totally love this Jess. I always say just sift a potting mix for that fine texture but get the nutrients, the texture, and the quality and you will love seed starting.
I love your seed store! Awesome pricing for the number of seeds for a small to medium garden. Just today I placed another order. Seed packets in an Easter or Mother's Day card make a sunny little surprise.
After watching this video I had an idea and decided to do an experiment with it and I am coming back here to update that it worked perfectly! I decided to start some seeds where the majority of the soil in the container was potting soil but the top 3/4 ish inch was the sterile coconut fiber starting mix. I started others with just potting soil and others with just the coconut fiber starting mix as my two controls. The plants started in the coconut fiber starting medium with potting soil beneath it did the best and grew long healthy root systems because the seeds got to start in the loose substrate first but then as they grew roots they reached down into the more fertile potting soil. I would recommend trying it out yourself but I think I will start seeds like this from now on!
@@aljl0713 I think Mother Nature has a book full of evolutionary tricks at her disposition that are simply not feasible for us. She also doesn't plant in places where plants themselves wouldn't naturally take residence... But you are right: she is not stingy throwing her seeds! Call it anticipated production failure!
Nature is not my mother. It's God's green earth. I already have a mother. But I agree about how nature works is doing what is by design. It works!Also there is ZERO and yes I said ZERO evidence of evolution.
So I know you are purposely timing this video for the "seed starting" season, but you cannot imagine how unbelievable grateful I am for the timing of this video. I just started my first round seeds for my new garden and I needed this so much. Thank you! :D
I tried an experiment: The bottom third of my individual parts for seed starting I put potting soil. Next I sprinkle a time release fertilizer. Followed by 1/3 of putting soil. I topped it off with 1/3 of seed starting mix. After I put in the seeds, I sprinkle them with vermiculite. They have done incredibly well and as the seed roots go down into the regular potting soil and then the fertilizer etc. they are the strongest looking plants I’ve ever had. I have done this with tomatoes, basil, oregano, and a few others. When I have to pot them on, I will use potting soil and a little more time released fertilizer and water them in with a week solution of a liquid plant food. I don’t start many things from seed so I have time to do this.
Jess I have to say first - "LOVE YOUR HAIR WITH CURLS" not important but I needed to say it. This has helped me so much as the Seed & Cutting Mix I have been using has small sticks etc in it & I honestly thought it needed to be sifted so it is really fine. Thanks for this video Jess. Cheers Denise - Australia
Thank you!!! I’ve been freaking out that I needed to buy seed starter 😂 when I bought 4 bags of potting soil. I’ve watched 100s of videos. This is the best!!!
I use fresh potting mix for one reason only: I’m too lazy to fertilize until they’re in their forever home. I’ve found as long as it’s just potting mix, and fresh at that, I don’t have a problem.
New follower here. I love you relaxed gardener vibe. Your simple explanations of WHY is very encouraging. So many opinions on other channels. Some so detailed. Like you I prefer to keep things SIMPLE AND REASONABLE. I am new to vegetable gardening and growing from seed for the first time. I have found your advice very helpful and greatly appreciated. JeffB - 7b
I've bought 4 different brands of seed starting mix in the last few weeks. I have weeds, mold, gnats...all the things. And now I'm going to have to fertilize because I didn't realize they didn't have nutrients. I actually think the person in the comments who said fill w/ potting mix, lay seeds on top and then sprinkle with seed starting mix is on the right track.
Excellent topic and concisely explained! In the past I used a humidity dome and dealt with damping off, or mold around the tiny stem. This year I am not using the dome. It does require monitoring it closely so the medium doesn't dry out, especially when using a small fan for a light breeze. When seed starting, I sometimes put potting soil in the lower third of a small pot, and top it off with some coco coir. That seems to extend the period before repotting. I have also mixed coco coir with a bag of potting soil to make better use of the potting soil. This year I am also trying Root Riot plugs to avoid the mess in my apartment. So far I have had remarkably quick seed germination. I poked a few extra holes in the plug to plant 5 tomato seeds in each. When transplanting, I think it will be easier and less mess when separating and repotting in Solo cups. You mentioned pouring boiling water to sterilize, I have used that method and it does work well. Plus the mix isn't cold. It retains room temperature better. Also, thank you for suggesting Baker Creek and MIGardener for buying seeds. I am trying all new varieties for my 2021 Garden. Germination blessings to all!
100% on your seed starting advice. I DO make my own seed starting mix, but I never sterilize anything, and reuse the same pots for YEARS. In my experience (knock on wood) 90% of issues people have are from overwatering. I've learned that the hard way through the years. Water less. Allowing the surface to dry out a bit cuts way down on fungus/damping off and other disease issues. I often water my seeds in, and then don't water again for 5 or 6 DAYS if I have a cover on the flat.
This was excellent and timely. The why behind all this will help me retain the knowledge. I now know why seed starting was a struggle for me. Thank you
I start my seeds in the black plastic 6 packs that I reuse. I mostly fill with potting soil but then put about 1/4 inch of seed starting mix and cover the seed as needed. I figure this way I get the best of both. It has worked well for me. I do pull out the larger chunks from the potting soil.
. I've also started mine in potting soil.it was what i had at home and i didnt use no heating mats or lights in 8degrees celcius. and they still grew.. My house looks like a mini jungle😍 im loving every bit of it❤ And It is My first year, Thanks to yall for all the great tips!
This very informative video came just at the right time! Thank you! And today I repotted my tomato seedlings in potting soil using your tip of putting more stem in the soil. I learn so much from your channel
I really really appreciate this video more than I can express. I’m wanting to start gardening and just feel so overwhelmed with all the information out there. Every video is talking about making your own mix and I’m just ready to pull my hair out, that is until I came across your video. You have simplified this for me and I really can’t thank you enough.
