My mom taught me to use potting mix on the bottom of seed trays then seed starting mix over the seeds. It allows for more economic seed starting on starting a lot of plants.

I just use blended dried leaves and ground soil (1:1 ratio) with some bone meal as my seed starting mix. Never really understood the appeal of seed starting mixes to be honest. I tell my seeds from day 1, i'm not the best gardener so this is survival of the fittest.

I noticed quite a boost in health for my plant babies when I started testing out bottom watering certain trays with a compost tea made from worm castings. The chosen trays of starts did so well I adopted it as my common practice for all of my starts a few years ago. I think so many times we can be afraid to try something different from what we were taught or what we've heard is the proper way. Growing up my grandparent's garden was all till, miracle gro, space plants so cultivator can fit between, and so on. Now I plant everything pretty close and still have loads of successes among the few failures. I'm going to attempt grafting tomato plants this year! Saying it here because literally 80% people in my life get that glazed over look when I start talking plants. 😂

What I love about the epic gardening seed cells is they make transplanting things with tap roots SO easy thanks to the larger hole at the bottom! So I've had no issue with like my sunflowers. (No, I was not paid to say this 😂 just a fan.)

Another myth, though you touched on it, is one tomato or pepper seedling per container. I'll start maybe 10 or 15 seeds in a 2-inch container. After they get their first set of true leaves, I'll separate them out. Saves so much space! I also stopped using seed starting mix which saves me money. Potting mix with a good dose of worm castings works great for me. Considering a lot of farmers sew right into the ground, why are home gardeners being taught to be so overly cautious!? Thank you for clearing up these myths.

I only recently learned the power of having some compost/worm castings in your seed starting mix. HUGE (pun intended!) difference in size from those that were grown in a sterile mix. Plus, they need less fertilizer when they start geowing robustly!!! Win-win!!

another banger of a video guys! Loved how Kevin addressed the sterilizing soil. It makes me so sad to see videos when they are microwaving the soil lol bc soil is supposed to be FULL of life. For instance, like Jacque’s trick of adding castings to his soil, that just adds a nice boost of soil fertility and is beneficial to the very diverse and complicated soil food web! If anyone is interested in knowing more about the ecosystem in our soils, I recommend the book called “Teaming With Microbes” by Jeff Lowenfels. Such a good read about the complexities of soil and how they interact with plants! Btw, this isn’t a promotion, I just really like soil science….its neat

We've been learning a lot about gardening from the Epic Gardening team! I am a teacher who has started the journey of getting clean food to our small community and my students love your channel! Thanks for helping make the tricks of the trade accessible to everyone! Ps: My students love the Kevin and Jacque Duo and call them the "Sprouts twins"

Another upside to the multiple seeds per cell is that you can select the fastest growing or best looking of the group to move upwards.

I have to start sunflowers inside and transplant out because of bird pressure. They love to eat the newly sprouted sunflowers. After they are about 2 weeks old and a few inches tall I have been successful in transplanting them outside without much stress or stunting. Otherwise I get no sunflowers. Strangely though the sunflowers that come back on their own don't seem to be bird bait!

I also ran into problems using sterilized mix, whether store bought or sterilized myself using the oven. There's a lot of mold in the grow shelf environment since this is an older house, so it would always colonize the sterile soil and damage my seedlings. I decided to switch to homemade leaf mold and compost, to force the mold to compete with the native fungi and microbes, and I haven't had the same problem since. Sterilized mix is expensive, and when I tried to make it myself, it's a waste of electricity. It also smelled quite bad, since I accidentally overcooked it.

I laughed when you started talking about trimming the roots. I do quite a bit of hydroponic growing, and root pruning is an accepted practice. I was nervous the first time, but now i can whack away with the best of them 😂

I start about 80% of my seeds indoors and for that I sterlize the growing medium - simply to help reduce the possibility of fungus gnats. But trust me, if I had a longer growing season to seed start outdoors - or could add a green house to my yard, I would skip all that. Fun vid - thank you.

I have learned so much from your channel and Jacques channel. Growing seedlings under lights was a new concept 5 years ago for me. The germination rate of seeds drastically improved with your seed trays. I wish there was a bigger size for tomatoes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Even though I've been gardening for over 30 years. I've certainly learned a lot from my mistakes but for some reason I always start fretting this time of year. Thank you for the great advice.

I like to include neem cake (neem seed meal) and some micronized azomite in my seed starting mix, which is mostly coconut coir. Plus a bit of yucca extract and innoculant and perlite.

I like using biotone starter in my starter mix. But I also use composted and filtered soil mixed with coco coir, worm castings, vermiculite, and just a little of the biotone fertilizer. I know you can start with less, but when I have plants that I'm starting inside three months ahead of time, they need more than just the seed food.

