How to make a FAILPROOF DIY seed starting mix that saves money and grows BETTER seedlings for your vegetable garden! With just 3 simple ingredients, this light, sterile mix is perfect for starting seeds indoors. Subscribe and watch the Grow Your Garden series with CaliKim for step-by-step tips on growing, harvesting, and enjoying fresh, organic veggies from your backyard.
➡New Year’s Sale: 20% off Smart Pots, Garden Kits & Seed Collections w/ code “2025”.
📕CaliKim’s New Book: The 10-Minute Gardener
Packed with simple, time-saving tips. Grab your signed and personalized copy: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/pages/10-minute-gardener.
➡CaliKim Digital Garden Planner – Start your free trial today: https://calikim.gardenplanner.com.Your garden’s new BFF! Plan, organize, and grow your dream vegetable garden with ease.
SUPPLIES I USE IN THIS VIDEO:
➡Coco Coir: https://amzn.to/3DDseNJ
➡Hand Rake: https://amzn.to/4fO3Upw
➡Vermiculite: https://amzn.to/3PkidaP
➡Vermisterra Worm Castings: https://vermisterra.com, 10% off w/ code “calikim”
➡Seedling 6 packs: https://amzn.to/3PlDlgD
➡Red tea kettle: https://amzn.to/3PklneH
WATCH FOR MORE GARDEN TIPS:
https://bit.ly/CaliKimGrowYour2025GardenPlan5EasySteps
https://bit.ly/CaliKimPerfectLettuceEveryTime
TIMESTAMPS: (click the timestamp to jump to a specific tip or re-watch your favorite part)
00:00 Introduction
00:21 What is seed starting mix
00:42 DON’T DO THIS!
01:16 Ingredient 1
03:26 Ingredient 2
04:17 Ingredient 3
05:40 How to use
06:15 How to store
BOOKS
The 10-Minute Gardener: Grab your signed copy at: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/pages/10-minute-gardener
The First-Time Gardener: Raised Bed Gardening: https://bit.ly/TheFirstTimeGardenerRaisedBedGardening
Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy: https://bit.ly/OrganicGardeningForEveryone
SEEDS
CaliKim Seed Collections: https://calikimgardenandhome.com
CONTAINERS
CaliKim 1, 5, 10 gallon Smart Pots, Little Shorty 3′ fabric raised bed: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/collections/smart-pots
Smart Pots (other sizes): use. code “calikim” for 10% off at https://smartpots.com
What size Smart Pot? https://smartpots.com/what-size-smart-pot-should-I-use/
PEST & DISEASE CONTROL:
Monterey Lawn & Garden: https://www.montereylawngarden.com. Use code “CALIKIM10” for 10% off sitewide.
SOIL AMENDMENTS & FERTILIZER
Vermisterra: https://vermisterra.com
Worm castings, Vitality, Worm tea
10% off with code “calikim”
AMAZON:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
SHADE CLOTH: https://amzn.to/42AvvEU
GROW LIGHTS
1. CLAMP LIGHT SET UP
-8.5” clamp light: https://amzn.to/3abeO8k
-LED bulbs: https://amzn.to/3DJVQGd
2. GROW LIGHT BOX
-8.5” clamp light: https://amzn.to/3abeO8k
-LED bulbs: https://amzn.to/3DJVQGd
-30 gallon storage tote: http://bit.ly/CaliKim30GallonStorageTote
3. SHOP LIGHT SET UP :
-4 foot Shop light fixture with LED bulbs: https://amzn.to/2QSd4ZS
-2 foot Shop light fixture with LED bulbs: https://amzn.to/3qC9hzx
-S hooks: https://amzn.to/3GF9R7x
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5. TIMERS:
Timer power strip: https://amzn.to/37cesP9
Digital timer: https://amzn.to/3qJRIN7
SEED STARTING SUPPLIES
Seed starting pots: https://amzn.to/3tfsKXK
Seed starting cells: https://amzn.to/3JLsZVH
Peat pellets: Large ( 3”, 50mm): https://amzn.to/37u3RiB
Small (1”, 36mm): https://amzn.to/35RP2Cx
Plant labels (colored: ) https://amzn.to/3bLNCjv
Plant trays: https://amzn.to/36YPO1U
Heat mat: https://amzn.to/2FS1I1W
DIY seed starting mix:
Vermiculite, organic: https://amzn.to/3scmFdV
Coco coir bricks: https://amzn.to/2ZABUkQ
Yellow Sticky Traps: https://amzn.to/3Xf5NDR
DRIP IRRIGATION/WATERING
Raised Bed Drip Irrigation Kit: https://amzn.to/30jSLYq
Landscape Staples: https://amzn.to/2Ro85iP
Moisture meter: https://amzn.to/2tbXDD6
Amazon general links:
General search page: https://amzn.to/3897OqD
Seed starting supplies: https://amzn.to/30kbmDG
Garden fertilizers:https://amzn.to/2uQkhBh
Garden disease and pest control: https://amzn.to/2FMw6L7
Grow Lights: https://amzn.to/2NlY5FB
Garden Tools: https://amzn.to/2RiwRRq
Amazon lawn & garden supplies: https://amzn.to/30kFe2Z
WHERE TO FIND ME:
Seed & Garden Shop:https://calikimgardenandhome.com
Instagram: CaliKim: http://instagram.com/calikim29
CameraGuy: https://www.instagram.com/calicameraguy/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CaliKimGardenandHomeDIY/
22 Comments
Cheers to a great 2025 garden and grow season 💕💕
Are you going to make my DIY seed starting mix? Let us know below – and please subscribe if you aren't already and give us a 👍 if you learned something! -CaliKim & CameraGuy
➡New Year's Sale: 20% off Smart Pots, Garden Kits & Seed Collections w/ code "2025".