‼️‼️ I started gardening last year and can tell you that most plants/veggies are very forgiving. Simplicity is key. Nature doesn’t need as much help as we think it does :)
🌻❤️ Your excitement and knowledge about the garden is so refreshing. And I take all your advice and knowledge with appreciation. Thanks so much for sharing, you have helped me grow in the garden and spiritually as well. We love y'all. Thanks for helping me by sharing your life it has made our homestead GROW and Flourish! ❤️🌻
Last spring I got coconut coir in a brick and it was sold as expanding soil I absolutely loved the part where I turned a brick of coir into a wheelbarrow full of 'soil' with just my hands. I loved how much it holds water. Tons of gnats. Tons and tons. And aphids like crazy. I tried to keep my peppers in containers over winter some pots I mixed coconut coir with potting soil those seemed to work better. I ended up carrying my container garden back out to the patio during a snow storm to make sure the bugs were just as dead as my peppers
To get rid of gnats......put cider vinegar and a little sugar in a clear container with a lid with small holes. the gnats are attracted to it and climb in but can't get out. I put mine on top of the frig, far from my seedlings. works for indoors.
Once again, you have made me feel sooooo much better, Jess. After paying $17/ bag(!!) for seed starting mix my seeds have been barely successful. They are sprouting but then fading and dying before they even get true leaves. Now that I've moved all of those that lived up to potting mix they're starting to recover. You are a gem. No more starting mix for me!! Thank you for making that 'okay' 💚
I'll take the risk with you. Over 40 years of gardening, and I've never sterilized my mix. My sister always does. So do what works for you. We all do things a little differently.
There are always fungus gnats in my house, so it's pointless to sterilize. I find a cup of coffee near my seedlings is the best defense against the gnats. They go for it and drown.
@@dmbfan19711 I have to put sugar in mine. I finally made a good recipe with a little a flat soda or coffee, some apple cider vinegar or kombucha and a drop of dish soap. I bought some of those little red traps and I pop them open and reuse them. Also the shiny, sticky fly sticks you put a little bait in work fantastically!
Wow 😮, I’m completely shocked in a good way by this video. I started growing from seed last year, got the whole lighting shelf and all. Use seed starter, was disappointed, because my seedlings looked nothing like the gardeners of UA-cam pushing the “You have to use seed starter!” This year I used a different seed starter mix. Followed all the rules set up by the UA-cam pros. Seeds did better this year. “But” once again they didn’t look like the pro gardeners I found a lady last year on UA-cam who’s seedlings were perfection. I followed her channel. This year I froze the picture of her seed starter bag. Guess what? She’s using potting mix that had fertilizer. Too late for me to go back and start my seeds over this year. But next year, I’ll wool definitely be using the potting mix! Thank you so much for this video.
Jessica idk 🤷♀️ I’f this will ever get back to you 😢 but you’re the reason I know grow a garden 🪴 my mom has bone blood cancer CLL leukemia and I have no idea what I’m doing but I keep doing it for her ..last year was my first garden after watching your videos and some what success I mean my tomatoes 🍅 right ❤️I keep watching and hoping and trying my mom’s outcome iOS nothing I can change but I’m trying ❤❤just want you to know you do make a difference ❤❤❤more than you will ever know
Started my seeds in TN.a few weeks ago.Cabbage,herbs,hot peppers,cherry tomatoes.In my windowsill.with Container Mix with fertilizer!!They are ready for the garden tomorrow!!!😉😉😉
I start my seeds in containers similar size to red solo cups. I do the top 1/3 with seed starting mix and worm castings and the rest with potting soil. Works great for me, and I dont have to up pot, which is convenient. Just sharing what has been working for me.
I’m cheap. I use the red cups, among other stuff and I get about three-4 starts before they usually break. I will also use any “single use” plastic, coffee can, soup can.. I hate waste.
@@throughtheenchantedportal6617 I fill up a wheelbarrow with equal parts compost and coco coir, and add what looks to be 1/4 of the wheelbarrow worth of vermiculite and 1/4 worm castings
Referencing around 14:00, I started researching gardening for the first time in April of last year, about a month after this video was posted. I didn't plant anything until about Septemberish I think lol. I am probably one of the most frugal people I know so I refused to buy a bunch of bags of soil because I looked up the general ingredients on those bags and thought, I could make that. I can't remember what person I learned this mix from but it's pretty standard I think. I did peat moss, compost, and perlite. I added worm castings and a 3-4-4 fertilizer. I only planted broccoli, "mystery seeds" from MIGardener that were sunflowers
This is a great video. So many seed starting videos only cover to the point of starting the seeds in seed starting mix and don’t talk about potting up or anything after. And then to have the perspective and explanation of seed starting mix versus potting soil is great. This video does a great job of answering real questions people have. I’ve always used seed starting mix and potted up, but I think I’m going to try going with potting soil from the beginning.
Quickly learned that starting seeds for the first time this year, that using potting soil is the way to go since you have more room for error. Just listen to Jess and pick the large pieces out.
I used bagged seed starting mix for years and then decided to make my own. It was great, but I had to fertilize the seedlings because they ran out of "steam." So, last year after seeing one of your videos on this same subject, I started part in the mix and part in potting soil. The only difference was the plants in the mix needed fertilizing. This year I'll burn through the rest of my mix and switch over to potting soil permanently. Thank you for the info! It is extremely helpful!
I've had a garden every year since I was a teenager and read a lot of gardening books in that time frame too. Since I've been watching your channel though I've learned so much that I've never read in a book. I'm so stoked for my garden this year. Thanks for the great videos 😄
ive been starting seeds for 10 seasons now and how I like to do it now is use those expandable pellets, however I stick those straight away inside a solo cup or some other container of similar size (removing the netting) so that when the seedling outgrows the sterile, fluffy starting mix of the pellet it grows directly into the more nutrient rich potting mix right away without having to up pot! I also germinate my seeds in a paper towel first but you dont have to do that i think. Anyway i thought its a nice time saving, streamlined way to do it and i wanted to share even tho this a bit of an older video !
