We have been trying to figure out how to make homemade seed starting mix since buying potting soil here is expensive.
Just in time, Steven has posted a video on how he does it:
Our compost is very thick and dense here, likely due to the high clay content in the soil. I will probably have to dry some out to get started.
Steven adds coffee grounds, old “spent potting mix,” ashes, compost, charcoal and leaf mould. His mixes aren’t a consistent recipe and are based on availability and experimentation, though he does recommend you keep any mix at less than 1/3 dirt from your yard.
The “spent potting soil” portion of this mix reminded me of when I used to do some part time work for a nursery. If a plant died or looked too ugly to sell, they would throw it, soil, pot and all into the dumpster. I scavenged that used potting mix whenever I could. Throwing out that stuff always bothered me.
Also note that Steven uses diluted urine or manure tea to revitalize spent soil and “charge” biochar. My kind of gardening.
I will use this:
Homemade seed starting mix is on my agenda. When I make some, I will film it and post here.
I’m already scanning the homestead for likely ingredients. When I get my left hand back… I’m totally doing it.
8 responses to “Making Homemade Seed Starting Mix”
Yes, farming in flip flops is a way of life!
Hey DTG, totally know what you mean about the spent potting soil. They’re usually high in peat and perlite and nice consistency. I know you aren’t a organic purist, and neither am I (my starving banana trees may have received some 10-10-10), but I’ve read how extensively pesticide sprayed and fertilized big box store plants are, to the point that at the big nurseries, plants have to be quarantined from people. Especially with neonics that kill pollinators. Is that concerning for seed starting mix?
That is a possibility and it’s definitely concerning.
We have about 30 oaks on our property so I get tons of dry leaves and that’s primarily what my compost pile is made of. I add as much green material to it as I can, coffee grounds from Starbucks, and lots of kitchen scraps.
I’ve found that I can use the leafy compost for potting things, and the plants love it. Orchids especially love it! I don’t have a leaf shredder or I could use it for starting seedlings I think. It’s too coarse for a starter mix, as-is. But if it was chopped fine it would probably work good.
Leaves from live oaks are small and tough, it takes a long time to break down. Other leaves probably crumble faster. Anyway… I’m just thinking out loud here. If I was making homemade potting mix I would start with dry leaves, chopped fine, and add the other stuff to it. Just a thought.
I don’t see people talking about the potential that dry leaves have: I think there’s a whole other resource there.
I think you’re right that it’s an underused resource. I used to gather all the leaves I could in fall.
Leaf compost is excellent. I’m sure it was perfect for orchids.
Missed a good joke about North Korea and Kim Jong what’s his name when preemptively responding to dissenters.
Ok, I must admit, I have not been keeping up with your posts. Did you leave Florida?
Yes – we live in an undisclosed location somewhere in the tropics. Welcome back!