Great tip about sieving potting mix. When I used pure seed starting mix I found it really hard to get the right fertilization after the seeds sprouted. I now use a mix of Espoma potting mix and Jiffy seed starting mix and I just pick the big pieces of wood out of the way -- sieving will be more efficient. I am sure that Promix or other good potting soil would work just as well -- Espoma was just what I happened to have. I have used Promix for my winter sowing with good results, and those seedlings get no supplemental anything. Also, don't despair if your tomato seedlings look terrible, they are remarkably tough plants like most vines. Mine turned purple and spindly last year due to lack of proper nutrients but once they were in the ground they took off and produced well.

I'm so envious I'm sitting in zone 4ish with 10+' of snow This year I'm trying seed starting in cotton balls🤞

I have been planting so many seeds during the weeks of rain in San Diego. I miss being out in the garden so I may have gone a little overboard ! I really like the epic six cell and 4 cell packs as well as the strong trays. I don't have to worry anymore about carrying a tray of seedlings and having the tray buckle and the seedlings end up all over the ground. Thanks for making such a nice durable product!

The only time I've sterilized my soil I when I know it has pests in it and I'm bringing it inside, especially since my grow room is in my closet I really don't want any fungus gnats or anything in there.

Great video, Kevin and Jaques One other myth seed heat mats are necessary. They help speed up germination, but they are not necessarily needed. I started using them for the first time, 20+ years this season, and honestly, I failed to take seedlings off quickly, and of course, they did not make it. Back to not using heat mats for me. 😅

I use ProMix or Bm2 to germinate seeds cover them with vermiculite. Bought 200 dlls from botanical interest 2 days ago, when can i expect my seeds to arrive? Have been using your seeds since 2021. Love it

I didn’t know a whole lot about different soil types when I started to plant my basil and thyme seeds and they’re doing fine in the potting mix! Maybe a little slow now that they’re up, but it didn’t seem to hinder them. Maybe it helped that I checked on them every day to make sure seedlings weren’t getting covered by soil, but I basically just plopped it in dirt and waited

I'm so happy that my laziness and inconsistencies are actually helping my garden grow! 🤣 I'm rough with the seedlings, I haven't mastered my watering technique (I'm guilty of super light seedling trays, oops) and I've always started root veggies indoors. But I'll definitely be more conscious of the tap root as I ignored that part completely. Thanks as always for great content and I liked the format of this week's video as Kevin and Jacques set up/handed off the topics to each other!

I am using my own seed-starting mix for the first time 🤞. Seed starting mix never made sense to me for all the reasons mentioned here. If I can get my purchased inputs down to just a bit of perlite, I will be very happy. I made a blend of homemade compost, vermicast, and homemade biochar and let it charge over the winter. Can’t wait to see how it performs.

I put worm castings in my seed starting mix

I add a little worm casting to Pro Mix. Yes, you may get a little algae which I think may be caused by worm castings but I’d like to know there is some food there if needed. Though I use to touch the soil for moisture I now just lift the tray or pot. I tended to over tend my seedlings and cause more damage than good.

How I start seeds is, I use regular potting mix in a 4 in pot, sprinkle seeds on top, then cover them lightly with seed starting mix. This eliminates potting up into larger pots and the seeds can easily push up through the shallow layer of seed starting mix.

Great video and good point. It's totally fine to be a little rough with your seedlings when you plant them. You can always cut back some of the leaves to compensate for the loss of roots. Have an abundant new season! :D

I went through an post traumatic overwatering phase. Before I learned about soil hydrophobia, I would water not knowing that the soil was just running down the sides of my pot and not absorbing into my soil. Plants died and when I found out I said that’s never happening again, so I overcompensated by overwatering 😅

Nice to see the sterilisation myth addressed. This comes from hydroponic growing and totally misunderstands the principle of "the living soil."

I appreciate the tip about seed starting mix, but even that heavier soil is fine. You should do an experiment to prove it. In my experience with high quality seed, that heavy soil with chunks of wood barely inhibits seeds. I don't see a noticeable difference, even with lettuce and carrots.

Left San Diego 11 years ago. Cold had a new meaning. Watching people wear winter clothes in cool weather while I've adapted to a hoodie in 15° is hilarious to me now. I swear I walked by your place daily when I lived in SD.

Good video. I stopped using potting soil and just use compost.

It would be cool to see you guys start seedlings in different types of soils and see how they differ if you haven't made a video already

Such a great quality video! Thanks, guys!

When you know everything being said, but realize you don't do them all! Thanks for the back to basics guys...perfect timing, great advice and reminder!! 👏

Ive got nearly a thousand soil blocks pubched out and planted into. Hundred bunches of green onions, couple flats of lettuce, one of spinach, mustard, collards, chard, chijimisai, and a few kinds of strawberries. Have a couple flats of different peppe varieties, and a few different herbs. Trying turnips in blocks even. Going to pick up some more perlite and vermiculite so i can punch out another thousand blocks this weekend.