I agree about using potting soil. The starter doesn't have nutrients, and I found when transplanting into larger pots with potting soil, the starter soil would crumble off the roots, disturbing them. I've been using potting soil for a while now with excellent results. Just pot your seeds gently.
I have watched "lots" of people getting started with their gardening and none of them have ever explained why they use what they are using and why like you have.
What a great video, and very timely. I make my own seed starting mix, but it's more because I'm cheap rather than I think it's better for the plant, lol. 🌱 🌿
Just here to say I hope you guys steer clear of the bad weather tomorrow. My local meteorologist friend in NY just asked us to check on our friends in Arkansas and you were the first person I thought of 💐🌸 stay safe!
Oh man, I have bought the Jiffy over and over coz I thought I had to use something like that. I had in my head that potting soil would burn the baby seedlings. Thank you so much for clarifying!
I love your channel you have inspired me to step out and try to plant and grow new stuff. When Covid hit last year and the world shut down. I decided to try my hand at gardening. Loved it. This year I decided to not “cheat” and do all my plants from seeds from some Of the vendors you have talked about and even got my mom involved. Thank you for al your educational tips. It really helps!
Last year I started in bigger pods and put potting soil on the bottom and seed start at the top, and we had a late last frost date last year so they were inside for a long while and they did great 🤷🏼♀️
I do this for things with smaller seeds that I don't want to have to prick out of trays eg. basil or celery. The layer of seed mix helps the seeds not to fall down too deep. Big seeds like pumpkins, cucumbers and beans I always just use potting mix because they have strong roots and get hungry more quickly.
Hey dear one, thank you for sharing this (again) I indeed needed to hear it. I'm going to make my potting mix myself, since I have bags of different stuff standing around here ;) Next weekend will be tomato seeding week for me!!! YEY! In summer our little greenhouse/orangery will be ready, so I will keep on growing most of them in pots... big pots, I figure... I trust the little tomatoes will grow well in pots... the bigger ones, I'm not so sure of... Ow well, we'll see. I bless you too, Diana, from The Netherlands
I made this mistake this year!!! I up potted with seed starting mix, ended up having to use liquid fertilizer to save them. They're happily out in my garden now (zone 8b) but dang I had no idea about all of this! Thanks Jess!
@@firehorsewoman414 of course! I've got tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Cucumbers pretty soon too! They may be a little slower to grow at first but I've had success in the past planting "early". Last frost date is technically 3/1 for zone 8b
@@WhatBrookeGrows I have only been toying with a garden for the last couple of years - ambition always outweighs what actually happens LOL. BUT I did just harvest cabbage I planted in early winter. That was a 1st time grow. I just put in green beans yesterday (1st time to grow those so hope 15 plants is enough). Garlic seems to be looking okay but first time growing it so harvest will show success or not. Mostly going with peppers and tomatoes this year with a couple of zucchini and some cukes for pickling. I’m zone 8a here. Any suggestions for fire ant control while trying to maintain organic methods? Assuming you have fire ants?
@@firehorsewoman414 You can totally do it! It's going to be great! And it's actually funny you ask about fire ants. Look up orange oil and molasses, I just saw it on an organic gardening FB group. I've never tried it but it seemed interesting. Your garden will be beautiful, I'm sure of it!
Wish I would have had this video before I started seeds this year. I know you have talked about it before but I think experience and repetition have finally made me understand what you were talking about!
Thanks for this! I have been using seed starting mix and last year my mater seedlings were so stunted and purple. Im going to use potting mix from now on👍
Oh my gosh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Last spring was my first attempt at truly trying to grow food. Many failures, but some successes too 😊. Getting ready to do some seed starts and I was honestly getting overwhelmed with all the "recipes". My budget is so tight, I have to be careful. This grandma feels much relieved 🙂
Since I have a smaller garden, I start in around eight 18 cell trays which are pretty big, I think 3in pots, so I fill the bottom 2/3 with potting mix soil and fill the rest with seed starting mix. I feel like I get the best start for the fine roots, but when the roots grow down they reach the potting mix with has fertilizer!
I love all these channels learned so much I never even thought of. Found out yesterday there is cucumber just grows female flowers and doubles the harvest. Insane blew my mind ofcouse if my cucumbers are booming I have heard time keeping up but was cool to know it was out there
My seed starting mix this year has been 1 part each: vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, and potting soil. I do use the boiling water method and it has been very successful this year. Thank you for pointing out the benefits of the boiling water method. There was a debate on FB a couple days back and folks were convinced that it would kill the beneficial organisms... but with seed starting that isn't the focus. I would never want my garden bed boiled... just saying. Great job on the book!!
Oh... and I pot up using 2 parts of the above mix, 2 parts more potting mix, 1 part earthworm castings. I pot up just after the first true leaves show.
Thanks Jessica! I started my seeds 2 weeks ago using potting mix. I was going back and forth on whether to use seed starting mix or potting mix but then I remembered that you use potting mix. I appreciate all the work you do! I have been gardening for 2 years because you exhibit so much joy in the garden and i really needed/need the joy. Hopefully this will be a game changing year for all of us!!
I found a potting mix that I love last year that my husband got at farmers coop. He is a farmer and is in there several times a week and it is Promix Bx!! It is great for indoor plants and pots and raised beds!! It is pretty light and fluffy and I had no issues with gnats or mushrooms as I have had with miracle grow and Espoma potting mixes!!
I remember you mentioning in another video that you use potting soil and I decided that was what I was going to use. I still haven't started them yet but I will this weekend. I understand the basics behind seed starting mix but if you think about it, you can direct sow so if you can do that, than potting soil logically should be good enough too.
Hey if you're going to isolate, this is the way to go 🤷🏼♀️ my husband and I are now talking about homesteading off grid because if we're going to be told to stay home, we might as well live out our dream. Thanks for all the inspiration! If/when you open it up to the outside world, it will definitely be going on my bucket list.
