DIY Seed Starting System

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Looking for a DIY Seed starting system? Here it is!

In this post, I’m going to share some really easy and innovative ideas for starting seeds.

All these ideas have worked for me and I’m sure they’ll work for your garden too.

Whether you’re a pro gardener or a beginner, you’ll end up with healthy, dense plants.

So, why any further delay? Let’s start by exploring the method of making seed starting mix at home.

How Do I Make My Own Seed Starting Mix?

The seed starting mix is the main component of any DIY Seed Starting System. Here’s how you can make your own seed starting mix:

Ingredients

1. Compost: 4 portion
2. Vermiculite: 1 portion
3. Perlite: 1 portion
4. Peat Moss: 2 portion

Method

You need to first break the compost to make a fine texture. Then, mixing it with the rest of the ingredients will make your seed starting mix ready. You can add little water to get the preferred texture.

Should I Sterilize Seed Starting Mix?

Yes, you need to sterilize the seed starting mix before planting. It’ll ensure that your garden soil is free of weed seeds, pests, and other diseases. As a result, you’ll be benefitted from the good health of your plants.

Though some growers will tell you sterilization is optional, for me, it’s a must. And to do it, I can recommend you two different ways. The first one is to sterilize your garden soil at home. The second one is to buy sterile potting mixes from a local nursery or online.

Sterilizing your garden soil at home is pretty simple. And there are several ways of doing it. The most popular ways are to steam the soil in a cooker or heat it in a microwave. Here are the two methods explained for your better understanding:

Steaming the Soil

The first method of sterilization is to steam the soil for 30-40 minutes. You can either use a pressure cooker or a simple saucepan to do it. The temperature of the steam should reach 180 degrees F to ensure proper sterilization.

If you’re using a pressure cooker, you need to first add sufficient water to it. Then, place the level soil in the pan, foil seal it and cover the lid without the steam valve. Once the soil is steamed for 30 minutes, it’ll be sterilized.

If you’re using an ordinary saucepan, pour water into it first. Then, add the soil-filled pan and cover it with foil. Put the lid and let it steam for 30-40 minutes to ensure proper sterilization.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Start Seeds Indoors?

There are plenty of the cheapest ways to start seeds indoors. Some common equipment is egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, newspapers, cereal boxes, muffin pans, etc. Now, I’ll explain how to use these tools at your convenience.

1.    Egg Cartons

You can use egg cartons to grow seedlings in an organic way. First, cut each section and fill it with soil and seeds. Keep it moist and once seedlings start to grow, plant them directly in the ground.

2.    Toilet Paper Rolls

Collect some toilet paper rolls and cut them into halves. Then, cut them 1/3rd from the bottom and fold like closing a box. Once done, you can fill these paper roll boxes with soil and seeds and let your seeds happily grow.

3.    Newspapers

For this method, you need newspapers and some leftover cans from the pantry. First, wrap the cans with newspapers and they’ll look like cute little seedling pots. Then, fill the cans with soil and seeds and you’re done.

4.    Cereal Boxes

You can use the leftover cereal boxes from your kitchen to start seeds. Simply fill the boxes with soil and seeds, add a little water and let them grow inside. You need to keep these boxes in a fully ventilated area.

5.    Muffin Pans

Muffin pans will work perfectly as seedling pots. All you need to do is collect some muffin pans and fill them with soil and seeds. Once done, you can leave them indoors in an airy spot to ensure proper growth.

Now, you already know the DIY seed starting system with alternative pot ideas. Let me share some seed starting mix options with you!

5 Best Starting Mixture For Seeds

Now, you must be wondering, what is the best starting mixture for seeds? Here are some innovative ideas that you can try.

1.    Gardener’s Supply Seed Starter Mix

The seed starter mix from Gardener’s Supply is an organic formula that contains mycorrhizae to promote germination.

Pros

1. Natural and chemical-free
2. Very fine texture
3. Keeps roots moist
4. Improves drought tolerance

Cons

1. Makes soil dense
2. Requires professional touch

2.    Miracle-Gro Potting Mix

The potting mix from Miracle-Gro is an excellent seed starting mix enriched with plant food. It’s also perfect for starting from roots or leaves.

