I start all of my vegetable seeds in homemade compost , as I indite about last calendar month . ( “ Can you embark on vegetable cum in compost ? ” ) The results are satisfactory . Still I marvel how my seeds would germinate and raise in other composts . Would dissimilar composts yield clearly different solution ? .
Two other types of compost were compare in my experiment : compost from the Miramar Landfill in San Diego and compost from Mountain Meadow Mushrooms Farm in Escondido , which can be used to grow mushrooms for costless subsequently .
I desire to make it clear decently aside that neither of these other composts say it is good for institute veggie . Furthermore , Miramar specifically say , “ Planting directly into compost alone is not advocate . ” Nevertheless , I was peculiar to see what would happen if I did .
The veg ejaculate I planted did well in my own compost , pretty well in mushroom-shaped cloud compost , and not so well in Miramar compost . There were clear differences .
I plant two sets of seeds on March 23 , 2021 , in module trays that were full of each kind of compost . I tried to choose vegetable seeds of different type of plants . The seeds were Toma Verde tomatillo , Top Bunch 2 . 0 collard greens , Crispino iceberg lettuce , Summer Dance cucumber , Bright Lights chard , Caiman tomato , and Katana tomato . right away after sow in .
At sow meter I noted how each compost smelled , feel , and front . I also kept in mind how each had been made .
Mine appear to have the most diverse ingredients . In it I identified turn of leaves , sprig , soil , Mrs. Henry Wood chip , and plenty of conglomeration . It smelled neutral , a lot like dirt . My homemade compost .
This is truthful even though my compost comes from my peregrine chicken pen , where I regularly put food and garden barren , wood chips from tree trimmings , horse manure , and urine . The chickens scratch through everything and add their own manure . They do also integrate some of the dirt from the ground below . It all get out down slowly and without ever find blistering .
On the other hand , Miramar compost contains no manure and goes through a hot composting mental process . For seventy years , grand wastefulness and food food waste are grate up , put in windrows , turned , and watered at the Miramar Greenery . This is what their site says : Microorganisms discover down the carbon and N - copious mixture during this time , keep the windrow at 140 to 165 F. ” Miramar compost .
Miramar compost was sullen compare to mine , almost black . I could see some small spell of wood , but there were also a lot of little pieces that were splash together in the module tray ’s cells .
The mushroom cloud compost had the most odor . It did n’t smell exactly like manure , but I could n’t think of a better word to apply to delineate it . Plus , it smelled well than existent manure . The color was a pleasing glum John Brown . I could see many bits of drinking straw , as well as some aggregates . It was the airiest , the fluffiest of the three composts . Mountain Meadow Mushrooms “ spent ” compost .
I latterly fill notes during a talk of the town that Mountain Meadows Mushroom farm ’s proprietor , Roberto Ramirez , founder . He say that the spent mushroom cloud compost is made from sawhorse cubicle manure and pale yellow bedding , as well as gypsum , almond shells , cottonseed hulls , and alfalfa screenings . The textile are composted for about 20 days .
The compost is “ expend ” when it has been used to produce mushrooms . Some nutrient are lost during this process , but the compost is then made available to farmers and gardeners . I loaded my motortruck with some back in March .
What do you predict ? How will the vegetable seeds come to life within each of these composts ?
Here is what I saw : Some germination of collards in all compost after one week , March 30 . go along germination in mine and the mushroom cloud composts realize on April 2 .
On April 2 , I made this note : “ Miramar compost becomes hydrophobic , forming a black impudence on the airfoil . Mine Lashkar-e-Taiba in piddle moderately tight . Mushroom lets in water immediately , fastest . ” April 5 . April 10 . go out to rightfield : Mine , Mushroom , Miramar . April 16 : Mine , Mushroom , Miramar . April 21 : Mine , Mushroom , Miramar . April 25 : Mine , Mushroom , Miramar .
At this point , the seedlings in my compost were at transplanting size so I reckon the experimentation done . Here ’s another view of them on the last twenty-four hour period : Mine , Mushroom , and Miramar , from left to right . ( “ light speed ” is for Caiman tomato plant and “ K ” is for Katana tomato . ) .
From sprouting through ontogeny up to transplant size of it , sow sown in my homemade compost performed well . A higher proportion germinated , and increment was flying and appeared healthiest .
The mushroom compost performed far better than Miramar but not as well as mine . You could use this mushroom compost for start vegetable seed , but it does n’t seem optimal .
The Miramar compost was not a friendly culture medium in which to develop vegetable seeds . Only seven out of twelve jail cell had any germination — and I ’d sow multiple seeds in each cubicle . The total germination charge per unit was less than 50 % .
Here are close - up movie of cucumbers and their roots in each compost when the test was over : Mushroom . Miramar .
It ’s possible that the different composts did dissimilar thing for this job , but I ’m going to make four points for you to think about .
Would the mushroom compost have done as well as mine , or even better , if it had n’t been used to grow a mushroom harvest and lost some of its nutrients ?
Because the Miramar compost was thick and did n’t have any aggregates ( clumps ) , did the crust that it made on top arrest seedling from bourgeon ?
The last question is whether the Miramar compost had any pesticides or herbicides that were still there and hurt the development of these baby vegetables .
In the conclusion , I think I require to do a 2nd experimentation to see how my compost heap up against commercial-grade composts made just for starting vegetable .
Starting seeds is an exciting prison term for any gardener . Soon , those tiny seeds will translate into an teemingness of fruits , vegetables , and blossom . Many gardeners marvel if they can simply jump their seeds directly in compost to get them off to a nourishing start . However , using compost for seed starting has both advantage and disadvantage to consider .
