SEED STARTING & What You NEED to know about Coconut Coir

[@NowGardening]

Seed Starting Indoors is in full-swing here and probably for many of you too! 🌱 I wanted to put out this video on coco coir for those of you who are struggling with starting seeds or getting seeds to germinate. I also think that many people unknowingly misuse coconut coir, and it can sabotage your seed starting if not used correctly. Happy to answer any questions.

[@bybassman1842]

Hi. Can you address the fertilizing you do while the seed is sprouting and then into seedling stage. My understanding is that you need a very light hand when doing this. And what are you fertilizing with?

[@lukelucy1980]

Coconut Coir is an Un Ending resource, It helps Major and small red world farmers get money for waste that they could not use. About 20 yrs ago, someone came up the the idea to recapture the waste. Small farmers living didn't allow them to purchase the machines to break the husks down. This sucked up their land and created rat and mosquito infestations making life even harder. Eventually as marketing and shipping the Coir became successful, Companies expanded collection from the small farmers and eventually paying small payments. Environmentally Using Peat Moss should be considered the same as Mining the Coral Reef. Period ! Peat Moss Companies are using Rhetoric,Lobbing ,and Green Washing. The Peat Bogs take millions of years, and once they are gone that is it. Our modern day land use doesn't really allow for them to regenerate, and don't forget that the climate was very different 1,000s of years ago. Using peat should be considered the same as mining the coral reefs.....Environmentally Using Peat Moss should be considered the same as Mining the Coral Reef. Period ! Peat Moss Companies are using Rhetoric,Lobbing ,and Green Washing.

[@Dusica.]

Hi Valerie, honestly I've never used coconut coirs for starting the seeds, I try to reuse what I have left from the previous season, but it was very informative as always, it's good to learn something new from you. Thank you 🌞💐🤗

[@NowGardening]

Hi, I do the same but like to try out new things too. I just did an experiment between coir,peat, and soil and the coir germinated twice as fast. I was really surprised

[@Fexer441]

Hello from a fellow expat in France (Haute Savoie) - My kids and I are going to try planting my first habanero seeds using this technique, thank you for the explanation, just what I needed

[@NowGardening]

Hi! My husband’s best friend is from Haute Savoie. Beautiful area and I don’t mind the skiing there either😉 Good luck with your habaneros. Pepper seeds seem a little hit or miss in France. I’ll have 100% germination on one variety and then 10% on another. I don’t experience this with other seeds, so I’m not certain of the cause.

[@erinkeyehkey6852]

This is my first year using coir alone to seed. I'm using it to start my hydroponic plugs and it's working great! The nutrients will come when I put the plugs along with some LECA into bigger baskets and then into my grow tower. Otherwise, I've always mixed coir in with my seed starting mix so I don't have to think about additional nutrients at this stage. This is my first year using the soil blocking technique, the coir really helps with retaining the shape of the block by holding in moisture.

[@NowGardening]

That’s awesome. I love to hear success stories. I’ve been experimenting with mixing it into my seed starting mix this year too. Good luck with your growing!

[@indianb1918]

Did you soak the seeds before planting ?

[@sabihakhan5240]

I used empty egg tray and I bought it from 99cent store coconut coir and I save tons of money and I’m very very happy

[@MrFlyTWA]

I used boiling water to hydrate coir plugs. They will hydrate more even, kills anything bad in there and drain off extra water in case of salt found in coir. The plugs stand upright better too.

[@NowGardening]

Good tip. Thanks for sharing. I use warm water but will try boiling next time.

[@dwwcoder5048]

This garden season I will be mixing up compost-vermiculite, and coconut coir in some garden beds; while others will be a combination of compost-peat moss, vermiculite. Then I’ll know which is better.

[@NowGardening]

I’d love to hear how it turns out 👍🏻

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Totally agree Val!! People seem to have strong thoughts on coir. We had great successes with the pods last year. That being said, we're trying other methods this year, but if it works, go for it !! Great points, as always Val !! Cheers J&C 🌱🌱🌱

[@NowGardening]

I’m looking forward to your leaf mold trial. I love free options!

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

@@NowGardening 🤞😁🤞

[@indianb1918]

Thank you. Coco peat works because it gives the seeds both water and air at the same time.

[@DiggingForHealth]

Another great step by step video Val!

[@NowGardening]

Thanks, Andrea 💚

[@radhaputcha]

Can you use coconut coir mixed with potting soil/garden soil and some perlite as seed starting mix? Thank you.

[@NowGardening]

Yes, absolutely. In fact, a lot of gardeners enjoy experimenting with the mixes and ratios of each of these for seed starting. Some people also use compost as a 4th component. When I experiment, I always plant a baseline of seeds in my normal seed starting mix so that I’m assured of some success even if what I’m trying doesn’t work well. Hope this helps!

[@trevorhoward7682]

At the risk of seeming a complete buffoon; can I start root vegetables in coir pods and move them into beds or group them in very large pots or tubs later?