Like a surgeon.. made me laugh! I put seedling trays and small plant pots in the dishwasher😂

Great info. I had always been too lazy to ‘cook’ the soil in my oven. Just the thought of teeny tiny creatures in my oven just creeps me out. Besides like you said, eventually (and hopefully) the seedlings will need to survive and grow outside in ground.

I have over 150 tomato and pepper seedlings almost ready to go into my garden. I’m using ProMix for my seedlings, but I started my seeds with a Aerogarden Farm.

🌺Aloha Kevin/Jacque, I just love my white house (greenhouse) just like the two of you so many things growing. Started a lot of seeds, focusing on a lot of flowers this year. I still need to get into thinning out some seeds especially my carrots, but then again I grow mini ones. Have a great growing season. See you two in your next video.🤩

I've also found that using a coir based mix has significantly fewer issues with fungus gnats. Most peat based mixes have been nothing but trouble in that regard since they can get into the bag while it's in storage.

I've learned to heat the moist soil when reusing it. Lost a bunch of germinated seeds to wire worms

Love the bright red seed starter trays! I don’t see them on the website, are they coming up soon?

Great and informative video. I learned the root thing with transplanting a bunch of neglected iris rhizomes.

Thanks for another great video! :)

Love your content! Can anyone recommend a good gardening channel that experiences winter?

Badly need this. Thank you so much! 😊😊

Your pronunciation of cotelydon is making me thinking of the chamomile 'exchange' haha. I've always heard it pronunced cot-uh-lee-don

I've been using Espoma Organic Seed Starter the last few years. I like it because it is ready to use - worm castings and beneficial fungi (mycorrhizae) already in the mix

Thank you.. really helps me keep my ole' mind "in the game" ... I get to wade through much ignorance and thankful for you guys who are well versed and share... wish I could help back.

Do y’all have a troubleshooting video for direct sown seedlings/plants?

I always put fertilizer in my soil when starting seeds. Always had nice strong healthy plants

Thanks!

I simply dig my yard and plant the seeds or starters. I don't use any special soil or anything. They grow beautifully. All the "buy this" or "buy that", is above MY pay grade. So I don't. I rot the kitchen scraps in water, and use that water on the starter plants. After that, they're on their own. I plant, and let God do the rest. Yes, I water when there's no rain, and do a bit of weeding now and then but that's it. I do appreciate many of the tips y'all give.

Starting seeds in no nutrient soil has it's advantages. An earlier start, guaranteeing a full crop are two reasons. But, Answer me this. When planting a seed does it know if it's in a 72 cell tray or the ground? And will both germinate? I've got volunteer wave petunias growing vigorously in a drain that runs along side of my paver patio, and it ain't sterile. And we are in Maine. Great video, TYFS

I’ve had SO MANY SEEDLINGS die from damping off. Like… 90%. I finally figured out what it was but it was tough Googling “seedlings dying at 1” tall shriveled where stem meets soil” 😂. I learned I need to use only seed starting soil since it’s treated to kill fungus that’s causing them to die. So… fingers crossed for this year!

take a shot every time jacques says “actually” 😂😝💕

I had actually forgotten some of the tips you mention, the timing of the video is perfect!

For the best nutritional value, (putting all that work into gardening, might as well have nutrition) it's important that the soil is alive with microbes, fungi and beneficial bacterial. I'm learning that there are some options out there.

Well I’m not putting up with gnats and aphids again this year. Over the years there has been a change in the potting soils. It doesn’t matter the price either. Never had bug problems until last year, above all aphids as we don’t have them outside either. Started some lettuce inside with what is supposed to be a great potting soil-gnats again! Threw them out. We have an old roasting pan and any soil coming back in the house will be baked outside first. The eggs are in compost and I think some process must be left out in creating the potting soils. Those plants will get all the beneficial stuff they need in a few weeks when they get transplanted. Not starting too soon either as there is no benefit. I think some will agree especially if they don’t have a greenhouse. I have one and may just wait closer to spring and heat it then. The bugs are still a problem either way though. This latest infestation I seen the larvae that was just about to turn into an adult-they are huge! They can eat a lot of roots! I have propagation trays also and I just can’t have that. I think I tried every mentioned natural process to rid the seedlings of those bugs last year and either they don’t work or just slightly controls them. It was horticultural oil at the hardening off phase that finally worked. This time I used insecticidal soap and that has worked, but it was on ornamentals only and prefer to not use it on food. Winter sowing would be another option for most vegetable seedlings except peppers and onions the rest will catch up in my area. Just mainly want the mess kept outside and plants to stay bug free.

