HelpfulGardener.com

it may be cheap, but it's sterilized and organic... and it is really rich - no junk in it like the hyponex.. I wasn't pleased with miracle-gro seed starter either as far as appearence and water absorbency (water just sat on top for awhile)..

so, trying this out as of today.. I think I'll like it - I haven't used any potting so clean and fluffy/light such as this before. this absorbed the water the way I wanted it to.

[img]https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7312/tytkn.jpg[/img]

Ruffsta,

Let use know how it's working. I googled and the one complaint, it becomes muddy. May need perlite


Eric

hmm.. I have never used that before, so I'll have to look into it unles you can tell me more about perlite a lil.

Take a look at this thread.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18177

and here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlite


Eric

The warning bell is that it is potting soil, not potting mix. I like the latter much better to start seeds in. Potting soil tends to hold moisture longer as well as compact. I hope it works out great for you.

I needed some potting mix, was short on time, another snow storm was coming so I ended up buying a 16 quart bag at Family Dollar. $3.50. I filled a tray with it and sowed peas, broccoli, Chard and spinach. So far, it is working great - as good as Ferti-lome which is >$20 for 60 quarts.

Mike

The dry dust of either product can be hazardous to your health.

then why would we want to use it? I think it's safer to just use potting soil as is lol

quick question tho.. say you have a styrofoam cup, how much perlite to you add/mix with the soil? just for example purposes...

ruffsta,

My seed starting mix is 1 cubic foot sphagnum peat moss and 4 quarts perlite.

so about 30 quarts to 4 quarts

120 cups to 16 cups ( 8oz. measuring cup )

Eric

I once tried a potting mix, the plants started to sprout, but later had mini mushrooms and lil flying bugs... so I went back to potting soil.

DoubleDogFarm wrote:Ruffsta,

Let use know how it's working. I googled and the one complaint, it becomes muddy. May need perlite


Eric

UPDATE: ok, I am using the "Country Farms" and "Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix"

the way I do it is this (test cup):
3 large table spoons of "Country Farms"
1 med table spoon of "Micracle-gro Seed Starting Potting Mix"

mix well, pour into cup, plant seed and water


it does not become muddy, holds water well. I have transplanted existing plants into this exact 3 to 1 mix of mine and they handled it well and are doing just fine. new seeds have sprouted much better and faster versus the normal potting soil. the mix has a nice color too.

I think I will continue this method..

I'm more interested (no offense) in how the plants like it, vs. how the gardener likes it.

I'm more interested (no offense) in how the plants like it, vs. how the gardener likes it.

Ruffsta wrote: I have transplanted existing plants into this exact 3 to 1 mix of mine and they handled it well and are doing just fine. new seeds have sprouted much better and faster versus the normal potting soil.