I only use potting soil myself. And in winter sowing it is a must. And the seeds do germinate and have that extra fertilizer in most potting soil mixes to carry them through until we can plant them in our gardens.
Hi Jess! This was really interesting and helpful. There are so many different ways of starting seeds it seems. When my daughter and I start our seeds, I'm going to do as others have said below and do about 2/3 - 3/4 potting soil, then 1/3 - 1/4 seed starting mix. I feel I'll get the best of both worlds this way. LOL! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Here in the frigid north (as you would call it) it can be difficult to find potting mix when I'm wanting to start seeds (February to early March). But I can usually find young plant mix, which seems to be a cross between seed starting and potting soil. It's a good compromise for anyone unable to find straight up potting soil.
You explain well and I understand you a lot more than others. I am staying here for a while as my primary instruction! :) My other favorite is Migardner (because I live in Michigan!), but I tend to get lost in listening to Luke and have to listen to it again.
New gardener for sure and seeing the learning curve first hand..... good thing I love the dirt enough to keep trying! hahaha thanks for the encouragement!
Mulching question: How picky are you about the straw you use to mulch? Are you worried about getting straw from GMO crops that have been sprayed with Roundup?
Good information. I made newspaper “3 pots this year. They will be able to go straight into the garden at transplant time. I got 21 pots per flat. Brown craft paper would work also. 💚 Thanks for sharing.
I've always bought transplants from the nursery. This is my first year starting seeds myself. I did a 50/50 mix of seed start and garden bed potting soil. My seedlings are doing so well!! I'm having a hard time thinning them out because they're all looking so good! But alas, I don't have the shelf space to keep them all, and it's time to up-pot. My family will probably get my castoffs.
That potting soil that you have looks awesome! It looks just about identical to seed starting mix. If I could find that good of quality of potting soil in my area, I would use that also. However, I have tried three or four different brands and they all have mostly chunks and very little fine particles.
It didn’t hurt anything and you both have the experience of working with seed starter. It’s the “proper” way to do it so you actually did a good thing but in most cases, just not necessary. If you have any left, just toss it in with your potting soil and mix it up really good. That’s what I did and it made it fluffy for the new seeds. I remember my mother in law digging up dirt from under the trees where it had composted and sticking her stuff in it. She always had beautiful plants. Go figure. Lol 👩🌾💛🌻
@@apiecemaker1163 Great advice! I think you make a great point that long before there was seed starter there was good old garden compost. Grandma knows best!
Jess - This was perfect timing.. I have been transferring my seedlings for awhile and I just decided I wasn't going to do that next year. I was going to start them in a pot first. (first year doing this) It also explains why my tomatoes seedling leaves are turning yellow. Your videos have let me know it is okay to make mistakes, it doesn't have to perfect, and just love what you are doing. I love what I am doing. Cant wait to get my babies in the ground.
I am so glad to learn that potting mix is just fine! I always have that on hand for houseplants but the seed starting mix is an extra. Thank you Jess for sharing your experience with us!
Love how we are back to the almost daily content. A sure sign Spring is just around the corner.
🥳
I agree! I don’t know about everyone else but I can use all the help I can get! Daily content is so appreciated!
@@InTheGardenAgain yep. Even doing this for a few years, she always reminds me of some of the smaller details I've forgotten in my excitement to grow☺
totally love this Jess. I always say just sift a potting mix for that fine texture but get the nutrients, the texture, and the quality and you will love seed starting.
I love your seed store! Awesome pricing for the number of seeds for a small to medium garden. Just today I placed another order. Seed packets in an Easter or Mother's Day card make a sunny little surprise.
@ Blue Minutes- Great idea for my daughters& daughter in law❣️
After watching this video I had an idea and decided to do an experiment with it and I am coming back here to update that it worked perfectly! I decided to start some seeds where the majority of the soil in the container was potting soil but the top 3/4 ish inch was the sterile coconut fiber starting mix. I started others with just potting soil and others with just the coconut fiber starting mix as my two controls. The plants started in the coconut fiber starting medium with potting soil beneath it did the best and grew long healthy root systems because the seeds got to start in the loose substrate first but then as they grew roots they reached down into the more fertile potting soil. I would recommend trying it out yourself but I think I will start seeds like this from now on!
Mother Nature doesn't fuss around with seed starting mixes; she just throws her seeds on fertile grounds and they seem to be doing just fine 😉🧐
They thrive. I don't think we know as much as She does though... maybe there's something in the way she throws them gives them a boost?
They also dump many many more than we do, and I would think most of mother nature's don't actually sprout
@@genevievegreene1595
Agree! I don't think we'll ever completely achieve her knowledge...
@@aljl0713
I think Mother Nature has a book full of evolutionary tricks at her disposition that are simply not feasible for us. She also doesn't plant in places where plants themselves wouldn't naturally take residence...
But you are right: she is not stingy throwing her seeds! Call it anticipated production failure!
Nature is not my mother. It's God's green earth. I already have a mother. But I agree about how nature works is doing what is by design. It works!Also there is ZERO and yes I said ZERO evidence of evolution.
Oh my gosh new t-shirt! "Lazy Girl Gardening" with a pic of dozens of tomato babies in one pot!
Or a good sticker! Either way I'm here for it😅
@Homestead Hopeful great suggestion for t-shirt
@@marilynryan7822 I’d buy it ❤️
Thanks for the comment about the underside of the leaves being purple! I didn't know that meant they needed more nutrients!
So I know you are purposely timing this video for the "seed starting" season, but you cannot imagine how unbelievable grateful I am for the timing of this video. I just started my first round seeds for my new garden and I needed this so much. Thank you! :D
Been starting my seeds in potting soil for decades and it's never failed me.
