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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] tomato seedlings--soilless mix or potting soil?

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  • From: "waldenfarm" <waldenfarm AT bellsouth.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] tomato seedlings--soilless mix or potting soil?
  • Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:48:22 -0400

I've been starting plants in a mix of good soil from my beds and my own finished compost since 1991. I mix it 50/50 because I have sandy soil that doesn't hold water. I know this is heresy, but it works. I've had no disease, I've had strong, healthy plants that transplant well.

I know everyone says to use a sterile mix or you'll get diseased plants, but it just ain't so. I had a student in Organic Farming class whose son applied the info from class for his science project. He planted tomatoes in sterile starting mix, some in potting with compost and some in garden soil/compost mix. He then induced "damping off" in the greenhouse by lowering temps, cutting are movement and over watering. The result- 100% death in potting mix, 50% death in pot/comp., a few plants lost in soil/compost.

Another trick for faster more complete germination. Cover seeds with fine compost. The humic acids will stimulate faster, better germination. Try your own experiment with it.

If you MUST use potting soil, add about 15% worm castings. Research has shown that the plants grow better with these in mix.

Happy Planting!

Alex McGregor
Walden Farm
"When you don't hear the bats coming, that's when the bats are coming!"
-Anonymous

----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Robinson" <rrobinson AT nasw.org>
To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 1:31 PM
Subject: [Market-farming] tomato seedlings--soilless mix or potting soil?


The Johnny's catalog recommends starting tomato seedlings in soilless mix with soluble fertilizer, versus potting soil. Can anyone who's tried both methods speak to the advantages of either?

--
Richard Robinson
http://www.nasw.org/users/rrobinson/

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