February 5, 2010, Newsletter Issue #431: Seed Starting Kits

Tip of the Week

New gardeners may get confused by all the seed starting products on the market today. There are peat pots that you can fill with soil, peat pellets that are pre-filled and just need water added, newspaper pots you can make yourself, and the list goes on.
 
There is no right or wrong answer as to what types of pots a gardener should use to start seeds. The peat pots are nice because you can put your own soil mix in them. They tend to be larger so it is possible to germinate the seeds, grow them on and plant them out in the same pot.
 
With peat pots you do not need to remove the plant from the pot when you put it in a container or in the ground. Plant the pot right along with the plant. This helps eliminate root disturbance.
 
Peat pellets have this same advantage. They are smaller than peat pots, come pre-filled with peat moss and all you do is add water and plant. A drawback to these is if the peat dries out it is almost impossible to re-wet. The plant roots will dry up as well.
 
Another drawback is the soil in them is pure peat moss so you do not have aeration material in the soil. This can cause problems with roots being waterlogged and unable to breathe.
 
Newspaper pots are economical because you make them yourself out of newspaper. Not only is this environmentally friendlier but you can fill the pots with your own soil mix.
 
When you go to plant the plants grown in them you would plant the pot too. Worms love paper so you will be adding organic matter to the soil when you plant that will encourage earthworm activity.
 
Of course there are many other options such as plastic pots, soil blocks and more. These are three of the most popular options and will help you get growing.
 
As you learn you will choose a favorite method. Remember learning to garden is about experimentation and in time you will learn what you like and what works well for you.

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