Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
even organic fertilizer in too great a concentration will create
an environment ideal for the growth of various fungi that will
invade and harm the seedlings. An indoor seed-starting
environment is not like the great outdoors. Wind movement,
sunshine, and other elements that keep fungi at bay are
greatly reduced in an indoor environment. As a result, the
teaspoon of solid fertilizer that does so much good outdoors
can be harmful to seedlings.
Another reason for keeping the nutrient content of
seed-starting medium low is the lower nutrient concentrations
cause more aggressive root growth. Improved root growth
leads to a transplant that will suffer less shock when it is
planted outdoors.
Here is my own recipe:
• Finely milled sphagnum peat moss, 4 quarts
• Medium vermiculite, 1 pint
• Well-finished compost passed through a 1/4-inch screen
made from hardware cloth, 1 pint
• Worm castings (available at any agricultural store), 1 pint
Again, the simple 50/50 mix of peat moss and vermiculite
recommended by the Territorial Seed Company and most
commercial seed-starting mixes work perfectly fine. Feel free
to experiment!
Because the starting medium used for seeds is deliberately
nutritionally poor and provided in insufficient quantity to
