How to Make Natural Seedling Starters

Starting your own garden plants from seeds can be a cost-effective way to grow your flowers and vegetables. Be sure to read the directions on the seed package so you know when to start them to get them into your garden on time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Seed starter pots
• Sphagnum moss
• Perlite
• Vermiculite
• Milled peat moss

1. Purchase organic biodegradable seed starter pots in the size recommended for the seeds you are going to start. Avoid using a pot that is larger than the recommended size.

2. Make your own seed starter pots using newspaper instead of purchasing them to save even more money. Find two pots that are the same size and nest nicely inside of each other. Wet the newspaper and then line the inside of one pot with several layers of it. Put the other pot on top of the wet newspaper inside of the bottom pot and wait for it to dry and harden.

3. Mix together 1 part milled sphagnum moss and 2 parts each of a perlite and vermiculite. Seeds do not need a rich heavy soil to get started, they need a loose medium that allows for plenty of air to reach the roots of the seedling.

4. Fill your seed starter pots three quarters of the way with the seed starter mixture you created. Then plant your seeds in the pots following package directions for seed placement and depth.

5. Sprinkle a small amount of milled peat moss on top of each pot after the seeds are planted. Natural antibiotics present in the peat moss prevent damping off from occurring. Damping off is when the seedlings die at the soil line.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use potting soil for starting your seeds if the bag feels heavy. Heavy soils do not allow enough air to get to the seedling.