I tried an experiment:
The bottom third of my individual parts for seed starting I put potting soil.
Next I sprinkle a time release fertilizer.
Followed by 1/3 of putting soil.
I topped it off with 1/3 of seed starting mix.
After I put in the seeds, I sprinkle them with vermiculite.
They have done incredibly well and as the seed roots go down into the regular potting soil and then the fertilizer etc. they are the strongest looking plants I’ve ever had.
I have done this with tomatoes, basil, oregano, and a few others.
When I have to pot them on, I will use potting soil and a little more time released fertilizer and water them in with a week solution of a liquid plant food.
I don’t start many things from seed so I have time to do this.
Jess I have to say first - "LOVE YOUR HAIR WITH CURLS" not important but I needed to say it. This has helped me so much as the Seed & Cutting Mix I have been using has small sticks etc in it & I honestly thought it needed to be sifted so it is really fine. Thanks for this video Jess. Cheers Denise - Australia
Thank you!!! I’ve been freaking out that I needed to buy seed starter 😂 when I bought 4 bags of potting soil. I’ve watched 100s of videos. This is the best!!!
Perfect timing. I was googling this yesterday. This is a 100 times more informative than all the articles I came across 😊
We really appreciated your explanation to the why behind your choices. Thank you for sharing the why with the how....really enjoyed this. 🌱🌱🌱
I use fresh potting mix for one reason only: I’m too lazy to fertilize until they’re in their forever home. I’ve found as long as it’s just potting mix, and fresh at that, I don’t have a problem.
New follower here. I love you relaxed gardener vibe. Your simple explanations of WHY is very encouraging. So many opinions on other channels. Some so detailed. Like you I prefer to keep things SIMPLE AND REASONABLE.
I am new to vegetable gardening and growing from seed for the first time.
I have found your advice very helpful and greatly appreciated.
JeffB - 7b
I've bought 4 different brands of seed starting mix in the last few weeks. I have weeds, mold, gnats...all the things. And now I'm going to have to fertilize because I didn't realize they didn't have nutrients. I actually think the person in the comments who said fill w/ potting mix, lay seeds on top and then sprinkle with seed starting mix is on the right track.
Read what I wrote above. It was quite interesting to try.
Love the explanation of why seedling mix is used-forcing roots to grow long and quickly search out nutrition. Very helpful, thanks!
Excellent topic and concisely explained! In the past I used a humidity dome and dealt with damping off, or mold around the tiny stem. This year I am not using the dome. It does require monitoring it closely so the medium doesn't dry out, especially when using a small fan for a light breeze. When seed starting, I sometimes put potting soil in the lower third of a small pot, and top it off with some coco coir. That seems to extend the period before repotting. I have also mixed coco coir with a bag of potting soil to make better use of the potting soil. This year I am also trying Root Riot plugs to avoid the mess in my apartment. So far I have had remarkably quick seed germination. I poked a few extra holes in the plug to plant 5 tomato seeds in each. When transplanting, I think it will be easier and less mess when separating and repotting in Solo cups. You mentioned pouring boiling water to sterilize, I have used that method and it does work well. Plus the mix isn't cold. It retains room temperature better. Also, thank you for suggesting Baker Creek and MIGardener for buying seeds. I am trying all new varieties for my 2021 Garden. Germination blessings to all!
100% on your seed starting advice. I DO make my own seed starting mix, but I never sterilize anything, and reuse the same pots for YEARS. In my experience (knock on wood) 90% of issues people have are from overwatering. I've learned that the hard way through the years. Water less. Allowing the surface to dry out a bit cuts way down on fungus/damping off and other disease issues. I often water my seeds in, and then don't water again for 5 or 6 DAYS if I have a cover on the flat.
This was excellent and timely. The why behind all this will help me retain the knowledge. I now know why seed starting was a struggle for me. Thank you
I start my seeds in the black plastic 6 packs that I reuse. I mostly fill with potting soil but then put about 1/4 inch of seed starting mix and cover the seed as needed. I figure this way I get the best of both. It has worked well for me. I do pull out the larger chunks from the potting soil.
. I've also started mine in potting soil.it was what i had at home and i didnt use no heating mats or lights in 8degrees celcius. and they still grew.. My house looks like a mini jungle😍 im loving every bit of it❤
And It is My first year, Thanks to yall for all the great tips!
Every time I start to write a question... you answer it! I’ve got my seeds going they are just sprouted 🤞
Thanks for your common sense approach
Thanks Jess, your explanation on these methods of starting seeds is so helpful to newbies like myself at 62. You are greatly appreciated 💞🥰
You’re the coolest person on UA-cam, I swear.
This very informative video came just at the right time! Thank you! And today I repotted my tomato seedlings in potting soil using your tip of putting more stem in the soil. I learn so much from your channel
I really really appreciate this video more than I can express. I’m wanting to start gardening and just feel so overwhelmed with all the information out there. Every video is talking about making your own mix and I’m just ready to pull my hair out, that is until I came across your video. You have simplified this for me and I really can’t thank you enough.
‼️‼️ I started gardening last year and can tell you that most plants/veggies are very forgiving.
Simplicity is key.
Nature doesn’t need as much help as we think it does :)
🌻❤️ Your excitement and knowledge about the garden is so refreshing. And I take all your advice and knowledge with appreciation. Thanks so much for sharing, you have helped me grow in the garden and spiritually as well. We love y'all. Thanks for helping me by sharing your life it has made our homestead GROW and Flourish! ❤️🌻
Last spring I got coconut coir in a brick and it was sold as expanding soil I absolutely loved the part where I turned a brick of coir into a wheelbarrow full of 'soil' with just my hands. I loved how much it holds water. Tons of gnats. Tons and tons. And aphids like crazy. I tried to keep my peppers in containers over winter some pots I mixed coconut coir with potting soil those seemed to work better. I ended up carrying my container garden back out to the patio during a snow storm to make sure the bugs were just as dead as my peppers
To get rid of gnats......put cider vinegar and a little sugar in a clear container with a lid with small holes. the gnats are attracted to it and climb in but can't get out. I put mine on top of the frig, far from my seedlings. works for indoors.
