Is It Important to Use Seed Starting Mix and Why? (2024)

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Why Is it Important to Use Seed Starting Mix?

Gardening in Colorado poses some interesting obstacles that must be overcome, especially if you are aiming to start your whole garden from seed. Colorado's growing season is shorter than the maturity period of many popular garden fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant. This is why local garden centers in Fort Collins and surrounding areas sell plant starts in the spring. However, starting your own plants from seed can be a more affordable and more rewarding way to get your garden started for the season. This requires that plants with longer maturity periods be started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before it is actually warm enough to start planting things outdoors. Seeds that are started indoors do not have the benefit of the nutrient-rich soil in your garden. This is why it is so important to use seed starting soil. Learn more about seed starting in Colorado in our blog!

What is Seed Starting Mix

Seed starting mix is a specially formulated soil that will have the optimal texture to promote healthy root development, will be sterile and free of weeds, pathogens, or pests that could hinder your seedlings' growth, will have well-draining properties to help you maintain optimal drainage and avoid complications with overwatering, will be rich in nutrients that are necessary for the early growth and development of the plants, will have moisture retaining properties to help you maintain optimal moisture levels, and will even make transplanting to your garden easier as the texture of the soil makes the seedlings easy to remove, minimizing root disturbance and promoting a seamless transition for your plants. It is important to use seed starting mix when starting seeds indoors for all of these reasons. You can use just a regular potting mix, however, this makes it much easier and more likely to run into issues with drainage, moisture retention, pests, soil density, nutrient availability, and more. If you want a smooth and seamless experience starting seeds indoors, we highly recommend using a seed starting mix.

Seed Starting Mix vs. Seed Starting Soil

If you are wondering what the difference between seed starting mix and seed starting soil is, the answer is none! There is no difference between seed starting mix and seed starting soil. Both terms simply refer to the same product that is specially formulated for seed starting indoors. The product is a mix of different planting mediums that create a soil-like planting medium, hence the interchangeable terms "mix" and "soil."

DIY Seed Starting Mix: Is it the Right Choice for You?

Creating your own DIY seed starting mix can be a cost-effective and customizable option for gardeners. If you are interested in trying to create a seed starting mix of your own, here's a simple recipe to help you get started!

Ingredients for DIY Seed Starting Mix

Peat Moss:Provides a light, airy texture and helps retain moisture.
Perlite or Vermiculite:Improves drainage and aeration in the mix.
Compost or Worm Castings:Adds nutrients to support seedling growth.

How to Create DIY Seed Starting Mix

Measure Ingredients:Start by mixing equal parts peat moss and perlite or vermiculite.
Add Compost:Mix in compost or worm castings to provide additional nutrients for seedlings. Aim to add about 20-30% compost by volume.
Combine Thoroughly:Thoroughly mix the ingredients until well blended. Break up any clumps and ensure an even distribution of materials.
Moisten Mix:Before using the seed starting mix, moisten it with water until it reaches a damp, but not soggy, consistency. This will help ensure proper moisture retention for seed germination.
Plant Your Seeds: Your seed starting mix is now ready to use! Fill seed trays or containers with the DIY seed starting mix, leaving a little space at the top for easy watering. Sow seeds according to the recommended depth and spacing for each type of plant. Place seed trays in a warm, well-lit location, and keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate. For more information on how to start seeds indoors, check out our blog, "Seed Starting Basics: The Importance of Starting Seeds Indoors in Colorado."

By making your own DIY seed starting mix, you can tailor the ingredients to suit the needs of your plants and growing conditions, while also saving money and reducing waste. Adjust the proportions of ingredients as needed based on your preferences and the requirements of the plants you are growing. If you have questions about how to create your own DIY seed starting mix, reach out to us so we can help!

Shop Seed Starting Mix and Supplies at Bath Garden Center

Discover everything you need to kickstart your gardening journey with Bath Garden Center's selection of premium seed starting mixes and supplies. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our carefully curated collection ensures optimal conditions for germinating seeds and nurturing healthy seedlings. From nutrient-rich blends to essential tools like seed trays and watering cans, we've got you covered every step of the way. Elevate your gardening experience and set your plants up for success with Bath Garden Center's top-quality seed starting essentials.

