DIY Seed Starting Soil Made Easy

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

If you're just starting out gardening in 2023, please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below to get the right tools for the job! It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening! Seedling Trays! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3xiKAgi Amazon USA: amzn.to/3DWD2DR Amazon UK: amzn.to/3RRlrCQ pH/Water/Light Meter Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3yafmrV Amazon USA: amzn.to/3OKRW30 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3nvEIM4 Composting Tumbler! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39CgtYw Amazon USA: amzn.to/39Dha49 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3yLsKVf Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql Hand Pruners: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8 Watering Can: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa Spray Gun: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z Gardening Gloves: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU

[@JoesWebPresence]

@4:54 I had to quit this video as it triggered a migraine. You may think those hand held upside down panning shots look cool, but many people experience it like someone is grabbing their eyeballs and twisting. I just wanted you to know that sadly, I can't watch your videos because of these jarring effects.

[@aarondavidson6409]

I think ive watched every seed starting mix video on youtube. Congratulations, this is the best by far. Thanks for sharing. Big ups from down under!

[@adammillard9269]

Can't wait.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Adam!

[@jasonmann5019]

Thank you for sharing Jeff. I have found your channel to be very helpful. Best wishes to you. Jason from Melbourne Australia.

[@waynesell3681]

Like the recap!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Wayne! Helps me too to remember everything!

[@jean-eriksylvain7659]

Very clear explanations, simple enough and effective. thank you Jeff!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Jean-Erik, thanks so much for watching! :-)

[@jimmcdowell9017]

As usual, you make it eezy peezy! More please.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Jim! 🙂

[@davetattersfield6820]

Thanks Jeff, really informative and helpful. Once I use up my store bought seed raising mix, which I now understand how different it is from potting mix, I will be making my own.

[@rlbgardener6465]

Thanks for another great info video, still waiting to get started in zone 6b.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers RLB, hope the weekend was good!

[@Joe-Skier]

Good idea to make your own. Last year there were several different brand name seed starting soil and potting soil that flopped big time.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Sooooo true Joe. When I go store bought, the amount of fungus gnats I get is staggering!

[@Joe-Skier]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms last spring when our seed starts were so bad that maybe 10% survived. I blamed myself until I saw another person I follow on KZbin mention that a lot of her followers had the same problem, regardless of quality or brand name. I never really wanted to do a compost pile (because running my business, life, etc) and make my own starting soil but I am now! Thanks for your great videos!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@Joe-Skier All too common lately man. Best of luck either way buddy! 🙂

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Tony, great to see you back and what a variety of potatoes you have. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@myrustygarden]

Perfect is the next video when to transplant that always confuses me 👍 thanks Jeff have a great week, Ali

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Coming very soon Ali! :-) Take care.

[@mrstoneybrew]

Will be using this mix this year! Would also like to see your mix when planting up.

[@beckysanders2935]

So glad I found your channel!

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Jeff, great video on seed compost. Thanks for sharing and take care

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

Great video! As always. Time is short I gotta go!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Michael, appreciate it!!

[@itowmyhome797]

Thank you

[@donnakacz6460]

Hi Jeff. This was very helpful to me. I went on Lowe's sight last night and I had know idea about so many kind of soils fertilizer and such. I intended to ask you about which do I need. Isn't that ironic? I even have it written down to remind me. So now I'll go back on line and price what you've talked about. Hopefully I can get this weekend. That's nuts though. Ambra kadabra " here's Jeff" with all the answers. Thank you so much for reading my mind. Lol!!! Take care.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha its awesome when it works out that way Donna! 🙂

[@palliaskamen5722]

I've only ever used ordinary potting soil or wet paper for seeds. Never had any problems.

[@VoidloniXaarii]

Thank you for the great explanation

[@ninemoonplanet]

I made an exception this year for starting tomatoes, added worm castings because the plant/per pot will grow until put in the garden. I also tried a new idea, used just the potato "chits" without the tuber, and yes, they're growing. A bit too early for planting outdoors, but now I know I don't have to try and keep the entire potato. Lettuce seeds I bought were "winter" lettuce and despite the -10°C freeze they're still good. Hopefully get a very early picking from lettuce.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, sounds like its going to be a good year!

[@czermeno2014]

Hi, so how donyou sterilize your compost? Do you just get it from your outdoor compost bin and heat it in the oven for a certain amount of time and temp? Thanks for your videos.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Most people use steam or an oven.

[@ginagibson8600]

Thank you so much for this info. 😊 Newb question, can or should this starting mixture be used for flower seeds too? Thank you.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Gina, yes, flower seeds as well!

[@InangMukbang]

New fren from phillippines

[@WynterDragon]

I love making my own, I was just mixing up a fresh batch today. :) My recipe is pretty close to yours, do you see a big difference of rock phosphate vs bone meal?

[@cuznclive2236]

I usually apply Rootwise Mycrobe Complete, there are other similar brands as well, while bedding/watering-in seeds. Doing so seems to work based on when I do not, all else being equal.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Excellent! Keep doing what works for you!

[@EvelynReilly-e7j]

Can you share what kind of compost you buy for this? Or brands that you recommend? Thanks! I appreciate your videos!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hi Evelyn, thanks for watching! I tend to go with either my own composts or local companies for a larger supply, so I'm not well versed in what's available brand wise. I would like to do some testing though!