Once again, you have made me feel sooooo much better, Jess. After paying $17/ bag(!!) for seed starting mix my seeds have been barely successful. They are sprouting but then fading and dying before they even get true leaves. Now that I've moved all of those that lived up to potting mix they're starting to recover. You are a gem. No more starting mix for me!! Thank you for making that 'okay' 💚
I istart my seeds in a pot about 2/3 full of nutrient rich potting soil, then fill to top with seeds starting mix.
Great idea, I’ll try that!
Genius!
I just realized that I said the same thing after you said it. Great minds......
I'll take the risk with you. Over 40 years of gardening, and I've never sterilized my mix. My sister always does. So do what works for you. We all do things a little differently.
There are always fungus gnats in my house, so it's pointless to sterilize. I find a cup of coffee near my seedlings is the best defense against the gnats. They go for it and drown.
@@SuperKatiki I use a small cup of vinegar and honey. I agree, I always have gnats.
@@SuperKatiki Is it just black coffee? or do you put cream or sugar?
@@raist315 ooh I will have to try this!!!
@@dmbfan19711 I have to put sugar in mine. I finally made a good recipe with a little a flat soda or coffee, some apple cider vinegar or kombucha and a drop of dish soap. I bought some of those little red traps and I pop them open and reuse them. Also the shiny, sticky fly sticks you put a little bait in work fantastically!
Woohoo! The spring seed semester has begun and we're back in the classroom babee!
Wow 😮, I’m completely shocked in a good way by this video. I started growing from seed last year, got the whole lighting shelf and all. Use seed starter, was disappointed, because my seedlings looked nothing like the gardeners of UA-cam pushing the “You have to use seed starter!”
This year I used a different seed starter mix. Followed all the rules set up by the UA-cam pros. Seeds did better this year. “But” once again they didn’t look like the pro gardeners
I found a lady last year on UA-cam who’s seedlings were perfection. I followed her channel. This year I froze the picture of her seed starter bag. Guess what? She’s using potting mix that had fertilizer. Too late for me to go back and start my seeds over this year. But next year, I’ll wool definitely be using the potting mix! Thank you so much for this video.
Jessica idk 🤷♀️ I’f this will ever get back to you 😢 but you’re the reason I know grow a garden 🪴 my mom has bone blood cancer CLL leukemia and I have no idea what I’m doing but I keep doing it for her ..last year was my first garden after watching your videos and some what success I mean my tomatoes 🍅 right ❤️I keep watching and hoping and trying my mom’s outcome iOS nothing I can change but I’m trying ❤❤just want you to know you do make a difference ❤❤❤more than you will ever know
You're the most informative IN A NEW WAY farm channel. The first channel where I'm like "I need to write this down"
when you hold the potting soil in your hands you made a heart. I also bought your first book!! notice I said "first".
Started my seeds in TN.a few weeks ago.Cabbage,herbs,hot peppers,cherry tomatoes.In my windowsill.with Container Mix with fertilizer!!They are ready for the garden tomorrow!!!😉😉😉
I start my seeds in containers similar size to red solo cups. I do the top 1/3 with seed starting mix and worm castings and the rest with potting soil. Works great for me, and I dont have to up pot, which is convenient. Just sharing what has been working for me.
Great idea, so much easier! And red solo cups are deep enough to provide a lot of room for the roots?
I’m cheap. I use the red cups, among other stuff and I get about three-4 starts before they usually break. I will also use any “single use” plastic, coffee can, soup can.. I hate waste.
This is a great break down of the 2 soils. I appreciate it a lot. I needed the simplified explanation.
Well ya learn something new everyday, I actually thought it was the other way around or that seed starting mix has more nutrients Thanks Jess!
Same!!!
You explain things so well Jess. Thanks again!
I’ve had the most success making my own mix:
Compost
Coco coir
Vermiculite
And earthworm castings
I just started vermicomposting and I’m super excited to be making use of my kitchen scraps and pet rabbit poo in such a great way
That sounds great! What ratios do you use?
@@throughtheenchantedportal6617 I fill up a wheelbarrow with equal parts compost and coco coir, and add what looks to be 1/4 of the wheelbarrow worth of vermiculite and 1/4 worm castings
@@kristinvaughn2498 Thank you so much! 😊
@@throughtheenchantedportal6617 no problem!
Referencing around 14:00, I started researching gardening for the first time in April of last year, about a month after this video was posted. I didn't plant anything until about Septemberish I think lol. I am probably one of the most frugal people I know so I refused to buy a bunch of bags of soil because I looked up the general ingredients on those bags and thought, I could make that. I can't remember what person I learned this mix from but it's pretty standard I think. I did peat moss, compost, and perlite. I added worm castings and a 3-4-4 fertilizer. I only planted broccoli, "mystery seeds" from MIGardener that were sunflowers
This is a great video. So many seed starting videos only cover to the point of starting the seeds in seed starting mix and don’t talk about potting up or anything after. And then to have the perspective and explanation of seed starting mix versus potting soil is great. This video does a great job of answering real questions people have. I’ve always used seed starting mix and potted up, but I think I’m going to try going with potting soil from the beginning.
Quickly learned that starting seeds for the first time this year, that using potting soil is the way to go since you have more room for error. Just listen to Jess and pick the large pieces out.
I used bagged seed starting mix for years and then decided to make my own. It was great, but I had to fertilize the seedlings because they ran out of "steam." So, last year after seeing one of your videos on this same subject, I started part in the mix and part in potting soil. The only difference was the plants in the mix needed fertilizing. This year I'll burn through the rest of my mix and switch over to potting soil permanently. Thank you for the info! It is extremely helpful!