Why Use Compost for Seeds?
Compost has a number of good property that seem like they would aid semen starting :
Nutrients – Compost contains nitrogen , atomic number 15 , and other nutrients ejaculate need to spud and maturate . This saves the need to fertilize later .
Organic Matter – The organic affair in compost helps keep on moisture while still permit drain and air pocket for level-headed root growth .
Microbes – Compost arrest good micro-organism that may protect against soil - borne diseases .
price – Compost can be made for free from yard and home waste versus buy commercial ejaculate starting premix .
With these benefits it seems compost would be idealistic for starting cum straight in it . However , there are some likely drawbacks to using compost that need to be considered as well .
Concerns With Using Compost for Seed Starting
While compost offers benefit . there are estimable reason many expert recommend against part seeds directly in compost
Disease Risk
Compost may harbour soil - endure pathogens like damping off fungi if not properly heat . These can attack tender seedlings .
Added nutrients in compost can feed disease already present and have them to manifold
Weed Seeds and Pesticides
Compost made from yard wastefulness or manure may contain weed seeds that then develop among the desired plants .
haunting synthetic pesticide residues could potentially damage or kill germinating seeds and seedling .
Improper C:N Ratio
unfledged compost with a high carbon to atomic number 7 proportion can strip cum and seedlings of needed atomic number 7 .
mellow microbic natural action in immature compost can contribute to nitrogen draw down .
Poor Drainage
Variable Nutrients
nutritious levels in compost diverge batch - to - batch making coherent results hard . seedling may grow poorly or suffer nutrient disorders .
Excess nutrient , salts , or oils from composts like vermicompost can damage tender roots and leaves .
Due to these risks , many gardeners opt to avoid using home compost for start out seeds . However , with proper precaution , seeds can be started in compost successfully .
How to Start Seeds in Compost
If wanting to habituate compost for seed commence , abide by certain guidepost can help increase the chances of success :
expend well - age , full finished compost that has heated to at least 140 ° degree Fahrenheit for pathogen control .
examine compost maturity through a seed germination mental test . ensure semen sprout well .
Amend dull compost with perlite or vermiculite to better drainage and aeration .
Mix compost with aseptic seed starting mix at no more than a 1:3 ratio of compost to seed mixture .
Sow seeds in aseptic medium first for 1 - 2 weeks before transplanting into compost commixture .
Test compost for herbicide residues by germinating test seeds in just compost and search for abnormalities .
Use compost made only from entrust , pesticide - spare factor like on - site stuff .
rinsing compost to polish off potential skunk seeds and drain well before using .
Monitor seedlings closely and discard any that appear unnatural or pathologic .
When taking these redundant step , the potential risks can be reduced and compost can be used successfully for seed starting . However , it still poses more of a gamble than commercial sterile source set about mixes .
Best Uses of Compost in Seed Starting
Rather than sow in seeds flat in compost , low risk options include :
Mixing compost with sterile medium at a 1:3 or 1:4 proportion for transplanting seedlings after sprouting .
Using finished compost to make DIY ejaculate starting pellets , cube , or skunk for transplantation after .
Top - primp seedlings with a thin sprinkling of fine compost once established for nutrients .
Watering seedling occasionally with diluted compost tea for good germ .
better out-of-door garden beds with compost when transfer seedling for added aliment and improved soil attribute .
In this way , seedlings can profit from compost without being forthwith exposed to potential hazards in their delicate , early emergence stages .
Best Practices for Starting Seeds
To get come and seedling off to the healthiest start possible :
Purchase a commercial-grade unimaginative seed start mix for sowing seeds . Look for mixes contain peat or coco coir .
desexualise reprocess seed starting container with a 10 % bleach result or baking at 180 ° farad for 30 mo .
allow for seed start mix to dry out more or less between waterings to preclude fungous disease .
Provide bright , docile light decently above seedlings with grow Inner Light or Dixie - facing window .
Keep seedling at 65 - 75 ° F until germination , then gloomy temperatures to 60 - 65 ° fluorine .
transplantation seedlings to larger container or the garden before becoming tooth root bound .
Harden off seedlings step by step over 7 - 10 mean solar day before transplanting alfresco .
Welcome . . .
I m Greg . you could grow nutrient at home in Southern California . I desire to help oneself you grow vegetables , fruit , and specially avocados . I write a newfangled “ Yard Post ” every Friday .
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Can you grow in only compost?
Can I make my own seed get mix with compost ?
Making your own diy seminal fluid starting intermixture with compost is really simple and toll in effect ! You are in control . Use your own compost or source it from someone trust topically . Mix in all instinctive ingredient that do n’t look like footling pieces of styrofoam floating around in your soil ( gravely , is that what ’s actually in the store - buy stuff and nonsense ? ? ) .
Can you set seedlings in compost ?
Seedlings are immature plant that have just develop from source . Once they sprout , they must be transplanted into garden soil to continue growing . But can you plant your , say , veggie seeds in compost instead ? The solvent is yes ! you may plant seedling in compost . It ’s a great way to give them a boost of nutrients .
Can seeds uprise in a compost pile ?
seed are organic material and will fall in down over time in a compost pile . However , if your compost pile does n’t reach a high enough temperature to vote down the seeds ( at least 140 ° F or 60 ° vitamin C ) , they may continue viable and potentially germinate when you use the compost in your garden , leading to undesirable industrial plant .
Can I compost seeds ?
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases . Yes , you’re able to compost seed , but there are some considerations to keep in mind . Seeds are constitutional material and will break down over time in a compost passel .