📕CaliKim’s New Book: The 10-Minute Gardener – Grab your signed and personalized copy: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/pages/10-minute-gardener.
➡CaliKim Digital Garden Planner – Start your free trial today: https://calikim.gardenplanner.com. Your garden’s new BFF! Plan, organize, and grow your dream vegetable garden with ease.
Wow..that is so cool!
??? Kim, I attempted to tag you on Instagram with the photo of your book and me. I have no clue what I was doing, I hope I was successful. 😊
Awesome seed starter, beats the heck out of getting ripped off by the commercially available crap.
I literally make my own seed starter from scratch too. Instead of peat or coco coir, I use my homemade leaf mold, and my own vermicompost. The key to the leaf mold it has to be completely broken down, no recognizable leaves or stems. Leaf mold can hold 300 to 500% of its own weight in water. Having a constant source of fresh vermicompost not only provides the nutrients and beneficial enzymes, but also a thriving population of beneficial microbes. Trying to get you to start raising your own worms Kim, lol.
I do add some pulverized vermiculite to aid in drainage (The extremely large bag of vermiculite i bought several years ago was too chunky to use as is).
A tip if someone does end up with fungus gnats. Mosquito bits, the active ingredient is a bacteria ( Bti) that kills fly larva, I use it in my natural bedding for my worms, and is labeled for fungus gnat control.
Excellent video once again Kim! Stay Well !!!!
Happy New Year CaliKim from Buckeye AZ! I was outside a couple of hours ago making my own seed starting mix with the same ingredients with some added Perlite.
Made 36 trays of green and red romaine lettuce. Always great success with this mix. Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you, going to try it…
Thank you Kim.
I use the same things for starting seeds. I learned from you.
Happy growing! 💗
Thank you for sharing!! 🙂 I appreciate it!! Cant wait to get started on my garden this year!
Can't wait to start my garden this new year!
Happy New Year CaliKim, Camera Guy and Company! Looking forward to starting my 2025 garden soon.
Yay for your new book! Thank you for taking the time to invest in helping all of us grow better!!
Love it! Same mix I've been using. It works so well, and seeds germanite so quickly.
I have used Coconut Coir for years. I even add it as a Mulch to my summer garden to help with water retention. LOL Thats where the big bricks come into play. Once I get to Witchita Kansas I plan on using my smart pots on our patio so I will be adding Coconut Coir to my potting mix.
Best seed starting mix ever! If vermiculite is not available locally or online, I use perlite for aeration.
Hi Kim, do you ship your new book to Australia?
I made this same mix from your previous videos a few days ago. I am almost out of the fine vermiculite and the brand I had purchased before is out of stock. Thanks for adding the link to what you have, I just ordered 4 bags!
Thx ❤
I plan on trying to start tomatoes from seeds. I wanted to know if what I'm trying will work. I want to use a tall pot with slits on the side and put about one to two inches of starter soil in and after they get taller pinch the lower leaves off and add regular potting mix in and keep repeating till I'm ready to transplant. But i wonder if they will get too hot under the grow lights since the plant will totally be surrounded inside the pot. Also will it get leggy if the light is over two inches above the plant? The pot is really tall.
First, gotta say – I don't comment on every video because I don't want to appear obnoxious and wear out my welcome, ya know? But love what you do – and even though we are in widely different areas of the country, you are very timely with what I need. So thank you! Second – Questions: 1) Do you let the cocoa coir cool a bit before adding worm castings? 2) Perlite – any benefit to adding that to your mix? Thirdly – Happy New Year and lets go 2025!
I’ve been using your seed starting mix recipe for the past 3 years. It’s the best!! My seedlings are always very healthy and provide my family with tons of food!! Thank you!
COCO coir! I need to start adding worm castings to my seed mix!
I live in Japan so wormcastings are extremely expensive. Is it absolutely necessary? I have to imagine not because people are growing their seeds here and are likely not using it. Are there any alternatives?