NOTE: In this unpaid, independent video review, all prices are from Dec 2019.
The test compared 2 retail brands of seed starter mixes (Miracle-Gro vs Espoma) I used a 2nd type of Miracle-Gro Mix, a bulk bag of MG Moisture Control. While similar in physical properties, the higher NPK values makes it more fertile.
I tried more than 1 organic option, also making a DIY potting mix from coir (coco), vermiculite & perlite. (No peat moss). To fertilize, I used Espoma's all-purpose vegetable fertilizer: Garden-tone. This organic nutrient source yields excellent growth. I wish the same could be said for Espoma's Seed Starter mix!
1:41 Slide Correction:
Espoma's Amazon store listing displayed a photo of the potting mix bag. It clearly stated: "earthworm castings". Worm castings are a great organic nutrient source for growing strong, healthy plants. But the bag I received did NOT list worm castings. As the seedlings emerged it became clear that Espoma used NO nutrients at all in that mix. Their marketing claims were grossly false & misleading. And my test is clear proof! More below...
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PRODUCT LINKS (# CommissionsEarned)
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LED LIGHTS (Spider Farmer)
SF 1000:
► (Amazon US / UK / DE)
► (Amazon CA)
SF 2000:
► (Amazon US / UK / DE)
► (Amazon CA)
Promo Code: PEPPER19
ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Espoma Garden-tone:
►
BASIC SEEDLING MIX
Miracle-Gro 8Qt Seed Starter (2 pk):
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EMERGENCY NUTRIENTS
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, 4 lb:
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Support my channel by buying thru my link! :-)
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RESULTS
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5 seeds in each container / 3 types of vegetables: Lettuce, Kale & Peppers. Each mix germinated at least 1 seedling out of 5. But as time progressed, I saw clear distinctions between each.
ESPOMA SEED STARTER (organic): Not very good at absorbing water. Seeds germinated ok. But did not appear very impressive. After germination, the seedlings remained extremely small & never developed. They slowly yellowed & lost vigor. Espoma instructs growers to feed the plants with a fertilizer or to transplant. I think a good seed starting mix will be able to feed seedlings for at least a couple weeks. The seller claimed their product is "rich" & promotes root development. Without NPK, I find this to be an empty claim. The mix was overpriced & a waste of my money.
MIRACLE-GRO SEED STARTER (synthetic): An acceptable seed starting mix. It's fine for a beginner. Water absorption was ok. Seeds germinated fine. There was enough nutrient to keep plants growing for the first 3 weeks. Plant growth is not impressive, but it's not too disappointing & the price was better than Espoma's.
DIY MIX w/ ESPOMA FERTILIZER (organic): My homemade potting mix worked very well. It had the fastest water absorption. Germination was good. The nutrients allowed plants to grow nicely. In fact, the lettuce was extremely healthy & larger than expected! It's organic too, so there's no need to compromise!
MIRACLE-GRO MOISTURE CONTROL (synthetic): MG Moisture Control mix is not marketed or intended for seed starting. But it worked well for kale, peppers, beans, corn & zucchini. Lettuce was the only plant with issues. The seeds were slow to germinate & the rate of germination was low. I would not advise EITHER form of Miracle-Gro potting mixes for lettuce. In both MG mixes lettuce leaves show signs of either disease or damage. But otherwise, it's a good mix option.
VERMICULITE w/ DELAYED MIRACLE-GRO PLANT FOOD (synthetic): I thought it would be interesting to also grow seeds in some coarse vermiculite. (Ideally, I would recommend medium or fine grade for seed starting.) This mix served as an informal control for the 1st few weeks. Then I decided to use those plants to demonstrate how a liquid plant food can quickly restore depleted plants. Within a week of application, I was already able to see the seedlings perking up in response.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
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This video shows several viable seed starting options. But ONE product I would NEVER advise is: Espoma Seed Starter mix. Without supplementation, it won't work any better at growing plants than simple vermiculite. I could never see the price justification for it. I was so disgusted, I wrote Espoma asking for a refund!
#SpringGarden #IndoorGardening #Fertilizer #Horticulture #MiracleGro
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