks for watching. Yep boiling water is always good indoors.
I now have an Amazon Influencer's Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is free to use and anything you buy may be eligible. Just use my... The Rusted Garden link at www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden anytime you shop. I have garden items broken into categories.
peat moss or coco peat , which is good to use , We dont have easily access to peat most , can i replace peat moss with coco
Yep replace with coir. Whatever is cheapest and easiest.
Do you have any recommendations for tropical houseplants soil mix?
If starting seeds in this mix but OUTSIDE do I still need to microwave or add boiling water to sterilize? Thanks for ALL your videos and information.
Nope. Just for indoors.
Get your Fall Garden Seeds & Spring Seed Starting Supplies at... Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/
Thank you for your video! I'm afraid of the soil in the microwave as it's where we put food. Also, I think putting for example Miracle Grow soil would be a bad idea because of the fertilizer etc. It seems best to buy the peat moss etc. and do the boiling water method. What ratio of potting medium to boiling water needs to be used? Do you only need to do it once? Also, would treating the soil with neem oil after the boiling water cools be a good idea? If so, what's the best way to do that?
Thank you again! Great video!
So the ratio is hard. I just go buy fully saturating it and cover it. The steaming helps. You can add neem or any amendments after it cool... yep.
Check out my new Amazon Influencer's Shop. Anything you buy on Amazon helps The Rusted Garden when using my link. Ill be putting what I use in videos there for 2019. It is all set up by categories. Thanks. www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Fantastic video, cheers!
Cheers!
I now have an Amazon Influencer's Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is free to use and anything you buy is eligible. Just use my... The Rusted Garden link at www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden anytime you shop. I have garden items broken into categories.
did I miss where you showed using hot water to sterilize the mix? thanks and love your videos.
Not sure if it was in this video but it is in my more modern videos. I use boiling water now all the time.
I now have an Amazon Influencer's Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is free to use and anything you buy may be eligible. Just use my... The Rusted Garden link at www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden anytime you shop. I have garden items broken into categories.
thank you, great start, for new year.
Thanks for watching
+Gary Pilarchik
I have a few questions about the procedure. You moisten the starting mix before the microwaving? Do you microwave the mix after you added the vermiculite?
I used boiling water to hydrate my peat. Then added the perlite. Great video thanks
Moisten before microwaving. Yep I microwave the peat and vermiculite. I would add perlite later after the process. The boiling water is perfect way to go.
Sir I've a question.
Could you add compost or worm castings into your seed starting?
Have you ever tried a growth comparison using seed mix vz potting mix for starting seeds?
I'm learning alot from your video tutorials. Thank you for sharing.👏👏👏👏
Not indoors. You'll bring in too many insects and issues. Outdoors its okay.
Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com
@@THERUSTEDGARDEN
Sir even if i use the hot water method on compost of worm castings?
@@CrowntailHalfmoon Your seed startings don't need it. Better use it when you transplant them outside.
Hi Gary. I noticed you did not use any Neem Oil in the starting mix? Do you still recommend using it? I think you had a video awhile back where you used 2 tsp of oil and 3 TBL of Neem cake in about a gallon of Jiffy Seed Starting mix. Just curious, as I plan to use it this year, whether I buy my starting mix or make it. Just curious if you think it is still necessary to help with fungus and gnats. Thanks
I'd like to know this as well. I used that process last year, too. Is it unnecessary with the microwave?
Thank you so much. What is that 5:2:1 mix you are talked and added in the mix ?
The ratio, was it NPK
Please visit my seed shop www.therustedgarden.com for Your Fall Garden Seeds and Supplies. Search keyword 'fallgarden' to bring up a a fall seed sale list. And I sell Neem Oil, Peppermint & Rosemary Oil for pest and disease management. Calcium Nitrate for Blossom End Rot and for Seeds and Seed Starting Supplies. Thanks so much
Thank you for all your help:)
Glad to help.
Check out my new Amazon Influencer's Shop. Anything you buy on Amazon helps The Rusted Garden when using my link. Ill be putting what I use in videos there for 2019. It is all set up by categories. Thanks. www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Great video. So 25% or less vermiculite is generally good, okay.
