You may or may not be aware of the difference between soils, but one thing is for sure, seeds need a little extra help to grow. Growing a plant from a seed is a real gardening challenge and one that only the brave and passionate attempt to do.
Luckily for us, there are hundreds of methods and types of soil that are designed to get your seedlings growing. We have whittled down the long list of seed soil to just five of our favorites in order to help make your decision a little easier.
Below are our top five seedling soil for 2020 and a detailed description of what we do and don’t like about them. By the end of this review we hope you have a clearer idea of what soil you want to use for your precious seedlings.
Seed Starting Mix Comparison Table
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Black Gold Seedling Mix |
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2. Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix |
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3. Espoma Seed Starter Premium Potting Mix |
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4. Jiffy Seed Starting Plugs |
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5. Burpee Organic Eco-Friendly Seed Starting Mix |
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Best Seed Starting Mixes
Here are our reviews of the best soil for seedlings.
1. Black Gold Seedling Mix
Product Highlights
The Black Gold seedling mix contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss and a long list of other rich and fine ingredients that will hold moisture in the soil.
Features
- Retains moisture
- Promotes aeration
- Promotes root growth
- Organic
- Contains organic wetting agents
- 16-quart
What We Like About Black Gold Seedling Mix
A combination of watering from the bottom up (placing water in a tray and letting it soak into the soil from the bottom) and using this moisture-retaining soil really reduces germination time. The bag also contains enough soil to fill a number of trays if you are looking to plant a lot of seeds.
What We Don’t Like About Black Gold Seedling Mix
The ingredients in the soil may not be ideal for all plants, tomatoes struggle a little bit with this soil and sprout with discolored and damaged looking leaves. Also, if you let the soil dry out, it will suffocate the seedlings and stunt any growth.
PROS
- One bag goes a long way
- Great for established plants
- Light and fluffy texture
- Ideal texture for seeds
CONS
- Dries out quickly
- Not suitable once seeds have roots
2. Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix
Features
- Promotes fast root development
- Contains plant food
- Can use with root cuttings
- Perfect for seeds
- Use in containers
What We Like About Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix
Speeds up the seeds’ average germination rate as it is full of all the nutrients a seed needs. The soil is also really lightweight and doesn’t suffocate the seedlings.
What We Don’t Like About Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix
This mix contains a lot of ingredients that are too heavy for a seedling soil mix, such as sticks and wood chips. The soil also feels very dry for a seed growing potting mix.
PROS
- Holds water well
- Helps with root development
- Easy to use
- One bag covers over 100 slots
CONS
- Contains heavy materials
- Very dry
3. Espoma Seed Starter Premium Potting Mix
Product Highlights
Espoma is an organic seed starting mix. It comes in an 8-quart or 16-quart bag, depending on what you need.
Features
- Made in the United States
- For seedlings
- Can be used with cuttings
- Promotes root growth
- Retains moisture
What We Like About Espoma Seed Starter Premium Potting Mix
Great for growing vegetable seeds such as lettuce, tomatoes, and hot peppers. It also improves the germination rate of the seeds so you will see results faster than expected.
What We Don’t Like About Espoma Seed Starter Premium Potting Mix
Due to its high moisture levels, it may promote mold growth or even arrive with bits of mold in the soil. This is very dangerous for your plants. If the instructions are not followed correctly, the seedlings will not germinate.
PROS
- A bag goes a long way
- Organic
- Great for vegetables
- Easy to use
CONS
- Prone to mold
- Long germination times
4. Jiffy Seed Starting Plugs
Product Highlights
Jiffy Seed Starting Plugs are perfect for starting seed growth in small pots indoors. Place a few seeds in each pallet.
Features
- Minimizes root damage
- Reduced transplant shock
- Reliable
- Easy to use
- Comes ready to use
- Low volume
- Transports easily
What We Like About Jiffy Seed Starting Plugs
The soil plugs hold moisture really well. They promote a ‘work smart, not hard’ policy for gardeners and make the process of germinating seeds more enjoyable. They also reduce the amount of mess you make inside attempting to sow your seeds.
What We Don’t Like About Jiffy Seed Starting Plugs
They do not work for every seed type. Some flowers require a different type of soil texture and the Jiffy Seed Starting Plugs can be a little too dense for some seeds.
PROS
- No mess
- Easy to use
- Easy to transfer
- Safe for fragile seeds
CONS
- Dries out quickly
- Needs frequent watering
5. Burpee Organic Eco-Friendly Seed Starting Mix
Product Highlights
Burpee offers an organic option that is great for vegetable growing.
Features
- Speeds up seed growth
- Good root aeration
- Contains organic plant food
What We Like About Burpee Organic Eco-Friendly Seed Starting Mix
The soil is really fluffy, an ideal texture for tomatoes to thrive and grow beautifully. You can use it to grow seeds inside your home, in a greenhouse, and outside in the garden.
What We Don’t Like About Burpee Organic Eco-Friendly Seed Starting Mix
During hot summer months, the soil struggles to absorb enough water and can result in the seeds being dehydrated and failing to germinate. Due to it being untreated, it attracts gnats which cause serious issues to unestablished plants.
PROS
- Full of nutrients
- Seeds grow quickly
- Good quality starter soil
- Can be used as potting soil
CONS
- Unpleasant smelling
- Requires frequent watering
Final Verdict
Out of the above list, we really liked the Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix. It is really reliable and provides seeds with all the essential minerals they need to grow. If you’re still unsure about what soil you want to buy, you can check out these types of potting soil.