I've had a garden every year since I was a teenager and read a lot of gardening books in that time frame too. Since I've been watching your channel though I've learned so much that I've never read in a book. I'm so stoked for my garden this year. Thanks for the great videos 😄
Thank you so much for this video, Jess. You have explained this better than anyone else I've watched, and what you say makes perfect sense!
ive been starting seeds for 10 seasons now and how I like to do it now is use those expandable pellets, however I stick those straight away inside a solo cup or some other container of similar size (removing the netting) so that when the seedling outgrows the sterile, fluffy starting mix of the pellet it grows directly into the more nutrient rich potting mix right away without having to up pot! I also germinate my seeds in a paper towel first but you dont have to do that i think. Anyway i thought its a nice time saving, streamlined way to do it and i wanted to share even tho this a bit of an older video !
I agree about using potting soil. The starter doesn't have nutrients, and I found when transplanting into larger pots with potting soil, the starter soil would crumble off the roots, disturbing them. I've been using potting soil for a while now with excellent results. Just pot your seeds gently.
You're absolutely GLOWING💛
The encouragement that can be heard on this channel is unmatched. God bless you, Jess!
I’m an experienced gardener but appreciate this clear explanation. Thanks!
You're never too old to learn. Learn something new every time I watch! Thanks for teaching & sharing! God Bless
I have watched "lots" of people getting started with their gardening and none of them have ever explained why they use what they are using and why like you have.
What a great video, and very timely. I make my own seed starting mix, but it's more because I'm cheap rather than I think it's better for the plant, lol. 🌱 🌿
I learned to make my own mix this year too! It is cheaper for sure!
Just here to say I hope you guys steer clear of the bad weather tomorrow. My local meteorologist friend in NY just asked us to check on our friends in Arkansas and you were the first person I thought of 💐🌸 stay safe!
Oh man, I have bought the Jiffy over and over coz I thought I had to use something like that. I had in my head that potting soil would burn the baby seedlings. Thank you so much for clarifying!
I love your channel you have inspired me to step out and try to plant and grow new stuff. When Covid hit last year and the world shut down. I decided to try my hand at gardening. Loved it. This year I decided to not “cheat” and do all my plants from seeds from some Of the vendors you have talked about and even got my mom involved. Thank you for al your educational tips. It really helps!
Last year I started in bigger pods and put potting soil on the bottom and seed start at the top, and we had a late last frost date last year so they were inside for a long while and they did great 🤷🏼♀️
Wow that’s a great idea!!!!
Great idea, they get the light and fluffy and the nutritants.
Fabulous!
I really like this idea!
I do this for things with smaller seeds that I don't want to have to prick out of trays eg. basil or celery. The layer of seed mix helps the seeds not to fall down too deep. Big seeds like pumpkins, cucumbers and beans I always just use potting mix because they have strong roots and get hungry more quickly.
Cheated the same here, just an inch of seed starter on top. Worked and cost wise.
Hey dear one, thank you for sharing this (again) I indeed needed to hear it. I'm going to make my potting mix myself, since I have bags of different stuff standing around here ;)
Next weekend will be tomato seeding week for me!!! YEY! In summer our little greenhouse/orangery will be ready, so I will keep on growing most of them in pots... big pots, I figure... I trust the little tomatoes will grow well in pots... the bigger ones, I'm not so sure of...
Ow well, we'll see.
I bless you too,
Diana, from The Netherlands
I made this mistake this year!!! I up potted with seed starting mix, ended up having to use liquid fertilizer to save them. They're happily out in my garden now (zone 8b) but dang I had no idea about all of this! Thanks Jess!
Did the same thing 😂 learning experience for sure
@Seed to Plate i am in D/FW area - may I ask what you already have in the ground at this time?
@@firehorsewoman414 of course! I've got tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Cucumbers pretty soon too! They may be a little slower to grow at first but I've had success in the past planting "early". Last frost date is technically 3/1 for zone 8b
@@WhatBrookeGrows I have only been toying with a garden for the last couple of years - ambition always outweighs what actually happens LOL. BUT I did just harvest cabbage I planted in early winter. That was a 1st time grow. I just put in green beans yesterday (1st time to grow those so hope 15 plants is enough). Garlic seems to be looking okay but first time growing it so harvest will show success or not. Mostly going with peppers and tomatoes this year with a couple of zucchini and some cukes for pickling. I’m zone 8a here. Any suggestions for fire ant control while trying to maintain organic methods? Assuming you have fire ants?
@@firehorsewoman414 You can totally do it! It's going to be great! And it's actually funny you ask about fire ants. Look up orange oil and molasses, I just saw it on an organic gardening FB group. I've never tried it but it seemed interesting. Your garden will be beautiful, I'm sure of it!
This woman is a fountain of knowledge . Thank You!
Good Morning Jess. My 🌱🌱🌱are
hatching 🌱🌱🌱 under my Grow lights. Tilling tomorrow barring No rain. Happy Growing Yall. 😊
Wish I would have had this video before I started seeds this year. I know you have talked about it before but I think experience and repetition have finally made me understand what you were talking about!
Thanks for this! I have been using seed starting mix and last year my mater seedlings were so stunted and purple. Im going to use potting mix from now on👍
Oh my gosh, thank you, thank you, thank you! Last spring was my first attempt at truly trying to grow food. Many failures, but some successes too 😊. Getting ready to do some seed starts and I was honestly getting overwhelmed with all the "recipes". My budget is so tight, I have to be careful. This grandma feels much relieved 🙂
Since I have a smaller garden, I start in around eight 18 cell trays which are pretty big, I think 3in pots, so I fill the bottom 2/3 with potting mix soil and fill the rest with seed starting mix. I feel like I get the best start for the fine roots, but when the roots grow down they reach the potting mix with has fertilizer!