I'm also gonna add a portion of sand from a clean lot to make well-draining soil for arid plants.
Last year I had a bumper crop of fungus gnats, the larvae destroyed my seedlings. I suspect they came from a commercial seed starting mix (ECO FRIENDLY) It is possible I had the seed starting medium too wet.
Don't stink up your house or microwave, use your outdoor barbecue to heat seed starting mix ( use only for seed starting/transplanting). Cover moist mix with foil in a metal pan. Using a meat thermometer, heat to above 170 F degrees, some say to keep under 200 F. I tried all the tricks to get rid of them and I ended up restarting seeds in coconut coir.
Since I grow some hydroponic veggies inside during the winter, I try to avoid bringing any outside soil into my grow area.
I actually like the smell but it isn't so bad since it is just peat and vermiculite. Over watering or too wet wasn't the issue. Any amount of water will hatch the eggs.
But you don't have to deal with head chef Linny and her fancy kitchen
I need potting mix to transplant my house plants into but the last three brands I purchased were infested with fungus gnats. Thanks to this video I believe I can make my own mix, but is there a fertilizer you would recommend?
For indoor plant I use any chemical mix. There is no real soil life in your indoor plant soil. Ill do more on fertilizing the potting mix later too. Generally speaking you want to use a water soluble fertilizer for indoor plants and the potting mix youd put your vegetable transplants in.
Instead of peat,can you use the coconut husk option?
Melissa peterson he also uses coco core. I have seen it on other videos he has.
Another great video. can you use coco coir in the mix?
Yep coir is fine. Just make sure it is low salinity or that was addressed.
I lost my first set of seeds last year because I used compost. DOH! This year has been totally different because I only used either the burpee or jiffy seed start soil. I didn't want to deal with the microwave drama this year because I microwave the water I use to wet the soil anyway.
It happens
Check out my new Amazon Influencer's Shop. Anything you buy on Amazon helps The Rusted Garden when using my link. Ill be putting what I use in videos there for 2019. It is all set up by categories. Thanks. www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Hi Gary,
What temperature should my seedling should run between to be safe from damage? Also I am using a grow light near a window during sunny days can I let the sun light in on top of the grow light?
Thanks great videos!!!
65 degrees to 85 degrees. The warmer, the faster the germination. My station stays around 70-75 F and they do well.
Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden) How about letting sunlight in on top of grow light during the days?
Can you use bagged organic potting soil for starting seeds, or do you have to either buy or make special seed starting mix?
From my experience, the potting soil is too heavy for the seeds to germinate. I'd start off with the seed starting mix first.
By grandfather always used regular MiracleGro indoor/outdoor potting mix with no problems (the one in the yellow bag). It's very light, just like starting mix. However, I don't use it because I don't like using MiracleGro on my food plants and because it always has fungus gnats anymore. I have not found an organic potting mix that is good for seed starting, most have chunks of wood and that's no good for seed starting. There are probably some specialty seed starting mixes out there that might be OK, but I only garden frugally. Some people love Pro Mix brand seed starting mix, but I have tried it and got fungus gnats. I never got fungus gnats with Jiffy starting mix. Pro Mix is also very expensive. IMHO, you are better off making your own or just buying the Jiffy Starting Mix.
@@VladTheImpalerTepesIII and Allison, I used boiling water in my starting mix to kill off the fungus gnat eggs and I've not had any problems. I got that pro tip from Gary. Once the mix cools off and is not too soppy, add some worm castings. My seedlings this year were better than they've ever been than two years ago. I got frustrated from leggy seedlings but with killing off the fungus gnat eggs from the start helped. Good luck and I wish you a great growing season!
That peat moss looks very clean. Did you sift it?
Nope straight from bale.
Do you need to bring up the pH by adding some garden lime? Isn't peat moss too acidic for seedlings? Which is what I learned from other gardeners. I am a bit confused....
I use straight peat moss nowadays. For years... and not issues.
Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications & Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs: www.therustedgarden.com
Hey Gary, can I used cocoa coir instead of peat moss here? Just easier to get for me and more sustainable imo.
I had the same question. I don't see why not, as many coco coirs are actually coco-peat.
Hi Gary! I bough some of that jiffy starting mix and started some seeds about 3-4 wks ago. Well about a week ago I started seeing this green algae type growth on top of the trays around the seedlings Is that fungus? I didn’t microwave the mix since I thought those bags are sterile. So if I buy the bags do I still need to microwave it to kill everything? Thank you!
That is probably algae and it wont hurt your plants. Dark green. The lights tend to let it multiple and it often in our tap water.
Gary,
I have half a bale of peat moss in a black garbage back stored under my house since last year. Is it safe to use that? Of course using this sterilization method ?
Also vigoro vermiculite from Home Depot is okay?
Thanks for all the tips and help
It will surely have eggs in it. But if you sterilze it, I dont see an issue and Vigoro is fine.
Your recipe was OK when you are saying 1 part this , 1 part that. It's measurable and people can use different kinds of containers to be their "part".
But when you added in 8 ounces of perlite to the recipe, that depends on how big their "part" was. 8 ounces added to a large part is a smaller quantity than 8 ounces added to a small part.
However, I think the main takeaway from this is, we can mix our own potting mixes and we can customize it for various purposes, so that is great information!
True. Slip up. But for size of that container I used.
Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/ - Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More.
@@THERUSTEDGARDEN So would the added perlite be 1 equal part just as the vermiculite or more?
Thank you for the information. Does the seed starting mix have to be microwaved each time before use? Or can I microwave it and store it until future use? Also, the transplant mix with perlite it has to be microwaved as well correct? And can it be microwaved once and stored for future use?
Did you ever get an answer? I’m wondering the same thing
Would the seeds grow without Perilite/vermic? Did it last year and they turned out alright
They would. The peat does benefit from the vermiculite to stay fluffy thought.
You need to use garden lime in a seed starting mix that use peat moss as the base because peat moss's pH is around 5 or lower - too acidic.
It really isn't that low. I used to think it was. Anyway been doing it for years this way and no issues.
the seedling will be in there maybe 2-4 weeks. Would it have such an impact that it needs lime also during that time?
Nunya is 100% correct. I tried a peat-based seed starting mix last year and it was a disaster. Seeds will germinate but within a week after that they start turning yellow with stunted growth. I have tried many seeds and many different plants and the result was the same. The only way around this is to transplant the tiny itty bitty seedlings within a week after they germinate into good soil. But this is not easy nor recommended for obvious reasons.
@@pershop4950 Yes. Also, I keep my seedlings in their cells for much longer than 2-4 weeks. It takes about a week for most seedlings to germinate anyhow. After even just 3 weeks seedlings are too young to transplant. As long as you fertilize them thy are fine in their cells as long as they are not getting root bound and that takes a long time to happen. I do not transplant most plants from their cells until they are at least 4-6 inches tall. The last thing you want to do is transplant too young and too often. All these videos of "experts" transplanting their plants 2 or 3 times before planting is ridiculous.
Only person I caught saying the boiling/ microwave water......Gary ur good
TY
I am new what about if your planting directly to pot what should be done
Im not sure what you mean.
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. Check out my Amazon Storefront for garden lights, seed starting supplies, fertilizer, pest management, books and more! www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden
Would you microwave/boil the potting mix before or after adding the perlite?
After. The perlite is sterile
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden shop for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise and more at www.therustedgarden.com Check out my new gardening PODCAST Gardening Coast2Coast at gardeningcoast2coast.net with CaliKim
If using peat moss will the low ph affect some seeds germinating? And won’t it be better to use coir instead as that doesn’t have a low ph and doesn’t contain any eggs ?
You can and some garden lime but I dont. Germination is a bit better with acidity. I have found germination can take a bit longer in coir. But coir is better for no fungus gnat eggs.
