What is in Home Microgreens Potting Mix

Home Microgreens has formulated its brand of potting mix that includes helpful nutrients without using synthetically derived chemicals or wetting agents.

In a soon-to-be-published article and video, you will see that Home Microgreens potting mix performs at par with potting mixes that include synthetic chemicals.

Here is a rundown of the ingredients in the Home Microgreens Potting mix and why I recommend it to you for growing microgreens or other indoor edible and non-edible plants.

These opinions are mine, but I will give reasons and show you the results of my test that my conclusions are drawn from so you can judge for yourself if you want to use it on plants you grow for food.

Part of a Series on Potting Mix (maybe all grow media)

This article is part of a series on the ingredients of potting soil. There will be links to all of the soils in this series as they are published so you can make the best-educated decision on what to use to grow microgreens.

What is in Home Microgreens Potting Mix?

All indoor potting soils should be called “Mixes” because they are not soils. So, if I slip up and write or say soil, I’m sorry, but I use it interchangeably from years of not understanding the difference. I don’t want to confuse you when I mix up the two.

Listing of the Ingredients of Home Microgreens Potting Mix

The ingredients listed below are directly from the base mix I purchased, and a few other ingredients I added to make this a better long-term mix for general use. New articles and links for explanations of each ingredient will be added in the future.

Home Microgreens Potting Mix Contains:

• Coconut Coir
• Sphagnum peat most
• Natural Fertilizer Amendments – see components below
• Softwood Biochar
• Perlite
• Gypsum
• Leonardite
• Diatomaceous Earth

Natural Amendments (fertilizer)

• Earthworm Casting
• Composted Poultry Litter
• Feather Meal
• Dolomite
• Bone Meal
• Sulfur of Potash

If an ingredient listed above is in orange text, you can click that link to learn more about it if you are interested or curious.

Advantages of Home Microgreens Potting Mix over Other Brands

Home Microgreen Potting Mix contains a balance of natural amendments for optimal growth. The blend of litter, meal, and minerals & elements provides an ideal ratio of the NPK for young plant growth.

The addition of biochar and perlite, with their millions of pores, helps retain dissolved bioavailable nutrients in the potting mix. 

The diatomaceous earth helps prevent outbreaks of fungus gnats or whiteflies if other plants in the house have infestations or the potting mix is overwatered.

Earthworm castings add a proven benefit to plants and I think it is one of the reasons that the Home Microgreens Poting Mix performs as quickly as mixes containing synthetic fertilziers. 

Differences Between Natural Amendments and Synthetic Chemical Fertilizers

The main difference between natural fertilizer amendments and synthetic chemical fertilizers is their origin. Natural fertilizer amendments are derived from organic sources, such as animal manure, compost, or plant residues. Synthetic chemical fertilizers are manufactured through chemical processes and contain concentrated nutrients in specific ratios.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between natural fertilizer amendments and synthetic chemical fertilizers:

Important Note: I want to preface some of these explanations with real-world results when growing microgreens containing natural amendments in potting mixes. The explanations below do stick when added individually to outdoor gardens.

• Ease of use: Just as easy because all are contained in one mix
• Release Rate – Slow acting: As you can see in this article, there is no lag in growth improvement.
• Nutrient Content: The natural amendment blend is included in the potting mix at preferred ratios of NPK for you.

Here is a more detailed explanation of each of the differences:

• Origin: Natural fertilizer amendments are derived from organic sources, such as animal manure, compost, or plant residues. These materials are broken down by microorganisms in the soil, releasing nutrients that plants can use. Synthetic chemical fertilizers are manufactured through chemical processes and contain concentrated nutrients in specific ratios. These nutrients are immediately available to plants but can also leach out of the soil and pollute waterways.
• Nutrient content: Natural fertilizer amendments vary in their nutrient content. Some, such as manure, are high in nitrogen, while others, such as compost, are high in phosphorus and potassium. Synthetic chemical fertilizers are consistent in their nutrient content, making applying the right amount of fertilizer for the plants easier.
• Release rate: Natural fertilizer amendments release nutrients slowly over time. This is because microorganisms in the soil must first break down the nutrients. Synthetic chemical fertilizers release nutrients quickly, which can lead to nutrient imbalances in the soil.
• Effect on soil health: Natural fertilizer amendments improve soil health by adding organic matter. Organic matter helps to improve the soil’s structure, water retention, and drainage. Synthetic chemical fertilizers can harm soil health by increasing soil acidity and killing beneficial microorganisms.
• Environmental impact: Natural fertilizer amendments have a lower environmental impact than synthetic chemical fertilizers. They are less likely to leach out of the soil and pollute waterways. Synthetic chemical fertilizers can pollute waterways and contribute to climate change.

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your fertilizer use, then natural fertilizer amendments are a good choice. 

If you are looking for a fertilizer that will give you quick results, synthetic chemical fertilizers may be a better option.

But Is That Last Statement True?

From my experience of growing plants indoors and outdoors in the garden, plus the results in this article, I’m not sure. 

Outside in the garden, this is true. When I have added synthetic fertilizers, straight NPK fertilizers to the soil around yellow and sickly plants the synthetic fertilizer responds faster.

But inside, as this article and video show, the potting mix with the natural amendments responded similarly to the plants grown in the potting mix with synthetic fertilizer.

Where Can You Buy Home Microgreens Potting Mix?

The Home Microgreens Store sells the potting mix along with premium and competitively priced microgreen seeds and supplies.

Final Thoughts on Natural Fertilizer Amendments verse Synthetic Fertilizer

I’m not entirely against fertilizers. I’m not going to say you are nuts for using synthetic fertilizer or even fertilizer salts, but I won’t use potting mixes that contain them unless I’m caught in a pinch.

I’m leery of using them but still need an open mind. I’m not one to poo-poo something without proof.

I will always try to use potting mixes that contain natural amendments over soils with synthetic fertilizers.

I know some people have issues with the use of animal products as amendments.

But the truth of the matter is that no animal is killed to create soil amendments. There is no money for anyone to do that. Instead, it is using a waste product that will only be thrown in the landfill otherwise. 

We also have the dosage phenomenon where nothing is dangerous if the dosage is below a threshold, and I’d bet that would be the case for anything grown in these mixes that contain synthetic compounds.

So, if I had to use synthetic fertilizer, or potting mixes with synthetic fertilizer, I would because I believe the benefits of the greens or vegetables grown from it outweigh the negatives.

That said, I won’t be using it unless I have to.

Home Microgreens Store

The Home Microgreens Store has a full selection of competitively priced microgreen seeds, supplies, and equipment. You can support this blog, podcast, and small family business by visiting the Home Microgreens Store.