[@NowGardening]

Not a silly question at all. A lot of people struggle to transfer root vegetables like carrots and turnips, so it’s usually recommended to direct sow them in their final spot. That said, I haven’t had trouble transplanting them myself as long as I do it before the vegetable itself really starts to develop. I have not however tried them in coir pods because the roots of normal seedlings tend to get bound up in the coir and root vegetables need space to grow. Sorry I can’t tell you a solid answer, but I will try this now that you’ve asked so that I will have the answer in the future. In the meantime, I would recommend you try a few in coir pods but don’t bank you’re entire crop on it (sow them elsewhere too). Hope this helps

[@aircastles11]

When is a good moment to plant them in vase after sprouting?

[@NowGardening]

I transfer them approximately 10-14 days after they germinate.

[@haddock54]

Good to see that you are using coconut coir. Every part of the tree is useful.

[@NowGardening]

Hi Zach. I’m running an experiment between loose coir, peat, and soil and it’s really amazing how fast seeds germinate in the coir compared to the others. I’ll be using more of it for sure!

[@lindaswedenlifestyle]

wow thats was great sharing ideas.. i never try to use this coconut coir.. maybe would love try this year also how is work.. injoy starting seedsling its to early for mig.. hopefully i can start some seedlings indoor next month..

[@NowGardening]

Hi Linda. Good to see you again! I'm sure you're still frozen over up there, but I hope you get to start seeds and get back to your garden soon. Have a lovely week.

[@ninnats9577]

While replanting from a small pot to a bigger one can I add soil to the fill the bigger pot?

[@NowGardening]

Yes, that's what I do.

[@GrandmaSandy]

Thank you so much for another great video full of great information always love finding out so much from my garden buddies what I should be doing to help my seeds To germinate

[@NowGardening]

My pleasure. Glad to help.

[@bangalorean999]

A pack of 560 60mm coins with a mesh that allows the roots to grow out and provide firmness costed INR 2400 or about $30 in India. I am using them to germinate Casuarina seeds to plant them for timber.

[@nanda_zealot]

Hi Valerie....Nice video....

[@NowGardening]

Thank you so much

[@45valk]

Once they swell up and are seeded, put them into a net cup temporarily until they’re ready to be planted. Don’t put them all the way in just far enough to hold them.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for sharing your tips

[@dmo848]

Mother earth coco best bang for the buck n it's good stuff no bs garbage coco with salt. U still have to wash it and give it an Epsom salt bath but the stuff works wonders. Eats nutrients like crazy so more money down the drain so I've learned. Bigger fruits though from what I'm seeing.

[@NowGardening]

Thanks for your tips!

[@JI814]

I think I got some salty Coco coir as germination was less than ten percent.

[@NowGardening]

That’s disappointing. It’s super annoying because some companies are such scammers. I’ve heard of people rinsing their bad coco coir, but I have no idea if it really works. Best to try a different brand

[@dmo848]

Sometimes 2 much water is no good I learned. I thought I couldn't over water. Well in coco as seedlings u can. Lol ya live n ya learn

[@sidgarden7695]

Looks like a hard work and too expensive for my budget but very interesting. Thank you for sharing. X

[@NowGardening]

Hi Sid. Yes, it’s more pricey than I like too. I prefer as cheap and simple as possible

[@Erika70079]

Have you checked your local dollarstore? I've seen these plugs at my local dollarama (in Canada). I also got some bricks at my garden centre for cheaper than soil. I'm always on the hunt for the cheapest option that will still give me good results!

[@ccpun3790]

In Canada, Peat is the economic choice😁

[@NowGardening]

Do you like it for seed starting? l haven’t had much luck with it for that, but it’s essential for my berry bushes to help acidify my soil.

[@ccpun3790]

@@NowGardening I enjoyed much in the process and love to see them shooting up. I am learning the growth cycles of different type of seeds and planning the use of my resources in next seeding cycle. Since Canada has late Spring and relatively short cycles for growing, indoor seeding and transplant is crucial for healthy young plants to go into the garden when the weather warming up in June.

[@ccpun3790]

@@NowGardening Peat is 'cheap' and easily to store, preparation of required mix can be done in late July and August stored and re-hydrate for use next March.

[@DUHOVED_FOR_RELAX]

*꧁ Fez o meu dia 🍾 Obrigado 👌 ꧂*

[@slavenkabozic9655]

Molim vas omogucite prevod na srpski hrvatski i bosanski jezik

[@SaphfireStorm]

I have not used coconut coir yet. However, and this is my only my opinion, they look remarkably like chopped up dog doo pieces in that tray lol. For that reason alone, I am a no lol.

[@NowGardening]

You can tell I’m not a dog owner, the thought never crossed my mind 😅thanks for your vote, Sue

[@SaphfireStorm]

@@NowGardening lol I'm sorry... 😂🤣🐕

[@obgardening]

one way to sow plant seeds with coconut coir 👍

[@NowGardening]

Yes, thank you