The Rusted Garden Vegetable Seeds & Home Garden Supplies: www.therustedgarden.com
Earn 15% and become a TRG Affiliate for our seed & garden shop
Sign Up Here: bit.ly/4aarkDD
Hey Gary, I made soil based on your ratios (used 4 instead of 3 Peat) and did not get good results. I think its too acidic. Adding Lime may benefit us
Lime would help.
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop (My Shop) for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com
The Rusted Garden 'Scan & Grow' Collection (My Seed and Garden Shop) Just scan the QR code and watch a planting video:
www.therustedgarden.com/search?type=product&q=qr
Plus support The Rusted Garden by subscribing and using my Amazon Store Front link
when shopping for anything on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualified purchases, not just items I link.
You can also find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for cameras, fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more!
Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/
Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account
Gary, maybe I missed it but how much water do you add? Since you are giving ratios I thought you might suggest how much water is needed to be sure to make enough steam to kill off anything that might grow.
Ill try next time. But it is difficult and people use different volumes, but geneally stir it in to the light soil all turns dark. That is enough heat.
3 to one equals how much or how many trays or small 6 packs of starting pots will fill? thanks
3 to 1 is a ratio not quantity. It means same size container. 3 teaspoons to 1 teaspoon is the same as 3 gallons to 1 gallon. You have to decided how much you want to make.
Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications & Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs: www.therustedgarden.com
Fantastic
Hi Gary, quick question. Do you add the boiling water to the peat moss to sterilize it first before adding vermiculite?
Either way is fine. I dont recall specifically but vermiculite doesnt usually have issues.
I now have a new book. The Modern Homestead Garden: Growing Self-Sufficiency in Any Size Backyard. Written for the beginner gardener. You can find it through my link amzn.to/3jHDBpc
What would you suggest as an alternative to peat moss? I want to start gardening this year, but I absolutely don't want to use peat moss.
Maybe you could Try coco coir
What do you do about adult plants you want to grow indoors? e.g. lettuce in the summer? They need some sort of organic soil with life in it. But if you add compost or worm castings, then you are going to get the gnats right? Do you use synthetic fertilizers indoors with the microwaved soil?
SO I dont grow indoors but that is why people do hydroponic. I would use sterilized starting mix. If the mix is sterilized, you can use fish emulision or other organic water solubles. I would not use compost. I use vermisterra castings. I am affiliated with them. They are aged and sifted. No issue of gnats in them. You can find them in my video description if you want casting.
Please Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/
- Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More
@@THERUSTEDGARDEN Thanks for the reply Gary! Love all your videos! I have learned a lot from you! I do have my own indoor worm bin and feed the worms veggies eveyr day or two. I guess they should be okay to use in my seed starting mix? MI Gardener says he using his worm castings in his seed starting mix and says tehre isn't an issue with fungus gnats. I have the peat and vermiculite here and about to make up a batch. But don't know if I should leave out the Jobe's Organic Vegetable fertilizer and worm castings.
I am in Florida and I am trying for the first time growing tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapeños and squash oh cucumber can I use this mix in above ground planters too
You can but it gets really expensive. Better to make it by buying a bale of peat moss at Home Depot. Use 50% to what ever other 50 % you have in soil. That works really well. That is for the outdoors.
Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed and Garden Shop at www.therustedgarden.com Thanks!
why are cucumbers so hard to grow if Florida
Do you use liquid fertilizer on the transplants? I have been having knats so I will need to do this. Thank you
Very low dose of liquid fertilizer after they have been growing
Please check out The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop for all your gardening needs at www.therustedgarden.com & Please Ring the Bell (next to subscribe) to get immediate real-time video notifications. Thanks
Can I use this mix for indoor potting mix ( 4 part of peatmoss 1 part of vermiculite and 1 part of perlite ). Like growing Herbs on the side of a window or it'll miss something on the long run. ? And THX again for your video.
Yeah that sounds like it would work. Good luck.
Please visit, The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/ - Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More
@@THERUSTEDGARDEN just water soluble fertiliser once a week will be enough ? Thx for the answer.