Getting Started

 
Seed-starting isn't difficult, but there are some tips and techniques to help you get off to a successful start. Keep in mind plants' basic needs -- light, air, water, and mineral nutrients. Your job is to make sure those needs are satisfied.

Choosing a Soil Mix
Seeds grow fine in my garden -- why can't I go dig up some soil and use that to start my seeds?

Well, you could. But you are almost certainly going to have better results with a special sterile, "soilless," seed-starting mix.

Garden soils vary -- some are heavy clay, some are light and sandy -- but all garden soils contain a multitude of microorganisms, including various bacteria and fungi. This isn't a bad thing! Good, healthy soils contain an incredible variety of soil life, providing all sorts of services such as breaking down organic matter and aerating the soil. However, there are a few types of fungi that can cause problems for germinating seeds.

Soilless seed-starting mixes are usually made from a mixture of peat, vermiculite, and/or perlite that has been sterilized to kill microorganisms. As the name implies, they contain no actual soil. Soilless mixes are formulated to provide a good balance between water retention and drainage; some mixes also contain fertilizer.

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