Sterilization is really important if you have root knot nematodes, its the main reason i do containers with over 7 acrees of yard.

Thank you for making this video! Proper soil is everything in gardening

Hi,thanks for the video.i have started some Roma tomato seeds,and being on the safe side,I placed 2/3 seeds per hole.they all germinated and healthy.question is,can I disturb tomato roots just like u did to the onions? I am thinking about separating them and giving each a personal pot

It would be nice if you included some soil block seed starting tips too, a decent amount of these only apply to seed starting trays. But still a great video, thanks

Good to see you guys didn't wash away with all the atmospheric rivers :) Thanks for the good advice - as a beginner, I definitely fall in the over baby category if I know about it lol.

you pronounced 'cotyledons' like it was a freaking dinosaur, man! :D

Can I start seeds in a leaf (decomposed leaves only) compost? If not can I use it mixed with some seed compost (equal parts) with worm castings?? I live in south east Pennsylvania. Thanks

Another fantastic post. Great going guys!! BTW, I love the new 4x4, 16 cell epics. can you guys make a 8x16 tray? or maybe 8x8. and of course make sure they fit in your 10x20s.

After germination then plants are 1 to 2 inches but turning yellow leaf 🍁 what can you do to bring back to healthy plants again? Keep in mind I’m a stay at home mom that makes no money.

How often should you water seeds that you are starting in cells indoors?

I disagree Kev, I believe when you treat your crops with love they produce more, however everyone's experience is different. Love your content I hope one day my channel reaches the level your channel is at one love from Jamaica. #staygreen

Can’t wait to get started. Z 5-6 with snow today 😤. It will still be awhile before I can get started lol 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

3:00 There's actually a lot wrong with using peat moss based seed starting mix, is there not?

THANK YOU!! Feeling a little bit more confident and fingers crossed I'll grow more than 2 BLT's worth of produce this year! 🤣On my way to watch the stunted video! ...because I'm the one who also grew the mini art beets last year 😅

Ok i just asked one of your followers what is a good mix for seedlings. I've always used just seedling mix but am now hearing that it's better for the plants if you mix up 1 part of a good potting mix like Promix potting soil, with 1 part compost worm castings and 1/2 part vermiculite. Any advice is appreciated

Wow a bubble boy reference, wasn't expecting that

would you recommend bushdoctor coco loco for starting seeds? have some left over from my last grow

I've made the mistake of sowing all my carrot seeds in one big box for later transfer. What do I do? :O

Do you have a video about starting seeds without a green ouse? With heat matts and grow lights? This video was about starting seeds in a greenhouse, which most of us do not have. Just thought I'd ask. I don't have a green house, but I enjoy your videos. Thank you.

What is 1/4" hardware cloth and where does one find it?

the way kevin pronounced cotyledon like a dinosaur 😭

When will pink seed trays be back??? I can't buy any other color now that I've seen them 😭

When can we expect to see all those different colors 6 cell trays ?

Great video, thank you both. I have a question for you about soil in general. I'd love your opinion. I've been gardening quite a long while here in France;) Meaning , I don't garden in the US, nor use any of those commercial products or, tbh, understand the terms. When I hear "potting mix", or "compost" (for me, a huge outdoor double volume cocktail of dark and green material + kitchen scraps+/- molasses) better yet "planting soil" I don't know what you mean. When I buy "soil" that's the term used., Terreau/Soil. I'd love to have your take on the question (whenever you have time...)

Question? Can you transplant tomatoes once they have fruit, I have tomatoes growing in a low raised garden and I want to change garden around and was wondering if I could dig around them, grab them out and then replant in new garden bed?

Whoa, is that a nasturtium by that cold frame? 😮

Hi, love your advice. Just a friendly heads up. Chamomile is pronounced KA MO MILE, not sham mo mill lay.

In your experience, would a few seeds in one cell Discourage leggy seedlings? Zone 6b East Coast USA and we don't have a green house so indoor starting w. heat mats and lights that are hung low and fan. Eric and Jacques thank you. I'll watch your suggested video.

I just used my raised bed mix or compost mixed with native soil 1-1 for my seed starts if the seeds can't make it in there I don't want those genetics outside

You guys should really try soil blocking! Bri from Blossom and Branch Farm has tons of awesome videos about it on her channel. 👍🏼

Very educational, thanks for posting this video.

I needed this - myths are repeated so frequently, that you can buy in to a fake "truth."

Playin around, eating some dirt!!! BHAHAHA you were definitely an 80's kid!! 😂

Cotyledon is pronounced in four syllables Cod ah lee don. Sorry, it hurt too much to not say anything. Thanks for all you share, I love your videos.

Thanks for clarifying the broken roots myth

My problem has almost always been fertilizing my seedlings. I don't fertilize them enough usually.

“Co-tilla- dons” 😂 love the video!