I use ProMix BX, a standard growing mix, and though it isn't intended for seeds, they sprout quite well in it.

I can get a compressed 3.8 cubic bale of it for about $27.00. It fills my seed-starting needs as well as the nine five-gallon self-watering containers I have, and there's still some left.

FWIW, I think you'd be better off costwise to see what you can find locally. A 22-quart bag of soil really isn't much, and the shipping will blow your wig off!

I too use ProMix - when I can get it without the added shipping costs. Also use Metro Mix 360, Jiffy Mix, even some homemade 1/3's of peat, compost, and perlite or vermiculite for some things. ProMix and Metro seem to give me the best germination rates and no damp-off problem with either of them.

There are several good discussions running on the Growing from Seed Forum right now with various mix recipes as well as result reports you might want to check out. They have some great FAQ's on soil mixes there too.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed Forum

I use ProMix BX as well. Never had dampening off. Contains mycorrhizal fungi which by all reports is good to have out in the soil. Because I have no control, I have no way of knowing how beneficial the fungi has been (I've put many cu ft of ProMix BX with Mycorise in the dirt) but it can't hurt.

Ken, I use the approach that you described. However, if I were to purchase the pre-mixed potting soil I'l most likely use the Miracle Gro mix in the 50 or 55 qt bags at Sam's Club. I think it was about $10 or $11.

THanks folks. Maybe I'll just stick with my current method and make a small screen to get out all the chunks at once. I've got some smallish opening hardware cloth, ought to do the job. Just need to make a frame...

I'll also keep an eye out locally for the ProMix stuff. I've not been impressed with the mixes available at Home Depot or Lowe's, but I saw in one the the threads I was directed to that Wal-mart has a better selection than I might've expected.

Ken

Truthfully, in years past, all I've done is take the soil that I will be planting in, and use it to start my seed. I just always thought it would be less of a "shock" when it was time to transplant. :)

Our local Super walmart currently has just one mix- Professional Growers` mix. Has any body used it. If yes, what have been yur experience? An 8 quart bag costs 3 dollars.
Home depot and Lowes here are yet to get their stock of seed starter mix.

Keep an eye out locally for Promix BX. Try nurseries. They are more likely to have it than big box stores.

I used to make my own mix, 50/50 peat moss and perlite. After a failure one year I got a bale of Promix and found it absolutely dependable. A compressed bale more than fills a large trash can when fluffed up. This has lasted several years for my purposes, so it has been very economical.

Keep it in a closed container from year to year to prevent contamination by fungus spores (which I suspect was the problem with my own mix). I keep it in a trash can I bought for it.

Jim

While I use ProMix myself and love it, another good brand is Fafard Growing Mix, if you can find it but not ProMix. It also comes in a compressed bale and is a little more expensive than ProMix.

I suspect the big box stores and chain nurseries would carry these growing mixes if enough people asked them to stock them. They would probably outsell all their others!

Ken, I just noticed your comment on getting the hardware screen. I had not realized that you might not have done this step.

I use a 1/4 hardware cloth attached to a 2ft by 2ft (or maybe larger) wooden frame to remove the larger particles from the bagged material. I generally add peat moss using about 1 part peat moss to 2 parts sifted soil to get the right mix. Also, I sometimes in a bit of 13-13-13.

I use the old-fashioned way - my own well-heated compost mixed with about 1/4 peat, sifted through a screen of hardware cloth, then a slightly smaller one to get out the big pieces.

Since using this, I've never had a damping off problem. Seeds don't need anything in the way of fertilizer, having all they need in them to get started in life.

In the past, if I used potting soil which usually comes in a plastic bag - found it a perfect environment to encourage mold spores. After a few disappointments, I started drying the mix - in the sun before using it. Gave up on it after awhile tho, as it was just another chore.

Just my 2 c's.

Bejay

The only thing I use anymore is MetroMix 360 - one bag goes alonnnngggg way. Its not cheap but well worth it! I have found it pays to shop around....I have also used ProMix in the past with good results. Miracle Grow mix and Jiffy mix are crap...

I've used ProMix the past couple of years. Works well. I had tried Miracle Grow mix and some other similar product but discovered they added a "wettener" to make the peat moss part of the mix soak up more quickly... Of course, that meant it stays wet long also so everything rotted. I bought the ProMix because it was the only product without the wettener.
A garden friend does worm composting and uses the worm poo mixed with promix type soil for his starts. Luckily he shares and I get great tomatoes and broccoli from him.

As Davidinct mentioned the standard ProMix has Mycorise included but you can also order it with Biofungicides for a little extra per bale ($1.45 from my supplier). Both of these additives have research support for reducing pathogen organisms and the biofungicide can even boost production due to the benefit of the root colinizing organisms. These are similar to a whole new line of commercial products like TC-22, Rootshield, etc.

Either way this new technology in planting media makes good sense. The opposite, very risky alternative of using any unsterilized material can lead to a complete wipeout of your seedling crop in a few days from soilborn pathogens. I would never,ever attempt to start seeds in soil from the garden. Your time is too valuable to risk the crop loss.

4 Gallons promix with 2 cups worm castings mixed in.