[@Grace-bq8qg]

As I am rewatching your videos over and over again, my golly wow, I realized I forgot to add perlite into my DIY seedling soil. I have already sown my tomato seeds. How do you recommend to go from here? 😭 I followed your formula in the other video that says 50% compost + 50% coco coir. I guess I was so excited to start my seedlings I totally forgot the perlite.

[@Barosunflower]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers! 🙂

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

What is your thoughts on using peat pods to get started?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I try to avoid peat. Starting seeds is really easy, I find the peat pods kind of gimmicky and unnecessary.

[@bluedogron]

@TheRipeTomatoFarms How do you know if the compost you purchase is sterile or not? I looked at a few and they did not list it.

[@annoir]

I've been binge-watching your videos on indoor herb gardens, and it's been so informative and helpful. I have a question. What do you think about seed starter pellets? Take care and thanks again!

[@tolgagurcimen2957]

You can use worm castings as well.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yup, love worm castings Tolga! :-)

[@tolgagurcimen2957]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms cheers from Cyprus. The island of Aphrodite.

[@metasamsara]

Do you prefer compost over worm castings or is it because it's cheaper for you to produce yourself? Does that affect the ratio if you used castings? And do you recommend buffering the coco with calmag? Liquid mycorrhizae?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I prefer compost for the structure and moisture retention. Seeds don't need the nutrients yet, so worm castings are kind of lost on this mix. Great long-term though. I've never needed to buffer or add fungal networks, but some do with great results.

[@patriciatinkey2677]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms HI Jeff! I love that you are so responsive to our questions! Chances are, If one person asks it...more people are thinking it. This is one of the things I mention to others when recommending your channel. 😁

[@lindadempsey2468]

Should you sterilize your home compost or if buying what do you recommend ?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@lindadempsey2468 I would sterilize if you're ever bringing it indoors Linda. Normally the soil life is a huge benefit when working with compost, but when you bring it indoors to be used with seeds, bad things can happen. So definitely sterilize it

[@johnlorenzo1413]

Thank you ☺

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers John, thanks for watching!

[@davegaskell7680]

Is the 25% compost that you use your own homemade compost or is it a store bought, sterilised compost?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Lately, I've been going store-bought sterilized Dave....I found one good source and it hasn't failed me yet!

[@abemichau4706]

Where are you at boss? My dates differ from the dates you mentioned. Just wanted to make sure your further south than I am here in the Okanagan. (BC)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Victoria, BC zone 9b

[@lynnlovessoil]

I usually make my own seed starting mix unless I can find it on sale in the off season.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Me too Lynn. So much better.

[@MarcusAbundis]

I am a bit confused by how you state the ratio of components- so I am going to restate it in liters, is this correct: 7.5 liters coco or peat, 2.5 liters sterile compost, 1 liter vermiculite, 1 liter perlite?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yup, exactly.

[@rebeccasterling6235]

Where do you source the cocoa fiber?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

All my local hardware stores and plant supply stores carry it. Comes in bricks.

[@patriciatinkey2677]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Weirdly, it's hard to find here in South Florida, where you'd think it would be plentiful. Lots of peat around, though...but not so😐 great for the environment.

[@mudpiemudpie785]

Too early for seed starting in my area unless you have a fantastic indoor light set-up. I don't. I can't start mine until almost April. ☹

[@lynnlovessoil]

What is canola meal?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hi Lynn, its an inexpensive Canola byproduct....same consistency as Alfalfa Meal.

[@andraroberts9029]

Seed starting madness... you've been spying on my house, haven't you? 🤣

[@naturalmystic5098]

Would sifting garden soil make better seed soil?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes, most definitely. I always sift mine if there's too much debris.

[@lorisaunders176]

Getting my hands dirty today 💥💥

[@thombaz]

I grow indoor and don't have compost neither iI can biy any here. We can mostly buy manure compost and its crazy bad for seeds. I started do use coco peat/peat moss mixed with perlite and filter sand and my succes reat become about 90% and beck then it was like 10%. I recomend this for every indoor grower who have insucces with store bought potting soils, maybe your country sell the same bad soil as mine and that causes the seeds not to germinate at all.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Great that you were able to increase the germination rates like that! Well done! :-)

[@BrookeandBaby]

I used a mix last year and my plants were MASSIVE. This year I used this basic potting soil mix and they’re definitely smaller 😢

[@BrookeandBaby]

I started last month is it too late to transplant to better soil

[@ronallens6204]

Ok, call me stupid, but the recipe is 75 parts coco/peat plus 25 parts compost plus 10 parts ver/per mix ? Or is it percent plus 10%

[@آنسةقهوةعربية]

[ Potting soil ] Container [ Garden soil ] Raised bed [ Top soil ] Landscap ideal mix ( cocoa fiber/peat moss ) 75 ( Compost ) 25 ( Perlite ) 10 ( Vermicu lite ) 10 Sterile compost

[@melodylyons4631]

What is your next step.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Melody, next step for what? The seedlings?

[@melodylyons4631]

Catch my comment at the end of the chat.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

The one about cost? Its definitely a line that depends on how many seeds and seed trays you're going to do....most people buy and do just fine going that route.

[@peterofbarbaria9114]

Damn nature for not providing us with the right growing medium doe all my seeds

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right? LOL

[@MorganTiller]

7:30 did you say Ad Rock phosphate and throw a beastie boys joke?

[@TheOriginalStriker]

6:13 that i was looking for. this exact thing showed you not like the 99% blah blah gardeners in youtube.

[@TheOriginalStriker]

except that your calculation end up 120% hahaha