I’ve been examining the way I usually start seeds for my summer crops, in hopes of fine tuning the process. Talking about tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. NE Texas.
Specifically, I’ve been taking a hard look at the second step, potting up from the 72-cell starter trays into 3.5” x 3.5” nursery pots. I have Fox Farms Ocean Forest and Fox Farms Happy Frog available for that. Was planning to cut either of them with about 1/3 (by volume) Perlite to make the mix less dense and less likely to hold too much water.
Do you have a preference for one or the other (Ocean Forest vs. Happy Frog) for this application? Is there something else you like a whole lot better? Thanks!
by NPKzone8a
5 Comments
If I remember correctly Ocean Forest is a little “hotter” and has more nutrients than Happy Frog which may burn seedlings. I usually amend my beds with Ocean Forest once I set plants out, but I’ve always started in Happy Frog. I think Happy Frog has peat as well.
I have had incredible success with Ocean Forest. I find it holds a bit more nutrients then the regular Happy Frog.
That said, if you can ever find 707 Basement Blend, that is even better, and at right about the same price.
For the record, I don’t cut these with additional perlite at this step.
Strawberry Fields is my go to! I’ve done side by side grows to compare it with Happy Frog and Strawberry Fields always gives more vigorous growth.
I use Promix, 3:1 with perlite, and a good scoop of worm castings.
I’m lazy and start tomatoes in 16 oz solo cups with Happy Frog. I find Ocean Forrest is fine for Brandywines and ‘tough’ strains, but San Marzanos and ‘heirloom’ strains can struggle. I feel the extra space allows the taproot to grow unbothered, and it’s got enough nutrients to keep it going for 30 days. Using seed starting soil in large cups requires regular feedings after day 12 or so, thus Happy Frog seems to work better for me. I do the same for peppers but use smaller solo cups. Also find a need for cal/mag at regular intervals during fruiting stage when using Fox Farm soils.