Sustainable seed-starting mix

[puglogic]

I've been searching for a good solution for starting seeds. I like to use a sterile mix because I seem to have better success with my seedlings not damping off. But the options all have liabilities.

My favorite, the ones make with coconut husk, are sustainable but must be shipped in from far away, the continental U.S. not being the world's most prolific coconut region. :)

The others almost always are peat-based, with peat being a fairly unsustainable product, if what I've heard is correct.

What do YOU use to start seeds, if you use anything special?

[Mrs-M]

Personally, because average typical gardeners don't require large quantities of seed-start mix, I side with tradition seed-start recipes (like the one below), even though peat is one of the main ingredients.

Basic Seed Starting Mix I use:

5 parts compost (home-compost or store-bought).
1.5- 2 parts Pro Mix, or BX Mix Compound (growth medium).

[herbgeek]

At yesterday's NOFA conference, I heard Vermont Compost Fort Vee mix recommended. I think it has peat though, but it does have a lot of micronutrients in it.