Good idea
I love all these channels learned so much I never even thought of. Found out yesterday there is cucumber just grows female flowers and doubles the harvest. Insane blew my mind ofcouse if my cucumbers are booming I have heard time keeping up but was cool to know it was out there
Couldn't agree more.. starting my food from seeds is amazing and magical feeling.. good information thanks!!!
My seed starting mix this year has been 1 part each: vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, and potting soil. I do use the boiling water method and it has been very successful this year.
Thank you for pointing out the benefits of the boiling water method. There was a debate on FB a couple days back and folks were convinced that it would kill the beneficial organisms... but with seed starting that isn't the focus. I would never want my garden bed boiled... just saying.
Great job on the book!!
Oh... and I pot up using 2 parts of the above mix, 2 parts more potting mix, 1 part earthworm castings. I pot up just after the first true leaves show.
Thanks Jessica! I started my seeds 2 weeks ago using potting mix. I was going back and forth on whether to use seed starting mix or potting mix but then I remembered that you use potting mix. I appreciate all the work you do! I have been gardening for 2 years because you exhibit so much joy in the garden and i really needed/need the joy. Hopefully this will be a game changing year for all of us!!
I found a potting mix that I love last year that my husband got at farmers coop. He is a farmer and is in there several times a week and it is Promix Bx!! It is great for indoor plants and pots and raised beds!! It is pretty light and fluffy and I had no issues with gnats or mushrooms as I have had with miracle grow and Espoma potting mixes!!
Very good seed starting information
Very helpful!
I remember you mentioning in another video that you use potting soil and I decided that was what I was going to use. I still haven't started them yet but I will this weekend. I understand the basics behind seed starting mix but if you think about it, you can direct sow so if you can do that, than potting soil logically should be good enough too.
Hey if you're going to isolate, this is the way to go 🤷🏼♀️ my husband and I are now talking about homesteading off grid because if we're going to be told to stay home, we might as well live out our dream. Thanks for all the inspiration! If/when you open it up to the outside world, it will definitely be going on my bucket list.
I only use potting soil myself. And in winter sowing it is a must. And the seeds do germinate and have that extra fertilizer in most potting soil mixes to carry them through until we can plant them in our gardens.
Hi Jess! This was really interesting and helpful. There are so many different ways of starting seeds it seems. When my daughter and I start our seeds, I'm going to do as others have said below and do about 2/3 - 3/4 potting soil, then 1/3 - 1/4 seed starting mix. I feel I'll get the best of both worlds this way. LOL! Thank you so much for sharing this!
I’m so glad you spoke on this cause I literally had no idea. Thank you Jess. One of the many reasons why I continue to watch you guys! 🥰
Such a fantastic, clear & informational video!!
Thanks Coral!
Thanks for explaining the difference in the soil. I learn so much from you.
Here in the frigid north (as you would call it) it can be difficult to find potting mix when I'm wanting to start seeds (February to early March). But I can usually find young plant mix, which seems to be a cross between seed starting and potting soil. It's a good compromise for anyone unable to find straight up potting soil.
I enjoyed this. We also use potting soil. The last bag was so full of sticks I just had to laugh about it.
Happens with wood chips by the truck-load as well. Found the solution in the gulley- not so wet.
You explain well and I understand you a lot more than others. I am staying here for a while as my primary instruction! :) My other favorite is Migardner (because I live in Michigan!), but I tend to get lost in listening to Luke and have to listen to it again.
New gardener for sure and seeing the learning curve first hand..... good thing I love the dirt enough to keep trying! hahaha thanks for the encouragement!
Mulching question: How picky are you about the straw you use to mulch? Are you worried about getting straw from GMO crops that have been sprayed with Roundup?
This is really helpful, thank you! I love to hear the science behind it, and you explain in a way that is not intimidating at all.
Good information. I made newspaper “3 pots this year. They will be able to go straight into the garden at transplant time. I got 21 pots per flat. Brown craft paper would work also. 💚 Thanks for sharing.
I wish I had watched this one months ago. Lol. The garden is planted now though and doing pretty well. 😍 Took down notes for next year.
Jess, you look extra radiant in this video!! The joy is evident!
I've always bought transplants from the nursery. This is my first year starting seeds myself. I did a 50/50 mix of seed start and garden bed potting soil. My seedlings are doing so well!! I'm having a hard time thinning them out because they're all looking so good! But alas, I don't have the shelf space to keep them all, and it's time to up-pot. My family will probably get my castoffs.
That potting soil that you have looks awesome! It looks just about identical to seed starting mix. If I could find that good of quality of potting soil in my area, I would use that also. However, I have tried three or four different brands and they all have mostly chunks and very little fine particles.
I usually don’t use seed starter but I did this year....then I saw this video...ugh! Thanks for bringing me back to my senses!
Same here!
It didn’t hurt anything and you both have the experience of working with seed starter. It’s the “proper” way to do it so you actually did a good thing but in most cases, just not necessary. If you have any left, just toss it in with your potting soil and mix it up really good. That’s what I did and it made it fluffy for the new seeds. I remember my mother in law digging up dirt from under the trees where it had composted and sticking her stuff in it. She always had beautiful plants. Go figure. Lol 👩🌾💛🌻
@@apiecemaker1163 Great advice! I think you make a great point that long before there was seed starter there was good old garden compost. Grandma knows best!
Praying u r safe from on coming storms...... HUGS
I use pro mix potting mix- it works really good for me
Jess - This was perfect timing.. I have been transferring my seedlings for awhile and I just decided I wasn't going to do that next year. I was going to start them in a pot first. (first year doing this) It also explains why my tomatoes seedling leaves are turning yellow. Your videos have let me know it is okay to make mistakes, it doesn't have to perfect, and just love what you are doing. I love what I am doing. Cant wait to get my babies in the ground.
I am so glad to learn that potting mix is just fine! I always have that on hand for houseplants but the seed starting mix is an extra. Thank you Jess for sharing your experience with us!