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Starting tomatoes from seed #780647

Asked January 22, 2022, 8:09 PM EST

I have read an excellent medium for starting tomatoes from seed is made of coconut coir, perlite, vermiculite and worm castings. Can you suggest proportions of each in the mix, please. Thanks you, Paul

Washtenaw County Michigan

Expert Response

Paul, thanks for the question.  

There are many formulas for seeding mixes. It seems that the ratios for creating a seed mix vary considerably.  Most commercial mixes are primarily soilless mixes and pasteurized to help prevent diseases like damping off. You may need to adjust the formula to drain better by adding less worm compost/compost or adding more worm compost and vermiculite if you need more moisture retention. Starting mixes tend to be finer and lighter than potting mixes. A 4:1:1:1 of coir to vermiculite to perlite to worm castings is frequently suggested.  Check the following links for an idea of what ratios should work.

I hope this is helpful.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 23, 2022, 7:18 PM EST
Thank you for your very helpful and quick response.  I appreciate it.

Paul

On Sun, Jan 23, 2022 at 7:18 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied January 23, 2022, 7:38 PM EST

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