Here is the soilmix forum.

After trying several different potting soils & seed starting mixes, the Pro-Mix is my favorite. I usually buy it by the bale and use the PGX for seed starting & wintersowing and the BX for all my containers. It seems the have a good mix of perilite & vermiculite to provide good drainage and also stays loose and soft.
http://www.premierhort.com/ePr...

I have been starting my seeds for over 10 years now, and I always have used Pro-mix- PGX. I find it to be the best there is.

Where do you find the Pro-mix?

Hi Carol,

Here's the Web Site for the Pemier Pro-Mix products. They have a Distributor locator under the Professional pull down menu

http://www.premierhort.com/ePr...

I like the Pro-Mix for a large variety of seed. It is a very good all around mix.

Another vote for Pro-Mix. It is the best. The lowest price per bale is $42.00 a bale up here (those are last year's bales so the price will go up once Lowe's new shipment arrives), but I won't use anything else. Sunshine is a real good brand, too if you can get it. Can't find it here anymore.

I used to use Pro-Mix and liked it. I used to buy it at Home Depot, but now neither Lowes or Home Depot around here carry it. Both now only carry Miracle Grow.

I've used both Fafard and MetroMix in the past few years and like those too.

Karen

Fafard seems to be popular. Must be regional. Don't have it here. Sunshine mixes here went the way of ProMix for you. That's how I discovered ProMix...

I found Fafard and the Sunshine MetroMix by visiting local nurseries, asking what they use for their own seed starting and container plants. These weren't displayed for sale to the public but they seem happy to sell me a big bag. I buy a large bag of the MetroMix for $14.

These places had only Miracle Grow on display for sale to customers.

Karen

I'm a Pro Mix fan. Have used it for many years and I find my seedlings do best in it.
Worse thing I ever came across was Scotts soil mix. It was awful! Even had pieces of rags in it and good size stones and stick. Waste of money.

MollyD

I've heard horror stories about Hyponex too but I've never used it so I can't say.

Karen

Haven't gone to the Pro-Mix web site in a couple years. Just checked out the link to the right. Wow, they have really expanded their line! We only have the BX and the HP up here. None of the other options at all. I use a different brand starter mix called Redi-Earth Seedling & Plug Starter, put out by Sun-Gro...Which is interesting because we can no longer get the other products put out by Sun-Gro.

You'd think someone would carry all Sun-Gro or all Pro-Mix, but all the nurseries (which are outrageously priced for these products) and the big box stores all carry the same formulations...duh...just depends on how much you want to pay whether you use the nursery or Lowes.

Finding Pro-Mix around here is a real challenge. I can't stand the Miracle Grow stuff--the last bag I bought (because it was all I could find) is so lumpy and full of large sticks, etc. I am taking a road trip to a nursery about an hour away this weekend to go buy Pro-Mix. A fellow gardener tipped me off to a place that carries it. I'm sure buying it locally, even if I have to drive, will be more cost effective than ordering it, and at least I will have a quality product for planting up my seedlings.

Barbara--did you like the Sun-Gro seed starting mix? This nursery I'm going to carries that line, as well.

I've always been happy with the Sun-Gro seed starting mix. I was perfectly content with their other products, but everyone stopped carrying all but the Starter Mix (which I can only get at one place).

I agree, I don't care for Miracle Grow products.

Their one that I get (Metro Mix) is a general purpose potting mix. I've only tried a couple of seed starting mixes and I honestly like potting mix better than seed starting mix for everything, including seed starting.

Karen

Karen, I actually go back and forth between starting in ss mix and regular potting soil. Like everyone else, I way over plant and get to where I can't keep up with what's due to be planted that week and what needs transplanting to bigger pots, plus all the dahlias and approx 150 lilies I do in containers. My thought is regular mix eliminates one re-potting, but then some of the tiny seeds don't seem to germinate a well. I know there is no one perfect answer, but that doesn't stop me from looking for one

Those who use it, how long do you leave things in starter mix before re-potting to regular mix?

Ya know?...I should be planting right now, instead of being on the computer

Me, too.

Karen

This question was directed to Karen, but I'll jump in anyway with my strategy. I use seed starting mix only for seed starting (I use either regular cell-packs or Gardener's Supply APS systems for seeds). As soon as they get a couple of sets of true leaves, or as soon as I see roots coming out bottom of cell packs, I transplant into larger pots (usually 2.5 - 3") using potting mix. This is where I want to get away from the Miracle Grow--in the potting-up step. I did use Metro-mix for seed starting when I took the propagation class, and it seemed to work quite well.

I'm done seeding for a week or two (except for a couple of WS containers I'd like to get out this weekend). I have some herb seedling I'm starting to pinch back already because they've gotten so large. I hate when things don't germinate according to schedule. Some of my plants are over 2 weeks ahead, which will cause me major problems if we don't get an early spring!

mom2goldens said: I hate when things don't germinate according to schedule.

Ditto..and if you were responding to my question, it was directed at anyone.

And I have planted more petunias during our ramblings (because since Joanne says 3 per 16" basket, the million I already planted might not be enough ) and now I'm going to do coleus.