{"id":12599,"date":"2021-04-30T18:53:53","date_gmt":"2021-05-01T01:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/?p=12599"},"modified":"2022-04-01T16:35:05","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T23:35:05","slug":"experiment-comparing-composts-for-vegetable-seed-starting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/experiment-comparing-composts-for-vegetable-seed-starting\/","title":{"rendered":"Comparing composts for vegetable seed starting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I start all of my vegetable seeds in homemade compost, as I wrote about last month. (<a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/can-you-start-vegetable-seeds-in-compost\/\">\u201cCan you start vegetable seeds in compost?\u201d<\/a>) The results are satisfactory. Still I wondered how my seeds would germinate and grow in other composts. Would different composts yield clearly different results?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My experiment compared my compost to two others: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiego.gov\/environmental-services\/miramar\/greenery\/compost\">compost that is made at the Miramar Landfill in San Diego<\/a>; and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mmmushroom.com\/\">compost that is made at Mountain Meadow Mushrooms farm in Escondido<\/a> and is freely available after it has been used to grow mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me say right up front that neither of these other composts make any claim about being good to use as a medium in which to sow vegetable seeds. Furthermore, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiego.gov\/environmental-services\/miramar\/greenery\/compost\">Miramar specifically states<\/a>, \u201cPlanting directly into compost alone is not recommended.\u201d Nevertheless, I was curious to see what would happen if I did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Results, in short<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The vegetable seeds I sowed grew well in my homemade compost, grew acceptably in the mushroom compost, and grew poorly in the Miramar compost. There were clear differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Development of experiment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On March 23, 2021 I sowed two sets of seeds in module trays filled with each type of compost. I tried to select vegetable seeds of different types of plants. The seeds were Toma Verde tomatillo, Top Bunch 2.0 collards, Crispino iceberg lettuce, Summer Dance cucumber, Bright Lights chard, Caiman tomato, and Katana tomato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-experiment-at-seed-sowing-time.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-experiment-at-seed-sowing-time.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12604\" width=\"351\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-experiment-at-seed-sowing-time.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-experiment-at-seed-sowing-time-230x300.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Immediately after sowing.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The composts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At sowing time I noted how each compost smelled, felt, and looked. I also kept in mind how each had been made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mine appeared to have the most diverse ingredients. In it I identified bits of leaves, twigs, soil, wood chips, and plenty of aggregates. It smelled neutral, a lot like dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/my-homemade-compost.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/my-homemade-compost.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/my-homemade-compost.jpg 450w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/my-homemade-compost-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/my-homemade-compost-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>My homemade compost.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is in spite of the fact that my compost comes from my mobile chicken pen, into which I continually dump kitchen and garden scraps, wood chips from my tree trimmings, occasionally some horse manure, and I also add some urine. The chickens scratch through everything and add their own manure. They do also incorporate some of the dirt from the ground below. It all breaks down slowly and without ever getting hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, Miramar compost contains no manure and goes through a hot composting process. Here is what the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sandiego.gov\/environmental-services\/miramar\/greenery\/compost\">Miramar website<\/a> says: \u201cAt the Miramar Greenery, compost is made from yard trimmings and food scraps that have been ground, placed in windrows, turned and watered for 70 days. During this time, microorganisms digest the carbon and nitrogen rich mixture, causing the windrow to sustain temperatures of 140-165 F.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Miramar-compost.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Miramar-compost.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Miramar-compost.jpg 450w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Miramar-compost-281x300.jpg 281w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Miramar compost.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Miramar compost was dark compared to mine, almost black. While I could pick out some small pieces of wood, it also had many fine particles that packed down densely into the module tray\u2019s cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mushroom compost had the most odor. It didn\u2019t smell exactly like manure, but I couldn\u2019t think of a better term to describe its smell even though it was more pleasant than an actual manure odor. The color was a pleasing dark brown. I could see many bits of straw, as well as some aggregates. It was the airiest, the fluffiest of the three composts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mountain-Meadow-Mushrooms-compost.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mountain-Meadow-Mushrooms-compost.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mountain-Meadow-Mushrooms-compost.jpg 450w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mountain-Meadow-Mushrooms-compost-273x300.jpg 273w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Mountain Meadow Mushrooms &#8220;spent&#8221; compost.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The spent mushroom compost from Mountain Meadows Mushroom farm is made from the straw bedding and manure from the horse stalls at the Del Mar race track, plus gypsum, almond shells, cottonseed hulls, and alfalfa screenings, according to my notes taken during a talk that owner Roberto Ramirez gave recently. The materials are composted for about 20 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the compost is used as a substrate for growing mushrooms, and some nutrients are removed from it during that process, the compost is \u201cspent\u201d and is made available to gardeners and farmers. I loaded my truck with some back in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Germination and growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do you predict? How will the vegetable seeds come to life within each of these composts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is what I saw:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-March-30.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-March-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12606\" width=\"348\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-March-30.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-March-30-227x300.jpg 227w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Some germination of collards in all composts after one week, March 30.