​Grow Tip: Seed Starting Mix

A properly balanced soil mix for germination is crucial to provide young seeds with the optimal environment for healthy growth and development. Here's a general guideline for creating a premium and balanced soil mix for germination:

Base Soil Mix
Seed starting mixes are typically light, well-draining, and sterile to prevent diseases.  One of the best base mixes currently on the market is Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil.  This soil is Ph adjusted and lightly amended with earthworm castings, bat guano, and sea-going fish and crab meal.  It’s important to not have an excess of nitrogen in your mix for germination, but this blend is well balanced.

Amendments
To really get your seedlings off to a premium start, there are a few essential amendments that we find to be critical for optimum health once they have been transplanted.  By adding these amendments to your seed starting mix, you will find that your plants will be healthier, stronger and more disease resistant throughout the growing season.

Rock Phosphate
Colloidal Soft Rock Phosphate is a great natural source of slow release phosphorous. It can also provide low levels of trace minerals and valuable trace elements such as: calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, boron, and iodine.  When seeds first germinate, phosphate is one of the primary nutrients the plants are looking to uptake.  Their entire life performance can be affected on the phosphate availability.  It’s essential to have this nutrient available for proper root growth and future fruit development.

Trace Minerals
Azomite provides over 67 trace minerals to supplement and improve plant growth.  These minerals will improve overall growth in addition to greensand, a naturally-occurring iron-potassium silicate, which is an excellent source of iron, potassium, silicate (for cell structure), phosphorus & trace elements.  These two trace mineral soil amendments will provide most everything your plant needs to be strong and resilient.

Mycorrhizal Innoculant
Mycorrhizal fungi establish a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, specifically within the root system's rhizosphere (the area surrounding the roots). This symbiosis benefits both the plants and the fungi involved.  Mycorrhizal inoculation helps plants cope with environmental stresses such as drought, extreme temperatures, and disease.  When you start your plants early with mycorrhizal fungi it will improve a plant's resistance to certain soil-borne pathogens. They do this by competing with harmful microorganisms for resources and secreting compounds that inhibit pathogen growth.  Mycorrhizal fungi extend the plant’s hyphal networks into the soil, significantly expanding the root's reach for nutrient absorption. The plants can then access nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and trace minerals that might be otherwise inaccessible to the plant's roots alone.
With a well-draining soil mix and these essential amendments, you will find that your plants will increase health and production throughout the season.
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DIRECTIONS/INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large container, thoroughly mix the seed starting mix and your amendments, blending them into the mix according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as young seedlings are sensitive to excessive nutrients.
• Moisten the soil mix until it's evenly damp but not soaking wet. Excess moisture can lead to issues like mold growth and damping-off disease.
• Fill your seed trays or pots with the balanced soil mix, leaving a little space at the top for watering.
• Plant your seeds according to the recommended depth for each type of seed.
• Lightly water the soil after planting to settle it around the seeds.
• Place your trays or pots in a warm and bright location. Maintain consistent moisture levels by misting or watering gently as needed. (TIP: Cover trays with plastic saran wrap to aid germination)

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