The issue of "best seed starting mix" has been discussed here so very many times (a search will pull them up for you) and every single time it comes up no consensus is reached. Not everybody can agree on any one product. The ones some of us trust infinitely others find fault with and vice versa. There is always several who swear by just about any brand so it's your choice.

The one brand that, with few exceptions, seems to get consistnly good reviews is ProMix, specifically ProMix BX. Unfortunately it is not available everywhere so can be difficult to find and it is sold only in large bales which is too much for most unless you are a commercial or large scale grower.

Otherwise you can use just about any brand as long as it is a sterile, soil-less mix, and contains no fertilizers or compost. The more complex the mix it seems the worse the results when it comes to germination.

Growing-on mixes are a whole different thing than seed starting mixes.

Personally, I use ProMix and if I run out or can't get it I use plain old $4 a bag Jiffy mix with excellent results.

Dave

ProMix seedling mix comes in several sizes, ranging from 8 quart bags to 2.8 cubic foot bags and is essentially the same as the BX that is sold in the larger compressed bales. Great stuff, been using it professionally for over 30 years. I use the BX from germination on up to 15 gallon pots. I do add extra perlite when sticking cuttings though. ProMix has a small charge of fertilizer mixed in, just enough to get plants/seedlings going but not enough to carry them through their whole life in a pot.

They even have an organic mix in the smaller bags but it is really hard to find.

What is wrong with common old potting mix?
Please, I don;t mean that like I am favoring or pushing potting mix, I am asking what and why other things are better.
Kenny

I think many people select a starting mix because it is much more loose than standard potting mix. As such, the seeds will get receive more oxygen and the mixture can hold more water. I guess it is just more gentle on the little guys. I usually use the seed starting grade of Metro Mix (I forget what number that has on the bag)

~common old potting mix?~

More disease, more damp-off, more soil compaction, less root development, and more drainage problems. Ok for growing-on plants but not good for starting seeds.

Dave

I use this. Last year it worked out good. I got it from a Master Gardener

(1 part= a 32 oz. coffee can)
Peat Moss 2 parts
Perlite 1 part
Vermiculite 1 part
Dolomitic Lime (raises pH) 1 tsp.
Superphosphate (0-20-0) 2 tsp.
Osmocote or other slow release fertilizer (19-6-12) 1 Tbs.

I am so sorry it took so long for me to respond.
My power was out for a couple days from a wind storm we had, I was the one who originally posted this message and I am so glad I did! Even without me posting a response this post has grown.

So back to my original question. You said that you really like the pro-mix seedling starter mix? Can i get it in organic? I actually think I saw this pro-mix at our local walmart. However I am a Organic gardener whenever possible so I would definately prefer there "organic mix".

I now have some good advice!
I only wish I knew which method to choose they all sound very good.
Does anyone know were I can buy Organic seedling mix?
Or even better the Pro-mix thats organic?

Thanks for helping me so much!
Hummer_girl

I was under the impression that Promix was organic, but I suppose whatever little fertilizer is in it is inorganic? I'll look on the package when I get home if no one knows for sure. I'd hate to hear that it's not organic, I love the stuff and just bought a bail this weekend.

Sorry but I have yet to see a commercial seed starting mix that WASN'T organic. All they contain is peat, vermiculite or perlite, and some lime to adjust the pH - those are all organic.

Potting mix is a different thing as they often have fertilizers added but seed starting mixes don't. Some have a wetting agent added but that is no big deal and easy to avoid if you feel you must. And ProMix easily qualifies as "organic".

Please don't fall into the trap of assuming that only things that label themselves as "Organic" on the bag are all that is available. That is just a marketing ploy to let them raise the price and they often do NOT meet state certification. Read the content labels instead. ;)

Now if you are certified organic by your state, only they can tell you which mixes you can use to maintain your certification as that varies from state to state.

