Budget friendly garden hacks🪴

Years back when we first started gardening, starting our own seeds felt intimidating. And expensive!

Tools. Seed starting mix. Grow lights. That was going to be an investment!

Then, we tried mixing our own seed starting mix, putting it in trays, and sticking it in front of a south facing window where they’d get the most sunlight.

To our amazement, we’ve had a successful garden every year since!

There’s no magic formula for the mix. Every year it looks a little different. But we start with compost. Then peat moss helps retain moisture while vermiculite makes the mix light and airy. Add some additional organic fertilizers for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and you’re all set!

Those little seeds want to grow. And while our seedlings don’t look as robust as the ones from the farmers market, every year they take root outside and provide abundantly!

We’re a bit late this year, but we just got our seeds planted yesterday!

Where are you at with your garden this season?

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[carolschedler]

Yes! I just filled two 32 gallon trash cans with similar mix. I don’t add any fertilizer or worm castings because my compost has the worm castings and lots of nutrients, but also I have heard there is no benefit to seed starts until they get their true leaves. Then a dilute liquid fertilizer can be used. BUT I also learned that the fertilizer can encourage mold on top of the soil in the seed trays. So I steer clear. Thanks for your informative videos! I love doing things w least expensive inputs too.

[jennyperry]

All those things you showed are expensive to me . I thought you were going to save me from buying 😢