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-April-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-April-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12609\" width=\"356\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-April-2.jpg 420w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-April-2-229x300.jpg 229w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 356px) 100vw, 356px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Continued germination in mine and the mushroom composts seen on April 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On April 2, I made this note: &#8220;Miramar compost becomes hydrophobic, forming a black crust on the surface. Mine lets in water moderately fast. Mushroom lets in water immediately, fastest.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-April-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-seed-starting-April-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12611\" width=\"392\" height=\"495\"\/><\/a><figcaption>April 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-10.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"347\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-10.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-10-480x278.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><figcaption>April 10. Left to right: Mine, Mushroom, Miramar.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-16.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-16.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-16-480x293.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><figcaption>April 16: Mine, Mushroom, Miramar.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-21.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"387\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-21.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-21.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-21-480x310.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><figcaption>April 21: Mine, Mushroom, Miramar.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-final-day.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-final-day.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12618\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-final-day.jpg 620w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-final-day-480x314.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><figcaption>April 25: Mine, Mushroom, Miramar.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, the seedlings in my compost were at transplanting size so I considered the experiment done. Here is what they looked like from another angle on this final day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-from-front.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-from-front.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-from-front.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/compost-comparison-sowing-vegetables-April-25-from-front-480x344.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 650px, 100vw\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Left to right: Mine, Mushroom, Miramar. (&#8220;C&#8221; is for Caiman tomato and &#8220;K&#8221; is for Katana tomato.)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From germination through growth up to transplant size, seeds sown in my homemade compost performed best. A higher proportion germinated, and growth was fastest and appeared healthiest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mushroom compost performed far better than Miramar but not as well as mine. You could use this mushroom compost for starting vegetable seeds, but it doesn&#8217;t appear optimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Miramar compost was not a friendly medium in which to germinate vegetable seeds. Only seven out of twelve cells had any germination &#8212; and I&#8217;d sown multiple seeds in each cell. The total germination rate was less than 50%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are close-up photos of cucumbers and their roots in each of the composts when I stopped the experiment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-my-homemade-compost.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"399\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-my-homemade-compost.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-my-homemade-compost.jpg 399w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-my-homemade-compost-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Mine.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-mushroom-compost.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-mushroom-compost.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-mushroom-compost.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-mushroom-compost-208x300.jpg 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Mushroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-Miramar-compost.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-Miramar-compost.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-Miramar-compost.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/roots-of-cucumber-in-Miramar-compost-219x300.jpg 219w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Miramar.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why the results?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t know for sure why each of these composts achieved different results for this particular task, but I\u2019m going to bring up four points for consideration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe manure added to compost is helpful, as the two best performers both contained it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Would the mushroom compost have performed as well as mine &#8212; or even better &#8212; had it not been partially depleted of nutrients through previously growing a mushroom crop?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Did the dense texture and lack of aggregates (clumps) in the Miramar compost inhibit germination of seedlings as it formed a crust on the surface?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally, were there any residues of pesticides and herbicides in the Miramar compost that were detrimental to the growth of these baby vegetables?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, I now feel the need to do a second experiment comparing my compost to commercial composts formulated specifically for starting vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>All of my Yard Posts are listed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/list-of-yard-posts\/\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I start all of my vegetable seeds in homemade compost, as I wrote about last month. (\u201cCan you start vegetable seeds in compost?\u201d) The results are satisfactory. Still I wondered how my seeds would germinate and grow in other composts. Would different composts yield clearly different results? My experiment compared my compost to two others: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33,30],"tags":[41],"class_list":["post-12599","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soil-and-fertilizer","category-vegetables","tag-compost"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Comparing composts for vegetable seed starting - Greg Alder&#039;s Yard Posts: Southern California food gardening<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I wanted to see if vegetable seeds would germinate and grow differently in different composts. I found that there were clear differences.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gregalder.com\/yardposts\/experiment-comparing-composts-for-vegetable-seed-starting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Comparing composts for vegetable seed starting - Greg Alder&#039;s Yard Posts: Southern California food gardening\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I wanted to see if vegetable seeds would germinate and grow differently in different composts. 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