Pros

1. Ensures fast root development
2. Best for starting cuttings
3. Retains moisture
4. Ideal for veggies

Cons

1. Only for container use
2. Isn’t labeled as organic

3.    Back to the Roots Potting Mix

The all-purpose potting mix from Back to the Roots is a versatile fertilizer apt for veggies and flowers.

Pros

1. Peat-free, natural fertilizer
2. Contains plant nutritients
3. Promotes seedlings growth
4. Suitable for various plants

Cons

1. Coarse in texture
2. Quantity is less

4.    Sun Gro Black Gold Seedling Mix

Sun Gro has come up with its OMRI-listed organic seedling mix that’s ideal for improving germination from seeds.

Pros

1. Speeds up germination
2. Ensures safe gardening
3. Also works for cuttings
4. Provides uniform water penetration

Cons

1. NPK is very low
2. The size could’ve been bigger

5.    Coast of Maine Harbor Pot Soil

The BH8P Bar pot soil from the Coast of Maine is an organic potting soil for indoor or outdoor containers.

Pros

1. Lightweight
2. Pure Organic
3. Dense with calcium
4. OMRI listed

Cons

1. More suitable for flowers than veggies
2. Expensive

These seed starting mixes despite their downsides will ensure a healthy DIY seed starting system. Now, let me answer some of the frequently asked questions on seed starting.

What Can I Use Instead Of A Seed Tray?

You can use a variety of homemade containers to start seeds instead of a tray. Eggshells, toilet paper rolls, and cereal boxes are some ideal options.

You can follow the tips I’ve shared above to make cute little containers for all your seeds.

To start seeds at home, you don’t always need those store-bought expensive seed trays. Leftover kitchen staff such as an egg carton will also work its best.

All you need to do is prepare the seed starting mix with a lot of care.

Are Egg Cartons Good For Starting Seeds?

Yes, just as I mentioned, egg cartons are excellent options for starting seeds. They already come divided into tiny cups, providing enough room for your seeds.

They make sprouting really easy, helping you to transplant the seedlings into bigger containers.

While eggshells are ideal for starting seeds, they look also quite attractive. Owing to the narrow shape, they can be easily placed by windows.

If you’re planning to create a kitchen garden, eggshells are just the right option for your indoors.

What Can I Use Instead Of Vermiculite?

You can use a variety of organic matter instead of vermiculite.

Some examples are coir, peat, perlite, sawdust, wood chips, etc.

In my opinion, perlite works the best among all these options.

Which Is Better Perlite or Vermiculite?

Perlite is an excellent alternative to vermiculite. Both matters are organic with good water drainage capacity.

But, perlite is a less expensive option than vermiculite providing the same water retention capacity.

You can also mix perlite with vermiculite to create a better quality compost.

Mixing both will help you to make a perfect seed starting mix.

Will Boiling Water Sterilize Soil?

Yes, boiling water can sterilize soil when you steam the soil on it.

You need to use two containers for this method.

First, you pour water into a container and then place another container with soil inside it and boil the water.

What To Germinate Seeds In?

You can germinate seeds in different kinds of pots and seed trays.

In case you don’t have seed trays at home, you can use organic, homemade containers.

I’ve already shared some great ideas that you can try.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Help Seeds Germinate?

Yes, Hydrogen Peroxide helps seeds to germinate faster. There has been extensive research and the growers have seen amazing results.

You can generously apply H2O2 to your seed containers to promote germination.

But, if you’re into organic gardening like me, H2O2 won’t be an ideal solution. After all, it’s a chemical compound that may have some adverse effects.

Instead, you can use natural fertilizers that are safe and highly effective.

How Do I Make Sure Potting Soil Doesn’t Have Bugs?

To make sure potting soil doesn’t have bugs, you can apply homemade remedies.

Coffee beans, garlic cloves, and eucalyptus oil are some natural pesticides that you can apply. Cayenne pepper, soap, and Neem oil are also some excellent options.

Besides applying natural pesticides, you also need to check for bugs and insects.

You can check the soil with a magnifying glass to easily spot the creatures.

And in case you found one, it’s important to take action immediately.

Conclusion

A DIY seed starting system is really easy to try at home.

The method of preparing seed starting mix is a lot of fun too.

All you need to ensure is a superior quality seed packet that ensures healthy growth.

Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Homestead Lifestyle Board!!