Dave

Most commercial seed starting mix is NOT certified organic although most of the ingredients may be organic. In order to call yourself organic, you have to follow the strict rules and guidelines set by USDA/OMRI.
Pro-mix cannot be used to grow certified organic crops. The wetting agent and fertilizer found in the seeding mix as well as the professional mixes like BX (a small amount of each) prevent it from being approved. Pro-mix does make an OMRI approved mix in small bags. Sunshine makes an organic mix that I believe is available in the larger bale. The drawback to the organic mixes is that the wetting agent (usually a yucca extract) breaks down fairly quickly-it may even spoil.
Most certified organic growers mix their own media. The formula for Pro-mix is similar to the recipe in the above post. The main thing lacking is a wetting agent.
The restrictions on organic growing operations are pretty clear. The inputs are more expensive, more difficult to find, and in some cases not as "good" as traditional inputs. That is what drives the prices up-they cost more to produce. We have been using Pro-mix for over 20 years with terrific results. I am too worried that our plants would suffer if we switched to become certified. I have seen quality drop dramatically from growers that have made the switch.

PRO-MIX BX. From my experience it has worked really great.

PRO-MIX BX - fastest germination and rooting I have ever seen. I also use it in my containers (3,5 & 7 gallon) Great product, though now getting pricey. To stretch it, I have also mixed it with Pro-Moss(1/3 the price) with some added perlite. Use Pro-Mix and you'll never go back to Miracle Grow. I grow peppers BTW.

Pro Mix BX without a doubt. I have to mail order it and have it shipped. Makes it pretty pricey but when I consider seed cost and my time and labor and the difference in germination results...still worth it. I order from Megagreehouse.

I need to find some of this Pro Mix BX and give it a try next year...keep hearing all kinds of good stuff about it.

ProMix BX has been my choice as a soil-less growing medium for some years now. Good results for seed germination and growing seedlings on in pots until ready for permanent site. (May take a year or so for me to get all my pots planted.)
This year I added fine sand to the ProMix to start rock garden plants and alpines. Other normal garden seeds were sown in this mix. Germination results just as good.
There is also a growing medium sold by the bale at Home Depot caled BM1. I have used this product when ProMix was not available adding vermiculite and perlite as required because the BM1 has more peat than the ProMix BX bale. The cost of either bales is around $25.00 to $30.00 Canadian. This mix can also be used with potting soil for use in hanging baskets, deck pots, etc. Buying by the compressed bale is practical and cost worthy.
Besides selected nurseries I have found ProMix BX at farm Feed & Supply Stores.

So, go to the CO-OP is what you're saying? Remember, i'm in Tennessee...everything good for gardening is at the CO-OP...lol. =)

I think the distinction with "organic" seed starter and seeds is that wetting agents aren't organic. Peat is really hard to mix with water and get evenly wet. So some companies add wetting agents to their peat or peat-based products. I've started taking seed starting mix, putting it in a large kitchen bowl, and then stirring with a fork as I add water.

Also, non-organic seeds usually have an anti-fungal coating. Depending on the seed, you may get better germination from non-organic seed.

Alice

This post is a little late, but I thought I'd share. We are a new organic herb producer in Tennessee. We have gone through much angst over this question as to not risk our certification. One of the previous posters is spot on with the regs and the expense. Not only must we start with an approved organic mix, we must also start with certified organic seed stock. EASIER SAID THAN DONE! :) Although it sounds like you are looking for organic mixes for personal use, I think our experiences would apply. We do plan to use our own mix in the future, but for now, we needed to find an OMRI approved starter mix. We have been successful this year with two Mixes. Johnny's 512 mix (Organic) from Johnny's Seeds and Fort-Vee from Vermont Compost. Hope this helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: Johnny's Seeds

whispering raven: Where at in TN? Are you open to the public?

- Steve

Hi Steve. We are in Ashland City (Cheatham County) and hope to be open to the public at large very soon. We purchased our farm in October and between the rain and the certification process, we are WAY behind schedule. But we do have some wonderful medicinal babies coming up quite nicely! :)

Many Blessings!
Tracy