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FAQs

Is It Important to Use Seed Starting Mix and Why? ›

This requires that plants with longer maturity periods be started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before it is warm enough to start planting things outdoors. Seeds that are started indoors do not have the benefit of the nutrient-rich soil in your garden. This is why it is so important to use seed starting soil.

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Can I use regular dirt to start seeds? ›

Soil microbiology can be very good, but it can also include pathogens that will kill your seedlings right as they're germinating. So soilless mix is the way to go when starting seeds. An 8-quart bag of soilless mix will run you between $7 and $12, and that will fill two 10-by-20-inch seed trays.

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Why is seed starting important? ›

Sowing seed is less expensive than buying established plants and requires little equipment. Vigorous plants started indoors flower sooner than those started outdoors. Sowing seed also allows gardeners to grow varieties that may not be available at local greenhouses or garden centers.

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Why do you use seed raising mix? ›

One of the most important aspects of seed cultivation is the kind of soil seeds are sown into, with ordinary garden soil and potting mix both widely used options. For the best results, though, a dedicated seed raising mix can offer the ideal conditions to help seeds to thrive.

How do you start seeds without seed starting mix? ›

Let's seed what's next!

Step 1: Soak Your Paper. Give your paper towel a quick dip so that it is moist throughout but not soaking.
Step 2: Tuck in Your Seeds. Fold your seeds in to the paper towel, so that they have a little space between them. ...
Step 3: Bottle It Up and Place! ...
Step 4: Unveil Your Seeds!

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Is Miracle-Gro good for seed starting? ›

Help seeds germinate by sowing them in Miracle-Gro® Seed Starting Potting Mix. This is finer than a regular potting mix, so young roots have an easier time of poking through. It mostly contains lightweight peat moss—a texture that allows air to move through while retaining a uniform amount of moisture.

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What is the best seed starter mix? ›

Combine compost, topsoil, a bit of coarse sand, and something like vermiculite, perlite, or coco coir until you have a mix with a consistency that holds together when wet. For seed starting, you'll avoid using as much sand as you would when making soil for your garden.

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How long can seedlings stay in seed starting mix? ›

As a general guide, after your seeds germinate they can grow in smaller (1.5″ cell trays) for about 2-3 weeks, in larger 2″ trays they can grow in them for about 3-4 weeks before needing to be transplanted.

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What is the difference between seed starting mix and potting soil? ›

Potting soil is typically heavier and may contain more nutrients than seed starting mix, leading to poor germination rates and root development. The seed starting mix is specifically formulated to provide the right balance of aeration, moisture retention, and sterility required for optimal seed germination.

What is the difference between seedling mix and potting mix? ›

The main difference between seedling mix and potting soil is the size of the particles. Seedling mix often also has more vermiculite than potting soil.

What is the rule of thumb for planting seeds? ›

The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all.

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What can I use instead of seed raising mix? ›

You can make your own seed raising mixture

· 1 part sphagnum peat moss (or coir peat)
· 1 part perlite.
· 1 part vermiculite.

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Should you pre moisten seed starting mix? ›

DON'T forget to moisten the seed starting mix prior to adding your seeds. If you add your seeds to dry potting mix and then try to overhead water, there's a pretty good chance you'll send your seeds floating to the corners of the container.

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What can I do with used seed starting mix? ›

Old mix can, however, be sterilized for reuse. It will not be as fresh, but the sterilization process will ensure it is pest and disease free. In fact, I sometimes sterilize fresh seedling mix when I am starting prized seeds.

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Is there a difference between seed starting soil and potting soil? ›

Seed-starting mixes are often made from peat moss, perlite, coconut fiber, and vermiculite. These ingredients and the loose texture encourage germination. Potting soil has a much coarser texture. It contains mainly compost, which provides a lot of nutrition to help plants grow.

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Can you just plant a seed? ›

Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results. Unlike indoor seed starting, direct sowing involves unpredictable elements: weather, wildlife and insects. Even so, many vegetables, annuals, herbs and perennials sprout easily from seed sown directly into garden soil.

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What kind of soil is best for starting seeds? ›

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